Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using catheters to increase the accuracy of anatomical maps in the setting of patient movement.

Abstract: A method of segmentation of a three-dimensional image for generating a model of a myocardial wall includes recording a three-dimensional image of a wall of the myocardium, the wall delimiting at least one cavity of the heart; segmenting a continuous part of the wall into at least a first volume having a thickness less than a first predefined thickness threshold of between 0 and 5 mm and a second volume of a continuous part of the wall having a thickness greater than the first threshold; generating a model of the wall of the myocardium, where the continuous part of the wall of the myocardium is modelled according to at least two volumes that continue each other.

Abstract: Cardiac activity (e.g., a cardiac electrogram) is analyzed for local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA), such as by using a LAVA detection and analysis module incorporated into an electroanatomical mapping system. The module transforms the electrogram signal into the wavelet domain to compute as scalogram; computes a one-dimensional LAVA function of the scalogram; detects one or more peaks in the LAVA function; and computes a peak-to-peak amplitude of the electrogram signal. If the peak-to-peak amplitude does not exceed a preset amplitude threshold, then the module can compute one or more of a LAVA lateness parameter for the electrogram signal using one of the one or more peaks detected in the LAVA function and a LAVA probability parameter for the electrogram signal.

Abstract: A medical device includes a catheter, which includes a first lumen for injection of a first volume of a treatment solution, the first lumen opening out at the distal end of the catheter; and a junction element extending the first lumen at the end of the catheter including a diameter at the distal end thereof less than the diameter of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device includes a catheter and a balloon, the device including a first lumen for injection of a first volume of a treatment solution and a second lumen for injection of a second volume including a gas or a liquid for inflation of a balloon. The balloon is fixed on a portion of the distal end of the catheter, the balloon including an opening to permit entry of the second volume in order to ensure the inflation thereof via the second lumen and including a predefined inflation shape defining a channel that opens out laterally with respect to the main axis of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device includes a catheter, which includes a first lumen for injection of a first volume of a treatment solution, the first lumen opening out at the distal end of the catheter; and a junction element extending the first lumen at the end of the catheter including a diameter at the distal end thereof less than the diameter of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector is sized to fit in an anatomical passageway within a subject's cardiovascular system. The end effector includes at least one electrode pair that is configured to contact cardiovascular tissue and thereby pick up electrocardiogram signals. Each electrode pair includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a longitudinal axis from each other by a gap area located between the electrodes, the gap area having a gap length with respect to the longitudinal axis such that a length of one of the electrodes along the longitudinal axis is equal to or greater than the gap length; and a ratio of an area defined by the gap area to one electrode area is equal to or less than one.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using catheters to increase the accuracy of anatomical maps in the setting of patient movement.

Abstract: A method of segmentation of a three-dimensional image for generating a model of a myocardial wall includes recording a three-dimensional image of a wall of the myocardium, the wall delimiting at least one cavity of the heart; segmenting a continuous part of the wall into at least a first volume having a thickness less than a first predefined thickness threshold of between 0 and 5 mm and a second volume of a continuous part of the wall having a thickness greater than the first threshold; generating a model of the wall of the myocardium, where the continuous part of the wall of the myocardium is modelled according to at least two volumes that continue each other.

Abstract: Cardiac activity (e.g., a cardiac electrogram) is analyzed for local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA), such as by using a LAVA detection and analysis module incorporated into an electroanatomical mapping system. The module transforms the electrogram signal into the wavelet domain to compute as scalogram; computes a one-dimensional LAVA function of the scalogram; detects one or more peaks in the LAVA function; and computes a peak-to-peak amplitude of the electrogram signal. If the peak-to-peak amplitude does not exceed a preset amplitude threshold, then the module can compute one or more of a LAVA lateness parameter for the electrogram signal using one of the one or more peaks detected in the LAVA function and a LAVA probability parameter for the electrogram signal.

