Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the system including a pulse waveform signal generator for medical ablation therapy, and an endocardial ablation device includes at least one electrode for ablation pulse delivery to tissue. The signal generator may deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulse waveform. The system may include a cardiac stimulator for generation of pacing signals and for sequenced delivery of pulse waveforms in synchrony with the pacing signal.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the device including a set of splines coupled to a catheter for medical ablation therapy. Each spline of the set of splines may include a set of electrodes formed on that spline. The set of splines may be configured for translation to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed in the context of esophageal ablation. An ablation device may include a first catheter defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen therethrough. A balloon may be coupled to the first catheter. The balloon may be configured to transition between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. A second catheter may extend from a distal end of the first catheter lumen. A set of splines including electrodes formed on a surface of each of the splines may couple to the distal end of the first catheter lumen and a distal portion of the second catheter. The second catheter may be configured for translation along the longitudinal axis to transition the set of splines between a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the method including configuring a first sequence of subsets of one or more electrode channels of a signal generator as an anode sequence. Each electrode channel includes an electronic switch configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state, and a drive circuit coupled to the electronic switch to control the state of the electronic switch. The method also includes configuring a second sequence of subsets of one or more electrode channels of the signal generator as a cathode sequence such that respective electrode channels of the first and second sequences are paired for energy delivery. The method also includes delivering, from an energy source, a pulse waveform to a set of electrodes via the paired sequences of electrode channels.

Abstract: A method uses an electromagnetic tracking system, including a number of field transmitters and at least one receiver, to determine location information associated with a medical device. The method includes transmitting a set of electromagnetic signals, each signal having a frequency that is different than a frequency associated with each of the other signals, where each signal corresponds to a sum of sinusoidal functions, each of which includes an amplitude and a frequency. A field signal is received, and includes an undistorted field component and a distortion component. The amplitudes and frequencies of the sinusoidal functions are selected such that the distortion component includes a residual error arising from terms of at least a specified order in frequency. Field components corresponding to the field transmitters are extracted from the received signal, and the location information is determined based on the field components.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first magnetic field sensor and a second magnetic field sensor. The first magnetic field sensor includes a first substrate and a first elongated magnetic field sensor component extending a first length. The second magnetic field sensor includes a second substrate and a second elongated magnetic field sensor component extending a second length that is shorter than the first length. The first magnetic field sensor has a greater sensitivity to a sensed magnetic field than the second magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, the shaft including a plurality of stepped sections along the length of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the length of the shaft, each electrode characterized by a geometric aspect ratio of the length of the electrode to the outer diameter of the electrode. Each electrode is located at a different stepped section of the plurality of stepped sections of the shaft and includes a set of leads. Each lead of the set of leads is configured to attain an electrical voltage potential of at least about 1 kV. The geometric aspect ratio of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range between about 3 and about 20.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the system including a pulse waveform signal generator for medical ablation therapy that may be coupled to an ablation device including at least one electrode for ablation pulse delivery to tissue. The signal generator may generate and deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulse waveform in a predetermined sequence where the signal generator may independently configure a set of electrodes of an ablation device. The signal generator may further perform active monitoring of a set of electrode channels and discharge excess energy using the set of electrode channels.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with the system including a pulse waveform signal generator for medical ablation therapy, and an endocardial ablation device includes at least one electrode for ablation pulse delivery to tissue. The signal generator may deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulse waveform. The system may include a cardiac stimulator for generation of pacing signals and for sequenced delivery of pulse waveforms in synchrony with the pacing signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, the shaft including a plurality of stepped sections along the length of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the length of the shaft, each electrode characterized by a geometric aspect ratio of the length of the electrode to the outer diameter of the electrode. Each electrode is located at a different stepped section of the plurality of stepped sections of the shaft and includes a set of leads. Each lead of the set of leads is configured to attain an electrical voltage potential of at least about 1 kV. The geometric aspect ratio of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range between about 3 and about 20.

Abstract: A system includes a pulse waveform generator and an ablation device coupled to the pulse waveform generator. The ablation device includes at least one electrode configured for ablation pulse delivery to tissue during use. The pulse waveform generator is configured to deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulsed waveform. A first level of a hierarchy of the pulsed waveform includes a first set of pulses, each pulse having a pulse time duration, with a first time interval separating successive pulses. A second level of the hierarchy of the pulsed waveform includes a plurality of first sets of pulses as a second set of pulses, a second time interval separating successive first sets of pulses, the second time interval being at least three times the duration of the first time interval.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, the shaft including a plurality of stepped sections along the length of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the length of the shaft, each electrode characterized by a geometric aspect ratio of the length of the electrode to the outer diameter of the electrode. Each electrode is located at a different stepped section of the plurality of stepped sections of the shaft and includes a set of leads. Each lead of the set of leads is configured to attain an electrical voltage potential of at least about 1 kV. The geometric aspect ratio of at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range between about 3 and about 20.

