BESTIMMUNG DER GENAUEN POSITION VON ENDOSKOPEN

SCHRITTMACHER ZUR ERHÖHUNG DES HERZZEITVOLUMENS

MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROLLING OF A SMOOTH MUSCLE

EQUIPMENT FOR THE REGULATION OF THE CARDIAC OUTPUT

PACESETTER FOR THE INCREASE OF THE CARDIAC OUTPUT

MECHANISM FOR THE CONTROLLING OF A SMOOTH MUSCLE

MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC, BEHANDLUNGSUND REPRESENTATION SYSTEM

DEVICE FOR THE MEASUREMENT THE INTRAKARDIALEN OF THE PRESSURE

Intracardiac pressure monitoring method

Precise position determination of endoscopes

Mapping catheter

Intracardiac cell delivery and cell transplantation

Telemetric reader/charger device for medical sensor

CONFORMAL CATHETER

This invention is an invasive probe apparatus including a flexible, elongate probe (20), having a distal end (22) for insertion into the body of a subject. The probe includes first and second position sensors (28, 30), fixed in a known relation to the distal end, which generates signals responsive to position coordinates thereof, and at least one contact sensor (70) along a radial surface thereof, which generates signals responsive to the contact of the radial surface with a surface inside the body. The apparatus further includes signal processing circuitry (36), which receives the position/responsive and contact/responsive signals, and processes them to determine the locations of a plurality of points along the length of a portion of the probe in a vicinity of the first and second position sensors.

MONITORING OF MYOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION

This invention is an apparatus for PMR treatment, including an elongate probe (52) having a distal end (64) for engaging heart tissue (86) of a subject, and a revascularization device (60) which imparts energy to the heart tissue (86) for generating perfusion enhancing channels therein. A sensor (42) provides an indication responsive to the treatment, preferably by receiving signals generated by the body of the subject.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MYOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION

An elongate probe for providing irradiation treatment of the heart, said probe having a distal end for engaging heart tissue of a subject, including a waveguide, which conveys radiation to the heart tissue; and a sensor, adjacent the distal end of the probe, which generates signals for use in controlling the treatment.

METHOD FOR VELOCITY COMPONENT VECTOR MAPPING

An elongate probe apparatus (20) for insertion into the body of a subject, comprising: a structure (24) having a substantially rigid configuration; a plurality of physiological sensors (26, 28, 30), which generate signals responsive to a physiological activity, said sensors (26, 28, 30)having substantially fixed positions on said structure (24) in said configuration; and one or more devices that generate position signals indicative of the positions of the physiological sensors on said structure in said configuration.

Imaging techniques for reducing blind spots

An imaging system is provided for radioimaging a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The system includes a housing, a support structure, which is movably coupled to the housing, and at least one motor assembly, coupled to the housing and the support structure, and configured to move the support structure with respect to the housing. The system also includes at least two detector assemblies, fixed to the support structure, and comprising respective radiation detectors and angular orientators. A control unit drives the motor assembly to position the support structure in a plurality of positions with respect to the housing, and, while the support structure is positioned in each of the plurality of positions, drives the orientators to orient the respective detectors in a plurality of rotational orientations with respect to the ROI, and to detect radiation from the ROI at the rotational orientations. Other embodiments are also described.

Acute and chronic electrical signal therapy for obesity

Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross-sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.

Gastrointestinal electrical therapy

Apparatus (18) for treating a human patient, which includes one or more electrode contact surfaces (100), which are configured to be applied to a fundus (22) of the patient. A control unit (90) is configured to drive the one or more electrode contact surfaces (100) to apply an electrical signal to the fundus (22) that chronically improves a blood glucose level of the patient, in order to treat the patient, without calculating an impedance of tissue of the fundus (22) based on a sensed parameter that varies in response to the electrical signal, for detecting eating by the patient or a characteristic of food eaten by the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

GASTROINTESTINAL ELECTRICAL THERAPY

Apparatus () for treating a human patient, which includes one or more electrode contact surfaces (), which are configured to be applied to a fundus () of the patient. A control unit () is configured to drive the one or more electrode contact surfaces () to apply an electrical signal to the fundus () that chronically improves a blood glucose level of the patient, in order to treat the patient, without calculating an impedance of tissue of the fundus () based on a sensed parameter that varies in response to the electrical signal, for detecting eating by the patient or a characteristic of food eaten by the patient. Other embodiments are also described. 185-. (canceled)86. A method for treating a human patient , comprising:implanting one or more electrode contact surfaces in contact with a fundus of the patient;providing a control unit coupled to the electrode contact surfaces; andactivating the control unit to drive the electrode contact surfaces to apply an electrical signal to at least one fundic site of the patient that chronically improves a blood glucose level of the patient, in order to treat the patient, without calculating an impedance of tissue of the fundus based on a sensed parameter that varies in response to the electrical signal for detecting eating by the patient or a characteristic of food eaten by the patient.87. The method according to claim 86 , wherein activating comprises configuring the control unit to apply the signal to the at least one fundic site at least intermittently during a period having a duration of at least one week claim 86 , without applying any electrical signals to any antral sites of the patient during the period.88. The method according to claim 94 , wherein implanting the one or more electrode contact surfaces in contact with the fund of the patient comprises:endoscopically making one or more incisions through a fundic wall of the patient; andvia exactly one of the one or more incisions, implanting the one or more electrode ...

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

EINRICHTUNG ZUR STEUERUNG EINES GLATTEN MUSKELS

IMPLANTIERBARER TELEMETERIC MEDICAL SENSOR

CURVATURE-SENSITIVE CATHETER

EQUIPMENT TO PULMONARVENENISOLATION MEANS LASER

POSITION LOGGING SYSTEM FOR ORTHOPEDIC APPLICATIONS

TELEMETERIC ABFRAGEUND LOADING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL SENSOR

Monitoring of myocardial revascularization

Apparatus and method for treating cardiac arrhythmias

Telemetric reader/charger device for medical sensor

Apparatus and method for controlling the contractility of muscles

Intracardiac drug delivery

X-ray guided surgical location system with extended mapping volume

SMOOTH MUSCLE CONTROLLER

A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitatory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.

INTRACARDIAC CELL DELIVERY AND CELL TRANSPLANTATION

A method for delivering a cell to a heart of a patient comprises the steps of providing an apparatus for intracardiac drug adminstration comprising a catheter wherein the catheter has at least one position sensor which generates signal s responsive to the position of a catheter and a drug delivery device for delivering the cell. The catheter is inserted into a chamber of the heart at a site and the cell is delivered to the site with the drug delivery device in response to the signa ls from the position sensor. Typical cells useful for delivery are either myoblasts or myocytes. These cells may be utilized as either an expression vector for promotin g angiogenesis or for cell transplantation and fusion through myogenesis. ...

Radioactive-emission-measurement optimization to specific body structures

A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.

Fencing of cardiac muscles

An apparatus for blocking the electric activity of an area of tissue, comprises circuitry (S) for creating a long non-excitatory electric signal between at least two points (R 1 , R 2 ) located in the vicinity of a muscle.

Acute and chronic electrical signal therapy for obesity

Apparatus is provided for treating a condition such as obesity. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, which are adapted to be applied to one or more respective sites in a vicinity of a body of a stomach of a patient. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply to the body of the stomach a signal, configured such that application thereof increases a level of contraction of muscle tissue of the body of the stomach, and decreases a cross sectional area of a portion of the body of the stomach for a substantially continuous period greater than about 3 seconds.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

GERÄT ZUR REGELUNG DES HERZZEITVOLUMENS

TELEMETERIC MEDICAL SYSTEM

DEVICE FOR TREATING HERZARRHTHMIEN WITHOUT A DISCRETE GOAL

DEVICE FOR THE CONTROLLING OF THE CARDIOACTIVITY USING MORE NON--EXCITE VORSTIMULATION

Conformal catheter

Laser pulmonary vein isolation

Cardiac ablation catheter using correlation measure

Catheter calibration and usage monitoring system

Cardiac electro-mechanics

TELEMETRIC MEDICAL SENSOR AND METHOD

A telemetric medical system comprises a telemetric medical sensor for implantation in a patient's body for measuring a parameter therein. The sensor comprises a housing and a membrane at one end of the housing. The membrane is deformable in response to the parameter. A microchip is positioned within the housing and operatively communicates with the membrane for transmitting a signal indicative of the parameter. The system also includes a signal reading and ,charging device locatable outside of a patient's body for communication with the sensor. The signal reading and charging device comprises a casing and a circuit within the casing. The circuit includes a logic control unit and a processing unit. The logic control unit sends a powering signal to the sensor for remotely powering the sensor. The logic control unit also receives the transmitted signal from the sensor wherein the processing unit operatively connected to the control unit converts the transmitted signal by the sensor into a ...

PRECISE POSITION DETERMINATION OF ENDOSCOPES

A locatable endoscope (14) attachment including an attachment (20) connectable to an insertion tube portion of an endoscope for determining the endoscope's (14) position; and one or more sensors (22), fixedly positioned with respect to the attachment (20), which are used for determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22). Preferably, when the attachment (20) is fixedly attached to the endoscope (14), the one or more sensors (22) are distanced from elements of the endoscope which interfere with determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22).

INTRABODY MEASUREMENT

A method of measuring the size of an area (22) within a body, including bringing at least one position sensor (28) to each of a plurality of points in the area, determining position coordinates of the plurality of points, using the sensor (28) and calculating distances between the plurality of points.

Multi point treatment probes and methods of using thereof

An embodiment of system for intrabody treatment of a treatment location in a body of a treated patient is disclosed. The system may include deploying at least two transmission points of a multi point probe to a proximity with the treatment location in the body. A transmission pattern may be selected that defines, for each of the transmission points, a respective signal of a plurality of transmission signals. The transmission pattern may form at least one interaction between the respective signals. The interaction may form a hot spot at the treatment location. A plurality of transmission signals may be delivered from the transmission points.

PROBE LOCALIZATION

A method of NM image reconstruction, including: 1. A method of NM image reconstruction , compromising:(a) acquiring a first set of NM data of a part of the body;(b) collecting a probe position and/or probe NM data from an intrabody probe;(c) reconstructing an NM image from said NM data using said collected probe data.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said collecting comprises collecting when contacting a boundary of a lumen by said probe.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said reconstructing comprises using said boundary location as a constraint during reconstruction.4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said using as a constraint comprises assuming emissions cannot come from said lumen.5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said reconstructing comprises reprojecting said NM data using said constraint.6. The method according to claim 1 , comprising reconstructing in a locality of said position.7. The method of claim 1 , comprising reconstructing at least a portion of a boundary of said lumen using a plurality of positions to cover at least 16 square centimeters and reconstructing comprises reconstructing an image of tissue adjacent said portion.8. The method of claim 1 , comprising reconstructing at least a portion of a boundary of said lumen using a plurality of positions to cover at least 16 square centimeters and displaying a shape of said reconstruction with associated NM data corresponding thereto.9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said reconstructing comprises extending a model using said position of boundary.10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said reconstructing comprises reconstructing without a structural image.11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said reconstructing comprises reconstructing using a non-personalized anatomical model.12. A method according to claim 11 , comprising matching said position to said model.13. A method according to claim 12 , comprising estimating thickness of a wall at said boundary using said matching ...

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

Positionserfassungssystem für orthopädische Anwendungen

CATHETER FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN ELECTRICAL REPRESENTATION OF A HERZKAMMER

CATHETER WITH ADAPTABLE FORM

DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR THE TREATMENT OF ARRYTHMIEN OF THE HEART

Drug-device combination for controlling the contractility of muscles

Locatable biopsy needle

X-RAY GUIDED SURGICAL LOCATION SYSTEM WITH EXTENDED MAPPING VOLUME

Apparatus for X-ray guided surgery, including a reference element (20), which is placed in contact with the body (32) of a subject. The element includes a plurality of fiducial marks (22a, 22b, 22c) and a first coordinate sensing device (24), in predetermined, fixed positions in the element (20). A surgical tool (36), having a distal end for insertion into the body (32), includes a second coordinate sensing device (40) fixed thereto. A fluoroscope (54) forms an X-ray image of the body, including the fiducial marks. A computer analyzes the image to determine the position of the reference element in the image, so as to find coordinates of the first coordinate sensing device relative to the image, and registers the positions of the tool with the X-ray image by referring coordinates of the second coordinate sensing device to the known coordinates of the first position sensor.

CATHETER CALIBRATION AND USAGE MONITORING SYSTEM

A probe (20) for insertion into the body of a subject, the probe (20) having distal (22) and proximal ends, and including an electronic microcircuit (90), which stores information relating to calibration of the probe (20). Preferably, the microcircuit (90) stores a calibration code, which is encrypted. Alternatively or additionally, the microcircuit (90) stores a usage code, which controls availability of the probe (20) to a user thereof. Preferably, the probe (20) includes access control circuitry (90) that allows the usage code to be changed so as to reduce the availability of the probe (20), but not to increase the availability thereof.

CATHETER BASED SURGERY

A method of excavating tissue in the body, including bringing a catheter (60) to a location, injecting microbubbles (84) at the location and causing cavitation of tissue (76) at the location using ultrasound. Preferably, the microbubbles (84) are injected directly into the tissue, such as by using a hollow needle (62). Alternatively, microbubbles (84) are injected into the vascular bed of the tissue at the location, so that the capillaries (86) are infused with microbubbles (84).

Implantable lead connector

An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ, comprising: a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, and a third port configured to connect to a target organ, wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector.

