| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080275428 | OPTIC-BASED CONTACT SENSING ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM - The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly and related system used to determine contact between a catheter and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275442 | Systems and Methods for Electrode Contact Assessment - Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode | 11-06-2008 |
| 20110160584 | Acoustic coupling for assessment and ablation procedures - Acoustic coupling systems and methods are disclosed as these can be used for assessment and ablation procedures. An exemplary acoustic assessment system for a catheter may comprise a flexible catheter shaft. At least one acoustic transducer is positioned in the flexible catheter shaft. The at least one acoustic transducer emits a generated acoustic signal for reflection by adjacent tissue. The at least one acoustic transducer receives a reflected acoustic signal from the adjacent tissue and generates electrical signals corresponding to one or more property of the tissue. An output device is electrically connected to the at least one acoustic transducer. The output device receives the electrical signals and generate output for a user for assessing the tissue. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110270046 | Optic-based contact sensing assembly and system - A contact sensing assembly including a catheter and an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, with the electrode being connected to a distal end of the catheter. Optical sensor(s) may be provided for emitting and/or receiving an optical signal, with a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis. Optical interference member(s) may be provided for interfering with the optical signal. A method for sensing contact force exerted by an electrode on a tissue includes directing an optical signal along a portion of a catheter, emitting and/or receiving an optical signal, with a part of the optical signal being at a predetermined angle relative to the central axis, and sensing changes in intensity of the optical signal based on displacement associated with the electrode tip portion based on the contact force exerted by the electrode on the tissue. | 11-03-2011 |
