Navix International Limited

Goji Limited

Zalman Ibragimov

Yitzhack Schwartz

Eli Dichterman

Yehonatan Ben David

Shlomo Ben-Haim

Yizhaq Shmayahu

Amit Rappel

Avner Libman

Sharon Hadad

Ram Elboim

Haim Rodriguez

Hertzel Yehezkely

Leonid Gluhovsky

Yaara Yarden

Yuval Jakira

Pinchas Einziger

Michael Sigalov

Denis Dikarov

Yoel Biberman

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.

Property- and position-based catheter probe target identification

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.

Calculation of an ablation plan

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.

Estimation of effectiveness of ablation adjacency

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.

Estimators for ablation effectiveness

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 Vmeasurement set) comprising a plurality of measurements of the plurality of different electrical fields while the probe remains in one position. From the Vmeasurement set, spatial position coordinates for the intrabody probe are estimated within an intrabody coordinate system, using an established mapping between previously observed Vmeasurement sets and positions in the intrabody coordinate system. Systems and methods for generating and selecting such mappings are also described.

Intrabody probe navigation by electrical self-sensing

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.

Coronary sinus-based electromagnetic mapping

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.

Characteristic track catheter navigation

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.

Esophagus position detection by electrical mapping

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.

Heating of objects by microwave energy

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.

Fiducial marking for image-electromagnetic field registration

A method includes processing an object in a cavity by applying radio frequency (RF) energy to the cavity. A first plurality of frequencies is identified, characterized in that a time derivative of a value indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity to RF energy at frequency of the first plurality of frequencies is larger than a first threshold. More energy is applied at frequencies of the first plurality of frequencies than at other frequencies.

Applying RF energy according to time variations in EM feedback

An object is processed in a cavity resonator by application of radiofrequency energy to the cavity resonator through a plurality of feeds. Excitation setups are grouped into a plurality of peaks based on values of an absorbability indicator associated with each of the excitation setups. At least one peak among the plurality of peaks is selected based on the values of the absorbability indicator associated with the excitation setups grouped into each peak. Radiofrequency energy is applied to the cavity resonator based on the selection, in which the excitation setups are multi-dimensional.

RF energy application based on absorption peaks

A method of processing an object in an energy application zone by application of radio frequency (RF) energy via a plurality of radiating elements may include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at a first plurality of excitation setups (excitation setups). The method may also include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at one or more excitation setups, at least one of which is not included in the first plurality of excitation setups, based on feedback received from the energy application zone in response to the application of the first amount of energy to the energy application zone at the first plurality of excitation setups.

RF energy application based on electromagnetic feedback

An apparatus for applying RF energy to process an object may include at least one controller configured to receive EM feedback-related values from an energy application zone, each of the values being associated with a respective MSE. The controller may also be configured to identify a change in one or more of the EM feedback-related values within a period of time; adjust the RF energy application based on the change in the EM feedback-related values identified, and cause application of RF energy to the energy application zone.

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Rehovot, Israel

Zalman Ibragimov