Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrophysiological assessment, including acquiring electrical signals from tissue at locations in a heart chamber and a computer processor automatically deriving from the electrical signals annotations indicative of times within a heart cycle at which a conduction wave traversed the locations. The method includes receiving an input from a processor user indicating, for a first location in the tissue where the electrical signals include a double-potential signal, a first annotation as a valid annotation. The processor automatically identifies second locations, within a predefined distance from the first location, where the electrical signals include double-potential signals, each having two respective annotations.

Abstract: A method of generating a map of a portion of a patient's anatomy using an electroanatomical mapping system includes separating an anatomical region (e.g., the heart) into an inclusion region (e.g., the left atrium) and an exclusion region (e.g., the left ventricle) by defining a boundary surface (e.g., along the mitral valve). A label electrode carried by a multi-electrode catheter can be defined and used to determine whether or not to add an electrophysiology data point collected using the multi-electrode catheter to the map. In particular, electrophysiology data points can be added to the map of the portion of the patient's anatomy when they are collected with the label electrode within the inclusion region. Positions of the label electrode can also be used to define the boundary surface. Alerts can also be provided when the label electrode crosses the boundary surface and enters the exclusion region.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition and a hub coupled with a side arm coupled to the dilator shaft.

Abstract: Ablation systems and methods of the present disclosure include a catheter including one or more image sensors. The one or more image sensors can facilitate, for example, positioning an ablation electrode at a treatment site of an anatomic structure and, additionally or alternatively, can facilitate controlling delivery of therapeutic energy to a treatment site of an anatomic structure.

Abstract: The invention provides for a device (100) for use in electrical nerve modulation in a subject, characterized in that it comprises a rotational and linear actuator (110); a tubular element (101) having a proximal end connected to the actuator (110) and a distal end; a flexible shaft (102) coaxially disposed within the tubular element (101), comprising a proximal end operably connected to the actuator (110) and a distal end, and adapted to be slid along the tubular element (101); a conformable support (103) comprising a proximal end operably connected to the tubular element's (101) distal end, and a distal end operably connected to the flexible shaft's (102) distal end, having a portion of its length helically wrapped about a distal portion of the flexible shaft (102) so to define a pitch (500) and a radius (400); and a plurality of electrodes (104) operably disposed along the helically configured portion of the conformable support (103), and electrically connectable to a generator (200), adapted to contact the

Abstract: Delivery of implantable active agent delivery components includes implanting a distal lead end of a lead into tissue at an implantation site. A delivery stylet is then inserted through a lead lumen of the lead. The delivery stylet includes a stylet body having a distal stylet end and an active agent delivery component detachably coupled to the distal stylet end. The active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site by extending the distal stylet end of the delivery stylet from a distal lead end of the lead such that the active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site. The active agent delivery component is then detached within the tissue at the implantation site and the delivery stylet may be retracted and removed from the lead lumen.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, an electrode array distal of the catheter body, the array having a mounting member and at least first and second spine supports. Each spine support includes a base having a planar configuration, and a plurality of spines extending from the base, wherein the first base extends in a first plane and the second base extends in a second plane different from the first plane in the mounting member.

Abstract: A method comprises deploying a tool to a passageway exit site through a lumen of a flexible elongate device. The flexible elongate device comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and the lumen therebetween, and the tool comprises a needle. The method further comprises puncturing a passageway wall at the passageway exit site with the needle. The method further comprises deploying the needle through the passageway wall and through target tissue at a target location beyond the passageway wall. The method further comprises deploying an instrument to perform treatment on the target tissue at the target location. The instrument is deployed within the tool and through a perforation created in the target tissue by the needle.

Abstract: A treatment device for providing a magnetic treatment and a radiofrequency treatment to a body area of a patient. The device includes an energy storage device for storing electric energy, a magnetic field generating device, and a switching device to discharge the electrical energy from the energy storage device to the magnetic field generating device, such that a time-varying magnetic field is generated and provides muscle contraction to a muscle in the body area of the patient. The time-varying magnetic field may have a magnetic field density in a range of 0.1 Tesla to 7 Tesla and a repetition rate in a range of 0.1 Hz to 700 Hz. The device may also include a radiofrequency electrode to generate radiofrequency waves to heat a tissue in the body of the patient. A body of the radiofrequency electrode may include a plurality of openings in a range of 5 to 1000 openings.

Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for performing ablation planning and/or ablation performance are provided. Examples of applications for such devices, systems, methods and storage mediums include imaging, evaluating and diagnosing biological objects, such as, but not limited to, lesions and tumors, and such devices, systems, methods and storage mediums may be used for radiotherapy applications (e.g., to determine whether to place seed(s) for radiotherapy). Preferably, a medial axis or a center line for a predetermined biological object (e.g., a lesion or tumor) is determined/found, one or more target points are picked along the medial axis or center line, and the ablation or radiotherapy zones are defined and optimized. Security checks may be performed in one or more embodiments to ensure proper use of the equipment and patient information.

Abstract: The present invention resides in one aspect in a device for monitoring luminal esophageal temperatures in a patient. The device includes a probe adapted to be inserted into an esophagus of the patient. The probe extends between a proximal end and a distal end. A first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor are coupled to the probe. An electrode is also coupled to the probe. The second temperature sensor is displaced from the first temperature sensor along a longitudinal axis of the probe. A controller processes information received by the electrodes and the temperature sensors. The controller generates a live and continuously updating three dimensional anatomic map and three dimensional thermal map of the esophagus based at least in part on the information received from the temperature sensors and the electrodes. The thermal map and the anatomic map are displayed on a video monitor.

Abstract: Provided are a localization system and method useful in the acquisition and analysis of cardiac information. The localization system and method can be used with systems that perform cardiac mapping, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac abnormalities, as examples, and in the retrieval, processing, and interpretation of such types of information. The localization system and method use high impedance inputs, improved isolation, and relatively high drive currents for pairs of electrodes used to establish a multi-axis coordinate system. The axes can be rotated and scaled to improve localization.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a catheter apparatus, including an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, a coupler connected to the distal end, a pusher including a distal portion, and configured to be advanced and retracted through the deflectable element, a nose connector connected to the distal portion, and including a distal receptacle having an inner surface and a distal facing opening, and an expandable assembly including flexible polymer circuit strips, each strip including electrodes disposed thereon, the strips being disposed circumferentially around the distal portion of the pusher, with first ends of the strips being connected to the coupler and second ends of the strips including respective hinges entering the distal facing opening and connected to the inner surface of the distal receptacle, the strips being configured to bow radially outward when the pusher is retracted expanding the expandable assembly from a collapsed form to an expanded form.

Abstract: A system includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive an electrogram acquired in a heart of a patient. The processor is configured to (i) estimate a level of injury current present in the electrogram, and (ii) based on the estimated level of injury current, decide whether to use the electrogram in a subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices having improved conformal properties for biomedical signal measurement are disclosed. A device can have a first polymer substrate coupled to a conductive layer forming a conductive trace electrically coupled to a conductive pad exposed via an opening. The device can have a second polymer substrate forming a first cavity between the first polymer substrate and the second polymer substrate. The device can have a first inlet portion that receives a fluid that expands the first cavity causing the device to conform to an anatomical structure. The structure can be an atrium, such as the left atrium, of the heart of a patient. The device can conform to the walls of the tissue structure, and the conductive pad exposed via the opening can detect a signal from the wall of the tissue structure. The signal can be provided to an external measurement device for processing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving first intracardiac signals including first far-field components captured by at least one first sensing electrode of a first catheter, the at least one sensing electrode being in contact with tissue of a cardiac chamber of a first living subject, and at least one far-field signal captured from at least one far-field electrode inserted into the cardiac chamber and not in contact with the tissue of the cardiac chamber, training a neural network to remove far-field components from intracardiac signals responsively to the first intracardiac signals and the at least one far-field signal, receiving second intracardiac signals captured by at least one second sensing electrode of a second catheter inserted into a cardiac chamber of a second living subject, and applying the trained neural network to the second intracardiac signals to remove respective second far-field components from the second intracardiac signals.