PROBE LOCALIZATION

A method of NM image reconstruction, including: 1. A method of navigating to a target in a body , comprising:(a) acquiring a nuclear medicine (NM) image of a part of the body;(b) collecting probe NM data from an intrabody probe;(c) automatically correlating said image and said probe NM data to obtain correlated data reflecting a match between structures in said image and structures in the body portion of which said probe NM data is collected; and(d) automatically extracting location information of said intrabody probe relative to said target based on said correlated data.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said collecting comprises collecting when contacting a boundary of a lumen by said probe.3. A method according to claim 1 , comprising:(a) using said probe NM data to generate a 3D map of position of at least part of a boundary of said lumen and defining a boundary location and(b) using said boundary location as a constraint during reconstruction of probe NM data of said body portion.4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said using as a constraint comprises assuming emissions cannot come from said lumen.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said extracting comprises using said NM data as a constraint on probe location.6. The method according to claim 1 , comprising reconstructing in a locality of a position of the probe when collecting probe data.7. A method according to claim 1 , comprises reconstructing an image using said probe NM data.8. A method according to claim 1 , comprising reconstructing a local NM image from said location information and said probe NM data.9. The method of claim 1 , comprising co-registering said location information of said intrabody probe to said NM image.10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said probe is a catheter claim 1 , said lumen is in the heart and one or both of said NM data and said probe NM data comprises emissions from mIBG.11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said correlating comprises correlating ...

ESOPHAGUS POSITION DETECTION BY ELECTRICAL MAPPING

A method of estimating a spatial relationship between at least a part of a patient esophagus and a heart chamber, including :measuring at least one electric parameter at one or more positions within the heart chamber to obtain measured values; and estimating the spatial relationship based on the measured values. 1. A method of estimating a spatial relationship between at least a part of a patient esophagus and a heart chamber , comprising:measuring at least one electric parameter at one or more positions within said heart chamber to obtain measured values, wherein said electric parameter is of an electric field generated outside said esophagus; andestimating said spatial relationship based on said measured values.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said estimating comprises estimating said spatial relationship between a treatment target site in said heart chamber and the esophagus.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:generating an electric property map based on the measured values.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:generating an anatomical map of the heart chamber or a portion thereof based on the measured values.5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said estimating further comprises identifying at least one region within said electric property map having deviations in said measured values resulted from the proximity of said esophagus to said heart chamber.6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the deviations are deviations of the electric property map from map values corresponding to the absence of an esophagus in proximity to the at least one region.7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the deviations are deviations of the electric property map toward map values corresponding to the presence of an esophagus in proximity to the at least one region.815-. (canceled)16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining whether said spatial relationship is a targeted spatial relationship.17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:indicating if said ...

Telemetric medical system and method

Intrabody measurement

Mapping catheter

Fencing of cardiac muscles

Catheter, method and apparatus for generating an electrical map of a chamber of the heart

Electrical muscle controller

Local cardiac motion control using applied electrical signals

Induction of cardioplegia using applied electrical signals

SELF-ALIGNING CATHETER

This invention is a flexible, elongate probe (20) having a distal end for insertion through physiological tissue, preferably through a lumen in the tissue. The probe (20) includes a sensor (28), which generates signals indicative of a characteristic of the tissue in a vicinity of the probe (20), and an alignment mechanism which deflects the distal end of the probe (20) in response to the signals. The signals may be indicative of obstructions or of the direction of a clear channel in the lumen. The sensor (28) preferably comprises one or more ultrasound transducers (32).

PRECISE POSITION DETERMINATION OF ENDOSCOPES

A locatable endoscope (14) attachment including an attachment (20) connectab le to an insertion tube portion of an endoscope for determining the endoscope's (14) position; and one or more sensors (22), fixedly positioned with respect to the attachment (20), which are used for determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22). Preferably, when the attachment (20) is fixedly attached to the endoscope (14), the one or more sensors (22) are distanced from elements of the endoscope which interfere with determining the positions of the one or more sensors (22).

CARDIAC ELECTRO-MECHANICS

A method of constructing a cardiac map of a heart having a heart cycle including bringing an invasive probe into contact with a location on a wall of the heart; determining at at least two different phases of the heart cycle, a position of the invasive probe, and determining a local non-electrical physiological value at the location. The method is repeated for a plurality of locations in the heart. The positions are combined to form a time-dependent map of at least a portion of the heart and local relationships between changes in positions of the invasive probe and determined local non-electrical physiological values are determined. Preferably, local electrical activity at the plurality of locations is also acquired.

MAPPING CATHETER

An elongate probe apparatus (20) for insertion into the body of a subject, compr ising: a structure (24) having a substantially rigid configuration; a plurality of physiological sensors (26, 28, 30), which generate signals responsive to a physiological activity, said sensors (26, 28, 30)having substantially fixed positions on said structure (24) in said configuration; and one or more devices that generate position signals indicative of the positions of the physiological sensors on said structu re in said configuration.

INTRACARDIAC CELL DELIVERY AND CELL TRANSPLANTATION

A method for delivering a cell to a heart of a patient comprises the steps o f providing an apparatus for intracardiac drug adminstration comprising a catheter wherein the catheter has at least one position sensor which generates signal s responsive to the position of a catheter and a drug delivery device for delivering the cell. The catheter is inserted into a chamber of the heart at a site and the cell is delivered to the site with the drug delivery device in response to the signa ls from the position sensor. Typical cells useful for delivery are either myoblasts or myocytes. These cells may be utilized as either an expression vector for promoting angiogenesis or for cell transplantation and fusion through myogenesis. ...

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

ELEKTROMECHANISCHE HERZVORRICHTUNG

Ablationskatheter mit Sensorelektroden

Multi point treatment probes and methods of using thereof

An embodiment of system for intrabody treatment of a treatment location in a body of a treated patient is disclosed. The system may include deploying at least two transmission points of a multi point probe to a proximity with the treatment location in the body. A transmission pattern may be selected that defines, for each of the transmission points, a respective signal of a plurality of transmission signals. The transmission pattern may form at least one interaction between the respective signals. The interaction may form a hot spot at the treatment location. A plurality of transmission signals may be delivered from the transmission points.

Self-aligning catheter

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS WITH NO DISCRETE TARGET

This invention concerns a method and apparatus for treating cardiac arrhythmias with no discrete focus. More particularly, one or more catheters (not shown) are used to collect local information concerning a conduction block (70) within a patient's heart, the information is analyzed to determine where lines or points of ablation should be made, and then the lines (lambda) or points (not shown) of ablation are made.

APPARATUS FOR MAPPING A HEART CHAMBER

A method and apparatus for treating cardiac arrhythmias comprising an instrument for mapping ventricular tachycardia, is disclosed. The method is for ablating a portion of an organ or bodily structure of a patient, which comprises obtaining a perspective image of the organ or structure to be mapped; advancing one or more catheters having distal tips to sites adjacent to or within the organ or structure; sensing the location of each catheter's distal tip using a non-ionizing field; at the distal tip of the catheters, sensing local information of the organ or structure; processing the sensed informati on to create one or mom data points; superimposing the data points on the perspective image of the organ or structure; and ablating a portion of the organ or structure. A catheter (51) is introduced into the heart chamber (52) in t he body of a patient. An antenna (101) is connected to a receiver (102), and th e antennas (103a, 103b, 103c) located at the body surface (57) are transmittin g antennas ...

BEND-RESPONSIVE CATHETER

This invention is an invasive probe apparatus including flexible elongate probe (20) having a distal portion adjacent to a distal end (22) thereof for insertion into the body of a subject, which portion assumes a predetermined curve form when a force is applied thereto. First and second sensors (28, 30) are fixed to the distal portion of the probe (20) in known positions relative to the distal end (22), which sensors generate signals responsive to bending of the probe. Signal processing circuitry (36) receives the bend responsive signals and processes them to find position and orientation coordinates of at least the first sensor (28), and to determine the locations of a plurality of points along the length of the distal portion of the probe.

Display screen or portion thereof with icon

Method using implantable wireless transponder using position coordinates for assessing functionality of a heart valve

A method for assessing functionality of a valve in a heart includes providing a position sensor that is a wireless transponder for transmitting or receiving an ultrasound wave for determination of position coordinates of the position sensor at the point; implanting the wireless transponder at a point on the valve; and using a position determining system for determining whether the valve is functioning properly based on position coordinates of the wireless transponder.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

Imаging tесhniquеs fоr rеduсing blind spоts

Аn imаging sуstеm is prоvidеd fоr rаdiоimаging а rеgiоn оf intеrеst (RОI) оf а subjесt. Тhе sуstеm inсludеs а hоusing, а suppоrt struсturе, whiсh is mоvаblу соuplеd tо thе hоusing, аnd аt lеаst оnе mоtоr аssеmblу, соuplеd tо thе hоusing аnd thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соnfigurеd tо mоvе thе suppоrt struсturе with rеspесt tо thе hоusing. Тhе sуstеm аlsо inсludеs аt lеаst twо dеtесtоr аssеmbliеs, fiхеd tо thе suppоrt struсturе, аnd соmprising rеspесtivе rаdiаtiоn dеtесtоrs аnd аngulаr оriеntаtоrs. А соntrоl unit drivеs thе mоtоr аssеmblу tо pоsitiоn thе suppоrt struсturе in а plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns with rеspесt tо thе hоusing, аnd, whilе thе suppоrt struсturе is pоsitiоnеd in еасh оf thе plurаlitу оf pоsitiоns, drivеs thе оriеntаtоrs tо оriеnt thе rеspесtivе dеtесtоrs in а plurаlitу оf rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns with rеspесt tо thе RОI, аnd tо dеtесt rаdiаtiоn frоm thе RОI аt thе rоtаtiоnаl оriеntаtiоns. Оthеr еmbоdimеnts аrе аlsо dеsсribеd.

GERÄT ZUR MYOKARDIALEN GEFÄSSNEUBILDUNG

Methods and apparatus for myocardial revascularization

Intrabody energy focusing

Position confirmation with learn and test functions

MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND IMAGING SYSTEMS

A locating system for determining the location and orientation of an invasive medical instrument, for example a catheter (10) or endoscope, relative to a reference frame, comprising: a plurality of field generators ( 18, 20, 22) which generate known, distinguishable fields, preferably continuous AC magnetic fields, in response to drive signals; a plurality of sensors (30, 32, 34) situated in the invasive medical instrument (10) proximate the distal end thereof which generate sensor signals in response to said fields; and a signal processor (26) which has an input for a plurality of signals corresponding to said drive signals and said sensor signals and which produces the three location coordinates and three orientation coordinates of a point on the invasive medical instrument.

IMPLANTABLE LEAD CONNECTOR

An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ, comprising: a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, and a third port configured to connect to a target organ, wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector. 1. An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple active medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ , comprising:a first port adapted to channel a first signal between a first active medical device and a target tissue;a second port adapted to channel a second signal between a second active medical device and a target tissue; anda third port configured to connect to a target organ,wherein at least one of said first and second active medical devices is a signal generator not integrated with said connector.2. A connector according to claim 1 , comprising interconnection circuitry configured to selectively and alternately connect one of said first and second ports to said third port at a low impedance and to the other port at a high impedance.3. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry is configured to isolate said medical devices from each other.4. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry is configured to allow one of said devices to detect stimulation signals by another of said devices claim 2 , via said ports.5. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry comprises a switch.6. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry is powered by and ...

Charger With Data Transfer Capabilities

Gastric apparatus () is provided, including one or more sensors (), adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract physiological parameter of a GI tract of a subject, and an implantable control unit (), comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers. The implantable control unit () is adapted to receive the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and transmit data responsively to the sensor signals, using one or more of the transducers of the first set. An external control unit (), including a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, is adapted to drive the power source to inductively transfer energy via one or more transducers of the second set, so as to recharge the battery, and receive the transmitted data, using one or more transducers of the second set. 1. Apparatus , comprising:one or more sensors, adapted to generate respective sensor signals responsively to a physiological parameter of a subject;an implantable control unit, comprising a rechargeable battery and a first set of one or more transducers, the implantable control unit adapted to receive the sensor signals, and transmit data responsively thereto, using one or more of the transducers of the first set; and drive the power source to wirelessly transfer energy via one or more of the transducers of the second set, and', 'receive the transmitted data, using one or more of the transducers of the second set,, 'an external control unit, comprising a power source and a second set of one or more transducers, the external control unit adapted towherein the implantable control unit is adapted to receive the transmitted energy, using one or more of the transducers of the first set, and charge the battery using the energy.2. The apparatus according to claim 134 , wherein the GI tract physiological parameter includes a parameter indicative of electrical activity of the GI tract claim 134 , and ...

RECONSTRUCTION STABILIZER AND ACTIVE VISION

A method for stabilizing the reconstruction of an imaged volume is presented. The method includes the steps of performing an analysis of the reliability of reconstruction of a radioactive-emission density distribution of the volume from radiation detected over a specified set of views, and defining modifications to the reconstruction process and/or data collection process to improve the reliability of reconstruction, in accordance with the analysis. 1. A method for stabilizing the reconstruction of an imaged volume , comprising:performing an analysis of the reliability of reconstruction of a radioactive-emission density distribution of said volume from radiation detected over a specified set of views; anddefining modifications to at least one of a reconstruction process and a data collection process to improve said reliability of reconstruction, in accordance with said analysis.2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising calculating a measure of said reliability of reconstruction claim 1 , said measure of reliability of reconstruction being for determining a necessity of performing said modifications.3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:providing a detection probability matrix defining a respective detection probability distribution of said volume for each of said views; calculating the singular values of said detection probability matrix;identifying singular values as destabilizing singular values.4. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising performing singular value decomposition (SVD) of said probability matrix.5. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said identifying comprises:for each of said singular values, calculating a respective ratio of said singular value to a largest singular value; andspecifying a singular value having a respective ratio below a specified threshold as destabilizing.6. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising calculating a condition number of said probability matrix as a measure of said ...