Abstract: Cardiac activity (e.g., a cardiac electrogram) is analyzed for local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA), such as by using a LAVA detection and analysis module incorporated into an electroanatomical mapping system. The module transforms the electrogram signal into the wavelet domain to compute as scalogram; computes a one-dimensional LAVA function of the scalogram; detects one or more peaks in the LAVA function; and computes a peak-to-peak amplitude of the electrogram signal. If the peak-to-peak amplitude does not exceed a preset amplitude threshold, then the module can compute one or more of a LAVA lateness parameter for the electrogram signal using one of the one or more peaks detected in the LAVA function and a LAVA probability parameter for the electrogram signal.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the presence of fats in a region of the heart includes an acquisition of an image of at least one cavity of the heart and of a wall; a selection of at least one pixel of a section through the heart including a density of pixels included in a first range of values; a growth in the selection of at least one pixel so as to define an extended 3D zone delimited by the cavity; an operation of homogeneous dilation of the extended 3D zone making it possible to define a dilated volume; an operation of extracting a peripheral region arising from the subtraction between the dilated volume and the extended 3D zone; a quantification of the number of pixels of a second range of values within the peripheral region.

Abstract: A method of ablating a tissue comprising: (i) applying ablation energy to the tissue; (ii) applying light to the tissue and capturing an optical signal reflected therefrom; and (iii) monitoring the optical signal for a change indicative of an increased risk of a steam pop occurring in the tissue.

Abstract: Cardiac activity (e.g., a cardiac electrogram) is analyzed for local abnormal ventricular activity (LAVA), such as by using a LAVA detection and analysis module incorporated into an electroanatomical mapping system. The module transforms the electrogram signal into the wavelet domain to compute as scalogram; computes a one-dimensional LAVA function of the scalogram; detects one or more peaks in the LAVA function; and computes a peak-to-peak amplitude of the electrogram signal. If the peak-to-peak amplitude does not exceed a preset amplitude threshold, then the module can compute one or more of a LAVA lateness parameter for the electrogram signal using one of the one or more peaks detected in the LAVA function and a LAVA probability parameter for the electrogram signal.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the presence of fats in a region of the heart includes an acquisition of an image of at least one cavity of the heart and of a wall; a selection of at least one pixel of a section through the heart including a density of pixels included in a first range of values; a growth in the selection of at least one pixel so as to define an extended 3D zone delimited by the cavity; an operation of homogeneous dilation of the extended 3D zone making it possible to define a dilated volume; an operation of extracting a peripheral region arising from the subtraction between the dilated volume and the extended 3D zone; a quantification of the number of pixels of a second range of values within the peripheral region.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of using a catheter having a braided conductive member. One embodiment relates to a method for treating a condition of a patient that involves contacting an exterior wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member. Another embodiment relates to a method that involves contacting a wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member and controlling energy delivery to the braided conductive member based on at least one sensed temperature.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods of using a catheter having a braided conductive member. One embodiment relates to a method for treating a condition of a patient that involves contacting an exterior wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member. Another embodiment relates to a method that involves contacting a wall of a blood vessel with the braided conductive member and controlling energy delivery to the braided conductive member based on at least one sensed temperature.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter and method of use for mapping and ablation procedures. The catheter includes a braided conductive member at its distal end that can be radially expanded. The catheter can be used in endocardial and epicardial mapping and ablation procedures.

Abstract: A catheter adapted for mapping near a tubular region of a heart, has an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, an intermediate section distal of the catheter body, and a mapping assembly at the distal end of the intermediate section. The electrode-carrying mapping assembly has a generally circular main segment with a support member having shape-memory, and a generally linear proximal segment which has greater flexibility than either the intermediate section or the generally circular main segment. The generally circular main segment is adapted to releasably anchor itself in the tubular region and to map circumferentially around the tubular region and the generally linear segment is adapted to contact generally along its length heart wall tissue near an ostium of the tubular region.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter and method of use for mapping and ablation procedures. The catheter includes a braided conductive member at its distal end that can be radially expanded. The catheter can be used in endocardial and epicardial mapping and ablation procedures.