A multiple-point basket-type or crown-shaped catheter device provides simultaneously mapping over a three-dimensional (3D) region of a subject, such as, one or more chambers of a subject's heart. The catheter device may include a series of splines each having a wave-like profile formed of a periodic series of peaks and troughs, with electrodes located at the peaks and troughs for mapping purposes.

A surgical access system comprising a tissue dilation assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures and one or more pressure sensors for determining and monitoring pressure on neural structures near the tissue dilation assembly or the tissue retraction assembly.

An acoustic lithotripsy system can deliver acoustic energy to a target located within a patient. The system may include an acoustic transducer, the acoustic transducer including a first vibrator and a second vibrator. A system may include an impact member, coupled to the acoustic transducer, the impact member operable at a lower frequency than each of the first vibrator and the second vibrator. The system may further include controller circuitry, coupled to the acoustic transducer and the impact member, the controller circuitry including: an acoustic actuation control output, configured to selectively provide to at least one of the first vibrator or the second vibrator, an actuation control signal to control ablation of the target by the selected at least one of the first vibrator or the second vibrator. The first vibrator and/or or the second vibrator may be selected to operate with or without the impact member.

A method for puncturing a pericardial membrane of a human patient, the method comprising inserting a needle into the chest of the human patient, detecting a phase of a mechanical activity of the heart of the human patient, advancing the needle toward the heart of the human patient in synchronization with the detected phase of the mechanical activity of the heart of the human patient, and repeating the detecting and advancing steps until the pericardial membrane of the human patient is punctured.

A method for mapping an anatomical structure includes sensing activation signals of intrinsic physiological activity with a plurality of electrodes disposed in or near the anatomical structure, identifying at least one of the electrodes not in direct contact with the anatomical structure, and adjusting the activation signals sensed by each of the plurality of electrodes based on the activation signals sensed by the identified at least one of the electrodes not in direct contact with the anatomical structure.