RADIOACTIVE-EMISSION-MEASUREMENT OPTIMIZATION TO SPECIFIC BODY STRUCTURES

A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure. 120-. (canceled)21. A camera for imaging of radiation emitted from a patient that includes:at least one assembly , the assembly comprises plurality of heads , each comprising at least one pixilated solid-state detector being configured to detect photons emitted from the body during image acquisition and being collimated to define one or more collection angles for the detector pixels; andone or more actuators which control the position and orientation of at least one of the heads relative to the assembly during image acquisition,wherein at least one of the heads is configured to be translated forward, relative to said assembly, along a general direction that the head is aimed at during image acquisition and to change its viewing direction by rotation while in a forward translated position.22. A camera according to claim 21 , comprising a data processor which collects data acquired by said heads and reconstruct a 3D SPECT image therefrom.23. A camera according to claim 21 , wherein a plurality of said heads are translatable and wherein directions of translation are different for different heads.24. A camera according to claim 23 , wherein said heads are aimed in different directions during said translation in different directions.25. A camera according to claim 21 , wherein a plurality of said heads are configured to move in a windshield wiper motion.26. A camera according to claim 21 , configured for cardiac imaging.27. A camera according to claim 21 , configured for bringing into proximity with body tissue to be imaged.28. A camera according to ...

INJECTION CATHETER WITH NEEDLE ELECTRODE

An injection catheter for infusing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart comprises a catheter body and a tip section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle. The catheter further comprises an electrode lead wire having a first end electrically connected to the injection needle and a second end electrically connected to a suitable monitoring apparatus or to a source of ablation energy. The injection needle can thus be used for mapping or ablation in addition to introducing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart. 1. An injection catheter comprising:a catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough;a tip section comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the tip section is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body;a needle control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body;an injection needle extending through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle and having a proximal end attached to the needle control handle and a distal end within the tip section, wherein the injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle; andan electrode lead wire having a first end electrically connected to the injection needle and a second end electrically connected to a suitable monitoring apparatus or to a source of ablation energy.2. An injection catheter according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of the ...

Food Preparation

Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity. 145.-. (canceled)46. An RF heating device , comprising: control an RF power source to apply RF energy via a plurality of antennas to heat an object according to a heating profile;', 'receive feedback in response to application of the RF energy; and', 'change the heating profile based on the feedback, wherein the heating profile includes a phase of at least one of the plurality of antennas., 'a controller configured to47. The RF heating device of claim 46 , wherein the plurality of antennas are configured as an antenna array.48. The RF heating device of claim 47 , wherein the controller is further configured to:control an RF energy application time of the antennas in the antenna array individually to match a desired RF driving profile.49. The RF heating device of claim 46 , further comprising an RF power source.50. The RF heating device of claim 49 , wherein the plurality of antennas are configured to apply RF energy received from the RF power source.51. The RF heating device of claim 46 , wherein the heating profile includes information of a subset of the plurality of antennas that are used to apply RF energy.52. The RF heating device of claim 49 , wherein the controller is configured to:control the RF power source to apply the RF energy by applying RF radiation at a plurality of frequencies; andreceive the feedback resulting from application of the RF radiation at one or more of the plurality of frequencies.53. The RF heating device of claim 46 , wherein the feedback includes at least one of:power reflected at least one of the plurality of antennas; orpower coupled to one or more of the plurality of antennas.54. The RF heating device of claim 52 , wherein the controller is configured to control an input power at each frequency.55. The RF heating device of claim 46 , wherein the controller is configured to:determine an absorption efficiency of RF ...

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE CONTROLLER

A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by a least 5%. 1. A method of cardiac reshaping , comprising:determining a desired target change in distribution of muscle mass in the heart; andapplying one or more non-excitatory electric fields to the heart such that said distribution is changed, at least in part, thereby.2. A method according to claim 1 , comprising sensing at least one cardiac parameter by a sensor and modifying said applying in response to said sensing.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying using a device with plurality of electrodes and selecting a subset of said plurality of electrodes for said applying claim 1 , based on said determining.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying for at least two weeks.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining comprises selecting a frequency of application claim 1 , so said applying comprises applying not at every beat.6. A method according to claim 1 , comprising modifying said desired target distribution after a few weeks from an initiation of said applying.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises modifying one or both of a preload and an afterload of the heart.8. A method according to claim 4 , wherein said modifying is in response to an adaptation of the heart to said applying or as a function of time.9. A method according to claim 1 , comprising modifying said applying in response to a change in the heart.10. A method according to claim 1 , comprising periodically varying said applying.11. A method according to claim 1 , comprising stopping said applying in response to reaching said ...

System, Apparatus, and Method for Utilizing a Reading of a Machine Readable Element Associated with a Consumable Product

A method for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product, may include storing, by a computer, in a memory in communication with the computer, a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus having a reader for reading the machine readable element. The method may also include obtaining usage information based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product and applying, by the computer, a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information. 1. A method for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product , the method comprising:storing, by a computer, in a memory in communication with the computer, a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus having a reader for reading the machine readable element;obtaining usage information based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product; andapplying, by the computer, a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the usage information includes user information associated with a user of the apparatus claim 1 , and the method further comprises:applying a credit to the user of the apparatus based on the usage information.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the usage information includes user information associated with a user of the apparatus claim 1 , and the method further comprises:applying a credit to the user of the apparatus based on the debit and the usage information.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the user of the ...

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF OPTIMIZED VOLUMETRIC IMAGING

A system of performing a volumetric scan. The system comprises a surface of positioning a patient in a space parallel thereto, a plurality of extendable detector arms each the detector arm having a detection unit having at least one radiation detector, and an actuator which moves the detection unit along a linear path, and a gantry which supports the plurality of extendable detector arms around the surface so that each the linear path of each respective the extendable detector arm being directed toward the space. 1. A method for performing volumetric imaging of at least a portion of a patient's body , comprising: ["i) a surface for positioning at least a portion of said patient's body in a space adjacent thereto;", a) at least one detection unit which comprises at least one pixilated solid-state radiation detector and at least one collimator; and', 'b) at least one actuator operable to move said detection unit; and, 'ii) a plurality of extendable detector arms each having'}, 'iii) a gantry which supports said plurality of extendable detector arms; and, 'a) providing a system which comprises'}b) using said system to image at least a portion of said patient's body by approaching only some of said detection units to relatively near said body and leaving others of said detection units relatively distant from said body while using said detection units to collect radiation data from said body.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein in at least one of said extendable arms comprises a plurality of actuators operable to move a same detection unit.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said detector arms comprises a plurality of detection units.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least one detection units comprises a plurality of pixilated solid state radiation detectors.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting detection units to be approached to said patient as a function of patient size.6. The method of claim 1 , further ...

Method and system of optimized volumetric imaging

A system of performing a volumetric scan. The system comprises a surface of positioning a patient in a space parallel thereto, a plurality of extendable detector arms each the detector arm having a detection unit having at least one radiation detector, and an actuator which moves the detection unit along a linear path, and a gantry which supports the plurality of extendable detector arms around the surface so that each the linear path of each respective the extendable detector arm being directed toward the space.

Protein activity modification

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: determining a desired modification of tissue behavior for at least one of treatment of a disease, short or long term modification of tissue behavior, assessing tissue state and assessing tissue response to stimulation; selecting an electric field having an expected effect of modifying protein activity of at least one protein as an immediate response of a tissue to the field, said expected effect correlated with said desired modification; and applying said field to said tissue.

INTRABODY PROBE NAVIGATION BY ELECTRICAL SELF-SENSING

Methods and systems for position determination are described for using an intrabody probe having a plurality of electrodes to generate a plurality of different electrical fields, and to also measure, using the plurality of electrodes, a measurement set (a Vmeasurement set) comprising a plurality of measurements of the plurality of different electrical fields while the probe remains in one position. From the Vmeasurement set, spatial position coordinates for the intrabody probe are estimated within an intrabody coordinate system, using an established mapping between previously observed Vmeasurement sets and positions in the intrabody coordinate system. Systems and methods for generating and selecting such mappings are also described. 1. A method of estimating an intrabody position of a probe having a plurality of electrodes , the method comprising:generating, from the intrabody position, a plurality of electrical fields using the plurality of electrodes;measuring, at the intrabody position and also using the plurality of electrodes, a position-identifying data set comprising a plurality of measurements of the plurality of electrical fields; andestimating a plurality of position coordinates defining the intrabody position within a spatial coordinate system, based on the position-identifying data set.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein measurements of the position-identifying data set measured by the plurality of electrodes differ at different positions of the probe claim 1 , due to interactions of electrical fields generated by the plurality of electrodes with the different electrical environment of different intrabody positions.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating comprises determining the position coordinates based on a mapping between position coordinates and position-identifying data sets.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measuring detects differences among position-identifying data sets measured by the plurality of electrodes at different ...

Collimator

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously.

RADIOACTIVE-EMISSION-MEASUREMENT OPTIMIZATION TO SPECIFIC BODY STRUCTURES

A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure. 1. A method of zooming in on a location of suspected pathology within a body structure , during diagnostic radioactive-emission measurements , in vivo , comprising:modeling the body-structure, based on its geometry;modeling anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure;obtaining a first collection of views of the modeled body-structure, within the modeled anatomical constraints;providing a first scoring function, by which any set of at least one view, from any collection of views is scorable with a score that rates information obtained from the modeled body structure by the set;forming sets of views from the first collection of views and scoring them, with the first scoring function;selecting one of the sets of views from the first collection of views, based on its score, as the predefined set of views;performing diagnostic radioactive-emission measurements of an in-vivo body structure that corresponds to the body structure that has been modeled, selectively at the predefined set of views;identifying the location of suspected pathology;modeling the suspected pathology within the modeled body-structure;modeling anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the suspected pathology within the body-structure;obtaining a second collection of views of the modeled suspected pathology within the modeled body-structure and the modeled anatomical constraints;providing a second scoring function;forming sets of views from the second collection of views and scoring them, with the second scoring function;selecting one of the ...

COUNTERBALANCING OF DETECTORS FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously. 1. A nuclear medicine tomography system comprising:a detector carrier; a detector head;', 'a counterbalance coupled to said detector head;', 'at least one actuator configured to move said detector and said counterbalance in opposing directions., 'a plurality of detector modules mounted on said detector carrier, one or more detector module comprising2. The nuclear medicine tomography system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator is configured to move said detector and said counterbalance in opposing directions with respect to said detector carrier.3. The nuclear medicine tomography system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator is configured to move said detector and said counterbalance in opposing directions radially with respect to said detector carrier.4. The nuclear medicine tomography system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of detector modules is mounted to said detector carrier by a linear rail;wherein said detector head and said counterbalance are coupled to said linear rail and said actuator is configured to move said detector head and said counterbalance in opposing directions on said linear rail.5. The nuclear medicine tomography system of claim 4 , wherein said linear rail is fixed in position with respect to said detector carrier.6. The nuclear medicine tomography system of claim 1 , wherein ...

Estimation of effectiveness of ablation adjacency

Methods for estimating of the effectiveness of catheter ablation procedures to form lesions, and particular lesions which together form an ablation segment of an ablation line. Lesion effectiveness parameters are received, and effectiveness, optionally the joint effectiveness, of corresponding ablations (optionally planned, current, and/or already performed) is estimated. In some embodiments, 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. Additionally or alternatively, estimators may be constructed based on analytic functions. The estimator is used by application to the received lesion effectiveness parameters.

MODELING THE AUTONOMOUS NERVOUS SYSTEM AND USES THEREOF

Generating, populating and/or using a model of a portion of the ANS, possibly in conjunction with a model of organ response thereto. Optionally, the model is provided with a treatment plan which indicates one or more locations in the ANS to treat. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the model is analyzed to determine a cause and/or possible solution or improvement of a condition, for example a chronic condition. 1. A non-transitory data storage medium having stored thereon a model or an image of a part of an autonomous nervous system (ANS) personalized for a particular patient , said model or image including at least one ganglion indicator.2. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein said ganglion indicator comprises a ganglion ID.3. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 1 , comprising at least one location indicator indicative of the location of said at least one ganglion.4. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one location indicator indicates the location relative to an anatomical landmark.5. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 4 , wherein said at least one location indicator comprises one or both ofan association with an organ portion or function anda functional connection with another ganglion.6. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 1 , comprising dynamic data associated with at least one of said at least one ganglion.7. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 6 , wherein said dynamic data comprises data for interaction between a ganglion and one or more of an additional ganglion claim 6 , organ function claim 6 , body physiology and a trigger.8. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 1 , comprising link data associated with at least one of said at least one ganglion claim 1 , said link data comprising a functional link.9. A non-transitory data storage medium according to claim 1 , comprising ...

GYROSCOPIC APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

A gyroscopic exercise apparatus, comprising: at least one control-moment gyroscope; at least one motion sensor for sensing movement of the apparatus; at least one spindle motor for providing rotation to a rotor of the gyroscope; and, at least one reversible motor for providing rotation to at least one gimbal of the gyroscope. 1. A gyroscopic exercise apparatus , comprising:at least one control-moment gyroscope;at least one motion sensor for sensing movement of the apparatus;at least one spindle motor for providing rotation to a rotor of the gyroscope; and,at least one reversible motor for providing rotation to at least one gimbal of the gyroscope.2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a communications module for sending and receiving data.3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an ergonomic housing.4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising two gyroscopes.5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the two gyroscopes are configured in a scissored pair.6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising three gyroscopes.7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising four gyroscopes.8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the four gyroscopes are configured in two scissored pairs.9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein sensed movement comprises at least one of force claim 1 , nature claim 1 , direction claim 1 , orientation and/or acceleration of apparatus.10. An apparatus according to claim 1 , configured to control the at least one control-moment gyroscope based on the sensing by the at least one motion sensor.11. An apparatus according to claim 1 , configured to at least one of assist and resist the motion of a patient using the at least one control-moment gyroscope.12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one of assisting and resisting the motion is in response to sensing by the at least one motion sensor.13. An apparatus according to claim 11 , configured to apply the at least one ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED GUIDANCE OF TREATMENT OF AN ORGAN

There is provided a computer implemented method of providing a client terminal with instructions for treatment of at least a portion of an organ of a patient, the method comprising: receiving electrical readings obtained by electrodes located within the portion of the organ, identifying by at least one classifier instructions for treatment of a region in the portion of the organ identified as an intervention target region, wherein the classifier identifies the instructions for treatment of the region based on electrical readings or a transformation thereof previously associated with treatment of intervention target regions in the portion of the organ of other patients, and marking on an image of the portion of the organ presented on a display, the instruction for treatment of the region identified by the classifier as an intervention target region. 1. A computer implemented method of providing a client terminal with instructions for treatment of at least a portion of an organ of a patient , the method comprising:receiving electrical readings obtained by electrodes located within the portion of the organ;identifying by at least one classifier of a region in the portion of the organ as an intervention target region;identifying, using the at least one classifier, instructions for treatment of the region identified as an intervention target region based on electrical readings or a transformation thereof previously associated with treatment of intervention target regions in the portion of the organ of other patients; andmarking on an image of the portion of the organ presented on a display, the instruction for treatment of the region identified by the classifier as an intervention target region.254-. (canceled)55. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are provided as one or more members selected from the group consisting of: a text message presented on the display indicating how to treat the intervention target region claim 1 , an animation simulating ...

