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.

An image analysis device is capable of outputting evaluation information for use in the balloon catheter treatment for subjects, in real time during a procedure using a balloon catheter. The image analysis device includes: an input unit configured to input captured image data of a two-dimensional captured image of a balloon catheter inserted into an organ of the subject and pressed against an inner surface of the organ; a processing unit configured to obtain evaluation image data of the two-dimensional evaluation image, by executing an image processing on the captured image based on the captured image data input by the input unit, and configured to obtain evaluation information regarding a state of the balloon catheter pressed against the inner surface of the organ based on the evaluation image data; and an output unit configured to output the evaluation information acquired by the processing unit.

A catheter has a balloon electrode assembly with at least one compliant balloon member and at least one electrode carried on an outer surface of the balloon member for accomplishing circumferential sensing or ablation in a tubular region of the heart, including a pulmonary vein or ostium. The catheter may also include an electrode assembly with a tip and/or ring electrode distal of the balloon electrode assembly adapted for focal contact.

An apparatus for controlling an electroporation catheter is provided. The electroporation catheter includes a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of splines extending from the distal end to the proximal end, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the plurality of splines and defining at least one quadripolar array, each quadripolar array defined by four electrodes of the plurality of electrodes. The apparatus includes a pulse generator coupled to the electroporation catheter, and a computing device coupled to the pulse generator, the computing device operable to control the pulse generator to selectively energize the electrodes defining the at least one quadripolar array according to a first energization pattern, and selectively energize the electrodes defining the at least one quadripolar array according to a second energization pattern, wherein the first and second energization patterns are different from one another.

A method, system and device for securing conductive material on catheter elements for tissue sensing and cryogenic ablation. This may be used to deposit or embed conductive material onto or within polymeric materials. The method of manufacturing a balloon with conductive material may include extruding a polymeric material where the polymeric material includes embedded electrically conductive material. At least a portion of the polymeric material may be removed to expose at least a portion of the embedded electrically conductive material. The benefits may include allowing local bipolar recordings, contact assessment and ice thickness, and compatibility with 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping systems.

Systems and methods for facilitating assessment and convenient display of graphical output indicative of lesion formation and outputting data indicative of lesion formation to a 3D mapping system to display on a 3D model are disclosed herein.

The disclosed technology includes couplers, nose pieces, and strain relief hubs for ablation catheter assemblies and methods of using the same. The disclosed technology can include a medical probe having a coupler having a first portion, a second portion, and a vent port. The second portion can slide between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the vent port can be at least partially obstructed by the first portion and, when in the second position, the vent port can be unobstructed by the first portion. The medical probe can include a nose piece having an outer diameter of less than 0.14 inches and an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture can be sized to receive a catheter. The medical probe can include a strain relief hub having a first portion and a second portion and configured to be coupled to a handle of the medical probe.

Flexible circuit strips of a catheter balloon may comprise a substrate and a contact electrode disposed on the substrate. A cover may be disposed over a peripheral portion of the contact electrode and an adjacent portion of the substrate The cover is intended to increase robustness of the contact electrode in response to fatigue that might arise from repeated expansion and contraction of the catheter balloon.

A catheter balloon comprises an ellipsoidal membrane. A plurality of flexible circuit strips, each of which comprises a substrate and a contact electrode, are disposed about the membrane. A coating is disposed atop at least the outer surface of the membrane and may also be disposed atop a portion of each of the substrates. The coating may comprise a dielectric material, such as parylene. The coating may increase the smoothness of the balloon. When subject to internal pressures that expand the balloon, the coating may also increase the resilience of the balloon relative to a balloon that lacks the coating as determined by changes in the balloon's diameter before and after expansion.

An ablation catheter including an elongate shaft, an inflatable balloon positioned at a distal region of the elongate shaft, a first ablation electrode disposed outside of and carried by an outer surface of the inflatable balloon, a first ultrasound transducer disposed outside of the inflatable balloon, and a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit includes a first conductor and a second conductor and is disposed outside of and carried by the outer surface of the inflatable balloon. The first conductor is in electrical communication with the first ablation electrode, and the second conductor in electrical communication with the first ultrasound transducer.