Abstract: An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A medical tool for minimally invasive access to the pericardium or similar internal tissue. The medical tool includes a shaft with jaws disposed on a distal end of the shaft and a mechanism for opening and closing the jaws connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The jaws include needle-like elements that extend from the jaws. A delivery element defining a delivery lumen extends along the tool, parallel and adjacent to the shaft, with a distal end of the delivery element being positioned between the jaws. Moreover, the distal ends of each of the jaws define a semi-circular shape such that when the first and second jaws are closed, a hole through the closed jaws is formed by the semi-circular shapes.