At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for estimating locations of electrodes and/or electrode assembly of an electroporation ablation catheter using one or more navigation sensors integrated with the catheter. In some examples, the electrode assembly includes a plurality of splines and a navigation sensor is disposed on or integrated with one of the plurality of splines. In some examples, a navigation sensor is disposed on o integrated with a supporting structure of the catheter.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for estimating locations of electrodes and/or electrode assembly of an electroporation ablation catheter when the catheter is deployed. In some examples, the electrode position is estimated using electrical signals collected when a current is injected via tracking electrodes. In certain examples, the electrode positions are updated using one or more geometric models associated with the electroporation ablation catheter.

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 system for tracking a catheter in a patient. The system including a plurality of surface electrodes and a surface patch attached to the patient and a processor coupled to the plurality of surface electrodes and the surface patch. The processor determines a location of at least one of the plurality of surface electrodes, stores locations of the surface patch and the at least one of the plurality of surface electrodes, determines a three-dimensional shell shape that corresponds to a portion of the patient, determines a model of an impedance tracking field in at least a portion of the three-dimensional shell shape, injects current through one or more of the plurality of surface electrodes, fits measured voltages from the catheter to the model of the impedance tracking field to determine locations of the catheter, and provides therapy to the patient based on the locations of the catheter.

An apparatus includes a flexible electrically-insulating substrate including an inner surface and an outer surface. The substrate is shaped to define multiple channels passing between the inner surface and the outer surface, at least some of the channels being concave channels. The apparatus further includes an outer layer of an electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the outer surface, an inner layer of the electrically-conducting metal covering at least part of the inner surface, and respective columns of the electrically-conducting metal that fill the channels such as to connect the outer layer to the inner layer.

An ablation procedure guidance method is provided herein. The ablation procedure guidance method is implemented by a generation engine executing on a processor. The ablation procedure guidance method includes receiving inputs including images and conduction velocity vector estimations and generating a digital twin of an anatomical structure utilizing the images and the conduction velocity vector estimations. The ablation procedure guidance method also includes presenting, via a user interface of the generation engine, the digital twin to provide precision ablation guidance of the anatomical structure and provide electrophysiology information of the anatomical structure.

This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

Described embodiments include an apparatus that includes an expandable structure, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and a plurality of conducting elements coupled to the expandable structure. Each of the conducting elements comprises a respective coil and has an insulated portion that is electrically insulated from tissue of the subject, and an uninsulated portion configured to exchange signals with the tissue, while in contact with the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

An apparatus includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes a proximal portion defining a longitudinal axis, a steerable portion distal to the proximal portion, and a distal portion distal to the steerable portion. The steerable portion is operable to drive the distal portion laterally away from and toward the longitudinal axis. The shaft assembly further includes at least one flex circuit assembly. The at least one flex circuit assembly includes a first navigation sensor configured to measure impedance signals that indicate a real-time position of the steerable portion. The at least one flex circuit assembly further includes a second navigation sensor configured to measure magnetic signals that indicate a real-time position of the steerable portion.