Abstract: A method for evaluation of electrical propagation in the heart includes receiving a pacing signal applied to a heart of a patient, the pacing signal including a sequence of normal and shorter, abnormal, pacing stimuli. A responsive cardiac signal is received, that is sensed by electrodes at a location in the heart and on the body surface of the patient. A model response is found and annotated from evoked potentials caused by the normal pacing stimuli. A correlation is made between the model response along the different signal sections to find and calculate a normal and decremental time delays between the pacing stimuli and respectively resulting evoked potentials at a tissue location. A time difference is calculated, between the normal time delay and the decremental time delay. An EP map of at least a portion of the heart is presented to a user, with a graphical indication of the time difference presented at the tissue location.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector is sized to fit in an anatomical passageway within a subject's cardiovascular system. The end effector includes at least one electrode pair that is configured to contact cardiovascular tissue and thereby pick up electrocardiogram signals. Each electrode pair includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a longitudinal axis from each other by a gap area located between the electrodes, the gap area having a gap length with respect to the longitudinal axis such that a length of one of the electrodes along the longitudinal axis is equal to or greater than the gap length; and a ratio of an area defined by the gap area to one electrode area is equal to or less than one.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for an implantable electrical medical lead that is positioned within a substernal space are disclosed. The anchoring mechanisms fixedly-position a distal portion of the lead, that is implanted in the substernal space.

Abstract: A tissue treatment assembly comprising an elongate flexible energy delivery device extending along a longitudinal axis and terminating at a distal opening and a circuit assembly including a plurality of conductors wrapped in a spiral configuration around the elongate flexible energy delivery device.

Abstract: A wireless implant and associated system for motor function recovery after spinal cord injury, and more particularly a multi-channel wireless implant with small package size. The wireless implant can further be used in various medical applications, such as retinal prostheses, gastrointestinal implant, vagus nerve stimulation, and cortical neuromodulation. The system also includes a method and its implementation to acquire the impedance model of the electrode-tissue interface of the implant.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices for accessing body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems and methods for enlarging an opening of a body lumen. In an embodiment, a device may include a flexible elongate tube. A distal end of the tube may be configured to access an opening of a body lumen. A plurality of wire lumens may extend from the distal end of the tube toward a proximal end of the tube that are radially offset from and substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the plurality of wire lumens may be exposed to an outer surface of the tube along a distal portion. A plurality of wires may each extend along a respective wire lumen. A portion of each wire may extend externally to the wire lumens exposed to the outer surface.

Abstract: A continuum robot having at least two independently manipulateable bendable section for advancing the robot through a passage, without contacting fragile elements within the passage, wherein the robot incorporates control algorithms that enable the continuum robot to operate and advance into the passage, as well as the systems and procedures associated with the continuum robot and said functionality.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combining ablation therapy with navigation of the ablation device. An ablation system may be configured for use with one of two methods to prevent loss of navigation signals during ablation energy delivery. In the first method, ablation energy signals are filtered from the navigation signal. In the second method, the delivery of ablation energy is sequenced with the delivery of navigation energy such that ablation energy and navigation energy are not delivered at the same time and navigation signals received by the system are time-division multiplexed to reconstruct the navigation signals and determine a location of the device within the patient.

Abstract: A textile product, and methods of using or manufacturing the same, has an electrical skin contact element completely or partially arranged on the inside of the product and at least one extensible conductive textile element mounted on the outside of the product in electrical communication with the skin contact element. In one embodiment, the skin contact element comprises an extensible electrode having an extensible plastic material comprising conductive particles or graphene and is adhered to or printed on the textile product in a region surrounding an opening in the textile product, and is connected to the conductive element adjacent the opening. In another embodiment, the textile product has a conductive region comprising an embedded conductive polymer material, the conductive element is connected to the conductive polymer material on the outside of the conductive region, and the electrical skin contact element completely or partially penetrates the fabric of the textile product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses and methods that identify end expirium data based on catheter movement data.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.

Abstract: A lead assembly and a method of making a lead are provided. The method of making a multi-contact lead assembly comprises placing monofilament placed in the void spaces not occupied by the plurality of conductor wires and, in one embodiment, thermally fusing the monofilament to the like material spacer by applying heat just below the melting temperature of the monofilament and spacer material. Alternatively, the monofilament and spacer may be of different materials and heat is applied to cause at least one material to thermally reflow or melt. The conductive contacts may be located at either the distal end and/or proximal end of the lead. Oversized spacers may be used in order to provide extra material to fill voids during the thermal fusion/reflow process.