GATING WITH ANATOMICALLY VARYING DURATIONS

A method for reconstructing a radioactive emission image of an overall volume having first and second volumetric regions, each volumetric region having respectively independent dynamic characteristics. The method comprises the following steps: a) obtaining radioactive emissions from the overall volume, including the volumetric regions, b) reconstructing an initial radioactive emission image of the volumetric region according to the radioactive emissions, c) segmenting the initial radioactive emission image to delineate the first and second volumetric regions, and d) separately reconstructing the first and the second volumetric regions according to the respectively independent dynamic characteristics. 1. A method for reconstructing a radioactive emission image of an overall volume having first and second volumetric regions , each volumetric region having respectively independent dynamic characteristics , the method comprising:(a) obtaining a structural image of the overall volume, including said volumetric regions, by a structural imager, selected from the group consisting of a CT, an MRI, and an ultrasound, to delineate said first and second volumetric regions;b) delineating said first and second volumetric regions;c) obtaining radioactive emissions from the overall volume, including said volumetric regions;d) separately reconstructing said first and second volumetric regions according to said respectively independent dynamic characteristics.2. The method of wherein said separately reconstructing is an iterative process including using object implantation for refining reconstruction of at least one of the first and second volumetric regions.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the volumetric regions comprises at least a part of a body organ or other body portion; and providing a model of only a part of said overall volume, said model comprising a general location and shape of, and expected number of photons emitted from, said body organ or said at ...

Protein activity modification

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising:determining a desired modification of tissue behavior for at least one of treatment of a disease, short or long term modification of tissue behavior, assessing tissue state and assessing tissue response to stimulation;selecting an electric field having an expected effect of modifying protein activity of at least one protein as an immediate response of a tissue to the field, said expected effect correlated with said desired modification; andapplying said field to said tissue.

VERSATILE IMAGING

Electrical field imaging is performed using optionally any of a range of medical implements having a designated medical use (e.g., having a working portion for manipulating tissue); and furthermore supplied with at least one electrode that is used to transmit and/or receive an electrical field which interacts with the dielectric properties of tissue. In some embodiments, the at least one electrode is supplied as an add-on assembly, optionally as part of a kit including the medical implement. 1. A method of imaging using movements of a medical implement comprising a working portion and at least two electrodes affixed to the medical implement , wherein the working portion is configured to manipulate an internal anatomical structure upon reaching a position of mechanical contact therewith , the method comprising:transmitting an electrical field from at least one transmitting electrode to interact with an internal anatomical structure;moving the working portion of the medical implement among positions away from the position of mechanical contact, while the transmitted electrical field interacts with the internal anatomical structure;receiving the electrical field by at least one receiving electrode;measuring changes in the electrical field due to the moving and the interacting with the internal anatomical structure; andconstructing an image of the internal anatomical structure, based on the measuring;wherein the at least two electrodes affixed to the medical implement comprise at least one of the at least one transmitting electrode and the at least one receiving electrode.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two electrodes comprise both the at least one transmitting electrode and the at least one receiving electrode.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two electrodes comprises an electrode covering a surface of the working portion.4. The method of claim 1 , comprising moving the working portion to the position of mechanical contact claim 1 , based ...

ESTIMATORS FOR ABLATION EFFECTIVENESS

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. 1. A method of estimating effectiveness of ablation to form a lesion , the method comprising:receiving lesion effectiveness parameters; andestimating an effectiveness of the lesion in a tissue;wherein 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 being applied to the received lesion effectiveness parameters.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lesion effectiveness parameters include patient parameter data.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lesion effectiveness parameters include one or more of the group consisting of: tissue conditions claim 1 , parameterized lesion claim 1 , tissue thickness claim 1 , fiber orientation claim 1 , tissue types claim 1 , contact of an intra-body catheter claim 1 , measurement of electrical impulse isolation near the lesion claim 1 , measured intra-lesioning temperature claim 1 , and dielectric measurements.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lesion effectiveness parameters include indications of conditions of formation and/or structure of an ablation lesion in a tissue.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the conditions of formation of the ablation lesion comprise one or more of the group consisting of ablation power claim 4 , dielectric quality of contact claim 4 , angle of contact claim 4 , force of contact claim 4 ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RADIOACTIVE EMISSION MEASUREMENT

Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor. 1. A method of using a radioactive emission camera in SPECT imaging , the method comprising:obtaining initial data from a region of the body to be imaged in an initial view or sequence of views; andwhile continuing to acquire data, analyzing said initial data to determine further views required to obtain a required image quality.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said obtaining defining further views comprises defining a set of viewing parameters and viewing parameter values.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said viewing parameter values comprise one member of the group consisting of: detector photon count; changes in detector photon count between views; detector saturation; geometric properties of a reconstructed body structure; and information theoretic measures defining a data quality.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said viewing parameters comprise one member of the group consisting of: detector location; detector orientation; collection angle and measurement duration.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said analysis comprises defining a measurement error and comparing a square root of an obtained photon count to said defined measurement error.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said analysis comprises identifying a pathological feature and said further views comprise a first zoom position towards said identified pathological feature.7. The method of claim 6 , comprising carrying out a further analysis and finding a second zoom position towards said identified pathological feature.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the required image quality comprises a predetermined image quality. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/798,017 filed on May 9, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2005/001173 filed on Nov. 9, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT/IL2005/000572 and PCT/IL2005/000575 ...

Radioimaging using low dose isotope

Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor.

Mapping binned medical data

A method of generating a combined image of a body part from a sequence of partially overlapping source images of the body part, each of the partially overlapping source images showing the body part at one of a plurality of different times, the source images being ordered in the sequence according to the different times, the method including defining a temporally coherent sequence of transformations, for registering the partially overlapping source images in the sequence with each other, registering the source images to each other using the defined temporally coherent sequence of transformations, to obtain co-registered images, and combining at least some of the co-registered images into a combined image. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

BODY STRUCTURE IMAGING

A method of imaging nervous tissue, comprising acquiring functional imaging modality data from a functional imaging modality which images an intrabody volume of a patient having a body part, the patient having been injected with an imaging agent having a nervous tissue uptake by an autonomic nervous system (ANS); and locating the nervous tissue in the intrabody volume based on the functional imaging modality data.

RADIOACTIVE-EMISSION-MEASUREMENT OPTIMIZATION TO SPECIFIC BODY STRUCTURES

A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure. 1. A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views , for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical , the method being tailored to a specific body structure and with respect to the information gained about the body structure , the method comprising:modeling the body-structure, based on its geometry;modeling anatomical constraints which limit accessibility to the body structure;obtaining a collection of views of the modeled body-structure, within the modeled anatomical constraints;providing a scoring function, by which any set of at least one view, from the collection of views, is scorable with a score that rates the information obtained from the modeled body structure, by the set;forming sets of views from the collection of views and scoring them, with the scoring function; andselecting one of the sets of views, from the collection of views, based on its score, as the predefined set of views.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body structure is selected from the group consisting of:a human prostate, a human heart, a human brain, a human breast, a human uterus, a human ovary, a human liver, a human kidney, a human stomach, a human colon, a human small intestine, a human oral cavity, a human throat, a human gland, a human lymph node, a human trachee, a human lung, a human pancreas, a human skin, another human body organ, a human limb, a human bone, another part of the human body, a whole human body,an animal prostate, an animal heart, an animal brain, an animal teat, an animal uterus, an ...

IMAGING TISSUE ANISOTROPY

A method for measuring tissue conductance isotropy including measuring tissue conductance in a first direction, measuring tissue conductance in a second direction, and calculating tissue conductance isotropy based on the tissue conductance in the first direction and the tissue conductance in the second direction, wherein the second direction is not parallel to the first direction. A system for measuring tissue conductance isotropy including a catheter including a current source electrode, a plurality of induced voltage measuring electrodes, a signal processing unit for calculating tissue conductance isotropy based on tissue conductance measured in a first direction and tissue conductance measured in a second direction. Related apparatus, methods and computer program product are also described. 1. A method for measuring tissue conductance isotropy comprising:measuring tissue conductance in a first direction, using a current source and a measuring electrode provided on a same catheter or on a same electrode implanted in tissue;measuring tissue conductance in a second direction, using the current source and a measuring electrode provided on the same catheter or on a same electrode implanted in tissue; andcalculating tissue conductance isotropy based on the tissue conductance in the first direction and the tissue conductance in the second direction, wherein the second direction is not parallel to the first direction.2. The method of wherein values of tissue conductance in the first direction and in the second direction are calculated as tissue conductance in a longitudinal direction Cand in a perpendicular transverse direction C.3. The method of wherein the values of tissue conductance in a longitudinal direction Cis determined in a direction of maximum conductance.4. The method of wherein the values of tissue conductance in a transverse direction Cis determined in a direction of minimum conductance.5. (canceled)6. (canceled)7. The method of wherein the measuring tissue ...

IMAGING PROTOCOLS

Protocols for radioimaging an event or disorder are provided. An exemplary protocol comprises a method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion, the method comprising in sequence: 1. A method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion , the method comprising in sequence:(a) administering to a subject about 3 mCi Tc99m sestamibi;(b) radioimaging a heart of said subject;(c) subjecting said subject to a pharmacological stress;(d) administering to said subject at a peak of said pharmacological stress an additional radiopharmaceutical;(e) radioimaging said heart of said subject; and(f) radioimaging said heart of said subject, thereby radioimaging a myocardial perfusion.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additional radiopharmaceutical comprises about 3 mCi Tl201 thallous chloride.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additional radiopharmaceutical comprises an additional dose of Tc99m sestamibi.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) is effected immediately following step (a).5. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) is within 2 minutes.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (c) is effected immediately following step (b).7. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (d) is effected within 2 minutes following step (c).8. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) is effected immediately following step (d).9. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) is within 4 minutes.10. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (f) is effected within 4 hours following step (e).11. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (f) is within 6 minutes.12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pharmacological stress is adenosine or dipyridamole.13. The method of claim 1 , effected as described in Table 8.14. A method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion claim 1 , the method comprising in sequence:(a) administering to a subject about 0.3 mCi Tl201 thallous chloride;(b) radioimaging a heart of said subject;(c) subjecting said subject to a physical stress;(d) administering to said subject at a peak of said ...

NUCLEAR MEDICINE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS, DETECTORS AND METHODS

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously. 1. An N-M tomography system comprising:a support for a subject of an examination procedure;a plurality of detector heads;a carrier for the detector heads; anda detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads including rotation of said detector heads around a pivot to radially or circumferentially or axially overlapping positions before and/or during performance of a scan to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination.23-. (canceled)4. An N-M tomography system according to claim 1 , wherein the detector positioning arrangement is operable to move at least some of the detectors toward and away from the subject carrier to determine the detector bore size.5. An N-M tomography system according to claim 4 , wherein the movement of at least two detector heads is off-center of a central axis of the bore and not towards any common parallel axis of the bore.6. An N-M tomography system according to claim 4 , wherein the movement of at least one detector heads is not along a straight line.7. An N-M tomography system according to claim 1 , wherein the detector positioning arrangement is operable to move at least some of the detector heads to a desired rotational orientation relative to respective longitudinal axes thereof.8. An N-M tomography system according to claim 1 , wherein the detector ...

System and method for conductivity-based imaging

A method of performing conductivity-based imaging is disclosed comprising exciting at least one pair of electrodes according to an excitation scheme. The at least one pair of electrodes comprising a surface electrode located on the surface of an examined body and at least one in-body electrode located inside of the examined living body. Voltages developing on the surface electrodes and on the in-body electrodes during the excitation according to the excitation scheme arc measured, an inverse problem is solved to achieve a 3D conductivity map from the measured voltages, and a 3D image of the body tissues based on the 3D conductivity map is provided.

