Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating cystic fibrosis (CF) using a splicing modulator, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, capable of inducing the skipping of exon 23, exon 24, or both, of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) pre-mRNA. Also provided are a composition and a kit comprising the splicing modulator, and a method of producing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating cystic fibrosis (CF) using a splicing modulator, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, capable of inducing the skipping of exon 23 of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) pre-mRNA. Also provided are a composition and a kit comprising the splicing modulator, and a method of producing thereof.

Abstract: An irreversible electroporation (IRE) method includes placing multiple electrodes of a catheter in contact with tissue of an organ. Bipolar IRE pulses are generated. The tissue is ablated by applying the bipolar IRE pulses to pairs of the electrodes, in accordance with an order in which successive activations of a given electrode-pair are interleaved with activation of at least one other electrode-pair, and are spaced in time by at least a predefined duration.

Abstract: A method for applying bipolar ablation pulses, the method includes positioning multiple electrodes of a catheter in contact with tissue of an organ. The tissue is ablated using the multiple electrodes in accordance with a predefined pattern including a periodic set of time slots. Each of the time slots defines (i) an electrode-pair (EP), (ii) a waveform of one or more bipolar ablation pulses (BAPs) applied to the tissue by the EP, and (iii) a duration of the time slot. The time slots are applied sequentially, and the pattern further includes at least one time slot that is empty.

Abstract: A system (10) includes an optical source, multiple coupler units (22), a controller (20), and a detector (123). The optical source is configured to transmit an optical signal into an optical cable (40). The multiple coupler units are coupled to the optical cable and are each configured to (i) accept one or more configuration parameters, (ii) receive data from one or more sensors (30), (iii) modulate the data onto an acoustical signal in accordance with the configuration parameters, and (iv) modulate a mechanical strain applied to the optical cable with the acoustic signal, so as to modulate the optical signal with the data. The controller is configured to coordinate and send the configuration parameters to the multiple coupler units. The detector is configured to receive the optical signal from the optical cable, and to demodulate the data that was modulated onto the optical signal by the multiple coupler units.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electronic circuit, an electro-acoustic transducer and a coupler. The electronic circuit is configured to receive data to be transmitted over an optical cable, and to convert the data into a modulating signal. The electro-acoustic transducer is configured to convert the modulating signal into an acoustic wave. The coupler is configured to be mechanically coupled to a section of the optical cable, and to apply to the section a longitudinal stretching force that varies responsively to the acoustic wave, so as to modulate the data onto an optical carrier traversing the optical cable.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to receive positions, within a heart of a patient, of one or more electrodes that apply Radio Frequency (RF) energy to ablate tissue in the heart, in a coordinate system having a vertical axis. The processor is further configured to receive positions, within a heart of a patient, of one or more electrodes that apply Radio Frequency (RF) energy to ablate tissue in the heart, in a coordinate system having a vertical axis, and to calculate, based on the received positions, a subset of one or more smallest heights among respective heights of the electrodes above an esophagus of the patient along the vertical axis, and to generate a graphical user interface that visualizes the electrodes and the respective heights above the esophagus. The output device is configured to present the graphical user interface to a user.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe configured to be inserted into contact with a myocardium, and an electrode attached to the probe. A temperature sensor, incorporated in the probe, is configured to output a temperature signal. A pump irrigates the myocardium, via the probe, with an irrigation fluid at a controllable rate, and a radiofrequency (RF) signal generator applies RF power via the electrode to the myocardium, so as to ablate the myocardium. The apparatus also has processing circuitry that measures a temperature of the probe, based on the temperature signal, while the RF power is applied and, when the measured temperature exceeds a preset target temperature, iteratively reduces the RF power applied by the signal generator and concurrently iteratively varies a rate of irrigation of the irrigation fluid provided by the pump, until the measured temperature is reduced to the preset target temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe configured to be inserted into contact with a myocardium, and an electrode attached to the probe. A temperature sensor, incorporated in the probe, is configured to output a temperature signal. A pump irrigates the myocardium, via the probe, with an irrigation fluid at a controllable rate, and a radiofrequency (RF) signal generator applies RF power via the electrode to the myocardium, so as to ablate the myocardium. The apparatus also has processing circuitry that measures a temperature of the probe, based on the temperature signal, while the RF power is applied and, when the measured temperature exceeds a preset target temperature, iteratively reduces the RF power applied by the signal generator and concurrently iteratively varies a rate of irrigation of the irrigation fluid provided by the pump, until the measured temperature is reduced to the preset target temperature.

