Abstract: The subject of this disclosure includes an ablation system for visually supporting a tissue ablation procedure, including a display comprising a user interface; and at least one processor in communication with the display, the at least one processor configured to control one or more of a plurality of electrodes of a radiofrequency balloon catheter to ablate organ tissues of one or more targeted pulmonary veins; determine a characteristic, based on ablation parameters of the radiofrequency balloon catheter, of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) success rate; and present, on the display, visual information corresponding to each electrode for an indication, based on the characteristic, for PVI success rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for medical treatment, consisting of a probe and a processor. The probe has an insertion tube having a distal end configured for insertion into a body cavity of a living subject, and a basket assembly having multiple resilient spines coupled to the distal end of the insertion tube and joined together in a predefined form when the basket assembly is unconstrained by external forces. The probe also has a force sensor configured to output an indication of a force exerted on the basket assembly within the body cavity. The processor is configured to receive the indication of the force, to compute a constrained form of the basket assembly, different from the predefined form, responsively to the force, and to render to a display a graphical image representing the constrained form of the basket assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a medical probe and a processor. The medical probe includes a shaft for insertion into a cavity of an organ of a patient; an expandable assembly fitted at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the expandable assembly has elastic properties; a position sensing element mounted on the distal end of the shaft; and at least one distal position sensing element on a distal end of the expandable assembly. The processor senses relative location of each of the at least one distal position sensing element and the proximal position sensing element; determines deflection of the expandable assembly based on the relative location; relates the deflection to the contact force applied on the expandable assembly; and provides an indication of the contact force on a display.

Abstract: A medical probe for insertion has at least one distal electrode coupled to an energy source to apply energy to tissue inside the body. A plurality of apertures are formed in the electrode. A fluid-directing assembly is disposed in the distal section of the probe having an axial channel that is in fluid communication with at least one trans-axial channel disposed at right angles to the axial channel and leading to an exterior of the assembly. A blocking terminus is disposed forward of the at least one trans-axial channel that prevents irrigation fluid from flowing axially in a forward direction so that the fluid flows outwardly into the lumen of the electrode in at least one trans-axial direction.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes one or more magnetic field generators, which are configured to generate magnetic fields within a body of a patient. An invasive probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end, which is configured for insertion into the body, and a plurality of flexible splines configured to be deployed from the distal end of the insertion tube. Each spline includes a flexible, multilayer circuit board and a conductive trace that is formed in at least one layer of the circuit board and is configured to define one or more coils, which are disposed along a length of the spline and output electrical signals in response to the magnetic fields. A processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals output by the coils in order to derive respective positions of the flexible splines in the body.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft, an expandable frame, a first set of electrodes, and a second set of electrodes. The shaft is configured for insertion into an organ of a patient. The expandable frame is fitted at a distal end of the shaft. The first set of electrodes is disposed over a distal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be placed in contact with a tissue in the organ. The second set of electrodes is disposed on a proximal portion of the expandable frame, and configured to be inter-connected to form a common electrode.

Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end. The assembly has a distal side and a proximal side. The assembly includes first and second flat spring coils having internal edges that mate with first and second retainers, respectively. The first and second flat coils are disposed in the probe distal end proximal to the electrode and separated by a spacer. The first and second flat coils are configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the tip engages a wall of the body cavity. A transmitter is disposed on one of the distal side or the proximal side of the assembly and a receiver is disposed on the opposite side. The receiver is configured to receive signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter includes a shaft assembly having a proximal and distal end, which comprises a deflectable segment including lumens running longitudinally therein, electrodes disposed at the distal end, a connector disposed at the proximal end for coupling to processing circuitry, cables disposed in first respective ones of the lumens, each cable electrically coupled to the connector and a respective group of the electrodes, wherein each cable includes a bundle of wires, each wire connected to a respective one of the electrodes in the respective group, an electrical shielding surrounding the bundle, and an electrically insulating jacket surrounding the shielding and sized to allow longitudinal movement of the respective cable within the respective lumen, respective elongated members disposed in second respective ones of the lumens, and connected to the distal end, and a manipulator connected to the elongated members to actuate the distal end via the elongated members.

Abstract: A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having proximal and distal ends, and a basket assembly at the distal end of the flexible insertion tube. In embodiments of the present invention, the basket assembly includes a plurality of spines and a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes having a lumen therethrough fitting a given spine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus configured to perform the method, the method including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power for a first ablation mode within a range of 70 W to 100 W and selecting a second maximum RF power for a second ablation mode within a range of 20 W to 60 W. The method also includes selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated in the first ablation mode, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting irrigation rates for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode in the first ablation mode and the second ablation mode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. In some embodiments, the first maximum RF power is 90 W applied for 4 seconds with a maximum temperature of 60° C.