MEASURING ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE, CONTACT FORCE, AND TISSUE PROPERTIES

A method of evaluating electrical impedance across a gap between a first catheter electrode and a second catheter electrode, both carried on a same catheter is provided. The method includes: receiving measurements of electrical voltages; and evaluating the electrical impedance across the gap based on the measurements of the electrical voltages. In some embodiments, the electrical voltages include: a first electrical voltage, which is a voltage measured between a reference electrode and the first catheter electrode measured under a first alternating electrical current having a first frequency and flowing through a conductor from an electrical source to the first catheter electrode, and a second electrical voltage, which is a voltage measured between the reference electrode and the second catheter electrode under the first alternating electrical current. 1. A method of evaluating electrical gap impedance between a first catheter electrode and a second catheter electrode , said first and second catheter electrodes being carried on a same catheter , the method comprising:receiving measurements of electrical voltages; andevaluating the electrical impedance across the gap based on the measurements of the electrical voltages, wherein the electrical voltages comprise:a first electrical voltage measured between a reference electrode and the first catheter electrode measured while a first alternating electrical current flows from an electrical source through the first catheter electrode to a grounded electrode, anda second electrical voltage measured between the reference electrode and the second catheter electrode under the first alternating electrical current.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical voltages further comprise:a third electrical voltage measured between the reference electrode and the first catheter electrode measured under a second alternating electrical current flowing from an electrical source through the second catheter electrode to a grounded ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF INTRA-BODY ELECTRICAL READINGS TO ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE

In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of voltages by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of differently-oriented electromagnetic fields crossing the body cavity. In some embodiments, the method uses distances between electrodes as a spatially calibrated ruler. Positions of measurements made with the intrabody probe in different positions are optionally related by using spatial coherence of the measured electromagnetic fields as a constraint. Optionally, reconstruction is performed without using a detailed reference (image or simulation) describing the body cavity shape. Optionally, reconstruction uses further information to refine and/or constrain the reconstruction; for example: images, simulations, additional electromagnetic fields, and/or measurements characteristic of body cavity landmarks. Optionally, reconstruction accounts for time-dependent cavity shape changes, for example, phasic changes (e.g., heartbeat and/or respiration), and/or changes in states such as subject hydration, edema, and/or heart rate. 1. A method of determining location of an electrode inside a body cavity of a subject based on intrabody measurements of a plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields established within the body cavity , the method comprising:receiving measurements of the plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields measured using two sensors carried on an intrabody probe at a known distance from each other, the measuring being carried out with the intrabody probe at more than 150 locations in the body cavity; andassigning the measurements of the plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields to locations using a transformation selected to reduce cost of a cost function, the cost function being increased as a function of distances between sister locations becoming increasingly different than the known distance; andapplying the transformation to measurements of the ...

ESOPHAGUS POSITION DETECTION BY ELECTRICAL MAPPING

A method of estimating a spatial relationship between at least a part of a patient esophagus and a heart chamber, including: measuring at least one electric parameter at one or more positions within the heart chamber to obtain measured values; and estimating the spatial relationship based on the measured values. 1. A device for estimating esophagus position , comprising:at least one body surface electrode connectible to a field generator and configured to apply an electric field from said field generator to a heart chamber;measuring circuitry configured to receive signal measurements of an electric parameter of the electric field applied by the at least one body surface electrode from an electrode probe navigating within the heart chamber; andcontrol circuitry, configured to estimate a position of at least part of an esophagus adjacent to the heart chamber, based on said signal measurements.2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:an interface circuitry, wherein said interface circuitry generates an indication of esophagus position based on said estimation of said esophagus position.3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:a digital computer memory;wherein said control circuitry estimates said esophagus position by comparing a measured map constructed to associate the signal measurements with positions in the heart chamber to one or more reference maps, stored in said digital computer memory, wherein the reference maps associate predicted values of said electric parameter with the positions in the heart chamber.4. The device of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the reference maps is a simulated map.5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the simulated map also simulates effects of an esophagus at a simulated location on measurements of the reference map.6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the simulated map omits effects of any esophagus on measurements of the reference map.7. The device of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the reference maps is a map constructed ...

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE CONTROLLER

A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by a least 5%.

MAPPING BINNED MEDICAL DATA

A method of generating a combined image of a body part from a sequence of partially overlapping source images of the body part, each of the partially overlapping source images showing the body part at one of a plurality of different times, the source images being ordered in the sequence according to the different times, the method including defining a temporally coherent sequence of transformations, for registering the partially overlapping source images in the sequence with each other, registering the source images to each other using the defined temporally coherent sequence of transformations, to obtain co-registered images, and combining at least some of the co-registered images into a combined image. Related apparatus and methods are also described. 116-. (canceled)17. A method of generating an image of a moving body part , the method comprising:receiving a stream of measurements, each indicative of a structure of a respective portion of the body part, the indications of structure being partially overlapping in their respective portions;binning the stream of measurements to a sequence of bins, each bin including a set of measurements taken during a different time window, the time window including a period also included in a time window of another bin in the sequence, such that the time windows are partially overlapping in time;generating, from the sequence of bins, a sequence of source images of said body part, each said source image imaging a region also imaged by another image in the sequence, such that the source images are partially overlapping; andgenerating from said sequence of partially overlapping images a combined image.18. The method of claim 17 , comprising:classifying the stream of measurements to two or more groups of measurements, each group corresponding to a different movement mode of the body part; and binning the measurements to a sequence of bins, each including a set of measurements taken in a different time window,', 'generating, from the ...

PROTEIN ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: 1. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic device for reversing a cardiac fetal gene , comprising:selecting an electrical pulse sequence according to its effect on gene expression in the heart; andprogramming a controller of said therapeutic device to apply a pulse sequence on a tissue of the heart for reversing the fetal gene program of said tissue.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said sequence is selected to treat heart failure.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said sequence is non-excitatory.4. A method according to claim 1 , comprising modifying said pulse sequence in response to an effect of said pulse sequence on the cardiac gene activity.5. A method according to claim 1 , comprising determining said pulse sequence in response to a patient classification.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said programming is to apply a pulse sequence synchronized to the refractory period.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said pulse sequence is applied within the right ventricle.8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein said pulse sequence affects the left ventricle.9. A method of treating cardiac dysfunction claim 7 , comprising applying an electric field to said heart which is sufficient to cause a reversal of a fetal gene program without significant effect on contractility.10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said electrical field is non-excitatory to said heart.11. A method according to claim 9 , comprising stopping said application for a length of time which is a function of an expected washout time of an effect of said field.12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said applying comprises applying for a duration of at least 1 hour.13. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said applying comprises repeating said applying and at least 20 times.14. A method according to claim 13 , comprising stopping said application for a length of time which varies between repetitions.15. A ...

IMPLANTABLE LEAD CONNECTOR

An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ, comprising: a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, and a third port configured to connect to a target organ, wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector. 1. An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ , comprising:a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue;a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue; anda third port configured to connect to a target organ,wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector.2. A connector according to claim 1 , comprising interconnection circuitry configured to selectively and alternately connect one of said first and second ports to said third port at a low impedance and to the other port at a high impedance.3. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry is configured to isolate said medical devices from each other.4. A connector according to claim 2 , wherein said interconnection circuitry is configured to allow one of said devices to detect stimulation signals by another of said devices claim 2 , via said ports. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/265,874 filed on Oct. 23, 2011, which is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IB2010/051783 having International filing date of Apr. 23, 2010 ...

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE CONTROLLER

A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by a least 5%.

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE CONTROLLER

A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the portion, which causes the force of contraction to be increased by a least 5%. 1. A method of treating a heart of a patient using electrical therapy , comprising:(a) setting a target of a change in at least one physiological parameter of the heart;(b) applying electrical therapy to the heart for a period of time of at least a day, said therapy selected to at least approach said target;(c) detecting or assuming a change in said at least one physiological parameter over time due to said applying, wherein said change represents a change in physiology of said heart; and(d) modifying said applying in response to said detected or assumed change.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying includes applying an electrical field to tissue of said heart claim 1 , at least a portion of which field is applied during a refractory period of said tissue.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said modifying comprises modifying to compensate for an adaptation of said heart to an effect of said applying.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said modifying comprises modifying in response to an increase in strength of said heart.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said modifying comprises modifying in response to an increase in efficiency of said heart.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said modifying comprises changing a target of said therapy and changing said applying to match said new target.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said setting a target comprises setting a plurality of targets.8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said modifying comprises modifying in response to a reduction of an immediate response of said heart to said therapy.9. ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING AN INTRABODY CATHETER

There is provided a computerized method of tracking a position of an intra-body catheter, comprising: physically tracking coordinates of the position of a distal portion of a physical catheter within the physical body portion of the patient according to physically applied plurality of electrical fields within the body portion and measurements of the plurality of electrical fields performed by a plurality of physical electrodes at a distal portion of the physical catheter; registering the physically tracked coordinates with simulated coordinates generated according to a simulation of a simulated catheter within a simulation of the body of the patient, to identify differences between physically tracked location coordinates and the simulation coordinates; correcting the physically tracked location coordinates according to the registered simulation coordinates; and providing the corrected physically tracked location coordinates for presentation. 133-. (canceled)34. A system for tracking a position of an intra-body catheter , comprising:an output interface for communicating with a display;an electrode interface for communicating with a plurality of physical electrodes on a distal end portion of a physical catheter designed for intra-body navigation;a program store storing code; anda processor coupled to the output interface, the electrode interface, and the program store for implementing the stored code, the code comprising:code to receive measurements of a plurality of electrical fields applied within the body portion, measured by the plurality of physical electrodes;code to calculate and physically track coordinates of the position of the distal end of the physical catheter within the physical body portion of the patient;code to register the physically tracked coordinates with simulation coordinates generated according to a simulation of a simulated catheter within a simulation of the body of the patient, to identify differences between physically tracked location ...

INJECTING AND MONITORING NERVOUS TISSUE

Sensing and/or treating GPs or other components of the ANS. Optionally, sensing is from within the GP, for example, using a helical needle with at least one electrode. Optionally, treatment is by injection of a neuromodulator chemical into the GP. In some embodiments, means are provided to reduce the migration of the neuromodulator away from the GP. 1. A method of sensing the activity of nervous tissue of a patient , comprising:(a) advancing a part of a catheter including an electrode into nervous tissue of the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) to be sensed;(b) modulating the activity of the nervous tissue while the catheter is in the body of said patient; and(c) sensing activity of the nervous tissue using the electrode before, during and/or after the modulating.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the nervous tissue comprises a ganglionic plexus (GP).3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing comprises sensing before and sensing after the modulating.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modulating comprises electrical stimulation.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modulating comprises modulating an activity of the nervous tissue with an effect expected to last at least 3 weeks.6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the modulating comprises ablating.7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein ablating comprises ablating using the electrode.8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the modulating comprises injecting a chemical composition into the nervous tissue.9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the chemical composition comprises botulism toxin.10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the chemical composition comprises an anti-inflammatory.11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the chemical composition comprises a thickener.12. The method according to claim 8 , comprising a first injection to determine an expected spread of the chemical composition.13. The method according to claim 8 , comprising ...

SYSTEM, METHOD AND ACCESORIES FOR DIELECTRIC-MAPPING

A method of computing a dielectric map is disclosed comprising exciting at least one pair of electrodes according to an excitation scheme, the at least one pair of electrodes comprising at least one pair of in-body electrodes (also referred herein below intra-body electrode) located inside of the examined living body, measuring and recording voltages developing on the in-body electrodes during the excitation according to the excitation scheme, solving an inverse problem to derive a 3D dielectric map from the recorded voltages and optionally providing a 3D image of the body tissues based on the 3D dielectric map. Methods are also disclosed that combine intrabody electrodes and surface electrodes secured to the body or use only surface electrodes. Embodiments encompass the use of constraints in deriving the 3D dielectric map and combining measurements made at different locations inside the body with moving intrabody electrodes. Disclosed methods are not limited to methods including exciting and measuring on the body but also extend to methods of processing data previously obtained to derive the 3D map. 12-. (canceled)3. A method of combining first and second spatial distributions of dielectric properties in a region of an organ of a human or animal body , wherein each of the first and second distributions was obtained based on measurements from electrodes on a tool positioned in respective first and second positions in the region , the method comprising:accessing the first and second distributions,computing an indication of a displacement between the first and second positions of the tool based on measured gradients of electric fields in the region measured using the electrodes; andcombining the first and second spatial distributions using the indication of the displacement, wherein the measurements from the electrodes comprises measurement of voltages generated by an electric field generated by alternating electrical currents applied to at least one electrode on the ...

SIMPLE CONTROL OF COMPLEX BIO-IMPLANTS

Methods and devices for tying management of an implantable medical device to the activities of a primary care physician are described, including access control, simplified parameter optimization, support for tuning a device in response to the effects of other treatments in parallel, and support for helping a primary physician and a patient work together to tune device configuration to the activity and performance needs of the patient. In some embodiments, a medical device is self-configuring in a device parameter domain, based on inputs provided in a patient performance domain. The self-configuring of the medical device is based, for example, on an automatically applied transformation of inputs derived from patient performance domain observations into changes in the configuration of the medical device which affect technical parameters of its operation. 1. A system for adjusting the operation of an implantable medical device , comprising:a memory device storing a plurality of preconfigured technical parameter sets preconfigured for use with the implantable medical device;a processor configured to override an active technical parameter set used by the implantable medical device by activating a selected technical parameter set from among the preconfigured technical parameter sets;wherein the active technical parameter set is in an order between at least two of the preconfigured technical parameter sets, ordered according to the effect of each technical parameter set on a clinical parameter affected by operation of the device; andwherein the processor is configured to select the selected technical parameter set based on the ordering of the technical parameter sets, a provided value of the clinical parameter, and a provided target value of the clinical parameter.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to grant access to control activating the preconfigured parameter set based on an access token.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ...

MODELLING A STRUCTURE IN A BODY

Methods and systems of computing parameter values of one or more model parameters are described. The model models structural and dielectric properties of a structure in a human or an animal body. An exemplary method includes: accessing voltage measurements made at different places in the vicinity of the structure by one or more in-body field sensing electrodes in response to currents applied to one or more field supplying electrodes; and computing the parameter values by adjusting the parameter values to fit predicted voltage values to the accessed voltage measurements, wherein the predicted voltage values are predicted from the model for the currents applied to the field supplying in-body electrodes. 1. A method of computing the shape of a structure within a human or animal body for real-time use in a medical procedure , the method comprising:accessing a model which models the structure as a spatially related collection of structural and dielectric properties, at least one of the properties being specified as at least one corresponding parameter; including a plurality of measurements for each sensing electrode at a corresponding plurality of associated locations, and', 'wherein the measurements are responsive to currents applied to one or more field-supplying electrodes; and, 'accessing location-associated voltage measurements made in the vicinity of the structure by one or more in-body field sensing electrodescomputing parameter values for the at least one parameter by adjusting the parameter values to fit predicted voltage values at model-defined locations to the accessed voltage measurements at their associated locations, wherein the predicted voltage values are predicted from the model for the currents applied to the field supplying electrodes; andprovide the model with its parameter values for use in display, thereby providing an indication of the structural environment within which the location-associated voltage measurements were obtained.2. The method of ...