Abstract: A trans-atrial septal catheter system for delivery of a steerable sheath into the left atrium contains three components. The first component is a three-segmented needle-guide wire composed of a distal needle designed to flex sharply in relation to the conjoined looped guide wire segment after fossa ovalis puncture and needle advancement. The distal guide wire loops are advanced into the left atrium maintaining the angled needle in a central location relevant to the loops for preserving an atraumatic position while stabilizing the loops in the left atrium. The elongated proximal extra stiff guide wire segment is conjoined to the looped segment which crosses the fossa ovalis and extends proximally to become externalized to the femoral vein. This segment is extra stiff and significantly elongated to permit catheter and device exchanges. The guide wire serves as a support rail over which the dilator and sheath can be advanced into the left atrium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a catheter alignment system includes a catheter to be inserted into a body part, and including catheter electrodes to contact tissue at respective locations within the body part, a display, and processing circuitry to receive signals provided by the catheter, assess respective levels of contact of ones of the catheter electrodes with the tissue of the body part responsively to the received signals, find a direction in which the catheter should be moved to improve at least one of the respective levels of contact of at least one of the catheter electrodes responsively to the respective levels of contact of the ones of the catheter electrodes, and render to the display a representation of the catheter responsively to the received signals, and a direction indicator indicating the direction in which the catheter should be moved responsively to the found direction.

Abstract: A flexible circuit of a surgical instrument includes a rigid section and a flexible section. The rigid section is configured to mechanically interlock with a component of the surgical instrument and has at least one of the following mounted thereon: (1) a processing device and (2) a logic element. The flexible section is aligned with one of the following: (1) an active bending portion of a shaft assembly of the surgical instrument and (2) an articulation joint of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining an OIS coordinate frame comprising an electronic control unit configured to determine a local 3D electric field loop, create a zero mean version of E(t) over a depolarization interval, compute an ? value at each of a plurality of time intervals, compute an initial estimate of ? from a cross product of E and the ? value for each of the plurality of time intervals, average the initial estimate of ? from each of the plurality of time for a best estimate of ?, determine a plurality of â(?) values and using the corresponding {circumflex over (n)}(?) values, compute a composite match score, and choose at least one best value for â and a best value for {circumflex over (n)}.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging probe includes an ultrasound transducer assembly configured to obtain imaging data associated with a body of a patient; a chassis (304) fixedly secured to the ultrasound transducer assembly; a plurality of heat spreader members (430, 440) positioned around the chassis and configured to provide a thermal path for heat generated by the ultrasound transducer assembly while obtaining the imaging data, wherein the plurality of heat spreader members is movably coupled to the chassis; and a housing (510, 520) positioned around the plurality of heat spreader members, wherein the plurality of heat spreader members is configured to move relative to the chassis when the housing is positioned around the plurality of heat spreader members.

Abstract: An elongate medical device comprising an expandable structure with an expandable configuration and a collapsed configuration, a handle, operably coupled to the expandable structure, the handle further including a selective movement limiter; and a deflection control member coupled with the distal hub, where the deflection control member is configured to adjust a stiffness of the expandable structure, from a first stiffness to a second stiffness, and maintain the first stiffness or the second stiffness when the selective movement limiter couples with the deflection control member and limits a longitudinal movement of the deflection control member, and wherein the deflection control member is configured to move freely when the selective movement limiter is not coupled with the deflection control member.

