Abstract: Methods and systems for position determination of an intrabody probe, targets of an intrabody probe, and or actions to be performed using an intrabody probe are described. In some embodiments, an anatomy being navigated and/or mapped is described by a rule-based schema relating different anatomically identified structures to one another according to their ability to help identify and/or locate one another. Additionally, in some embodiments, data recorded from the intrabody probe is processed according to schema rules in order to provide anatomical identification of the anatomical region which the intrabody probe is sampling, optionally without performing detailed mapping, and/or prior to the availability of detailed mapping of anatomical geometry.

Abstract: A mechanism for predicting whether or not contact occurs between an ablation therapy catheter and an anatomical structure. The mechanism proposes two modes of operation. A first mode is used if the ablation therapy catheter is currently performing ablation, e.g. current is being supplied by an ablation controller to electrodes of the ablation therapy catheter, whereas a second mode is used if the ablation therapy catheter is not currently performing ablation. The two modes use two different algorithmic processes to predict whether or not contact occurs between the ablation therapy catheter and the anatomical structure.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating two or more contact indicators indicating whether an inflatable balloon of a balloon therapy catheter is in contact with the boundaries of an anatomical cavity. The mechanism obtains an anatomical model of the anatomical cavity, determines a location of a balloon therapy catheter with respect to the anatomical cavity, and uses this information, together with one or more geometric properties of the inflatable balloon, to derive the two or more contact indicators.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.

Abstract: Methods for estimating of the effectiveness of catheter ablation procedures to form lesions, and particular lesions which together form an ablation segment of an ablation line. Lesion effectiveness parameters are received, and effectiveness, optionally the joint effectiveness, of corresponding ablations (optionally planned, current, and/or already performed) is estimated. In some embodiments, estimating is based on use by computer circuitry of an estimator constructed based on observed associations between previously analyzed lesion effectiveness parameters, and observed lesion effectiveness. Additionally or alternatively, estimators may be constructed based on analytic functions. The estimator is used by application to the received lesion effectiveness parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imaging a hollow organ. In order to provide an improved and facilitated imaging of a hollow organ of interest, a device (10) for providing three-dimensional data of a hollow organ is provided that comprises a measurement input (12), a data processor (14) and an output interface (16). The measurement input is configured to receive a plurality of local electric field measurements (18) of at least one electrode on a catheter inserted in a lumen of a hollow organ of interest. The measurement input is also configured to receive geometrical data (20) representative of the location of the at least one electrode inside the lumen during the measurements. The data processor is configured to receive pre-set electric field characteristics (22) associated with predetermined anatomical landmarks of the hollow organ expectable in the lumen in dependency of a type of the hollow organ.

Abstract: Methods for estimating of the effectiveness of catheter ablation procedures to form lesions. Lesion effectiveness parameters are received, and effectiveness of a corresponding ablation (optionally planned, current, and/or already performed) is estimated. The estimating is based on use by computer circuitry of an estimator constructed based on observed associations between previously analyzed lesion effectiveness parameters, and observed lesion effectiveness. The estimator is used by application to the received lesion effectiveness parameters.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visualizing a reference location of an electrophysiology device in an anatomical image are provided. According to one embodiment, an electrophysiological mapping and guidance system includes a processor circuit in communication with a catheter carrying a plurality of electrodes. The processor circuit controls the plurality of electrodes to obtain electrical measurements (e.g., voltage measurements) of an electrical field induced within an anatomical cavity. The processor circuit computes a reference location of the plurality of electrodes based on distortions in the electromagnetic field detected at a first time, computes a current location of the plurality of electrodes based on distortions in the electromagnetic field detected at a later second time, and outputs a signal to cause simultaneous display of a first visualization of the reference location and a second visualization of the current location.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for guiding an ablation procedure are provided. For example, in one embodiment, a system for guiding ablation includes a processor circuit in communication an electrophysiology (EP) catheter comprising a plurality of electrodes. The EP catheter is positioned near an ablation balloon during placement at the ablation site, and is used to detect blood flow within a cavity of the heart by detecting electrical signals relating to dielectric properties. It can then be determined whether any gaps are present at the interface between the balloon and the ablation site. For example, the processor circuit can determine, based on the detected blood flow, whether a balloon occludes a region of interest. The processor then outputs a visualization indicating whether the balloon occludes the region of interest to a display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for position determination are described for using an intrabody probe having a plurality of electrodes to generate a plurality of different electrical fields, and to also measure, using the plurality of electrodes, a measurement set (a Ve-e measurement set) comprising a plurality of measurements of the plurality of different electrical fields while the probe remains in one position. From the Ve-e measurement set, spatial position coordinates for the intrabody probe are estimated within an intrabody coordinate system, using an established mapping between previously observed Ve-e measurement sets and positions in the intrabody coordinate system. Systems and methods for generating and selecting such mappings are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of at least one property of an electromagnetic field by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of electrical fields intersecting the body cavity. In some embodiments, the electrical fields are generated at least in part from electrodes positioned in close proximity, for example, within 1 cm, of the body cavity. In some embodiments, the body cavity is a chamber of a heart (for example, a left atrium or left ventricle), and the electrodes used to generate the electrical field are positioned in the coronary sinus, a large vein occupying the groove between the left atrium and left ventricle. In some embodiments, known distances between measuring electrodes are used in guiding reconstruction, potentially overcoming difficulties of reconstruction from measurements of non-linear electrical fields.