PROTEIN ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: 1. A method of treating a patient for chronic heart failure , comprising:a. selecting a patient having (i) a narrow QRS and (ii) a NYHA class of at least II; andb. applying a cardiac contractility modifying electrical therapy to a heart of said patient for at least 3 months.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said QRS has a duration of less than 105 ms.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said QRS has a duration of less than 90 ms.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with an EF (ejection fraction) <40%.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with an EF <35%.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with a NYHA class of at least III.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with a NYHA class of II or III.8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with a NYHA class of IV.9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with ischemic heart failure.10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting patients with idiopathic heart failure.11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting a patient being treated for heart failure using medication.12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting with a goal to improve six minute walk by at least 15 meters.13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises applying at least until a six minute walk of the patient improves by at least 15 meters.14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting with a goal to improve peak VOby at least 1 ml O/kg/min.15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting with a VO<14.4 ml O/kg/min.16. A method ...

PROPERTY- AND POSITION-BASED CATHETER PROBE TARGET IDENTIFICATION

Methods and systems for position determination of an intrabody probe, targets of an intrabody probe, and or actions to be performed using an intrabody probe are described. In some embodiments, an anatomy being navigated and/or mapped is described by a rule-based schema relating different anatomically identified structures to one another according to their ability to help identify and/or locate one another. Additionally, in some embodiments, data recorded from the intrabody probe is processed according to schema rules in order to provide anatomical identification of the anatomical region which the intrabody probe is sampling, optionally without performing detailed mapping, and/or prior to the availability of detailed mapping of anatomical geometry. 1. A method of determining an anatomical identity of a first intrabody region using an intrabody probe , the method comprising:receiving data indicating an operational context;receiving input data from the intrabody probe indicating one or more measured properties of the first intrabody region;selecting at least one rule for anatomical identification from an anatomical schema, wherein the at least one rule is selected based on the operational context; andapplying the at least one rule to the input data, to determine anatomical identity of the first intrabody region.2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:selecting a second at least one rule for anatomical identification from the anatomical schema, based on the current operational context; andapplying the second at least one rule to identify a second intrabody region, based on a relationship between the second intrabody region and the first intrabody region expressed by a rule of the anatomical schema, and the anatomical identity determined for the first intrabody region.3. The method of claim 1 , comprising associating the anatomical identity determined for the first region to a geometrical representation of the first intrabody region.4. The method of claim 3 , comprising ...

DETECTION OF REDUCED-CONTROL CARDIAC ZONES

A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia in a heart, including (i) determining that cardiac tissue is viable but with reduced innervation; and (ii) ablating the tissue to reduce a prevalence of arrhythmia in said heart. Optionally, the determining comprises detecting portions of heart wall which lack electrical activity. Optionally, at least some tissue which is viable but lacks nervous control is ablated, for example, to reduce or avoid arrhythmia. 140-. (canceled)41. Apparatus comprising circuitry configured to compare a viability image with a nervous control image and generate a map of portions with viability and reduced nervous control.4246-. (canceled)47. A system for treating dysfunction of an organ , comprising:a modeling unit, configured to receive functional image data of said organ and determine therefrom a model describing:regions of organ viability, andregions of reduced organ innervation;a treatment planning unit, configured to:match said model with a disease-treatment template, according to a disease condition modeled in said template, andprovide a treatment plan associated with said template, according to said match.48. The system of claim 47 , wherein said treatment plan comprises an indication selecting a portion of body tissue for ablation.49. The system according to claim 48 , wherein said organ is a heart claim 48 , and said dysfunction is arrhythmia.50. The system according to claim 49 , wherein said body tissue comprises cardiac tissue.51. The system according to claim 50 , wherein said cardiac tissue comprises a portion of said viable but reduced-innervation cardiac tissue.52. The system according to claim 49 , wherein said body tissue comprises non-cardiac tissue.53. The system according to claim 49 , wherein said body tissue comprises neural tissue.54. The system according to claim 49 , wherein said modeled disease condition comprises an indication of potential arrhythmia.55. The system according to claim 47 , wherein said organ is an organ ...

APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PATTERNS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY AFFECTING DISEASE

A method for diagnosing and/or treating a medical condition, comprising modeling an activity of the autonomic nervous system, and treating the medical condition by guiding a therapeutic agent according to the model. 1. A method of treating a medical condition comprising:determining a pattern of autonomic innervation activity associated with a physiological parameter affecting said medical condition;matching said determined pattern to a modeled pattern;selecting an adjustment of said modeled pattern; andguiding a therapeutic agent to adjust said determined pattern in correspondence with said adjustment of said modeled pattern, thereby treating said medical condition.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said adjustment of said determined pattern adjusts autonomic control of said physiological parameter from a first mode of modulation to a second mode of modulation.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a difference between said first and second modes comprises a different homeostatic set point of said physiological parameter.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein a difference between said first and second modes comprises a different range of available values for said physiological parameter.5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said adjustment of said modeled pattern is associated with a mode of autonomic modulation of said physiological parameter.6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said second mode of modulation corresponds to said associated mode.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determined pattern comprises activity measured for a plurality of ANS locations.8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determined pattern comprises activity measured in at least one ANS location for a plurality of physiological states.9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said guiding comprises administering said therapeutic agent to an ANS location within said determined pattern claim 1 , said location being chosen for its correspondence to said selected adjustment.10. The method of claim 1 , ...

GYROSCOPIC APPARATUSES AND METHODS OF USING SAME

A gyroscopic exercise apparatus, comprising: at least one control-moment gyroscope; at least one motion sensor for sensing movement of the apparatus; at least one spindle motor for providing rotation to a rotor of the gyroscope; and, at least one reversible motor for providing rotation to at least one gimbal of the gyroscope. 1. A method of rehabilitation , comprising:creating a rehabilitation plan;commencing exercise using at least one gyroscopic exercise apparatus;sensing motion of user applied to the apparatus;comparing sensed motion to the rehabilitation plan; and,modifying user motion to more closely track the plan by adjusting operation of at least one control moment gyroscope of the apparatus.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the commencing claim 1 , sensing claim 1 , comparing and modifying is monitored remotely.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the exercise is a game.4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein a game is at least one of shooting claim 3 , prevent water from spilling and driving.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein adjusting includes at least one of altering a rotor rotation of at least one gyroscope of the apparatus and altering a gimbal rotation of at least one gyroscope of the apparatus.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the plan includes at least one of a desired motion track or path claim 1 , speed claim 1 , orientation claim 1 , angular velocity and acceleration. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/385,193 filed on Sep. 15, 2014 which is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IB2013/052013 having International Filing Date of Mar. 14, 2013 which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/611,133 filed on Mar. 15, 2012. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, ...

PROTEIN ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

A method of modifying cardiac tissue behavior, comprising applying a therapeutically effective electric field having an effect of modifying protein activation levels of at least one protein, and repeatedly applying the field at time intervals timed to increase the activation levels of the at least one protein beyond an activation level achieved by natural and/or paced excitation of the muscle without the application, to an extent about at least as high as a decay of the activation between applications of the field. 1. A method of therapy location placement for therapy of a tissue , comprising:selecting a location in the tissue based on a protein activity level at the location;applying a therapy to the location according to said selecting.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:deciding on suitability of the placement based on an effect on the protein activity levels of said test therapy.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said test therapy is applied outside the body.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said therapy includes electrical therapy for the heart.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said applying includes applying a non-excitatory electrical signal to said tissue.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said applying is to a location of treatment in an organ the method further comprising:selecting said location of treatment, according to a desired propagation of said treatment in an organ including said tissue.7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said applying is in vivo.8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said propagation is at least one of a mechanical propagation and a biochemical propagation.9. The method of claim 6 , wherein said location comprises a plurality of locations.10. The method of claim 6 , wherein said deciding on suitability of the placement based on said effect of protein activity levels of said test therapy is when an improvement in organ function is not detected.11. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:placing an electrode at said ...

EM ENERGY APPLICATION FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES

An apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture by applying EM energy is disclosed. The apparatus may include a radiating element configured to apply EM energy to the fuel mixture at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), and a processor configured to determine at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the fuel mixture for igniting the fuel mixture, select a subset of MSEs from among the plurality of MSEs the subset of MSEs being selected to provide the at least one target spatial distribution, and cause application of EM energy to the fuel mixture at the selected subset of MSEs, via the at least one radiating element, to provide the at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy application. 1. An apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture by applying radio frequency (RF) energy , via at least one radiating element , to a combustion chamber , the apparatus comprising: determine at least one spatial distribution of RF energy to be achieved during application of RF energy to the fuel mixture for igniting the fuel mixture; and', 'control energy application to the fuel mixture, via the at least one radiating element, to provide the at least one spatial distribution of RF energy application., 'at least one processor configured to2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to control application of RF energy to the fuel mixture based on a feedback3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the feedback is related to at least one aspect of the fuel mixture.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to select a subset of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs) from among a plurality of MSEs at which RF energy from the at least one radiating element can be applied claim 1 , the selected subset of MSEs being selected to provide the at least one spatial distribution of RF energy claim 1 , the MSEs referring to adjustable parameters of the apparatus which affect a ...

IMPLANTABLE LEAD CONNECTOR

An implantable lead connector configured for long term implantation and to electrically interconnect multiple medical devices and to channel electrical signals between said interconnected devices and a target organ, comprising: a first port adapted to receive a first signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, a second port adapted to receive a second signal suitable to stimulate a target tissue, and a third port configured to connect to a target organ, wherein at least one of said first and second ports is configured to connect to a signal generator not integrated with said connector. 1. A system , comprising:a first implantable device;a second implantable device; andinterconnecting circuitry electrically connecting said first and second implantable devices;wherein said system is configured to allow power sharing between at least two of said first and second implantable devices and said interconnecting circuitry.2. A system according to claim 1 , further including at least one lead connector claim 1 , wherein said system is configured to allow power sharing between said lead connector and at least one of said first and second implantable devices.3. A system according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one lead connector is configured to allow one of said first and second implantable devices to be powered by another one of said first and second implantable devices.4. A system according to claim 3 , further including at least a third implantable device claim 3 , wherein said at least one lead connector is configured to allow one of said implantable devices to power the other ones of said implantable devices.5. A system according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one lead connector is configured to power at least one of said first and second implantable devices.6. A system according to claim 2 , further including at least a third implantable device claim 2 , wherein said at least one lead connector is configured to power each of said implantable devices.7. A system ...

IMAGING METHOD

A tissue imaging method of imaging a target tissue including: providing a plurality of hardware electrodes; sending and receiving electrical signals using the plurality of hardware electrodes to produce measurement data; selecting a virtual electrode model, where each the virtual electrode includes two or more hardware electrodes; processing the measurement data using the virtual electrode model to provide a processed data output; and reconstructing an image using the processed data output. 1. A tissue structure imaging method comprising:receiving a first set and a second set of electrical field measurement data measured by respective first and second in-body electrodes from positions on respective first and second sides of the tissue structure; andgenerating an image of said tissue structure using said first and second sets of electrical field measurement data;wherein the positions on the first side and the second side are spatial locations with the tissue structure between them, and wherein there is, for each spatial location, a surface of the tissue exposed to it across a fluid medium, and the exposed surfaces each have a non-overlapping portion comprising at least 20% of their surface.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the image comprises transforming measurements to locations under a constraint that the two sets of electrical field measurements are of different sides of the same tissue structure.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the exposed surfaces are on lines of sight from each of the positions on the first side and the second side.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the lines of sight meet at 180°.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each line of sight defines a straight path including the spatial location and the tissue structure claim 1 , and passing through a medium without the straight path penetrating through or into a solid structure other than the tissue structure.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurements collected from both ...

PROXIMITY DETECTION

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously. 1. A method of nuclear medicine imaging comprising: a support for a subject of a tomography procedure;', 'a detector carrier;', 'a plurality of detector heads mounted on said detector carrier, a first subgroup of said plurality of detector heads each configured to be linearly extended, from a first, most retracted position of said respective detector head relative to the subject, to a second respective position, said second position closer to the subject than said first position, wherein a second subgroup of said first subgroup of detector heads each includes a sensor configured to detect a proximity of a respective said detector head to the subject and a proximity of a respective said detector head relative to another said detector head; and', 'a controller configured to receive a signal from each said sensor and configured to calculate a desired proximity of each said detector head of said second subgroup with the subject and with another said detector head;, 'providing a nuclear medicine tomography system comprisinglinearly extending said first subgroup of detector heads from said respective first positions to said respective second positions;wherein said controller receives the signal from each said sensor of said second subgroup of detector heads and calculates an expected proximity of each said detector head of said second subgroup ...

GANTRY ROTATION

An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously. 1. A method of nuclear medicine imaging comprising: a support for a subject of a tomography procedure, the subject having a region of interest (ROI), said support having an axis;', 'a detector carrier, wherein at least one of said subject support and said detector carrier is movable axially relative to the other;', 'wherein said detector carrier is rotatable about said support;', 'a plurality of detector heads mounted on said detector carrier, at least some of said detector heads each configured to be extended along a respective extension axis between said detector carrier and the ROI, from a first, most retracted position relative to said detector carrier, to a second position closer to the ROI than said first position, and to be retracted from said second position to said first position;, 'providing a nuclear medicine tomography system comprisingselecting a bore geometry for said tomography system, said bore geometry based on a part of the subject's body having the ROI;linearly extending each of a plurality of said plurality of detector heads along a respective said extension axis from a respective said first position to respective said second position, based on said selected bore geometry;rotating said detector carrier and acquiring images of said region of interest.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said linearly extending ...

