Abstract: Methods described herein can include drawing materials to form a drawn filled tubing (DFT) wire. The materials can include a core material, a first layer of a biocompatible material disposed exterior to the filler material, a magnetic material disposed external to the first layer of biocompatible material, and a second layer of biocompatible material disposed exterior to the magnetic material. In some embodiments, the method further comprises melting the core material to form a magnet with a through hole lumen. In some embodiments, the method can further include applying an external magnetic field to the materials during the drawing to align grains of the magnetic material. In some embodiments, the core material can have a melting point lower than a melting point of the magnetic material and the biocompatible material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetically steerable irrigated ablation catheters and methods of operating the same. A steerable catheter can include a distal tip including a first set of magnets. The steerable catheter further includes a shaft. The shaft includes a flexible section with a distal end coupled to the distal tip. The shaft further includes a second set of magnets spaced along a length of the flexible section and spaced from the first set of magnets such that the first and second sets of magnets collectively enable the flexible section to curve without kinking in response to a magnetic field being applied to the first and second set of magnets. In some embodiments, each magnet from the second set of magnets can be coupled to the flexible section via metallic elements disposed at the ends of each magnet.

Abstract: A system for operating a catheter having a distal end adapted to be navigated in the body, and a proximal end having a handle with a translatable control and a rotatable control for acting on the distal end of the device includes a support for receiving and engaging the handle of the catheter; a translation mechanism for advancing and retracting the support to advance and retract a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to rotate a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a translation operator for engaging the translatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the translatable control to act on the distal end of the device; and a rotation operator for engaging the rotatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the rotatable control to act on the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A method of determining the distance between an electrode catheter disposed in a body fluid adjacent an internal body surface, and the internal body surface, the method comprising: applying an alternating voltage or an alternating current that alternates at between about 10 kHZ and about 100 kHz between at least one pair of electrodes on the electrode catheter; determining the impedance between at least one pair of electrodes on the electrode catheter; and determining the distance between the electrode catheter and the internal body surface based at least in part on the determined impedance.

Abstract: A method of operating a remote medical navigation system using ultrasound, employs ultrasound imaging from a medical device to supplement or to replace conventional x-ray imaging of the operating region during navigation.

Abstract: A system for operating a catheter having a distal end adapted to be navigated in the body, and a proximal end having a handle with a translatable control and a rotatable control for acting on the distal end of the device includes a support for receiving and engaging the handle of the catheter; a translation mechanism for advancing and retracting the support to advance and retract a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to rotate a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a translation operator for engaging the translatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the translatable control to act on the distal end of the device; and a rotation operator for engaging the rotatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the rotatable control to act on the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A display for operating a plurality of separate computer systems, each having a visual display. The display includes comprising a composite display, a video system for receiving display input from each of the plurality of separate computer systems and displaying it on the composite display, a processor which controls the content of the composite display based upon a planned procedure workflow.

Abstract: A work flow driven method of performing multi-step medical procedures includes displaying the visual displays from separate computer controlled systems on a composite display, and displaying prompts for a plurality of steps of the multi-step medical procedure, and in response to user selection from the prompts, automatically reconfiguring the composite display based in part on the selection. Alternatively the display can be changed in response to user actions other than selection. In other embodiments, the composite display can change automatically to match a planned work flow.

Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of computer systems includes translating inputs generated by the operation of an input device associated with a first computer into control signals for operating at least one other computer system to operate the at least one other computer system in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: A method of performing a multi-step medical procedure requiring the operation of a plurality of separate computer systems, each accepting inputs and providing a visual display, the method including displaying the displays from the separate computer controlled systems on a composite display; and based in part from information from one of the separate computer systems, automatically selecting the next step from a plurality of possible next steps, and displaying a prompt for the automatically selected next step, and automatically reconfiguring the composite display for the automatically selected next step.

