Abstract: An interface for remotely controlling a medical device in a patient's body provides a two dimensional display of a three dimensional rendering of the operating region, and allows the user to select the orientation or location of the distal end of the medical device on the display and then operate a navigation system to cause the distal end of the medical device to approximately assume the selected orientation or location.

Abstract: A method of screening subjects for medical procedures involving the remote navigation of a medical device through the vasculature in an operating region. The method includes processing the image data of the operating region to determine a measure of the complexity of at least a portion of the vasculature in the operating region; and generating a recommendation about at least one parameter of the procedure based at least in part upon a comparison between the determined measure of complexity and a predetermined value.

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 method of navigating a medical device in an operating region in a subject. The method includes applying a magnetic field to the operating region and changing the magnetic moment of the medical device by selectively changing a physical condition of at least one magnet element in the medical device to change the orientation of the device with respect to the applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of treating vessel occlusions including chronic total occlusions (CTO) of the coronary arteries is presented that relies on remote navigation of a remotely steered medical device to the occlusion and controlled application of ablative energy or mechanical push together with real-time local imaging of the vasculature or real-time vessel wall sensing. The combinative use of remote navigation methods and real-time imaging or real-time sensing enables crossing of elongated lesions and CTOs, calcified lesions and CTOs and lesions and CTOs located at vessel branches.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering magnetically loaded cells to target areas within a patient are described. Cells rendered magnetically attractable by being loaded with magnetic microparticles are delivered from a hollow interventional device distal tip and attracted towards a previously placed implant. Implants, such as stents, are magnetized by application of a magnetic field sequence; magnetized cells are attracted by the local magnetic domains and associated field gradients within the implant, and adhere to and are retained by the local tissues, such as tissue protrusions through a stent struts. Application of a magnetic field or field gradient sequence concurrently with the magnetic cell delivery facilitates pulling the cells away from the lumen axis and towards the implant surface and vessel or organ walls.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables intra-chamber needle injection treatment using a navigable interventional device. The method includes navigation steps to systematically inject cells, drugs, or other agents in diagnostically identified target tissues, such as ischemic heart wall tissues. Magnetic navigation of a specifically designed needle catheter permits safe access to remote structures of the heart and depth-adaptable needle injections.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for obtaining registration of a localization system's three-dimensional coordinates for a plurality of markers having known locations to the two-dimensional coordinates for the plurality of reference markers obtained from a single X-ray image. The method for registering a navigational system with a localization system having a plurality of reference markers includes determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the locations of a plurality of reference markers within the localization coordinate system, and providing a single two-dimensional X-ray image that includes a two dimensional location of the plurality of markers. The method further includes determining a coordinate transformation for obtaining a best fit registration of the localization system's three-dimensional coordinates to the two-dimensional coordinates obtained from the single X-ray image, for at least one reference marker location.

Abstract: A method for navigating a medical device to an anatomical surface within a subject to perform electro-anatomical mapping using a magnetic navigation system is provided that includes importing a pre-operative image data set of an anatomical surface in the subject's body into a localization system. One or more control parameters are applied to the magnetic navigation system to drive the medical device to one or more points of tissue contact, from the locations of which a geometric anatomical map can be created and registered with the pre-operative anatomical image. The pre-operative anatomical surface image and a representation of the geometric anatomical map are displayed relative to one another, such that a user may select a location on the displayed pre-operative anatomical image to navigate the medical device towards.

Abstract: A method of conducting a therapeutic ablation of cardiac tissue based upon local electrical signals in the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Magnetic Resonance Imaging with specialized imaging coils possessing high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR). Imaging and/or Radio Frequency receiving coils include a ballistic electrical conductor such as carbon nanotubes, the ballistic electrical conductor having a resistance that does not increase significantly with length. Due to their enhanced SNR properties, system designs with smaller static magnetic field strength can be constructed for the same quality of imaging, leading to substantial reductions in system size and cost, as well as to enhanced imaging with existing MRI systems.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging with specialized imaging coils possessing high Signal-to-Noise-Ratios (SNR). Radio Frequency transmitting and/or Radio Frequency receiving elements include carbon nanotube material, a ballistic electrical conductor having a resistance that does not increase significantly with length. The shapes of the receiving and transmitting elements can be linear, curvilinear, or coiled. The carbon nanotube material can be layered. Due to their enhanced SNR properties, preferred embodiments have smaller static magnetic field strengths with imaging quality comparable to known field systems, leading to substantial reductions in system size and cost. Other preferred embodiments provide enhanced imaging with known MRI static magnetic field strengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging using specialized signal acquisition and processing techniques for image reconstruction with a generally inhomogeneous static magnetic field. New signal processing methods for image reconstruction and for minimizing dephasing effects are disclosed. Imaging systems with smaller static magnetic field strengths and smaller hardware demands than those with homogeneous static magnetic fields are provided, leading to significant reductions in system size and cost as compared to standard MRI systems. Such systems can also exploit imaging coils having high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR), including those made from Carbon nanotube conductors, leading to further imaging system efficiencies.

Abstract: A method of navigating a medical device in an operating region in a subject. The method includes applying a magnetic field to the operating region and changing the magnetic moment of the medical device by selectively changing a physical condition of at least one magnet element in the medical device to change the orientation of the device with respect to the applied magnetic field.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The tube is preferably comprised of multiple sections of different flexibility, arranged so that the flexibility of the catheter increases from the proximal end to the distal end. There is a first generally hollow electrode member at the distal end. At least one magnetically responsive element is disposed at least partially in the hollow electrode, for orienting the distal end of the catheter with an externally applied magnetic field. Multiple magnets can be distributed over the distal portion of the device. The end electrode can have openings for delivering irrigating fluid, and/or a sleeve can be provided around the tube to create an annular space for the delivering of irrigating fluid. A temperature sensor can be provided to control the operation of the catheter. A localization coil can also be included to sense the position and orientation of the catheter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for planning the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by RF ablation with a remote navigation system, including the identification of ablation lines around the pulmonary veins ostia—atrial junctions based on impedance measurements. When used by itself or in conjunction with electro-anatomical approaches, the impedance method therein disclosed enables safe and effective arrhythmia treatment.

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 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 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: 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.