Abstract: A method of flight control including having a vertical takeoff and landing aerial vehicle that has a plurality of lift propellers disposed on two linear support pieces, and there are two vertical stabilizers disposed at the rear of the two linear support pieces. A rotating shaft of each lift propeller from among the multiple lift propellers outwards forms an angle of 5 degrees to 15 degrees relative to a vertical plane of the aerial vehicle perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle of the present disclosure improves the heading axis control capacity of the aerial vehicle and reduces the restriction to the design size of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and an expandable element coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The expandable element includes multiple electrodes arranged in a hexagonal grid when the expandable element is expanded. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system includes two or more pairs of electrodes and a processor. The electrodes are disposed over a distal end of a catheter for insertion into a heart of a patient. The electrodes in each pair are parallel with one another, and the pairs are not parallel with one another. The processor is configured to receive electrophysiological (EP) signals acquired by the pairs of electrodes, and, based on a timing of the received EP signals, calculate a local direction at which the received EP signals propagate in the heart.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical system includes a medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal end, at least one cutting element disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a position-tracking transducer disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and electrically insulated from the shaft and the at least one cutting element, and at least one metal coagulation electrode disposed at least partially over the position-tracking transducer, which electrically isolates the at least one metal coagulation electrode from the shaft, a signal generator coupled to apply an electrical current to the at least one metal coagulation electrode, and processing circuitry configured to receive signals generated by the position-tracking transducer, and track a location of the distal end responsively to the received signals.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument, a generator configured to supply power to an end effector, and a processor configured to run a control program to operate the surgical system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises the end effector which includes a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is moved with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. Tissue is configured to be positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The processor is configured to detect a first parameter of the surgical system, detect at least one user input, and modify the control program in response to the detected first parameter and the at least one user input.

Abstract: A device positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may discriminate between fluid (e.g., blood) and non-fluid tissue (e.g., wall of heart) to provide information or a mapping indicative of a position and/or orientation of the device in the cavity. Discrimination may be based on flow, or some other characteristic, for example electrical permittivity or force. The device may selectively ablate portions of the non-fluid tissue based on the information or mapping. The device may detect characteristics (e.g., electrical potentials) indicative of whether ablation was successful. The device may include a plurality of transducers, intravascularly guided in an unexpanded configuration and positioned proximate the non-fluid tissue in an expanded configuration. Expansion mechanism may include helical member(s) or inflatable member(s).

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular nerve activity sensing or measurement includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand with open ends around a central axis to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the perivascular space. The system also may include means to limit and/or adjust the depth of penetration of the needles. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary catheter includes an outer tubing housing and an inner fluid delivery tubing, the inner fluid delivery tubing having at least one fluid delivery port. The catheter also includes a deployment member movable axially within the inner fluid delivery tubing. A plurality of splines are each connected at a proximal end to the outer tubing and at a distal end to deployment member. A seal is provided between the outer tubing and the inner fluid delivery tubing. A gasket is provided between the deployment member and the inner fluid delivery tubing. Both the seal and the gasket are configured to prevent blood or other fluid from ingressing into the outer tubing.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, an electrode array distal of the catheter body, the array having a mounting member and at least first and second spine supports. Each spine support includes a base having a planar configuration, and a plurality of spines extending from the base, wherein the first base extends in a first plane and the second base extends in a second plane different from the first plane in the mounting member.

Abstract: Described is a method of treating a subject diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer, bone cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, and a combination of any thereof by applying a bioelectric signal or signals that upregulate the expression of Osteoprotegerin (“OPG”) and thus beneficially effect the subject's OPG/RANKL/RANK pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a delivery system for a component, for example, a splitting lead. A splitting lead can have a proximal portion to engage a controller and a distal portion to split apart into sub-portions that travel in multiple directions during implantation into a patient. The delivery system can include a handle and a component advancer to advance and removably engage a portion of the component. The component advancer can be coupled to the handle and advance the component into the patient by applying a force to the portion in response to actuation of the handle by the operator. Also, the delivery system can include an insertion tip with first and second ramps to facilitate advancement of first and second sub-portions into the patient in first and second directions. The leads may have various electrode configurations including, for example, wrapped or embedded electrodes, helical or elliptical coils, thin metallic plates, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and monitoring intracavitary tissue temperature. The system may include a catheter shaft with a circuit board disposed therein, the circuit board having an array of sensors disposed thereon. The catheter shaft may have an opening and an expandable structure surrounding the opening to provide a field of view of the intracavitary tissue for the array of sensors through the opening. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that a clinician may review information indicative of temperature of the intracavitary tissue, and be alerted if the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Improved mapping and ablation procedures and corresponding devices are provided. A variety of methods and apparatuses can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by identifying the location of an arrhythmia source and ablating that source. The methods and apparatuses can provide an improved means of electrical mapping of the heart to identify the location of the arrhythmia source and advancing an ablation electrode to that location so that it may be ablated.