Abstract: A method includes, in a processor, receiving signals from (i) a first position sensor disposed on a shaft of a catheter, and (ii) a second position sensor disposed on a distal end of a sheath of the catheter. Based on the signals received from the first position sensor and the second position sensor, an event is detected in which an expandable distal-end assembly of the catheter is being withdrawn into the sheath while still at least partially expanded. A responsive action is initiated in response to detecting the event.

Abstract: A system including a medical probe having a tube with a distal end for insertion into a cardiac chamber, an electrode at the distal end that conveys energy to myocardial tissue, a temperature sensor at the distal end that outputs a signal indicating a temperature of the tissue, a channel contained within the tube that delivers fluid to the distal end, and a fluid port at the distal end and coupled to the channel. The system also includes a generator that applies a specified level of the energy to the electrode, a pump that forces the fluid into the channel at a controllable rate, and a processor that controls the rate responsively to the signal so that a difference between a specified temperature, which is no greater than 55° C., and the indicated temperature is no greater than ±2.5° C. while the generator applies a constant level of the energy.

Abstract: A method of ablation includes storing in a memory a pre-determined relation between lesion size and amount of ablative energy, for each of one or more selected temperatures. Using a processor, user input is received, that indicates a lesion size and a tissue temperature. Based on the relation, an amount of energy is determined, that matches the lesion size and the tissue temperature. An ablation probe is controlled to apply the amount of ablative energy that matches the selected lesion size.

Abstract: A method of body tissue ablation includes defining a target amount of ablation energy needed to create a specified lesion in tissue in a body of a patient. Contact is made between an ablation probe and the tissue. Using the ablation probe, an ablation signal is applied to the tissue, which delivers the target amount of ablation energy during a smallest time duration permitted within a defined maximum-power constraint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ablation system includes a probe to be inserted into a heart and including an electrode to apply radiofrequency (RF) power so as to ablate a myocardium, an RF signal generator, a tracking module to compute a relative location and orientation of the probe, and a processor to receive a signal from at least one user input device indicating an actuation of a serial ablation procedure including performing ablations at different locations of the myocardium, and control the serial ablation procedure so that for each ablation the processor is configured to check whether the relative location and orientation of the probe are steady, automatically compute an ablation duration, automatically control the RF signal generator to generate the RF power for the computed ablation duration, and render a user interface screen including a time indicator indicating a time remaining until an end of the ablation duration.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation system includes a probe to be inserted into a chamber of a heart, the probe including an electrode, a temperature sensor to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of a myocardium, and an irrigation channel through which to irrigate the myocardium, a pump to pump an irrigation fluid into the irrigation channel, an RF signal generator to generate RF power to be applied by the electrode to ablate the myocardium, and a controller to receive the temperature signal, calculate a rate of change of the temperature over time based on the temperature signal, calculate an irrigation rate with which to irrigate the myocardium via the irrigation channel based at least on the calculated rate of change of the temperature, and provide an irrigation signal to the pump to irrigate the myocardium with the irrigation fluid at the calculated irrigation rate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation system includes a probe to be inserted into a chamber of a heart, the probe including an electrode, a temperature sensor to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of a myocardium, and an irrigation channel through which to irrigate the myocardium, a pump to pump an irrigation fluid into the irrigation channel, an RF signal generator to generate RF power to be applied by the electrode to ablate the myocardium, and a controller to receive the temperature signal, calculate a rate of change of the temperature over time based on the temperature signal, calculate an irrigation rate with which to irrigate the myocardium via the irrigation channel based at least on the calculated rate of change of the temperature, and provide an irrigation signal to the pump to irrigate the myocardium with the irrigation fluid at the calculated irrigation rate.

Abstract: Regulating an AC voltage. The device includes a magnetic core, multiple windings around the core, and multiple switch arrays connectable between an AC power source and respective windings. The switch arrays including multiple switches controllable to connect the AC power source to the windings in a first polarity or in a second polarity. The first polarity and second polarity are different polarities, e.g. phase shifted by 180 degrees. An electrical conductor is disposed around or through the core. The electrical conductor is series-connectable to a power line. AC voltage of the power line is regulated by adding an AC voltage of the electrical conductor responsive to selection of the switches of the switch arrays.