Abstract: A system for operating a catheter having a distal end adapted to be navigated in the body, and a proximal end having a handle with a translatable control and a rotatable control for acting on the distal end of the device includes a support for receiving and engaging the handle of the catheter; a translation mechanism for advancing and retracting the support to advance and retract a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to rotate a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a translation operator for engaging the translatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the translatable control to act on the distal end of the device; and a rotation operator for engaging the rotatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the rotatable control to act on the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A system for operating a catheter having a distal end adapted to be navigated in the body, and a proximal end having a handle with a translatable control and a rotatable control for acting on the distal end of the device includes a support for receiving and engaging the handle of the catheter; a translation mechanism for advancing and retracting the support to advance and retract a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a rotation mechanism for rotating the support to rotate a catheter whose handle is received in the support; a translation operator for engaging the translatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the translatable control to act on the distal end of the device; and a rotation operator for engaging the rotatable control of a catheter whose handle is received in the support and operating the rotatable control to act on the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A medical device guide having an inner member having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen therein. An outer member surrounds the proximal portion of the inner member such that the distal end of the inner member projects beyond the distal end of the outer member, the portion of the inner member being sufficient flexible to flex with a guide wire extending through the lumen. The outer member is sufficiently stiff that the proximal end of the medical device guide can be engaged by a driven by a medical device advancer.

Abstract: A control for, and method of, operating at least two medical systems, each of which generates its own visual display output and accepts commands from an input device. The control includes a display, having an active display area, and at least one inactive display area, at least one input device which provides inputs to the medical system whose visual display output is being displayed on the active display area, and a controller that automatically selects the medical system whose visual display output is displayed on the active display area.

Abstract: An integrated control and display system for operating a plurality of separate computer systems each having a visual display, includes at least one cursor control device for seamlessly moving a cursor among the visual displays of the separate computer systems, the cursor control device operating to control the computer system associated with the display on which the cursor appears.

Abstract: A magnetically guidable electrophysiology catheter has an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one magnetically responsive element is disposed adjacent the distal end for aligning the distal end relative to an externally applied magnetic field. The portion of the catheter adjacent the distal end is formed in a generally planar loop, adjacent the distal end, with the distal end of the catheter projecting from the center of the loop, generally perpendicularly to the plane of the loop. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the loop for measuring electrical activity in the tissue with which the loop is in contact.

Abstract: During cardiac wall tissue ablation with an RF catheter, the observation of an 8 to 12 ohm drop in the tissue impedance is indicative of the production of a transmural lesion. Due to a magnetic catheter's ability to stay in the same position throughout the cardiac cycle and the consistency of forces applied throughout the cardiac cycle, the impedance measurement from the distal electrode of the magnetic catheter is uniquely useful in determining the achievement of a transmural lesion. The use of this impedance measurement during ablation with a magnetic catheter can thus be used as an indication of when the ablation has achieved a successful treatment endpoint. An RF generator's impedance measurement along with knowledge of the navigational state of a magnetic catheter can thus be used to control the delivery of energy for the purpose of delivering only as much RF energy as is necessary to achieve a clinically effective lesion and to stop RF energy delivery prior to the onset of an adverse event.

Abstract: An integrated control and display system for operating a plurality of separate computer systems each having a visual display, includes at least one cursor control device for seamlessly moving a cursor among the visual displays of the separate computer systems, the cursor control device operating to control the computer system associated with the display on which the cursor appears.

Abstract: A method is provided to facilitate the movement of a medical device for automated mapping of anatomical surfaces of a subject's heart with a remote navigation. The method may include one or more distinct movements for moving a medical device for mapping a portion of an anatomical surface of a subject's heart. Upon establishing contact of the tip of the medical device with a surface of the heart, one method provides for moving the medical device along the surface of the heart towards an anatomical feature until a loss of contact with the surface is sensed, and determining the point where the loss of contact occurred to identify at least one point along the anatomical feature. The process may be repeated to identify a multiplicity of points that serve to define the ridge on the interior heart surface. The ridge location in the anatomical map can be used as a reference or guide to facilitate the further mapping of physiological properties and to plan therapy delivery during the medical procedure.

Abstract: Devices for the generation and detection of an ablative plasma discharge in a subject are presented. Methods of use, including navigation and operation of the devices to facilitate minimally invasive therapeutic procedures are disclosed.