Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing a quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value which is a depth value indicative of the depth to which the applied energy has altered the object, representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image as a transmural region calculated using depth value(s) with respect to a wall of the object. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus (101) for monitoring an ablation procedure. The monitoring apparatus (101) comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing an ultrasound signal that depends on received echo series of an object (4) that is ablated. The monitoring apparatus (101) further comprises an ablation depth determination unit (103) for determining an ablation depth from the provided ultrasound signal. The ablation depth can be determined directly from the ultrasound signal and is an important parameter while performing an ablation procedure. For example, it can be used for determining the progress of ablation within the object (4) and for determining when the ablation has reached a desired progression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing a quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value which is a depth value indicative of the depth to which the applied energy has altered the object, representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image as a transmural region calculated using depth value(s) with respect to a wall of the object. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus (101) for monitoring an ablation procedure. The monitoring apparatus (101) comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing an ultrasound signal that depends on received echo series of an object (4) that is ablated. The monitoring apparatus (101) further comprises an ablation depth determination unit (103) for determining an ablation depth from the provided ultrasound signal. The ablation depth can be determined directly from the ultrasound signal and is an important parameter while performing an ablation procedure. For example, it can be used for determining the progress of ablation within the object (4) and for determining when the ablation has reached a desired progression.

Abstract: The invention relates to a visualization apparatus for visualizing quality of applying energy to an object. The quality of applying energy at a location on the object (3) is visualized based on a) a provided image of the object and b) a provided quality value representing the quality of applying energy to the object at the location on the object (3), wherein a visual property assigning unit (9) assigns a visual property to the location depending on the quality value and a display (10) displays the provided image and the assigned visual property at the location on the object shown in the image. In general a person who applies energy to the object is focused on the location at which energy is applied. Since quality information is shown at the location on which the person is already focused, the quality dependent information can easily be absorbed by the person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a visualization apparatus (1) comprising a signal processor (2) for processing measurement signals from an ultrasound measurement (3) and a rendering device (4) coupled to a processor for rendering a representation for discerning a region of tissue with changed property (42) upon energy application to the tissue from a region with unchanged property (41) within two extremities (44,47) of the representation indicative of two boundaries defining the tissue thickness. The rendering of the tissue with changed property (42) and the tissue with unchanged property (41) with different visual aspects is readily absorbable by a person who applies energy to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter (20) adapted for open-loop irrigated ablation, such as RF ablation, of a tissue (40). Said catheter has a distal tip (22) with an ablation entity (15) adapted for performing ablation of the tissue, an irrigation hole (21) and an ultrasound transducer (5) adapted for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound transducer is disposed behind or in the irrigation hole of the catheter, so as to allow an irrigation fluid to flow out of the irrigation hole, and so as to allow transmitting and/or receiving the ultrasonic waves through the irrigation hole. The invention also relates to an imaging system and to a corresponding method for operating a catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a property determination apparatus (1) for determining a property of an object (3). Optical sensing data being indicative of an optical property of the object and ultrasound sensing data being indicative of an ultrasound property of the object are generated, and a property determination unit (75) determines a property of the object based on at least one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data. Since light and ultrasound have generally different penetration depths and scattering properties with respect to the object, a property of the object can be determined with good quality, even if the quality of one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data is reduced by, for example, a relatively small penetration depth, or if one of the optical sensing data and the ultrasound sensing data is less suitable for determining a desired property of the object.

Abstract: A system, device and method include an interventional device having at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to generate a signal to indicate presence of a branch or bifurcation of a lumen inside a subject. A localization system is configured to track the interventional device in the subject. A program module is implemented by a processor to compare a position of the interventional device against a reference image and to indicate the presence of the branch or bifurcation relative to the interventional device position in accordance with the signal.

