Abstract: A system and method for adaptive imaging include a shape sensing system (115, 117) coupled to an interventional device (102) to measure spatial characteristics of the interventional device in a subject. An image module (130) is configured to receive the spatial characteristics and generate one or more control signals in accordance with the spatial characteristics. An imaging device (110) is configured to image the subject in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus for sensing an object includes an arrangement of sensing elements for sensing a property of the object. The sensing elements are operable in a contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are in contact with the object, and in a non-contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are not in contact with the object. The sensing apparatus further includes a mode determination unit for determining whether or not a sensing element is in contact with the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for combined ablation and ultrasound imaging of associated tissue (40), which is particularly useful for use in an ablation process. The system comprises an interventional device (20) with an ultrasouond transducer and an ablation unit. During an ablation process, the interventional device (20) can be applied for both ablation and imaging of the tissue (40) subject to the ablation. A controlling unit (CTRL) is further comprised within the system, and arranged to calculate a predictor value based on one or more signals from the ultrasound transducer, where the predictor value relates to a risk of impending tissue damage due to a rapid release of bubble energy. According to a specific embodiment, a primary signal is sent if the predictor value exceeds a threshold value, so that proper measures can be taken.

Abstract: An interventional instrument, system and method include an elongated flexible member (100) having one or more segmented sections (101) disposed longitudinally. An optical fiber (104) is disposed internally in the flexible member. A plurality of optical sensors (102) are coupled to the optical fiber and distributed along a length of the flexible member such that the optical sensors are positioned to monitor parameters simultaneously at different positions or at different data sources along the flexible member to provide distributed sensing.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The transmission element and the one or more ultrasound transducers are mounted so that an acoustic path length (8) between the transmission element (5) and the ultrasound transducer (4) varies with contact force (10) imposed to the distal end region. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length between the ultrasound transducer and the transmission element and determines the contact force from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter for applying energy to an object. The catheter (5) has a longitudinal axis (7) and includes an energy applying unit (30) for applying energy to the object and a sensing unit (20) for sensing the object in a sensing direction (23). The sensing unit (20) is adapted to be rotatable with respect to the catheter (5) such that the angle (α) between the sensing direction (23) of the sensing unit (20) and the longitudinal axis (7) of the catheter (5) is adjustable. The sensing unit (20) can be adjusted during the application of energy to the object such that the sensing direction (23) of the sensing unit (20) points to the site to which the energy is applied, regardless of the angle that the catheter tip forms with the surface of the object at that site.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustical switch wherein the idea to the ultrasound propagation direction may be changes without moving the switch. The switch device comprises two sheets of acoustically transparent material. The sheets constitute opposite walls of a housing. The switch device further comprises one or more orifices for allowing conduction of fluid into and/or out of said housing. The switch device may be made reflective by filling the housing with a gas via the one or more orifices. Moreover, the switch device may be made transmissive to ultrasound by filling the housing with a liquid via the one or more orifices and/or by subjecting the housing to underpressure via the one or more orifices. The acoustical switch device fits well within a catheter, which has severe dimensional limitations.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging a heart is provided, wherein the imaging of the heart is improved such that conclusions about regions of the heart having an abnormal behaviour can be made more accurate and more optimal. The imaging apparatus comprises a first site determination unit for determining a first site of the heart comprising a first property type like a fractionated electrogram (70,71,74,75) and a second site determination unit for determining a second site comprising a second property type like a ganglionated plexus (72,73). The first site and the second site are causally related and displayed on a display unit. Since the displayed first and second sites are causally related to each other, a further information is given, i.e. the causal relation, which assists a user in finding regions of the heart showing an abnormal behaviour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensing apparatus for sensing an object, wherein the sensing apparatus (1) comprises an arrangement (7) of sensing elements for sensing a property of the object (2). The sensing elements are operable in a contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are in contact with the object (2), and in a non-contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are not in contact with the object. The sensing apparatus comprises preferentially further a mode determination unit for determining whether a sensing element is in contact with the object (2) or not.