PROTEIN ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: 1. A method for classifying a heart failure (HF) patient as suitable for a non-excitatory electric field treatment using an extracted heart tissue sample , comprising:applying a non-excitatory electric field to the tissue sample;testing expression markers of a plurality of proteins in said tissue sample, at least one of said plurality of proteins is an HF-related protein; andclassifying the suitability of said patient for a non-excitatory electric field treatment based on said plurality of proteins expression markers.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-excitatory electric field causes contractility modulation of said tissue sample.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression markers comprises determining a phosphorylation level of at least one protein of said plurality of proteins.4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising determining pre-treatment levels of said phosphorylation level.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said tissue sample originates from a left ventricle of said patient's heart.6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of proteins comprise a plurality of HF-related proteins.7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising pre-testing said plurality of protein expression markers prior to said applying an electric field.8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises a scheme of a plurality of contractility modulating electric fields.9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising storing said protein expression results for each of said plurality of electrification schemes.10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting a part of the tested sample and applying a test thereto.11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression markers comprises determining protein expression levels.12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression ...

RADIOIMAGING USING LOW DOSE ISOTOPE

Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor. 1. A method for identifying a nuclear medicine camera design optimized with respect to functional information gained about a body structure , comprising:modeling a body-structure, based on its geometry;modeling anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure;optimizing a camera design using said modeled body-structure and said modeled anatomical constraints; andperforming, with said camera design, radioactive-emission measurements of an in-vivo body-structure that corresponds to said body structure that has been modeled.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said camera design includes a plurality of independently moveable detecting units claim 1 ,wherein said optimizing comprises optimizing position of said independently moveable detecting units.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said optimizing comprises conforming said camera design to body contours of said anatomical model.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said modeling anatomical constraints comprises identifying body contours from a structural image.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said structural image is a CT scan.6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said optimizing comprises conforming said camera design so that a distance between each of said detecting units and said body contours is less than 2 cm.7. The method of claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of independently moveable detecting units is independently moveable along at least one translational axis.8. The method of claim 5 , wherein said detecting units are moveable to change a separation between said detecting units.9. The method of claim 4 , wherein said detecting units are arranged in two arcs adapted for viewing a full circumference of said body claim 4 , from a single position of said camera design.10. The method of claim 4 , wherein a gantry of said detector camera to which said plurality of detector units are attached claim 4 , is adapted for rotation.11 ...

METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MODIFYING VASCULAR PARAMETERS

A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field () to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion. 1. A method of controlling blood pressure , the method comprising:providing at least one electrode adapted to apply a local electric field to at least one blood vessel; andapplying the local electric field to change a diameter of the at least one blood vessel and modify blood pressure.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field causes a reduction in blood pressure.3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field causes an increase in blood pressure.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of a large blood vessel.5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of an aorta.6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of an artery.7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to the wall of a vein.8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field reduces a diameter of said at least one blood vessel.9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field increases a diameter of said at least one blood vessel.10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to a blood vessel in spasm.11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying causes a reduction in preload to a heart.12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying causes a reduction in afterload of a heart.13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to treat an acute ischemic event.14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said electric field is applied to treat angina pectoris.15. A method according to claim 1 , comprising selecting at least one blood vessel to apply said local electric field ...

SIMPLE CONTROL OF COMPLEX BIO-IMPLANTS

Methods and devices for tying management of an implantable medical device to the activities of a primary care physician are described, including access control, simplified parameter optimization, support for tuning a device in response to the effects of other treatments in parallel, and support for helping a primary physician and a patient work together to tune device configuration to the activity and performance needs of the patient. In some embodiments, a medical device is self-configuring in a device parameter domain, based on inputs provided in a patient performance domain. The self-configuring of the medical device is based, for example, on an automatically applied transformation of inputs derived from patient performance domain observations into changes in the configuration of the medical device which affect technical parameters of its operation. 1. A method of adjusting the operation of an implantable medical device , comprising:receiving access to selectively activate from among a plurality of technical parameter sets preconfigured for use with the implantable medical device, wherein the parameter sets are ordered according to their effect on a clinical parameter affected by operation of the device;monitoring the response of the clinical parameter to activation of a first of the preconfigured parameter sets ordered between at least two others of the preconfigured parameter sets; andactivating one of the other two preconfigured parameter sets, based on the ordering of the parameter sets, the monitoring of the clinical parameter and a clinical target for the clinical parameter.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving access comprises presenting the device with an access token accepted by the device.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of technical parameter sets was preconfigured after implantation of the implantable medical device within a patient.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clinical parameter comprises a clinical measure of patient ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACKING AN INTRABODY CATHETER

There is provided a computerized method of tracking a position of an intra-body catheter, comprising: physically tracking coordinates of the position of a distal portion of a physical catheter within the physical body portion of the patient according to physically applied plurality of electrical fields within the body portion and measurements of the plurality of electrical fields performed by a plurality of physical electrodes at a distal portion of the physical catheter; registering the physically tracked coordinates with simulated coordinates generated according to a simulation of a simulated catheter within a simulation of the body of the patient, to identify differences between physically tracked location coordinates and the simulation coordinates; correcting the physically tracked location coordinates according to the registered simulation coordinates; and providing the corrected physically tracked location coordinates for presentation. 1. A computerized method of tracking a position of a catheter in a physical body portion of a patient , comprising:physically tracking coordinates of the position of a distal portion of a physical catheter within the physical body portion of the patient according to physically applied plurality of electrical fields within the body portion and measurements of the plurality of electrical fields performed by a plurality of physical electrodes at a distal portion of the physical catheter;registering the physically tracked coordinates with simulated coordinates generated according to a simulation of a simulated catheter within a simulation of the body of the patient, to identify differences between physically tracked coordinates and the simulation coordinates;correcting the physically tracked coordinates according to the registered simulation coordinates; andproviding the corrected physically tracked coordinates for presentation.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:providing a dataset of a body portion of a patient including ...

REGISTERING NUCLEAR MEDICINE DATA

A method of data presentation in which NM data and x-ray data (or other structural and/or functional data sets) are combined for display. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the combination uses rules, for example Boolean rules to generate a display. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the combination uses a marker visible in the NM and x-ray modalities. Optionally, the marker includes a removable radioactive section. 118-. (canceled)19. Apparatus for image display , comprising:(a) a memory having stored thereon NM data and a position of at least one anatomical location in said data;(b) an input for x-ray images;(c) a position extractor which extracts a position of a fiduciary marker from an image received through said input; and(d) overlay circuitry which registers said extracted position to said anatomical location and overlays an indication of said NM data on said inputted image.20. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said position extractor also extracts the position of at least one tool and said overlay circuitry overlays said tool position on said image.21. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said position extractor includes a recognizer which recognizes a fiduciary marker on the image.22. A fiduciary marker comprising:(a) a radio-opaque section; and(b) a radioactive marking section comprising a mounting for a removable radio-active marker portion.23. A fiduciary marker according to claim 22 , wherein said mounting comprises a receptacle for a radioactive fluid.24. A fiduciary marker according to claim 22 , wherein said mounting comprises a receptacle for a radioactive insert.25. A fiduciary marker according to claim 22 , wherein said mounting comprises an interference based fitting.26. A fiduciary marker according to claim 22 , wherein said radioactive marking section has a center activity of radiation co-located in at least two dimensions with a center of opacity of said radio-opaque section.27. A fiduciary marker ...

Detection of reduced-control cardiac zones

A method of treating cardiac arrhythmia in a heart, including (i) determining that cardiac tissue is viable but with reduced innervation; and (ii) ablating the tissue to reduce a prevalence of arrhythmia in said heart. Optionally, the determining comprises detecting portions of heart wall which lack electrical activity. Optionally, at least some tissue which is viable but lacks nervous control is ablated, for example, to reduce or avoid arrhythmia.

Em energy application for treating exhaust gases

An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to a device (e.g., an exhaust treatment device) is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one radiating element positioned to apply EM energy to the device at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), at least one processor configured to determine a first spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the device for selectively heating a target material associated with a first portion of the device in fluid communication with exhaust gas, and cause application of EM energy, such that the first spatial distribution of EM energy is applied to the target material.

FLATTENED VIEW FOR INTRA-LUMENAL NAVIGATION

Methods for creation and use (e.g., for navigation) of displays of flattened (e.g., curvature-straightened) 3-D reconstructions of tissue surfaces, optionally including reconstructions of the interior surfaces of hollow organs. In some embodiments, data comprising a 3-D representation of a tissue surface (for example an interior heart chamber surface) are subject to a geometrical transformation allowing the tissue surface to be presented substantially within a single view of a flattened reconstruction. In some embodiments, a catheter probe in use near the tissue surface is shown in positions that correspond to positions in 3-D space sufficiently to permit navigation; e.g., the probe is shown in flattened reconstruction views nearby view regions corresponding to regions it actually approaches. In some embodiments, automatic and/or easily triggered manual view switching between flattened reconstruction and source reconstruction views is implemented. 1103-. (canceled)104. An apparatus comprising:an input module configured to receive signals from a catheter, wherein the signals are indicative of measurements taken by the catheter inside a heart chamber;a converting module configured to convert the signals into coordinates of points defining a model surface modelling a three-dimensional surface of the heart chamber, and into coordinates for the position of the catheter within the heart chamber;a processor configured to apply a transformation to the points of the model to transform each of the points to a corresponding point of an unfolded model; anda display for displaying a view of the unfolded model.105. The apparatus of claim 104 , further comprising a user interface configured to receive display instructions from a user claim 104 , wherein the apparatus is configured to display a view of the unfolded model in accordance with the display instructions.106. The apparatus of claim 104 , wherein the measurements taken inside the heart chamber include electrical ...

RECONSTRUCTION OF AN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE FROM INTRABODY MEASUREMENTS

A method of reconstructing a shape of a volume of a part of a subject based on intrabody measurements of a plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields established within the volume, the method including:

MULTI POINT TREATMENT PROBES AND METHODS OF USING THEREOF

An embodiment of system for intrabody treatment of a treatment location in a body of a treated patient is disclosed. The system may include deploying at least two transmission points of a multi point probe to a proximity with the treatment location in the body. A transmission pattern may be selected that defines, for each of the transmission points, a respective signal of a plurality of transmission signals. The transmission pattern may form at least one interaction between the respective signals. The interaction may form a hot spot at the treatment location. A plurality of transmission signals may be delivered from the transmission points. 131-. (canceled)32. A system of intrabody treatment , comprising:a multi point probe transported by a catheter to a lumen of a body of a treated patient, the multi point probe having at least two transmission points; and select a transmission pattern including for each of the at least two transmission points, a respective signal of a plurality of radio frequency transmission signals, said transmission pattern forms at least one interaction between the respective signals from the at least two transmission points, the at least one interaction defines at least one hot spot at the treatment location; and', 'control delivery of the respective signals from the transmission points., 'a processor configured to33. The system of claim 32 , wherein the processor determines a timing for each of said respective signals.34. The system of claim 32 , wherein the processor selects said respective signals to interact concurrently.35. The system of claim 32 , wherein the multi point probe has a supporting structure having a compressed state to allow placing the multi point probe in a lumen of the catheter and a deployed stated that place the at least two transmission points away from one another and from a longitudinal axis of the lumen.36. The system of claim 35 , wherein said multi point probe includes one or more receiving points supported by ...

BODY STRUCTURE IMAGING

A method of imaging nervous tissue, comprising acquiring functional imaging modality data from a functional imaging modality which images an intrabody volume of a patient having a body part, the patient having been injected with an imaging agent having a nervous tissue uptake by an autonomic nervous system (ANS); and locating the nervous tissue in the intrabody volume based on the functional imaging modality data.

Electrophysiology procedure without ionizing radiation imaging

Methods and systems for position determination of an intrabody probe, targets of an intrabody probe, and or actions to be performed using an intrabody probe are described. In some embodiments, an anatomy being navigated and/or mapped is described by a rule-based schema relating different anatomically identified structures to one another according to their ability to help identify and/or locate one another. Additionally, in some embodiments, data recorded from the intrabody probe is processed according to schema rules in order to provide anatomical identification of the anatomical region which the intrabody probe is measuring, optionally without performing detailed mapping, and/or prior to the availability of detailed mapping of anatomical geometry.

DETECTION OF SCAR AND FIBROUS CARDIAC ZONES

A method of tissue recognition of tissue type in a heart or other tissue, comprising: 1. A method of tissue recognition of tissue type in a heart , comprising:(i) providing radioactive emission data of cardiac tissue;(ii) associating said radioactive emission data with a wall of the heart; and(iii) analyzing said radioactive emission data associated with the wall of the heart to recognize fibrous tissue in the heart wall.2. (canceled)3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises categorizing a shape of a fibrous zone in said heart wall.4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying one or more gaps between fibrous zones in said heart wall.5. A method according to claim 4 , wherein said one or more gaps comprises a gap smaller than 5 mm in minimal width.68-. (canceled)9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying one or more fibrous zones with a maximal extent of less than 30 millimeters.1011-. (canceled)12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying one or more fibrous zones in an atrial wall.13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying one or more fibrous zones that do not reach a full wall thickness.14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises identifying one or more fibrous zones that are inside a wall.15. A method according to claim 1 , comprising generating an image of fibrous zones in at least a portion of said heart.16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said image has a resolution of better than 5 millimeters.17. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said image distinguishes between fibrous tissue in different layers of the heart wall.18. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said image distinguishes between different degrees of fibrosis.19. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said generating comprises normalizing said emission data non-uniformly for different ...

SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR UTILIZING A READING OF A MACHINE READABLE ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A CONSUMABLE PRODUCT

A method for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product, may include storing, by a computer, in a memory in communication with the computer, a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus having a reader for reading the machine readable element. The method may also include obtaining usage information based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product and applying, by the computer, a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information. 121-. (canceled)22. A computer system for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product , the computer system comprising:a memory including computer executable instructions; and storing a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus, the apparatus being configured to process the consumable product and having a reader for reading the machine readable element;', 'obtaining usage information relative to the consumable product based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product; and', 'applying a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information, the debit indicating an amount of money to be collected from the supplier of the consumable product., 'a processor having access to the memory for executing the computer executable instructions, wherein execution of the computer executable instructions by the processor causes the processor to perform operations including23. The computer system of claim 22 , wherein the usage information includes user information associated with a ...