Abstract: A system includes a pulse waveform generator and an ablation device coupled to the pulse waveform generator. The ablation device includes at least one electrode configured for ablation pulse delivery to tissue during use. The pulse waveform generator is configured to deliver voltage pulses to the ablation device in the form of a pulsed waveform. A first level of a hierarchy of the pulsed waveform includes a first set of pulses, each pulse having a pulse time duration, with a first time interval separating successive pulses. A second level of the hierarchy of the pulsed waveform includes a plurality of first sets of pulses as a second set of pulses, a second time interval separating successive first sets of pulses, the second time interval being at least three times the duration of the first time interval.

Abstract: Systems, tools and methods are disclosed for the selective and rapid application of DC voltage to drive irreversible electroporation, with the system controller capable of being configured to apply voltages to independently selected subsets of electrodes and capable of generating at least one control signal to maintain the temperature near an electrode head within a desired range of values. Electrode clamp devices are also disclosed for generating electric fields to drive irreversible electroporation while modulating temperature to elevate the irreversible electroporation threshold utilizing a variety of means such as cooling fluid or solid state thermoelectric heat pumps.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrode including a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion. The first electrode portion and the second electrode portion collectively form an outer surface from which an electric field is produced when a voltage is applied to the electrode. The first electrode portion is constructed from a first material having a first electrical conductivity. The second electrode portion is distinct from the first electrode portion, and is constructed from a second material. The second material has a second electrical conductivity that is different than the first electrical conductivity.

Abstract: MRI imaging coil elements can include at least one electrical conductor formed from shaped carbon-based nanomaterial, the carbon-based nanomaterial conductor having a ratio of electrical inductive reactance to electrical resistance, over a range of frequencies, that is larger than that of a similarly dimensioned electrical conductor constructed only of metal, and a connector coupled to the first electrical conductor for functionally connecting the imaging coil element to electronic circuitry connecting to a magnetic resonance imaging system. The shape of the carbon-based nanomaterial in at least one of the imaging coil elements formed from carbon-based nanomaterial can be selected from a yarn-like shape, a ribbon-like shape, and a string-like shape. Similarly, the carbon-based nanomaterial in the at least one imaging coil element formed from carbon-based nanomaterial is structured as one of, carbon nanotubes, Buckypaper, and graphene.

Abstract: An energy delivery apparatus for delivering electrical energy at a target location, the energy delivery apparatus being usable in combination with a magnetic field. The energy delivery apparatus includes an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor having a substantially elongated configuration; an electrode for delivering the electrical energy at the target location, the electrode being electrically coupled to the electrical conductor and located at a predetermined location therealong; and a guiding element mounted to the electrical conductor in a substantially spaced apart relationship relative to the electrode, the guiding element including a magnetically responsive material. The energy delivery apparatus is constructed such that a movement of the guiding element causes a corresponding movement of the electrode. The magnetic field is used to move the guiding element in order to position the electrode substantially adjacent to the target location.

Abstract: Hybrid imaging coil elements for use with MRI systems are disclosed that can include at least one electrical conductor, termed the first electrical conductor, formed from shaped carbon-based nanomaterial, a conducting connector deposited on at least one end of the first electrical conductor and connecting the first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor formed from metal to comprise a hybrid electrical conductor, the hybrid electrical conductor having a ratio of electrical inductive reactance to electrical resistance, over a range of frequencies, that is larger than that of a similarly dimensioned electrical conductor constructed only of metal. The imaging coil element can operate in a window of radio frequencies over the range between about 3 MHz and 700 MHz.

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging with imaging coils at least partially formed from carbon-based nanomaterials possessing high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) are disclosed. The imaging or Radio Frequency receiving coils are constructed with a locally ballistic electrical conductor such as carbon in the form of a macroscopic configuration of carbon nanotubes or variations thereof whose resistance does not increase significantly with length over appropriate local length scales. Due to their enhanced SNR properties, the nanomaterial imaging coils and arrays including the nanomaterial imaging coils can result in significant improvements in imaging with MRI systems. The nanomaterial imaging coils include metal conductors deposited on ends of the coils.

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.