Abstract: Provided herein is a probe for ultrasound imaging of tissue. The probe comprises an optical relay having an optically absorbing coating at the distal end of the probe for generating ultrasound from excitation light via the photoacoustic effect, wherein the generated ultrasound propagates as an ultrasound beam into the tissue; and an ultrasound receiver separate from the optical relay. The optical relay is configured to receive as input a time-varying spatial pattern of excitation light at the proximal end of the probe and to transmit the excitation light to the distal end of the probe to illuminate the optically absorbing coating in accordance with said time-varying spatial pattern, thereby generating ultrasound from the excitation light via the photoacoustic effect to propagate as a scanning ultrasound beam into the tissue. The ultrasound receiver is configured to receive reflections of the ultrasound from tissue. Such an ultrasound probe may be incorporated, for example, into a transseptal puncture needle.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system are described that identify one or more regions of the heart responsible for supporting or initiating abnormal heart rhythms. Electrogram data is used that has been recorded from a plurality of electrodes on multipolar cardiac catheters obtained from a corresponding series of sensing locations on the heart over a recording time period.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system are described that identify one or more regions of the heart responsible for supporting or initiating abnormal heart rhythms. Electrogram data is used that has been recorded from a plurality of electrodes on multipolar cardiac catheters obtained from a corresponding series of sensing locations on the heart over a recording time period.

Abstract: A method for making a housing that defines a cavity for a pressure sensor, the method comprising: providing a bulk of material that will form the housing; focusing a radiation beam on internal portions of the bulk of material so as to modify the internal portions, thereby defining the housing's shape, wherein upstream of the focus of the radiation beam other portions of the bulk material remain unmodified; and discarding either the modified portions or the unmodified portions of the bulk material so as to form the cavity.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe comprises an optical light guide comprising a multi-mode optical waveguide for transmitting excitation light and a single-mode optical waveguide for transmitting interrogation light. The probe further comprises an ultrasound transmitter located at a distal end of the probe, the ultrasound transmitter comprising an optically absorbing material for absorbing the excitation light from the multi-mode optical waveguide to generate an ultrasound beam via the photoacoustic effect. The probe further comprises an ultrasound receiver including an optical cavity external to the single-mode optical waveguide. The interrogation light from the single-mode optical waveguide is provided to the ultrasound receiver. The optical cavity has a reflectivity that is modulated by impinging ultrasound waves. The interrogation light is reflected from the optical cavity to a proximal end of the single-mode optical waveguide where it can be received for generating a signal.

Abstract: A sensor is provided for measuring a flow of a fluid in a physiological environment, such as within a vessel of a human or animal subject. The sensor comprises an interrogation light guide extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the sensor. The interrogation light guide is configured to transmit interrogation light to, and receive reflected interrogation light from, the distal end of the sensor. The sensor further comprises an excitation light guide configured to transmit excitation light to the distal end of the sensor. The excitation light is provided for heating the fluid (directly or indirectly). The sensor further comprises a sensing element located at the distal end of the sensor. The sensing element comprises at least two etalons for reflecting interrogation light back along the interrogation light guide towards the proximal end of the sensor. Each etalon has a respective optical path length and further has at least one reflective surface external to the interrogation light guide.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for identifying one or more areas of the heart muscle responsible for supporting or initiating abnormal heart rhythms using electrogram data recorded from a plurality of electrodes obtained from a corresponding series of sensing locations on the heart over a recording time period; the method including the steps of: setting a pre-defined geodesic distance, dividing the recording time period into several analysis time periods, and pairing each sensing location with a plurality of other sensing locations from within the defined geodesic distance, thus forming a plurality of location pairings; for each of the analysis time periods, defining the relative timing of each activation signal for each location within each pairing, determining whether the relative timing of activation signals falls within plausible biological parameters, defining the leading signal of the pair for each electrogram activation within the respective analysis time period; and assigning a series of lea

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for identifying one or more areas of the heart muscle responsible for supporting or initiating abnormal heart rhythms using electrogram data recorded from a plurality of electrodes obtained from a corresponding series of sensing locations on the heart over a recording time period; the method including the steps of: setting a pre-defined geodesic distance, dividing the recording time period into several analysis time periods, and pairing each sensing location with a plurality of other sensing locations from within the defined geodesic distance, thus forming a plurality of location pairings; for each of the analysis time periods, defining the relative timing of each activation signal for each location within each pairing, determining whether the relative timing of activation signals falls within plausible biological parameters, defining the leading signal of the pair for each electrogram activation within the respective analysis time period; and assigning a series of lea

Abstract: Provided herein is a probe for ultrasound imaging of tissue. The probe comprises an optical relay having an optically absorbing coating at the distal end of the probe for generating ultrasound from excitation light via the photoacoustic effect, wherein the generated ultrasound propagates as an ultrasound beam into the tissue; and an ultrasound receiver separate from the optical relay. The optical relay is configured to receive as input a time-varying spatial pattern of excitation light at the proximal end of the probe and to transmit the excitation light to the distal end of the probe to illuminate the optically absorbing coating in accordance with said time-varying spatial pattern, thereby generating ultrasound from the excitation light via the photoacoustic effect to propagate as a scanning ultrasound beam into the tissue. The ultrasound receiver is configured to receive reflections of the ultrasound from tissue. Such an ultrasound probe may be incorporated, for example, into a transseptal puncture needle.