Abstract: A guidewire, consisting of a hollow tube, containing a longitudinal lumen and having a spiral channel cut into the tube, and having a distal end. The guidewire has an elongate flexible core positioned within the longitudinal lumen. The guidewire also has a conductive coil, wound around the core at a location within the lumen in proximity to the distal end, that is coupled to output a signal in response to a magnetic field applied to the guidewire.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a multiplexer, having a first output and multiple first inputs receiving analog input signals and an analog feedback signal and cycling through and selecting the signals for transfer in sequential signal groupings to the first output. The apparatus also includes an amplification circuit, having a second output and a second input connected to the multiplexer first output, that amplifies signals corresponding to the analog input signals with a selected gain so as to generate respective amplified analog signals at the second output. Circuitry selects a characteristic of the respective amplified analog signals from an initial signal grouping, feeds the characteristic back for input to the multiplexer as the analog feedback signal, selects a subsequent characteristic of the respective amplified analog signals from a subsequent signal grouping, and adjusts the amplification circuit gain so that the analog feedback signal and the subsequent characteristic have the same amplitude.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5 g-50 g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5 g-50 g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5g-50g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: Medical catheterization is carried out by receiving a plurality of analog bioelectric signals in respective channels and multiplexing the bioelectric signals in respective selection events. The selection events consist of making a first connection with a reference voltage, thereafter breaking the first connection and making a second connection with one of the bioelectric signals. The method is further carried out by outputting the multiplexed bioelectric signals to an analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: An implant includes a hollow biocompatible shell, first and second electrodes, filling material, and circuitry. The hollow biocompatible shell is configured to be implanted in an organ of a patient. The first electrode is disposed inside the shell. The second electrode has at least one surface disposed outside the shell. The filling material, which includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), fills the shell and is configured, in response to a rupture occurring in the shell, to change a spatial orientation of the CNT and thus to cause a change in electrical conductivity of the filling material between the first electrode and the rupture. The circuitry is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and is configured to detect the rupture by sensing the change in the electrical conductivity of the CNT, and to produce an output indicative of the detected rupture.

Abstract: Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a tube having a proximal end, and a distal end for insertion into a body cavity including anatomical structures, and a blade mounted at the distal end. The apparatus also includes a handle at the proximal end and including a device which generates sensible outputs upon receiving activation signals, and a position sensor fixed in a predefined disposition relative to the tube. The apparatus additionally includes a processor configured to acquire an image of the cavity, to determine, in the image, locations for each of the structures, to receive, from the sensor, a position signal indicative of a blade location of the blade within the cavity, to determine, based on the blade location and the respective structure locations, a proximity of the blade to a given structure, and to convey, to the warning device, a given activation signal in response to the proximity to the given structure.

Abstract: A medical probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the flexible insertion tube is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. The probe also includes a coupling member, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and which consists of a tubular piece of an elastic material having a plurality of intertwined helical cuts therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5 g-50 g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: A physiologic monitoring device is configured to detect and record signals from the sensor and to wirelessly communicate via the communication interface with a transmitter and a receiver that are disposed outside the housing, and to receive via the communication interface transmissions of commands and data from the transmitter. The device operates in a standby mode and an active mode Transmissions comprise control signals to change the mode of operation that are transmitted by the transmitter at a first frequency in a range of 1-10 GHz, and transfers of recorded data from the sensor to the receiver in a range of 400-450 MHz.

Abstract: A method of mapping includes receiving inputs measured by a probe at respective locations inside a body cavity of a subject. At each of the respective locations, a respective contact quality between the probe and a tissue in the body cavity is measured. The inputs for which the respective contact quality is outside a defined range are rejected, and a map of the body cavity is created using the inputs that are not rejected.

Abstract: Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

Abstract: A method, including advancing a guidewire having a first diameter through a patient lumen, the guidewire being tracked by an electromagnetic system and an impedance system. While advancing the guidewire, signals of both systems, that are generated in response to differing positions of the guidewire in the lumen, are recorded. The method includes recording correspondences between the signals at each of the differing positions. The method also includes withdrawing the guidewire from the lumen, and then advancing through the lumen a second guidewire, having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, which is tracked by the impedance system. While advancing the second guidewire, a signal of the impedance system generated in response to advancement of the second guidewire in the lumen is received. The method includes applying the correspondences to the signal in order to determine a position of the second guidewire in the lumen.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a debriding device, a hollow tube, and an irrigation assembly. The debriding device is fitted at a distal end of the surgical apparatus and is configured to debride tissue from a debriding site in a patient body. The hollow tube is configured to evacuate the debrided tissue away from the debriding site. The irrigation assembly is configured to apply irrigation fluid, via one or more orifices formed in the hollow tube, to the debrided tissue being evacuated.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the impedance of one or more of a plurality of leads in an electrocardiogram (ECG) are disclosed. These may include applying a plurality of leads to a patient's body, applying a plurality impedance pads to the patient's body, providing a burst pulse from the catheter electrode of the ECG, measuring impedance signals across ones of the plurality of impedance pads and the plurality of leads, and determining the impedance for one or more leads from the measure impedance signals. The plurality of impedance pads may define a first axis from the ride side of the patient's chest to the left side of the patient's chest, a second axis from the upper chest area of the patient to the lower abdomen area of the patient, and a third axis from the center of the patient's back to the center of the patient's chest.

Abstract: A medical probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the flexible insertion tube is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. The probe also includes a coupling member, which couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and which consists of a tubular piece of an elastic material having a plurality of intertwined helical cuts therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5 g-50 g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: Apparatus, including an enclosure, a fluid-tight bag located within the enclosure, and a fluid-tight valve connected to the fluid-tight bag. The apparatus also has a tube, having a first end connected to the fluid-tight bag via the fluid-tight valve, and a second end connected to a balloon within a breast implant fitted to an implantee. The apparatus further includes a spindle, located within the enclosure, connected to the fluid-tight bag, and configured to rotate under control of the implantee so as to roll the fluid-tight bag onto the spindle or to unroll the fluid-tight bag from the spindle, and thus transfer a fluid, contained in the balloon, the tube, and the fluid-tight bag, therebetween.