Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics.

Abstract: A system includes a pair of external body electrodes, a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit is arranged to provide a constant current at a first frequency across the pair of external body electrodes coupled to a body of a patient. The first control unit further arranged to provide a constant voltage circuit across the body of the patient at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The second control unit is arranged to measure a voltage of an internal electrode located within a chamber of a heart of the patient in the first frequency. The second control unit further arranged to measure a voltage of the internal electrode in the second frequency to determine a voltage change.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient.

Abstract: A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic navigation of a surgical probe near a metal object. The electromagnetic navigation system includes a transmitter coil array and a shield. The transmitter coil array has a plurality of transmitter coils and is operable to generate the electromagnetic field to navigate the probe. The shield is positioned adjacent the metal object and is operable to shield the metal object from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitter coil array, such that the shield substantially reduces distortion of the electromagnetic field by the metal object.

Abstract: A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical navigation system for tracking an instrument relative to a patient. The system can track a portion of the patient, an instrument, and/or both relative to image data, a coordinate system, an atlas, a morphed atlas, or combinations thereof. The system can include a tracking device on the instrument to provide six degree of freedom information regarding the location of the instrument.

Abstract: A system can include a near-field instrument to be placed inside a chamber of a heart, a far-field instrument to be placed in a stable position in relation to the heart, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to identify a unique pattern in electrogram information received from the far-field instrument when the near-field instrument is in one or more positions within the heart. When the unique pattern is detected, the control unit is configured to receive electrogram information from the near-field instrument. While recording electrogram information from the near-field instrument, the control unit is also configured to record voltage and complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) characteristics of the tissue inside a heart chamber. This information combined with rotor information can be used to identify substrate versus non-substrate rotor characteristics.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

Abstract: A system and method for co-registering body surface cardiac electrogram information to internal information is described. One embodiment comprises a rigid plate configured to be placed on a patient that includes imaging fiducials arranged in a unique orientation with respect to each other; a position sensor configured to provide position information of the rigid plate; multiple body surface electrodes coupled to the rigid plate for measuring cardiac electrical activity of the patient; and a control unit configured to receive an image scan of the patient, receive the cardiac electrical activity information from the body surface electrodes, receive position information of the rigid plate, and transform the cardiac electrical activity information from its coordinate system into the coordinate system of the position information of the rigid plate.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.