Abstract: Lumen fluid conducting and endoscope coupling adaptor for insertion through a lumen entry into a lumen of a patient, comprising: a proximal external body-recliner; a protruding muzzle coupled to the recliner which penetrates through the lumen entry into the proximal portion of the lumen; a collapsible clutch disposed at the distal end of the muzzle, configured to assume an expanded stat in the lumen for fixating the adaptor; a longitudinally extending endoscope bore allowing insertion and retraction of an endoscope through the adaptor; and a lumen fluids conduction arrangement, comprising: a longitudinally extending conduit in fluid communication with the endoscope bore; a fluid suction port in fluid communication with the conduit for releasing fluids from the lumen; a proximal seal for preventing outward leakage of the lumen fluids; and a lumen seal for preventing backflow of lumen fluids by sealing the gap between and protruding muzzle and the lumen.

Abstract: System and method for advancing and retracting a tubular medical instrument within a body lumen and evacuating lumen material therefrom. A shaft of the medical instrument is inserted through a central bore of a probe, an evacuation adaptor, and a swivel fastener unit, respectively mounted onto a distal carriage, a central carriage, and a proximal carriage of a translation mechanism. The probe is directed toward cavity entrance of body lumen using an adjustment mechanism coupled to a translation mechanism beam. A central probe unit of probe is maintained sealingly coupled to cavity entrance by propelling distal carriage along beam. The evacuation adapter is maintained sealingly coupled to the probe by propelling central carriage along beam, concurrent with displacement of a hollow tube of probe relative to central probe unit. Lumen material is evacuated using evacuation adaptor. The medical instrument is advanced and retracted by propelling proximal carriage along beam.

Abstract: A hollow probe enabling insertion and accommodation of endoscopic and other instruments advancing within a lumen includes a central valve unit featuring a central bore and at least one valve for controlling the introduction and withdrawal of fluid into the central bore. A sliding tubular sheath is movably disposed inside the central valve unit. An impermeable flexible sleeve is sealingly anchored to the central valve unit and folds over to cover both the inside and outside of the sheath to sealingly envelop the sheath and contain the fluid, together with the valve unit, while allowing sliding of the sleeve-covered-sheath. An endoscope adapter is mountable to the proximal end of the sleeve-covered-sheath, for allowing insertion of the endoscope through the adapter into the sleeve-covered-sheath, includes at least one gasket for sealing at least one gap between the endoscope and the sleeve-covered-sheath for withholding fluids from escaping.

Abstract: A flexible catheter has an ablation electrode disposed in its distal segment. The ablation electrode a cavity formed in its external surface, a microelectrode configured to fit into the cavity, a conductive wire lead connecting the microelectrode to receiving circuitry, and an electrical shield surrounding the wire lead. A power generator is connected to the ablation electrode and the electrical shield in a generator circuit. A back patch electrode adapted to contact with the subject is connected in the generator circuit. The microelectrodes can be active while energizing the ablation electrode.

Abstract: A hollow probe enabling insertion and accommodation of endoscopic and other instruments advancing within a lumen includes a central valve unit featuring a central bore and at least one valve for controlling the introduction and withdrawal of fluid into the central bore. A sliding tubular sheath is movably disposed inside the central valve unit. An impermeable flexible sleeve is sealingly anchored to the central valve unit and folds over to cover both the inside and outside of the sheath to sealingly envelop the sheath and contain the fluid, together with the valve unit, while allowing sliding of the sleeve-covered-sheath. An endoscope adapter is mountable to the proximal end of the sleeve-covered-sheath, for allowing insertion of the endoscope through the adapter into the sleeve-covered-sheath, includes at least one gasket for sealing at least one gap between the endoscope and the sleeve-covered-sheath for withholding fluids from escaping.

Abstract: A flexible catheter has an ablation electrode disposed in its distal segment. The ablation electrode a cavity formed in its external surface, a microelectrode configured to fit into the cavity, a conductive wire lead connecting the microelectrode to receiving circuitry, and an electrical shield surrounding the wire lead. A power generator is connected to the ablation electrode and the electrical shield in a generator circuit. A back patch electrode adapted to contact with the subject is connected in the generator circuit. The microelectrodes can be active while energizing the ablation electrode.

Abstract: A flexible catheter has an ablation electrode disposed in its distal segment. The ablation electrode a cavity formed in its external surface, a microelectrode configured to fit into the cavity, a conductive wire lead connecting the microelectrode to receiving circuitry, and an electrical shield surrounding the wire lead. A power generator is connected to the ablation electrode and the electrical shield in a generator circuit. A back patch electrode adapted to contact with the subject is connected in the generator circuit. The microelectrodes can be active while energizing the ablation electrode.

Abstract: Catheterization employing a cable extending from the catheter to a fixed point of attachment is performed by providing a sensor to detect rotation of the catheter about its longitudinal axis, the rotation causing the cable to form a twist. The cable extends through a cable arranger that operates to remove the twist. A controller receives signals from the sensor and generates control signals to actuate the cable arranger responsively to the signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A device for gripping a catheter, including a first jaw having a first exterior side and a first radial passage. The device has a second jaw having a second exterior side, opposite the first exterior side, and a second radial passage. The device also has a resilient joint connecting the first and second jaws so that manual compression of the first exterior side toward the second exterior side causes relative rotation between the first and second jaws that mutually aligns the first and second radial passages, such that the catheter can be inserted through the first and second radial passages, and so that releasing the manual compression causes the first and second jaws to rotate so that the first and second radial passages are no longer mutually aligned and so that the catheter passes through and is gripped by the device along mutually aligned first and second central axes.