Abstract: A medical probe for insertion has at least one distal electrode coupled to an energy source to apply energy to tissue inside the body. A plurality of apertures are formed in the electrode. A fluid-directing assembly is disposed in the distal section of the probe having an axial channel that is in fluid communication with at least one trans-axial channel disposed at right angles to the axial channel and leading to an exterior of the assembly. A blocking terminus is disposed forward of the at least one trans-axial channel that prevents irrigation fluid from flowing axially in a forward direction so that the fluid flows outwardly into the lumen of the electrode in at least one trans-axial direction.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes an insertion tube configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient and a distal assembly, including a plurality of spines having respective proximal ends that are connected distally to the insertion tube. Each spine includes a rib extending along a length of the spine, a flexible polymer sleeve disposed over the rib and defining a lumen running parallel to the rib along the spine, and one or more electrodes disposed on the sleeve and configured to contact tissue within the body cavity.

Abstract: Medical apparatus includes one or more magnetic field generators, which are configured to generate magnetic fields within a body of a patient. An invasive probe includes an insertion tube having a distal end, which is configured for insertion into the body, and a plurality of flexible splines configured to be deployed from the distal end of the insertion tube. Each spline includes a flexible, multilayer circuit board and a conductive trace that is formed in at least one layer of the circuit board and is configured to define one or more coils, which are disposed along a length of the spline and output electrical signals in response to the magnetic fields. A processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals output by the coils in order to derive respective positions of the flexible splines in the body.

Abstract: A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having a proximal segment and a deflectable distal segment, and containing first and second proximal tubular structures, first and second distal lumens, and first and second wires. The first and second proximal tubular structures are twisted around each other in the proximal segment. The first and lumens are parallel to each other in the deflectable distal segment. The first and second wires run respectively through the first and second proximal tubular structures and the first and second distal lumens. The first and second wires have respective first and second proximal ends which deflect the deflectable distal segment when the respective proximal ends are pulled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, a proximal coupler connected to the distal end, an expandable assembly comprising a plurality of flexible polymer circuit strips, the flexible polymer circuit strips having respective proximal ends connected to, and disposed circumferentially around, the proximal coupler, respective ones of the flexible polymer circuit strips including respective multiple strip electrodes, respective contact arrays disposed at the respective proximal ends, and respective multiple circuit traces electrically connecting the respective multiple strip electrodes with the respective contact arrays, and a plurality of surface mountable electrodes mounted on, and bulging over respective ones of the flexible polymer circuit strips.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a catheter apparatus, including an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, a coupler connected to the distal end, a pusher including a distal portion, and configured to be advanced and retracted through the deflectable element, a nose connector connected to the distal portion, and including a distal receptacle having an inner surface and a distal facing opening, and an expandable assembly including flexible polymer circuit strips, each strip including electrodes disposed thereon, the strips being disposed circumferentially around the distal portion of the pusher, with first ends of the strips being connected to the coupler and second ends of the strips including respective hinges entering the distal facing opening and connected to the inner surface of the distal receptacle, the strips being configured to bow radially outward when the pusher is retracted expanding the expandable assembly from a collapsed form to an expanded form.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site; and ablating tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) second increments with a break period of approximately 4 seconds between applications.

Abstract: A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having proximal and distal ends, and a basket assembly at the distal end of the flexible insertion tube. In embodiments of the present invention, the basket assembly includes a plurality of spines and a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes having a lumen therethrough fitting a given spine.

Abstract: A catheter manufacturing method includes the step of providing a hollow cylindrical part of a catheter, having a longitudinal axis, to be bonded to a given part along respective edge surfaces of the hollow cylindrical and the given parts. One or more undercut structures that are disposed circumferentially with respect to the longitudinal axis and also generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the undercut structures having a radial orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis, are formed at least in the edge surface of the hollow cylindrical part. The hollow cylindrical part and the given part are connected using the undercut structures.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include a medical probe having an insertion tube, a basket assembly, an axial electrode, and a plurality of radial electrodes. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a patient. The basket assembly has a proximal end that is connected distally to the insertion tube and includes a plurality of resilient spines, which are configured to bow radially outward from an axis of the basket assembly and are conjoined at a distal end of the basket assembly. The axial electrode is disposed at the distal end of the basket assembly, having a diameter of at least 1.5 millimeters, and is configured to contact tissue in the body cavity. The plurality of radial electrodes are configured to contact the tissue in the body cavity and include radial electrodes disposed on the spines.