Abstract: A method of estimating a spatial relationship between at least a part of a patient esophagus and a heart chamber, including: measuring at least one electric parameter at one or more positions within the heart chamber to obtain measured values; and estimating the spatial relationship based on the measured values.

Abstract: Registration of catheter-sensed intrabody voltage field measurements obtained along one or more tracks of catheter advance of withdrawal is made, in some embodiments, to reference voltage field measurements lying along predetermined tracks. Tracks optionally comprise the course of a blood vessel such as the superior or inferior vena cava, a path defined and/or limited by encounters with a wall of a heart chamber and/or apertures thereof, and/or another track of catheter motion. In some embodiments, transform parameters are propagated to regions away from the track, potentially allowing more rapid acquisition of targets.

Abstract: A method of estimating a spatial relationship between at least a part of a patient esophagus and a heart chamber, including: measuring at least one electric parameter at one or more positions within the heart chamber to obtain measured values; and estimating the spatial relationship based on the measured values.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for planning of catheter ablation procedures, and in particular for planning of the placement of lesions and/or parameters used in ablation. In some embodiments, planning is based on thermal and/or dielectric simulation of lesions, individualized to the anatomy of the particular patient. Optionally, a plan comprises planning of a path along which an ablation lesion is to be formed, the ablation lesion optionally comprising one or more sub-lesions. The plan is optionally optimized for one or more criteria including, for example: minimization of path length, minimization of sub-lesion number, simplification of catheter maneuvering, avoidance of collateral damage to non-target tissue, access to the target dependent on anatomy shape and/or catheter mechanics, and/or features of the target anatomy such as tissue wall thickness and/or fiber direction.

Abstract: A method of performing conductivity-based imaging is disclosed comprising exciting at least one pair of electrodes according to an excitation scheme. The at least one pair of electrodes comprising a surface electrode located on the surface of an examined body and at least one in-body electrode located inside of the examined living body. Voltages developing on the surface electrodes and on the in-body electrodes during the excitation according to the excitation scheme arc measured, an inverse problem is solved to achieve a 3D conductivity map from the measured voltages, and a 3D image of the body tissues based on the 3D conductivity map is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a computer implemented method of providing a client terminal with instructions for treatment of at least a portion of an organ of a patient, the method comprising: receiving electrical readings obtained by electrodes located within the portion of the organ, identifying by at least one classifier instructions for treatment of a region in the portion of the organ identified as an intervention target region, wherein the classifier identifies the instructions for treatment of the region based on electrical readings or a transformation thereof previously associated with treatment of intervention target regions in the portion of the organ of other patients, and marking on an image of the portion of the organ presented on a display, the instruction for treatment of the region identified by the classifier as an intervention target region.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a load with microwave energy is provided. The microwave energy is applied by the apparatus at frequencies wherein the load's dielectric constant is within a predetermined range. The apparatus may include a microwave power source configured to supply microwave energy at the applied frequencies; and a radiating plate. The radiating plate may include an electrically conductive structure that includes a plurality of radiating elements; and a feeding port, connecting the electrically conductive structure to the microwave power source. The radiating plate is configured so that most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port returns towards the power source when no load is contacting the radiating plate, and most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port is absorbed by the load to be heated by the apparatus when the load is contacting the radiating plate, even in absence of a microwave cavity that encloses the radiating plate and the load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for placement of and/or placement planning for body surface electrodes are described. In some embodiments, body surface electrodes are used to generate intra-body electromagnetic fields sensed by intra-body probes for applications such as electrical field-guided catheter navigation and/or dielectric property-based tissue lesion assessment. Sizes and/or positions of body surface electrodes are optionally selected based on the results of electromagnetic simulations. Criteria for selection include, for example, potential gradient uniformity and/or intensity. In some embodiments, body surface electrode placement is performed under automated optical guidance. For example, images are obtained and used to indicate and/or assess body surface electrode placement. Optionally, indication is with respect to fiducial marks placed on the body, to which an electromagnetic simulation is spatially registered.