Abstract: Catheterization employing a cable extending from the catheter to a fixed point of attachment is performed by providing a sensor to detect rotation of the catheter about its longitudinal axis, the rotation causing the cable to form a twist. The cable extends through a cable arranger that operates to remove the twist. A controller receives signals from the sensor and generates control signals to actuate the cable arranger responsively to the signals from the sensor.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe which advances within a lumen having a central valve unit. The valve unit has a central bore defining a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one valve for controlling the introduction and withdrawal of fluid into the central bore. The probe further includes a sliding tubular sheath movably disposed inside the central valve unit, and a flexible sleeve, impermeable to the fluid and sealingly anchored to the central valve unit on both distal proximal ends. The sleeve is folded over to cover both the inside and outside of the sheath to sealingly envelop the sheath and contain the fluid, together with said valve unit, while allowing sliding of the sheath. A method for providing, assembling and operating the probe is also provided.

Abstract: A probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, for insertion into a subject via a body lumen. The probe includes a sequence of tubular modules contained within the insertion tube, each module having a rigid tube segment having a preset shape and containing internal grooves on an interior surface of the tube segment. The probe further includes a flexible expander tube, which is threaded through the sequence of tubular modules and has external grooves configured to engage the internal grooves within the tube segment of each of the tubular modules when the expander tube is expanded, so as to hold the tubular modules in mutual alignment, wherein the tubular modules are able to move out of mutual alignment when the expander tube is unexpanded. The probe also has an expansion element, which is insertable through the flexible expander tube so as to expand the expander tube.

Abstract: Sensing and/or treating GPs or other components of the ANS. Optionally, sensing is from within the GP, for example, using a helical needle with at least one electrode. Optionally, treatment is by injection of a neuromodulator chemical into the GP. In some embodiments, means are provided to reduce the migration of the neuromodulator away from the GP.

Abstract: A method, including generating a three-dimensional (3D) map as a plurality of points illustrating a characteristic of a 3D heart chamber, the 3D heart chamber having an opening bounded by a perimeter. The method further includes transforming the perimeter into a closed two-dimensional (2D) figure having an interior. The plurality of points illustrating the characteristic are projected onto the interior of the 2D figure so as to generate a 2D map of the characteristic of the 3D heart chamber.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe which advances within a lumen having a central valve unit. The valve unit has a central bore defining a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one valve for controlling the introduction and withdrawal of fluid into the central bore. The probe further includes a sliding tubular sheath movably disposed inside the central valve unit, and a flexible sleeve, impermeable to the fluid and sealingly anchored to the central valve unit on both distal proximal ends. The sleeve is folded over to cover both the inside and outside of the sheath to sealingly envelop the sheath and contain the fluid, together with said valve unit, while allowing sliding of the sheath. A method for providing, assembling and operating the probe is also provided.

Abstract: A catheter has an inflatable assembly at its distal portion, including a containment chamber, an axial core and a plurality of longitudinally oriented partitions extending from the axial core to the wall of the chamber to divide the containment chamber into at least four inflatable sectors. Hydraulic valves are connected to respective sectors to enable selective inflation of the sectors by a fluid when the valves are connected to a source of the fluid, and at least one surface electrode is mounted on each of the sectors. When introduced into a heart chamber and diametrically opposed sectors are inflated the assembly is stably fixed against the walls of the heart chamber and readings can be obtained from the surface electrodes of the inflated sectors.

Abstract: Apparatus, which consists of a plurality of modules. Each of the modules has: an insulating frame, a pair of electrodes fixed to the frame at respective locations that are spaced apart, and circuitry configured to receive signals from the pair of electrodes and in response output a differential signal. The apparatus further consists of an insertion tube having distal and proximal ends and containing the plurality of modules in locations spaced longitudinally in proximity to the distal end. There is cabling running through the tube that is connected to convey differential signals from the modules to the proximal end.

Abstract: A probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, for insertion into a subject via a body lumen. The probe includes a sequence of tubular modules contained within the insertion tube, each module having a rigid tube segment having a preset shape and containing internal grooves on an interior surface of the tube segment. The probe further includes a flexible expander tube, which is threaded through the sequence of tubular modules and has external grooves configured to engage the internal grooves within the tube segment of each of the tubular modules when the expander tube is expanded, so as to hold the tubular modules in mutual alignment, wherein the tubular modules are able to move out of mutual alignment when the expander tube is unexpanded. The probe also has an expansion element, which is insertable through the flexible expander tube so as to expand the expander tube.

Abstract: A probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, for insertion into a subject via a body lumen. The probe includes a sequence of tubular modules contained within the insertion tube, each module having a rigid tube segment having a preset shape and containing internal grooves on an interior surface of the tube segment. The probe further includes a flexible expander tube, which is threaded through the sequence of tubular modules and has external grooves configured to engage the internal grooves within the tube segment of each of the tubular modules when the expander tube is expanded, so as to hold the tubular modules in mutual alignment, wherein the tubular modules are able to move out of mutual alignment when the expander tube is unexpanded. The probe also has an expansion element, which is insertable through the flexible expander tube so as to expand the expander tube.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus having an elongated probe with proximal and distal ends and a sensor coupled to the elongated probe and configured to generate signals used for determining location and orientation coordinates of the elongated probe. The apparatus further includes a processor operatively connected to the sensor, and being configured to measure a cumulative angle of rotation that is applied by an operator to the proximal end of the probe while the operator manipulates the proximal end so as to move the distal end within a body of a patient. The apparatus also includes an output device operatively connected to the processor, and configured to present an indication of the cumulative angle of rotation to the operator.