Abstract:
Systems and methods analyze bio-potential morphologies in body tissue. The systems and methods use a template of a bio-potential event of known cause in body tissue. The systems and methods compare this template to a sample of a bio-potential event externally triggered in body tissue. The systems and methods generate an output based upon this comparison. The systems and methods can be used to compare an event specific to the template of a cardiac event (T(i)) of known diagnosis to a sample of a placed cardiac event (P(i)). The comparison yields a matching coefficient (MCOEFF(i)) indicating how alike the input sample is to the input template. The matching coefficient can be used by the physician, for example, to aid in the location of sites that are potentially appropriate for ablation.
Abstract:
Systems and methods employ an energy emitting electrode (34) to heat tissue. The systems and methods derive a temperature prediction for a future time period. The systems and methods control the application of energy to the energy emitting electrode (34) based, at least in part, upon the temperature prediction.
Abstract:
Systems and methods examine heart tissue morphology by locating electrodes (38) in contact with a region of heart tissue to sense the timing of a local depolarization event. From this, the systems and methods derive the propagation velocities of the depolarization events and create an output (246) that displays the derived propagation velocities in spatial relation to the sensing electrodes. The systems (246) and methods then arrange the derived propagation velocities into groups of equal propagation velocities and generate three-dimensional outputs of the groups of equal propagation velocity in spatial relation to the location of the sensing electrodes. The iso-conduction display more rapidly identifies the regions of slow conduction which are candidate ablation sites.
Abstract:
Systems (10) and methods examine heart tissue morphology for the purpose of locating a potential ablation site. The systems and methods derive the electrical characteristic of tissue lying between the electrode pairs (38) based, at least in part, upon sensing tissue impedances. The systems and methods also sense the timing of local depolarization events in the tissue in which impedance is sensed and derive therefrom the propagation velocities of the sensed depolarization events. The systems and methods match the derived tissue electrical characteristics with the derived propagation velocities in spatial relation to the electrodes to characterize the morphology of the contacted heart tissue to identify a potential ablation site.
Abstract:
Systems and associated methods form larger and deeper lesion patterns by shaping a support body with multiple electrodes (30) in ways that increase the density of the electrodes (30) per given tissue area. The support body (12) can carry either elongated, continuous electrodes (80) or arrays of non-contiguous, segmented electrodes (30).
Abstract:
Systems and associated methods position arrays of multiple emitters of ablating energy (30) in straight or curvilinear positions in contact with tissue to form elongated lesion patterns (200)-(206). The elongated lesion patterns can be continuous (200, 204) or interrupted (202, 206), depending upon the orientation of the energy emitters.
Abstract:
An electrode support structure has spline elements (22) radiating from a center hub (90) in a circumferentially spaced relationship. The spline elements (22) include terminal ends spaced from the hub which are joined to a base member (62) to form a three-dimensional structure for supporting electrodes (38). The center hub (90) lies essentially within the envelope of the spline elements (22) to present a surface free of projections that can poke into and cause tissue trauma during use.
Abstract:
A method is provided for detaching a single-crystal film (32) from an epilayer/substrate crystal structure (30) or bulk crystal structure (10B). The method includes the steps of implanting ions (38) into the crystal structure to form a damage layer (36) within the crystal structure at an implantation depth below a top surface of the crystal structure, and chemically etching the damage layer to effect detachment of the single crystal film from the crystal structure. The method of the present invention is especially useful for detaching single-crystal metal oxide films from metal oxide crystal structures.
Abstract:
Systems and associated methods for ablating body tissue employ an electrode (16) for contacting tissue to form a tissue electrode interface. The electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy (12) to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue electrode interface. The systems and methods also include an element to cool the electrode (50, 56). The systems and methods hold a tissue temperature sensing element in a carrier in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue electrode interface. The systems and methods include a controller that is coupled to the tissue temperature sensing element to control either the supply of ablation energy (98), or the rate at which the electrode is cooled (92, 95), or both, based at least in part upon temperature senses by the temperature sensing element.
Abstract:
An electrode support structure has spline elements (22) radiating from a center hub (90) in a circumferentially spaced relationship. The spline elements (22) include terminal ends spaced from the hub which are joined to a base member (62) to form a three-dimensional structure for supporting electrodes (38). The center hub (90) lies essentially within the envelope of the spline elements (22) to present a surface free of projections that can poke into and cause tissue trauma during use.