Ep Technologies, Inc.

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Boston Scientific Corporation

David L McGee

David K Swanson

James G Whayne

Dorin Panescu

Sidney D Fleischman

Daniel A Dupree

Tuan Anh Nguyen

David F Dueiri

Robert R Burnside

Thomas F Kordis

Russell B Thompson

Harm TenHoff

Yi Yang

Josef Vincent Koblish

Isaac J Kim

Russell A Houser

Thomas M Bourne

Patrick M Owens

Jerome D Jackson

N Parker Willis

Huy D Phan

Szabolcs Deladi

Godefridus Antonius Harks

Alexander Franciscus Kolen

Robert M Bryan

Steven Antonie Willem Fokkenrood

William N Reining

Darrell L Rankin

Jamil Ahmad

Michael Idaomi

Walter Harvey Crompton, Jr

Simplicio Velilla

David W Arnett

To sum up, the present invention relates to an examination systemfor examining an associated tissue sample, where the examination system comprises an interventional devicewhich comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers-and wherein the different ultrasound transducers are arranged to obtain images of different regions of an associated tissue sample, and wherein the examination system furthermore comprises a display devicearranged for showing the images so that each of their positions corresponds to the corresponding positions of the different adjacent tissue sample regions in the adjacent associated tissue sample. A possible advantage of the system may be that relevant information regarding the associated tissue sample is conveyed to an observer in a fast an intuitive manner.

Examination system with multiple ultrasound transducers

A mapping catheter includes an elongated body for inserting into patient vasculature. A distal end of the elongated body includes a distal portion that includes a plurality of electrodes, a proximal portion disposed proximal to the distal portion, and a reduced-dimension portion disposed between the proximal and distal portions. The distal end is formed, at least in part, from a memory shape material that bends into a preformed shape upon release from a confined space. The preformed shape includes a first loop formed, at least in part, by the distal portion. The first loop is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the proximal portion. The reduced-dimension portion is configured and arranged to bend such that the reduced-dimension section advances distally through the first loop when the first loop is held in a fixed position and a force is applied distally along the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion.

Systems and methods for making and using medical ablation systems having mapping catheters with improved anchoring ability

Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging anatomical structures and performing ablation therapy within the body are disclosed. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe includes a housing, an ablation electrode located on a distal tip section of the housing, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for visualizing anatomical structures within the body. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed as a composite image on a display screen of a user interface.

Ablation probe with ultrasonic imaging capabilities

Devices, systems, and methods for ultrasonically acquiring far-field and near-field images within a body are disclosed. An ultrasound imaging device adapted for insertion within a body includes a first ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a first frequency for acquiring far-field images within the body, and a second ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at a higher frequency than the first frequency for acquiring near-field images within the body. The ultrasound imaging device can be connected to a control device and user interface for visualizing far-field and near-field images acquired by the ultrasonic sensors.

Far-field and near-field ultrasound imaging device

Methods and systems for controlling an imaging procedure are provided. A medical device is introduced within a patient, and a position (e.g., location and/or orientation) of the medical device is detected within the patient relative to a reference position (e.g., a previously detected position of the medical device or a position within a desired path). Imaging of the patient is automatically activated based on the detected relative position, such that the patient is imaged only during relevant times. In one method, instability/stability of the medical device is detected, in which case, the imaging is automatically activated when the medical device is unstable, and deactivated when the medical device is stable. For example, if tissue is to be ablated with the medical device, medical personnel can be made aware of inadvertent movement of the medical device via the image, and can correct any displacement of the medical device from the ablation site.

Automated activation/deactivation of imaging device based on tracked medical device position

Systems and methods for making and using medical ablation systems and having mapping catheters with improved anchoring ability

Probes that are sensitive to electrode/tissue contact and that are configured to connect an electrode to a power supply and/or provide an indication when the desired level of electrode/tissue contact has been achieved.

Contact sensitive probes with indicators

A method of ablating tissue in the heart to treat atrial fibrillation introduces into a selected atrium an energy emitting element. The method exposes the element to a region of the atrial wall and applies ablating energy to the element to thermally destroy tissue. The method forms a convoluted lesion pattern comprising elongated straight lesions and elongated curvilinear lesions. The lesion pattern directs electrical impulses within the atrial myocardium along a path that activates the atrial myocardium while interrupting reentry circuits that, if not interrupted, would cause fibrillation. The method emulates the surgical maze procedure, but lends itself to catheter-based procedures that do not require open heart surgical techniques. A composite structure for performing the method is formed using a template that displays in planar view a desired lesion pattern for the tissue. An array of spaced apart element is laid on the template. Guided by the template, energy emitting and non-energy emitting zones are formed on the elements. By overlaying the elements, the composite structure is formed, which can be introduced into the body to ablate tissue using catheter-based, vascular access techniques.

Composite structures and methods for ablating tissue to form complex lesion patterns in the treatment of cardiac conditions and the like

Methods, apparatus, and systems for occluding a tissue opening are provided. One embodiment includes a catheter having an elongate body and a first lumen to direct hypertonic saline through an opening in the lumen to tissue of a fossa ovalis. The embodiment includes a radiofrequency (RF) electrode coupled to the elongate body proximal a distal end of the elongate body. The RF electrode can emit RF energy to the tissues of the passage and the hypertonic saline can facilitate a distribution of the RF energy along the tissue to fuse the tissue of the passage.

Occlusion apparatus

Methods and systems for navigating medical devices are provided. A patient is imaged while a medical device is moved within the patient. A position (e.g., a location and/or orientation) of the moving medical device is detected within a coordinate system (e.g., a three-dimensional coordinate system), a position of the imaging field of view relative to the patient is adjusted based on the detected medical device position, such that the relevant tissue region of the patient is within the field of view. For example, the field of view can be centered over the medical device or centered just distal to the medical device portion. The direction of view may be oriented at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the medical device, e.g., for more accurately measuring the length of objects within the field of view, or oriented at an angle parallel to the axis of the medical device portion, e.g., for more accurately measuring the diameter of the channel (e.g., blood vessel) in which the medical device is disposed.

Automated manipulation of imaging device field of view based on tracked medical device position

The present invention provides systems and methods for locating an imaging device within or outside of the body and for displaying a graphical representation of the imaging pattern associated with the imaging device within a global representation of the body. The imaging pattern characterizes the 'field of vision' of the imaging device, and the graphical imaging pattern within the global representation of the body visually indicates the portion of the body that is being imaged by the imaging device in relation to the global representation of the body.

Computer generated representation of the imaging pattern of an imaging device

Systems and methods employ a guide element that carries a region of energy emitting material. The systems and methods electronically couple the region to a source of energy that, when emitted by the region, ablates tissue. The systems and methods are responsive to user commands for changing the physical characteristics of the lesions being created by electronically altering the energy emitting characteristics of the region itself.

Systems and methods for electronically altering the energy emitting characteristics of an electrode array to create different lesion patterns in body tissue

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

David L McGee