Abstract: A method, including performing an ablation of tissue using a first high RF power for a short duration, suspending RF power for a predetermined period, and using a second high RF power for a short duration forming lesions with greater surface area and greater depth through resistive heating and thermal latency. High RF power may range between 75-95 W and short duration may range between 4-5 seconds.

Abstract: A method for displaying information includes receiving measurements, with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject, of probe parameters consisting of a force exerted by the probe on tissue of the subject and temperatures measured by sensors of the probe; and responsively to the measurements, displaying in a single map on a display screen a graphical representation of a distribution of the temperatures in a vicinity of the probe and superimposing thereon a vector representation of the force, wherein the single map includes a color map based on an auto-adjust color scale. In some embodiments, the auto-adjust color scale includes a selected color that represents a maximum temperature equal to a maximum measured temperature increased by a predetermined number of degrees. In some embodiments, the auto-adjust color scale includes a selected color that represents a minimum temperature equal to a measured tissue temperature before ablation.

Abstract: A catheter having an ablation electrode with at least one microelectrode configured to sense monophasic action potential signals and a force sensor configured to sense contact force of the microelectrode against tissue surface, may be used to acquire pre-ablation MAP signals with monophasic characteristics and post-ablation MAP signals to determine presence or absence of monophasic characteristics in the latter in assessing quality or success of ablation procedure and lesion formation.

Abstract: A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance.

Abstract: A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for contemporaneously assessing the success of a renal denervation procedure. One or more characteristics of a patient's heart, such as atrioventricular (AV) interval, PR interval and/or heart rate are monitored during an ablation procedure. A change in the heart characteristic detected during the ablation may indicate successful denervation. Accordingly, successive new locations may be targeted for ablation until a change is detected.

Abstract: A method and device that provide improved visualization of soft tissue, such as renal arteries, renal veins and lymph nodes in guiding catheter placement and positioning in the renal region or vasculature. The method and device enable visualization of an electrophysiology catheter application in the renal region which provides for improved imaging of renal structures, including renal arteries, along with one or more adjacent anatomical structures, including renal veins, lymph nodes, other adjacent organs and and/or other adjacent soft tissues that may adversely impact the formation of a lesion during a catheter ablation procedure in or around a renal artery.

Abstract: An ablation catheter adapted for use with a guide wire has a 3-D shaped portion that carries ring electrodes for ablating a vessel or tubular region, including the renal artery. The 3-D shaped portion, for example, a helical portion, enables the ring electrodes to contact an inner surface of the vessel at a plurality of locations at different depths along the vessel to form a conduction block without forming a closed conduction loop which would otherwise increase the risk of stenosis of the vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter has a lumen with entry and exit ports to allow the guide wire to pass through the lumen but bypass the 3-D shaped portion. In another embodiment, the catheter has outer bands providing side tunnels through which the guide wire can pass through.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated body, a distal assembly with a shape-memory member defining a generally helical form, and a control handle. The control handle may be adapted to actuate a deflection puller wire for deflecting a portion of the elongated body and a contraction wire for contracting the generally helical form. The generally helical form carries irrigated ablation ring electrodes. A nitinol support member with shape memory extends through the distal assembly and into the elongated body to provide the helical form. The support member may have a varying stiffness along its length, for example, a decreasing stiffness toward a distal end of the support member. The support member can also be hollow so that it can receive a mandrel whose stiffness is greater than that of the support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for visual assistance during the electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart, enabling electroanatomic 3D mapping data relating to an area of the heart to be treated to be visualized during the use of the catheter. Before the catheter is used, 3D image data of a body region containing the area to be treated is detected by means of a method for tomographic 3D imaging. The area to be treated or significant parts thereof are extracted from said 3D image data, in order to obtain selected 3D image data. The electroanatomic 3D mapping data and the selected 3D image data obtained are then classed in terms of position and dimension, and are adjacently visualized, for example, during the catheter ablation. The inventive method and associated device enable the orientation of the operator to be improved during the use of a catheter in the heart.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for contemporaneously assessing the success of a renal denervation procedure. One or more characteristics of a patient's heart, such as atrioventricular (AV) interval, PR interval and/or heart rate are monitored during an ablation procedure. A change in the heart characteristic detected during the ablation may indicate successful denervation. Accordingly, successive new locations may be targeted for ablation until a change is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for visually supporting an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart, whereby electroanatomical 3D mapping data of an area of the heart to be treated which are provided during performance of the catheter application are visualized. Before the catheter application is carried out, 3D image data of the area to be treated are recorded by means of a tomographical 3D imaging method, a 3D surface profile of objects in the area to be treated is extracted from the 3D image data by segmentation and the electroanatomical 3D mapping data provided and the 3D images representing the 3D surface profile are associated with each other in the correct position and dimension relative each other and e.g. visualized in an superimposed manner during the catheter application. The present method and the corresponding device allow for an improved orientation of the user who carries out an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart.