Abstract: A medical ultrasound device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end region (1). One or more ultrasound transducers (4) for generating acoustic radiation are positioned in the distal end region, inside the elongated body. A transmission element (5) which is substantially transparent to acoustic radiation is positioned in the radiation path of the acoustic radiation, and a controller unit is operatively connected to the ultrasound transducer. The transmission element and the one or more ultrasound transducers are mounted so that an acoustic path length (8) between the transmission element (5) and the ultrasound transducer (4) varies with contact force (10) imposed to the distal end region. The controller unit detects the acoustic path length between the ultrasound transducer and the transmission element and determines the contact force from the detected acoustic path length. In an embodiment, the medical device is an ultrasound RF ablation catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a supply unit (2) for supplying ablation energy to a material (4), and a stimuli-responsive substance (3?) for controlling a level of the ablation energy deposited into the material (4). The device allows to limit a temperature of the material (4), so that risks associated to ablation at too high temperatures can be eliminated. The device may comprise at least one illumination unit (7) for illuminating the material (4), and at least one reception unit (8a, 8b) for receiving reflected light in order to obtain information about a state of the material (4). The obtained information can be used to regulate the supplied ablation energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact determination apparatus for determining a degree of contact between a device (2) and a moving object (3), wherein the contact determination apparatus comprises a motion distribution providing unit for providing a motion distribution being indicative of motion in the surrounding of the device and a contact determination unit (14) for determining a degree of contact between the device and the object based on the provided motion distribution. Since the degree of contact between the device and the object is determined based on the provided motion distribution and not simply based on, for instance, a peak of an A-mode signal, the determination of the degree of contact can be less disturbed by artifacts like ring-down artifacts or by blood scattering, if the object is, for instance, tissue. This can lead to a more accurate determination of the degree of contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus (100, 200) for monitoring a structural change in an object (280, 340), such as a heart wall tissue. Tissue at first and second locations exhibits first and second velocities. The monitoring apparatus (100, 200) comprises an ultrasound signal providing unit for providing ultrasound signals of the object (280, 340) for different times. The monitoring apparatus (100, 200) further comprises a discontinuity determination unit (120, 220) for determining a discontinuity of the first and second velocities based at least in part on a change in time of tissue velocity differences and of tissue velocity sums. From the discontinuity an ablation depth can be determined, which is an important parameter while performing an ablation procedure. For example, it can be used for determining the progress of ablation within the object and for determining when the ablation has reached a desired dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive disturbance reduction device (18) for reducing an inductive disturbance of a signal like an ultrasound signal to be transmitted via first connection conductors (25, 26) of an electrical connector (11), which is caused when ablation current flows through a second connection conductor (24) of the electrical connector. The inductive disturbance reduction device is adapted to induce a voltage, which at least partly compensates a voltage induced in the electrical connector, in order to reduce the inductive disturbance in the signals to be transmitted via the first connection conductors of the electrical connector. Since the inductive disturbance is reduced, a high quality electrical connection can be provided, without necessarily using, for instance, a technically relatively complex and expensive coaxial connector. The inductive disturbance reduction device may be integrated, for instance, in a part of the electrical connector or in a cable.

Abstract: Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging anatomical structures and performing ablation therapy within the body are disclosed. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe includes an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for imaging the tissue surrounding the probe. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior of the tip via a tip insert, and deliver ultrasonic waves through acoustic openings formed through the tip. The tip insert separates an interior lumen within the tip into a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interventional device (10) including a plurality of signal assemblies, a method of assembling such interventional device (10), an assembling system for such interventional device (10) and a corresponding software product. In order to provide a number of signal assemblies including, for example, ultrasound transducers (40) in an interventional device (10) with a reduced risk of thrombi formation or similar complications a desired flush and smooth surface of a casing (15) of the interventional device (10) is achieved if the signal assemblies are inserted in such a manner that they are urged into their respective positions from inside the casing (15) after such insertion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spatial configuration determination apparatus for determining a spatial configuration in the surrounding of an ultrasound device, in particular, for determining the orientation of the ultrasound device and of an object in the surrounding of the ultrasound device with respect to each other. The ultrasound device is preferentially arranged at a tip (5) of a cardiac ablation catheter (4) such that, for instance, the orientation of the tip (5) relative to cardiac tissue can be determined. Motion data and/or distance data are determined in different directions from ultrasound data acquired by the ultrasound device, wherein the determined motion data and/or distance data are used for determining the spatial configuration. This allows determining, for instance, the orientation of a tip (5) of an ablation catheter (4) relative to cardiac tissue, without necessarily requiring further orientation determination means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for being used for detecting a property of an object. An ultrasound signal providing unit (2) provides an ultrasound signal, which is indicative of a property of the object (9) at one or several depths within the object (9) and which depends on time, and a periodicity value determination unit (5) determines a periodicity value being indicative of a degree of temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal for a constant depth. The temporal periodicity of the ultrasound signal at the respective constant depth, i.e. the periodicity value, depends on the property of the object at this depth and can therefore be used for detecting a property of the object.

Abstract: Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging tissue and performing ablation therapy are disclosed. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue includes an ablation electrode tip with a number of acoustic openings and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors disposed within an interior lumen of the tip. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior lumen via an insert equipped with a number of recesses that receive the ultrasonic imaging sensors. An acoustically transparent shell disposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustic openings forms a fluid channel in the acoustic pathway of the sensors. During an ablation procedure, cooling fluid from an external fluid source is delivered through the fluid channel, providing an acoustic coupling effect between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the surrounding body tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for imaging a periodically moving object. An assigning unit (18) assigns ultrasound signals like A-lines to motion phases based on a provided phase signal, wherein an ultrasound images generation unit (19) generates several ultrasound images like gated M-mode images for the different motion phases based on the ultrasound signals assigned to the respective motion phase. A selecting unit (20) is used to select an ultrasound image from the generated ultrasound images, wherein a display unit (21) displays the selected ultrasound image. The selected ultrasound image corresponds therefore to a single motion phase only such that motion artifacts in the displayed ultrasound image are reduced. The imaging system is particularly useful for, for instance, monitoring cardiac ablation procedures.