St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.

St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

Tycom Inc.

James C Baker

John B Blix

John Eric Hein

Joseph Allen Brotz

Joseph William Barnier

Sukanya Varadharajan

Michael Olsen

Kevin K Ennett

John Anderson Hauck

Catherine A Pipenhagen

Raymond Vincent Froehlich

Raymond Victor Froehlich

Paul D Mortell

Benjamin Mihai

Tim L Taylor

Robert C Henningsgard

John C Hein

Michael L Olsen

Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Ablation system, methods, and controllers

Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a multi-electrode ablation system includes a power supply configured to be coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the power supply. The controller is configured to determine a thermal gain of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. For each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the controller sets a power limit based at least in part on said electrode's determined thermal gain. The power limit establishes a maximum power that may be dissipated through said electrode.

A cardiac navigation system including a mapping catheter, a control system coupled to the mapping catheter, an electrode array, and means for driving an electrical current across the electrode array. The mapping catheter includes means for sensing an electrical field. The control system includes means for receiving sensed signals from the mapping catheter. The cardiac navigation system includes at least one electrode array including means for providing an electrical field across three axes. The three axes are approximately orthogonal with respect to one another. The means for driving an electrical current across the three axes includes means for providing a plurality of individual current sources to the electrode array. As such, the cardiac navigation system presented provides a more uniform sheet of current across an area of interest, the mapping catheter senses the electrical field across the area of interest, and the control system determines a three-dimensional location of the mapping catheter based on the sensed electrical field.

Cardiac navigation system including electrode array for use therewith

An apparatus and method for automated loading of a drilling machine package having a plurality of drill bit receiving openings arranged in a known configuration with verified precision drill bits from a drill bit container is disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated transfer machine which is connected to a control device, a package frame, a container receiving member, and a diameter sensing device. While not necessarily connected to the automated transfer machine, the package frame and the container receiving member are located at positions which are accessible by the automated transfer machine. Further, the diameter sensing device is operably associated with the automated transfer machine. The method of operation includes the control device recalling data specific to a particular job. A drill bit container is placed on the container receiving member. The automated transfer machine removes a precision drill bit from the drill bit container and the diameter sensing device measures the diameter of the precision drill bit. The automated transfer machine delivers the precision drill bit to the package frame where it is loaded into a drill bit receiving opening in a stored drilling package.

Method and apparatus for automated verification and loading of precision

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Woodbury, MN, United States of America

James C Baker