Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for assisting in the extraction of a lead of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) from a subject. The device is therefore capable of correcting most life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The device is designed to prevent any movement of the lead and/or the coil of the pacemaker or ICD and allowing to extract the lead by an anchoring member (e.g. a stylet that is designed to be introduced into that lead and to anchor in a certain portion within the lumen of the lead) and/or applying vibrations thereto through the anchoring member. The device is configured to allow the anchoring member to pass therethrough such that it is locked to a certain position within the lumen of the lead at a first end thereof and the second end is available for applying vibrations thereto and pulling it to extract the lead.

Abstract: A method for extracting a lead from a patient comprising: providing a lead removal stylet; inserting the stylet into the lead; locking the stylet to a position inside the lead; and vibrating the stylet with tissue disrupting vibration to cause the lead to vibrate and to disconnect from binding tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lead locking device that is configured to be inserted into a lumen of a lead of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED), such as a lead of a pacemaker, and being locked at a selected position along the lumen for being retained there for allowing extraction of the lead and/or applying vibrations to the selected position. The lead locking device includes a deformable element that may deform by application of force thereon and the deformation thereof results in radial expansion thereof such that if it is disposed within a lumen of a lead, it presses against the walls of the lumen and applies force that retains the lead locking device in position. The deformable element may be configured for reversible deformation, namely that upon removal of the force that is applied thereon, it is reversed to a contracted, non-engaging state where its radial dimension is lower than the dimension of the lumen.

Abstract: A method for extracting a lead from a patient comprising: providing a lead removal stylet; inserting the stylet into the lead; locking the stylet to a position inside the lead; and vibrating the stylet with tissue disrupting vibration to cause the lead to vibrate and to disconnect from binding tissue.

Abstract: An intra-atrial ablation therapy apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a balloon adapted for intra-atrial inflation to fill at least part of the atrium, the balloon being adapted to permit a flow of blood from a pulmonary vein to a mitral valve when inflated in the atrium. The apparatus further comprises an inflation lumen being in fluid communication with the balloon and adapted for conducting an inflation fluid to the balloon. The apparatus also comprises an ablation tool connected to the catheter.

Abstract: An intra-atrial ablation therapy apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a balloon adapted for intra-atrial inflation to fill at least part of the atrium, the balloon being adapted to permit a flow of blood from a pulmonary vein to a mitral valve when inflated in the atrium. The apparatus further comprises an inflation lumen being in fluid communication with the balloon and adapted for conducting an inflation fluid to the balloon. The apparatus also comprises an ablation tool connected to the catheter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasonic imaging of a jaw and coupling cushions suited for use in the mouth. The system includes a specially configured ultrasonic probe, a position locator module for defining a probe location and transmitting the definition to a central processing unit (CPU) and the CPU. The CPU is capable of receiving digital data from transducers in the probe and receiving the location of the probe and producing an image of at least a portion of a jaw. The method includes providing the ultrasonic probe, defining its location and communicating the location to a CPU and transmitting an signal from a transducer and receiving at least a portion of the signal at at least one of the transducers. The CPU receives transducer data and a location of the probe and produces an image of the at least a portion of the jaw. An ultrasonic coupling cushion is further disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasonic imaging of a jaw and coupling cushions suited for use in the mouth. The system includes a specially configured ultrasonic probe, a position locator module for defining a probe location and transmitting the definition to a central processing unit (CPU) and the CPU. The CPU is capable of receiving digital data from transducers in the probe and receiving the location of the probe and producing an image of at least a portion of a jaw. The method includes providing the ultrasonic probe, defining its location and communicating the location to a CPU and transmitting an signal from a transducer and receiving at least a portion of the signal at at least one of the transducers. The CPU receives transducer data and a location of the probe and produces an image of the at least a portion of the jaw. An ultrasonic coupling cushion is further disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring ultrasonic properties within an object under evaluation, in particular, acoustic velocities and attenuation-frequency functions within the object. A transducer transmits a train of ultrasonic energy toward a reference object, and receives ultrasonic echoes reflected therefrom. The transducer transmits an identical train of ultrasound toward the object under evaluation, and receives ultrasonic echoes reflected from the latter object. A computer analyzes each of the received echoes using a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm, to produce for each an array of amplitudes per frequencies. The computer divides the array produced from the object echoes by the array of the reference echo to produce a third array of amplitudes per frequencies, which is partially characterized by a recurring periodical increase and decrease in amplitude.