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 present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

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 an acoustic device for ultrasonic imaging of an object (21). The device comprises an acoustic transducer (10 and an acoustic lens (20) arranged to variably refract the said acoustic pulse to and/or from the acoustic transducer. The acoustic lens comprising a first (L1) and a second fluid (L2) being separated by an acoustic interface (7), the normal of the said acoustic interface forming a relative angle of incidence (AI) with the said acoustic pulse, e.g. an electrowetting lens. The first and the second fluid of the acoustic lens (20) are specifically chosen so that the acoustic interface (7) has a reflection minima at a non-zero relative angle of incidence (AI). The invention is advantageous for obtaining an improved acoustic device having a substantially lower reflection in a broader interval of incidence angles as compared to hitherto seen ultrasonic imaging utilising acoustic lenses with two or more fluids as the active acoustic refracting entities.

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 present invention relates to a catheter for applying energy to an object. The catheter (5) has a longitudinal axis (7) and includes an energy applying unit (30) for applying energy to the object and a sensing unit (20) for sensing the object in a sensing direction (23). The sensing unit (20) is adapted to be rotatable with respect to the catheter (5) such that the angle (α) between the sensing direction (23) of the sensing unit (20) and the longitudinal axis (7) of the catheter (5) is adjustable. The sensing unit (20) can be adjusted during the application of energy to the object such that the sensing direction (23) of the sensing unit (20) points to the site to which the energy is applied, regardless of the angle that the catheter tip forms with the surface of the object at that site.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustical switch wherein the idea to the ultrasound propagation direction may be changes without moving the switch. The switch device comprises two sheets of acoustically transparent material. The sheets constitute opposite walls of a housing. The switch device further comprises one or more orifices for allowing conduction of fluid into and/or out of said housing. The switch device may be made reflective by filling the housing with a gas via the one or more orifices. Moreover, the switch device may be made transmissive to ultrasound by filling the housing with a liquid via the one or more orifices and/or by subjecting the housing to underpressure via the one or more orifices. The acoustical switch device fits well within a catheter, which has severe dimensional limitations.

Abstract: Fluid lens system includes a container enclosing a fluid arranged to refract incoming waves. A pressure release mechanism is in contact with the fluid so as to compensate changes in its volume due to thermal variations. The pressure release mechanism is positioned within a pathway of incoming waves. The fluid container may be connected via a tube to the fluid as a reservoir which is arranged within or outside the container, such as beyond an image sensor. Alternatively, an easily compressible body such as a small closed metal bellows enclosing a gas, is positioned inside the fluid to absorb volume changes by compression. The container may have an inner container part that fits inside an outer container part, where the pressure release mechanism is positioned within the outer container part. A fluid filled cavity including a compressible body may be formed between the inner and outer container parts.

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 biopsy device, particularly a biopsy device comprising a shaft with a transducer element for providing information about acoustic properties of a material to be analysed, a system of positioning a biopsy device and a method for positioning a biopsy device. The biopsy device may be adapted to take biopsies of different regions of the 5 human body for excluding or detecting abnormalities as cancerous lesions. The biopsy device may be used to measure acoustic properties of the material while inserting the tip portion of the biopsy device into the material to be analysed. The biopsy device may further allow measurement based on elastography.

Abstract: Fluid lens system, e.g. for medical imaging or medical treatment, with a container enclosing a fluid arranged to refract incoming waves. A pressure release mechanism is in contact with the fluid so as to compensate changes in its volume due to thermal variations, e.g. during high temperature medical cleaning. This pressure release mechanism is positioned within a pathway of incoming waves. In preferred embodiments a fluid container connected via a tube to the fluid as a reservoir, is arranged within or outside the container, e.g. beyond an image sensor. Alternatively, an easily compressible body, e.g. a small closed metal bellows enclosing a gas, is positioned inside the fluid to absorb volume changes by compression. In both embodiments, the pressure release elements are preferably positioned in a peripheral part of the pathway of incoming waves to not affect performance of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying energy to an object (2) and/or sensing the object (2). The apparatus comprises an optical device (8) for applying and/or sensing light energy and an electrical device (13) for applying and/or sensing electrical energy. At least one optical fiber is provided for applying light energy to the object (2) and/or sensing the object (2), wherein the at least one optical fiber is connected to the optical device (8), wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises a conductive coating forming an electrical conductor for applying electrical energy to the object and/or sensing the object and wherein the electrical conductor is connected to the electrical device (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor probe (100,110,120,130,140,150) for detecting an environmental state within a bodily lumen. The sensor probe (100,110,120,130,140,150) having an elongated body (9) comprises an optical guide (1) having an outcoupling surface (11), which is part of an end surface (3) of the elongated body (9), facing a reflective surface of an overhanging part (22,42,52,62), a photodetector which detects a property of light which is composed of light (32) in the optical guide (1) that is reflected from the outcoupling surface (11) of the optical guide (1) and of light (33) in the optical guide (1) that is reflected from the overhanging part (22,42,52,62), and a hydrogel material (2) of which a property changes when getting into contact with an environmental material and/or when detecting an environmental change, and which is provided between the end surface (3) of the elongated body (9) and the overhanging part (22,42,52,62).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus (120,130) having a sensor (100,110) for detecting a force acting on the medical apparatus (120,130) in a longitudinal direction. The medical apparatus (120,130) comprises an opto-mechanical force transducer having a flexible part (22,42) for receiving the force, an optical guide (1) having an outcoupling surface (11) that faces the flexible part (22,42) of the opto-mechanical force transducer, and a photodetector which detects an interference pattern composed of light (32) in the optical guide (1) that is reflected from the outcoupling surface (11) of the optical guide (1) and of light (33) in the optical guide (1) that is reflected from the flexible part (11) of the opto-mechanical force transducer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device, comprising an optical fiber and a cantilever that is arranged on an end of the optical fiber; The cantilever may be an integral part of the optical fiber, and may have a length that is substantially equal to a diameter of the optical fiber. Measurement means for measuring a displacement of the cantilever are connected to an opposite end of the, optical fiber. A method of measuring a displacement using the optical device comprises the steps of: —arranging measurement means, comprising a light source, on an opposite end of the optical fiber; —using the light source to send a beam of light into the optical fiber; —measuring the interference of light that is reflected on the end op the optical fiber and light that is reflected on the cantilever; and determining the displacement of the cantilever relative to an intermediate position dependent on the measured interference.