Abstract: A medical instrument system comprises an elongate instrument body; an optical fiber coupled in a constrained manner to the elongate instrument body, the optical fiber including one or more Bragg gratings; a detector operably coupled to a proximal end of the optical fiber and configured to detect respective light signals reflected by the one or more Bragg gratings; and a controller operatively coupled to the detector, wherein the controller is configured to determine a geometric configuration of at least a portion of the elongate instrument body based on a spectral analysis of the detected reflected portions of the light signals.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining calibration of a distributed localization system are presented. After a baseline calibration of sensors distributed on a working instrument and reference instrument, if movement of the reference instrument is detected, shape sensing data from a Bragg shape sensing fiber also coupled to the reference instrument may be utilized to recalibrate the localization system. The reference instrument preferably is located intraoperatively in a relatively constrained anatomical environment, such as in the coronary sinus of the heart, to prevent significant movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating tissue includes an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate flexible member includes an irrigation lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate flexible member. The irrigation lumen is configured to deliver irrigation fluid from the proximal portion of the elongate flexible member to the distal portion of the elongate flexible member. An ablation member is coupled to the distal end of the elongate flexible member. The ablation member is in fluid communication with the irrigation lumen. The ablation member comprises of a shell having a side wall and a distal wall. The side wall and distal walls of the shell define a cavity or reservoir for containing the irrigation fluid. The side wall includes a plurality of ports for dispensing fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods related to remotely-steerable ablation procedures are described. A necked-down ablation catheter may be coupled within a working lumen of a robotically-steerable sheath configured to be driveably coupled to an electromechanical instrument driver. The ablation catheter may be an irrigated ablation catheter having an irrigation fluid reservoir at its distal tip. The outer diameter of the distal portion of the ablation catheter is generally larger than that of the more proximal aspects due, in part, to the fact that the proximal aspects are designed to fit through a relatively low-profile steerable sheath.

Abstract: Robotic medical instrument systems and associated methods utilizing an optical fiber sensors such as Bragg sensor optical fibers. In one configuration, an optical fiber is coupled to an elongate instrument body and includes a fiber core having one or more Bragg gratings. A controller is configured to initiate various actions in response thereto. For example, a controller may generate and display a graphical representation of the instrument body and depict one or more position and/or orientation variables thereof, or adjust motors of an instrument driver to reposition the catheter or another instrument. Optical fibers having Bragg gratings may also be utilized with other system components including a plurality of working instruments that are positioned within a sheath lumen, an instrument driver, localization sensors, and/or an image capture device, and may also be coupled to a patient's body or associated structure that stabilizes the body.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes an elongate flexible instrument body with an optical fiber substantially encapsulated in a wall of the instrument body, the optical fiber including one or more fiber gratings. A detector is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and configured to detect respective light signals reflected by the one or more fiber gratings. A controller is operatively coupled to the detector, and configured to determine a twist of at least a portion of the instrument body based on detected reflected light signals. The instrument may be a guide catheter and may be robotically or manually controlled.

Abstract: A positionable medical instrument assembly, e.g., a robotic instrument driver configured to maneuver an elongate medical instrument, includes a first member coupled to a second member by a movable joint, with a Bragg fiber sensor coupled to the first and second members, such that relative movement of the first and second members about the movable joint causes a bending of at least a portion of the Bragg fiber sensor. The Bragg fiber sensor has a proximal end operatively coupled to a controller configured to receive signals from the Bragg fiber sensor indicative of a bending thereof, the controller configured to analyze the signals to determine a relative position of the first and second members about the movable joint.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound catheters are provided with improved materials for dielectric withstand strength. In one aspect, the catheter includes a braid of non-conductive material. The non-conductive braid reduces the capacitive: coupling effects and allows smaller catheters or a greater number of conductors. The non-conductive braid provides both compressive and tensile strength to transmit the torque applied to the catheter. The non-conductive braid also allows fusing of components while decreasing the risk of defective manufacture. In another aspect, a dielectric film, such as a polyester film, is positioned between the transducer and any lens or window. The dielectric film allows thinner window lenses to be used, allowing smaller catheters or larger transducers. The dielectric film may also increase the sensitivity of the transducer to acoustic energy.

Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.

Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound catheter with a tip portion carrying an ultrasound transducer. The tip portion comprises a first portion that is in the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer, and a second portion that is outside the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer. The first and second portions comprise different acoustic and mechanical properties. For example, the mechanical properties of the second portion can give the catheter tip sufficient durability to withstand normal use without bowing, while the acoustic properties of the first portion can give the catheter tip desired acoustic properties. This may be especially important for small diameter catheters (e.g., maximum cross-sectional dimensions less than or equal to about 10 French or 8 French) where the stiffness of the catheter tip is reduced.

Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a catheter guiding assembly, with one lumen providing access for an ultrasound imaging catheter and a second lumen providing a working port for a tool. Optionally, the ultrasound imaging catheter in the catheter guiding assembly is exposed to blood, and the ultrasound imaging catheter port has a gasket. Alternatively, the catheter guiding assembly is sealed to prevent blood contact by the ultrasound imaging catheter, and the ultrasound imaging catheter may be re-used several times. In either case, the working tool is in the field of view of the ultrasound imaging catheter and normally exposed to blood. Because the working tool is exposed to blood, the working port has a gasket to keep blood from leaking out. Optionally, the working port is used for fluid delivery for injecting contrast agent, chemicals or drugs, which can be activated by sonification from the ultrasound imaging catheter.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments include a method for manufacturing an end portion surrounding a catheter-mounted phased-array ultrasound transducer. The material used for the end portion can be altered to give the end portion focusing, defocusing, or non-focusing characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, a thermoplastic material is injection molded or insert molded around a phased-array ultrasound transducer carried at a distal end of a catheter. In another preferred embodiment, a thermoset material is used to form the end portion using a casting or transfer molding technique. In yet another preferred embodiment, the phased-array ultrasound transducer is placed into a pre-formed end portion. The pre-formed end portion can be adhesively-attached to the phased-array transducer and catheter. If the pre-formed end portion is made from a thermoplastic material, the end portion can be thermally melted to attach the end portion to the phased-array transducer and catheter.

Abstract: A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non-focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a conduit that defines a lumen, and the lumen carries a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can take several forms. In one form the circuit is folded at first and second fold lines, and at least one of the folds is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of conduit. In another form the flexible circuit includes an end portion that defines a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove aligned with and exposing a respective one of the conductors of the circuit. Additional conductors are positioned in respective ones of the grooves and are electrically connected with the respective conductors of the flexible circuit.

Abstract: This invention resides in a curing process for adhesive on a housing member of a tape automated bonding section (TAB section). A force is applied to the housing member and then the entire TAB section is heated to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient duration to cure the adhesive. The applied force, coupled with the heat squeezes a portion of the adhesive out from between the TAB section and the housing member and onto an inner portion of the outer leads before the adhesive cures. This embeds the inner portion of the outer leads with adhesive so that they are retained in alignment with and electrically isolated from each other.The manner in which the force is applied to the housing member during the curing process is also a novel feature of the invention. The TAB section within the carrier frame is placed on a pedestal in a mounting fixture. A compressor block is then disposed against the TAB section.

Abstract: This invention involves the selective plating of the outer leads in tape automated bonding section (TAB section). An inner and an outer gasket are mounted over, respectively, an inner and an outer portion of the outer leads and a voltage is applied to a common plane conductor. A barrier material, usually nickel, is applied to the outer leads protruding between the inner and the outer leads and then solder is applied over the nickel layer. The debus areas which connect all the outer leads to the common plane conductor are then excised from the TAB section which is now ready for final test.

Abstract: An alignment system comprising a rectangular leadframe from the interior of which extend leads to terminations arrangement for alignment and registration with the braze pads of a ceramic integrated circuit package, the alignment and registration being maintained and defined by a web bar interconnecting the leads adjacent the between those braze pads and the leadframe. The leadframe, leads and web bar being integrally formed by etching and lying in a plane.