Abstract: A catheter having a distal assembly with multiple spines with proximal ends affixed to the catheter and free distal ends. The spines have different lengths so distal ends of the spines trace different circumferences along an inner tissue surface of a tubular region to minimize risk of vein stenosis. The spine lengths can be configured so that the distal ends trace a helical pattern. The distal assembly may have a plunger which deflects the spines when moved longitudinally relative to the distal assembly. The catheter may include a second distal assembly distal of a first distal assembly wherein the first and second distal assemblies are separated by a fixed distanced or an adjustable distance.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated body, a distal assembly with a shape-memory member defining a generally helical form, and a control handle. The control handle may be adapted to actuate a deflection puller wire for deflecting a portion of the elongated body and a contraction wire for contracting the generally helical form. The generally helical form carries irrigated ablation ring electrodes. A nitinol support member with shape memory extends through the distal assembly and into the elongated body to provide the helical form. The support member may have a varying stiffness along its length, for example, a decreasing stiffness toward a distal end of the support member. The support member can also be hollow so that it can receive a mandrel whose stiffness is greater than that of the support member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for visual assistance during the electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart, enabling electroanatomic 3D mapping data relating to an area of the heart to be treated to be visualised during the use of the catheter. Before the catheter is used, 3D image data of a body region containing the area to be treated is detected by means of a method for tomographic 3D imaging. The area to be treated or significant parts thereof are extracted from said 3D image data, in order to obtain selected 3D image data. The electroanatomic 3D mapping data and the selected 3D image data obtained are then classed in terms of position and dimension, and are adjacently visualised, for example, during the catheter ablation. The inventive method and associated device enable the orientation of the operator to be improved during the use of a catheter in the heart.

Abstract: A catheter is provided that has a basket-shaped electrode assembly with an improved mechanism for expanding and contracting the electrode array. The expansion mechanism is designed to permit reproducible reintroduction of the catheter into the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having at least one lumen therethrough. A basket-shaped electrode assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The basket assembly comprises a plurality of spines connected at their proximal and distal ends, each of which comprises at least one electrode. The basket assembly has an expanded arrangement wherein the spines bow radially outwardly and a collapsed arrangement wherein the spines are arranged generally along the axis of the catheter body. An expander is attached at or near its distal end to the distal ends of the spines and extends through the catheter body. The expander has a proximal end that extends out the proximal end of the catheter body a lumen extending therethrough.

Abstract: A method is provided for mapping electrical activity within a tubular region of or near the heart having a inner circumference, such as a pulmonary vein. The method comprises inserting into the heart a distal end of a mapping catheter. The mapping catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter includes a mapping assembly comprising a tubular structure comprising a pre-formed generally circular main region generally transverse and distal to the catheter body and having an outer circumference. The tubular structure comprises a non-conductive cover over at least the main region of the mapping assembly. A plurality of electrode pairs, each comprising two ring electrodes, are carried by the generally circular main region of the mapping assembly.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for visually supporting an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart, whereby electroanatomical 3D mapping data of an area of the heart to be treated which are provided during performance of the catheter application are visualized. Before the catheter application is carried out, 3D image data of the area to be treated are recorded by way of a tomographical 3D imaging method, a 3D surface profile of objects in the area to be treated is extracted from the 3D image data by segmentation and the electroanatomical 3D mapping data provided and the 3D images representing the 3D surface profile are associated with each other in the correct position and dimension relative each other and e.g. visualized in a superimposed manner during the catheter application. The disclosed method and the corresponding device allow for an improved orientation of the user who carries out an electrophysiology catheter application in the heart.

Abstract: A mapping catheter comprises a catheter body and a mapping assembly. The catheter body has an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The mapping assembly comprises a generally straight proximal region attached to the catheter body, a generally circular main region distal the proximal region having an outer circumference, and a generally straight distal region distal the main region. The mapping assembly also comprises a support member having shape-memory, a non-conductive covering over the support member, and a plurality of electrodes on the non-conductive covering along the generally circular main region.

Abstract: An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the electrical activity in a heart. The catheter comprises a plurality of spines each capable of obtaining electrical, mechanical and locational data. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Mounted at the distal end of the catheter body is a mapping assembly having at least two spines, each having a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end. Each spine comprises at least one location sensor and at least one electrode, preferably a tip electrode and at least one ring electrode. The spines may be arranged in an expanded arrangement wherein each spine extends radially outwardly from the catheter body or in a collapsed arrangement wherein each spine is disposed generally along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.