Body structure imaging

A method of guiding a cardiac treatment using a functional imaging modality, comprising: providing functional imaging modality data from a functional imaging modality which images an intrabody volume of a patient containing a heart, the patient having been injected with an imaging agent having a nervous tissue uptake by an autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the heart, the ANS comprising at least one GP; locating the at least one GP innervating the heart based on the functional imaging modality data; and providing the located at least one GP.

BODY STRUCTURE IMAGING

A method of medical image processing for images of body structures, comprising: receiving anatomical data to reconstruct an anatomical image of a region of a body of a patient, said region comprises a portion of at least one internal body part which borders or is spaced apart from a target tissue; receiving functional data from a functional imaging modality which images at least said portion of the region of the body of the patient; processing said anatomical image to generate at least one image mask corresponding to the zone outside of the wall of said at least one internal body part; correlating the at least one generated image mask with the functional data for guiding a reconstruction of a functional image depicting said target tissue; and providing the reconstructed functional image. 1. A method of medical image processing for images of body structures , comprising:receiving anatomical data to reconstruct an anatomical image of a region of a body of a patient, said region comprises a portion of at least one internal body part, which borders or is spaced apart from a target tissue;receiving functional data from a functional imaging modality which images at least a portion of the region of the body of the patient;processing said anatomical image to generate at least one image mask corresponding to a zone outside of said at least one internal body part;correlating the at least one image mask with the functional data for guiding a reconstruction of a functional image depicting said target tissue; andproviding the reconstructed functional image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue is a nerve tissue.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anatomical data is obtained from an anatomical imaging modality.4. (canceled)5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image mask is generated based on templates that define the location of target nerve tissue within and/or in proximal to the at least one internal body part.6. The method of claim 1 , further ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF INTRA-BODY ELECTRICAL READINGS TO ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE

In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of voltages by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of differently-oriented electromagnetic fields crossing the body cavity. In some embodiments, the method uses distances between electrodes as a spatially calibrated ruler. Positions of measurements made with the intrabody probe in different positions are optionally related by using spatial coherence of the measured electromagnetic fields as a constraint. Optionally, reconstruction is performed without using a detailed reference (image or simulation) describing the body cavity shape. Optionally, reconstruction uses further information to refine and/or constrain the reconstruction; for example: images, simulations, additional electromagnetic fields, and/or measurements characteristic of body cavity landmarks. Optionally, reconstruction accounts for time-dependent cavity shape changes, for example, phasic changes (e.g., heartbeat and/or respiration), and/or changes in states such as subject hydration, edema, and/or heart rate. 1. A method of reconstructing a body cavity shape of a subject based on intrabody measurements of a plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields established within the body cavity , the method comprising:receiving measurements of the crossing electromagnetic fields using two sensors carried on an intrabody probe at a known distance from each other, the measuring being carried out with the probe at multiple locations in the body cavity; andreconstructing a shape of the body cavity, based on the received measurements;wherein the reconstructing comprises assigning the measurements of the crossing electromagnetic fields to locations so that variability in distances between sister locations is minimized,wherein sister locations are locations assigned to sister measurements, and sister measurements are measurements of the crossing electromagnetic fields ...

FOOD PREPARATION

A heating profile of a microwave oven is modified using microwaves at a plurality of frequencies. A power of transmission to a cavity of the microwave oven of microwaves is defined at each of the plurality of frequencies. A duration is defined for which the microwaves are transmitted at each of the plurality of frequencies. For each of the plurality of frequencies, a proportion of power input to the cavity that is not output from the cavity is measured. The measured proportions am used to modify the power of transmission at each frequency, the duration of transmission at each frequency or both. 1. A method for modifying a heating profile of a microwave oven using microwaves at a plurality of frequencies , the method comprising:defining a power of transmission to a cavity of the microwave oven of microwaves at each of the plurality of frequencies;defining a duration for which said microwaves are transmitted at each of the plurality of frequencies;measuring, for each of the plurality of frequencies, a proportion of power input to the cavity that is not output from the cavity; andusing the measured proportions to modify the power of transmission at each frequency, the duration of transmission at each frequency, or both.2. The method of claim 1 , the plurality of frequencies being with a range of 300 MHz to 30 Hz.3. The method of claim 1 , including feeding microwave energy via at least one feed of a plurality of feeds into the cavity and wherein the measuring comprises measuring a power coupled to other feeds of the plurality of feeds at each frequency and a return loss to the at least one feed of the plurality of feeds at each frequency.4. The method of claim 2 , including feeding microwave energy via at least one feed of a plurality of feeds into the cavity andwherein the measuring comprises measuring a power coupled to other feeds of the plurality of feeds at each frequency and a return loss to the at least one feed of the plurality of feeds at each frequency. This ...

NEURONAL IMAGING AND TREATMENT

A method is disclosed herein for imaging at least one autonomic nervous system synaptic center in a subject, as well as a method of diagnosing and/or monitoring a medical condition or disease associated with an autonomic nervous system, and a method of guiding a therapy of such a medical condition or disease. The methods comprise administering to the subject a radioactive tracer which selectively binds to autonomic nervous system synapses; measuring radioactive emission of the tracer to obtain data describing a distribution of the tracer in the body; and analyzing the data in order to identify at least one region exhibiting a high concentration of the tracer. Further disclosed herein are radioactive tracers, uses thereof, and an apparatus, for use in a method disclosed herein. 123-. (canceled)24. An imaging method for imaging at least one synaptic center of an autonomic nervous system in a subject , the method comprising:measuring radioactive emission of a radioactive tracer which selectively binds to synapses of the autonomic nervous system, said radioactive tracer being administered to the subject, to obtain data describing a distribution of said radioactive tracer in the body, thereby imaging said radioactive tracer in the body, andanalyzing said data in order to identify at least one region exhibiting a high concentration of said radioactive tracer, thereby imaging at least one synaptic center.25. The method of claim 24 , wherein said imaging comprises 3-dimensional imaging.26. The method of claim 24 , wherein said at least one region has a diameter of no more than 20 mm.27. The method of claim 24 , wherein said synaptic center is selected from the group consisting of an autonomic ganglion and an autonomic ganglionated plexus.28. The method of claim 24 , further comprising evaluating a neuronal activity in at least one synaptic center in the at least one region.29. The method of claim 24 , further comprising generating a map showing a distribution and/or ...

FLATTENED VIEW FOR INTRA-LUMENAL NAVIGATION

Methods for creation and use (e.g., for navigation) of displays of flattened (e.g., curvature-straightened) 3-D reconstructions of tissue surfaces, optionally including reconstructions of the interior surfaces of hollow organs. In some embodiments, data comprising a 3-D representation of a tissue surface (for example an interior heart chamber surface) are subject to a geometrical transformation allowing the tissue surface to be presented substantially within a single view of a flattened reconstruction. In some embodiments, a catheter probe in use near the tissue surface is shown in positions that correspond to positions in 3-D space sufficiently to permit navigation; e.g., the probe is shown in flattened reconstruction views nearby view regions corresponding to regions it actually approaches. In some embodiments, automatic and/or easily triggered manual view switching between flattened reconstruction and source reconstruction views is implemented. 1. A method of producing an image of a curved body tissue surface , the method comprising:transforming a source 3-D model of the curved body tissue surface into a flattened 3-D model comprising relief details of the body tissue surface represented as relative differences in depth over an unwrapped and flattened surface extent; andproducing an image from the flattened 3-D model.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transforming produces a flattened 3-D model having width claim 1 , length claim 1 , and depth.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the relief details are represented in depth claim 2 , and the width and length correspond to spherical angle positions in the source 3-D model.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flattened 3-D model also represents transformed positions from the volume of the source 3-D model away from the curved body tissue surface.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the body tissue surface comprises an inner lumen surface of a body cavity.6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the source 3-D model ...

PROTEIN ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

A method of modifying tissue behavior, comprising: 1. A method for classifying a heart failure (HF) patient as suitable for a non-excitatory electric field treatment using an extracted heart tissue sample , comprising:applying a non-excitatory electric field to the tissue sample;testing expression markers of a plurality of proteins in said tissue sample, at least one of said plurality of proteins is an HF-related protein; andclassifying the suitability of said patient for a non-excitatory electric field treatment based on said plurality of proteins expression markers.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said non-excitatory electric field causes contractility modulation of said tissue sample.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression markers comprises determining a phosphorylation level of at least one protein of said plurality of proteins.4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising determining pre-treatment levels of said phosphorylation level.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said tissue sample originates from a left ventricle of said patient's heart.6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of proteins comprise a plurality of HF-related proteins.7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising pre-testing said plurality of protein expression markers prior to said applying an electric field.8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said applying comprises a scheme of a plurality of contractility modulating electric fields.9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising storing said protein expression results for each of said plurality of electrification schemes.10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selecting a part of the tested sample and applying a test thereto.11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression markers comprises determining protein expression levels.12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said testing expression ...

CORONARY SINUS-BASED ELECTROMAGNETIC MAPPING

In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of at least one property of an electromagnetic field by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of electrical fields intersecting the body cavity. In some embodiments, the electrical fields are generated at least in part from electrodes positioned in close proximity, for example, within 1 cm, of the body cavity. In some embodiments, the body cavity is a chamber of a heart (for example, a left atrium or left ventricle), and the electrodes used to generate the electrical field are positioned in the coronary sinus, a large vein occupying the groove between the left atrium and left ventricle. In some embodiments, known distances between measuring electrodes are used in guiding reconstruction, potentially overcoming difficulties of reconstruction from measurements of non-linear electrical fields. 1. A method of estimating a position of a first probe within a body cavity , the first probe comprising a plurality of sensors , the method comprising:measuring, using the plurality of sensors of the first probe, at least one property of each of a plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields generated by electrodes of a second probe positioned adjacent to the body cavity; andestimating a position of the first probe in the body cavity, based on the measuring.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating comprises:assigning positions to the measured at least one property to create a reconstruction of a shape of the body cavity; andestimating the position of the first probe relative to the reconstruction, based on the measuring of the at least one property at the position.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one measured property comprises one or more of voltages and impedances of the crossing electromagnetic fields.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating comprises using a cost function to find a transform that ...

System for determining the location and orientation of an invasive medical instrument

A locating system for determining the location and orientation of an invasive medical instrument, for example a catheter ( 10 ) or endoscope, relative to a reference frame, comprising: a plurality of field generators ( 18, 20, 22 ) which generate known, distinguishable fields, preferably continuous AC magnetic fields, in response to drive signals; a plurality of sensors ( 30, 32, 34 ) situated in the invasive medical instrument ( 10 ) proximate the distal end thereof which generate sensor signals in response to said fields; and a signal processor ( 26 ) which has an input for a plurality of signals corresponding to said drive signals and said sensor signals and which produces the three location coordinates and three orientation coordinates of a point on the invasive medical instrument.

Gastrointestinal methods and apparatus for use in treating disorders and controlling blood sugar

A method and apparatus are provided for treating a subject. An electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject, in order to treat the subject.

Gastrointestinal methods and apparatus for use in treating disorders and controlling blood sugar

A method and apparatus are provided for treating a subject. An electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject, in order to treat the subject.

Gastrointestinal methods and apparatus for use in treating disorders and controlling blood sugar

A method and apparatus are provided for treating a subject. An electrical signal is applied to at least one stomach site of the subject. The electrical signal is configured to reduce a rise in a blood glucose level of the subject, in order to treat the subject.

Gastrointestinal methods and apparatus for use in treating disorders

A method is provided for detecting a change in posture of a subject. An electrical impedance is measured between two or more sites on a stomach (20) of the subject, and an impedance signal is generated responsive thereto. The change in posture is detected by performing a posture analysis of the impedance signal. A method is also provided for treating a subject. The method includes applying an electrical signal to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a colon (402) of the subject, and a distal small intestine (408) of the subject. The signal is configured to stimulate cells of the subject to increase secretion of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) or PYY, or to decrease secretion of ghrelin, in order to treat the subject.

Gastrointestinal apparatus for detecting a change in posture

Self-aligning catheter

A flexible, elongate probe having a distal end for insertion through physiological tissue, preferably through a lumen in the tissue. The probe includes a sensor, which generates signals indicative of a characteristic of the tissue in a vicinity of the probe, and an alignment mechanism, which deflects the distal end of the probe in response to the signals. The signals may be indicative of obstructions or of the direction of a clear channel in the lumen. The sensor preferably comprises one or more ultrasound transducers.

Method for mapping a heart using catheters having ultrasonic position sensors

A method for mapping a heart comprises the steps of inserting a mapping catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor into the heart. At least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor is also inserted into the heart. The position of the mapping catheter is determined relative to the at least one reference catheter and a portion of the heart is mapped with the mapping catheter. Additionally, the at least one reference catheter may be provided outside of the heart.

Method for mapping a heart using catheters having ultrasonic position sensors

A method for mapping a heart comprises the steps of inserting a mapping catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor into the heart. At least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor is also inserted into the heart. The position of the mapping catheter is determined relative to the at least one reference catheter and a portion of the heart is mapped with the mapping catheter. Additionally, the at least one reference catheter may be provided outside of the heart.

SELF-ORIENTATIVE CATHETER

Conformal catheter

An invasive probe apparatus includes a flexible, elongate probe having a distal end for insertion into the patient's body, first and second position sensors in a fixed, known relation to the distal end for generating signals responsive to their respective position coordinates and at least one contact sensor along a radial surface of the probe for generating a signal representing its contact with body tissue to be ablated by electrodes on the probe.

Radioactive-emission-measurement optimization to specific body structures

Systems, methods, and probes are provided for functional imaging by radioactive-emission-measurements, specfic to body structures, such as the prostate, the esophagus, the cervix, the uterus, the ovaries, the heart, the breast, the brain, and the whole body, and other body structures (fig. 5c element 206). The nuclear imaging may be performed alone, or together with structural imaging, for example, by x-rays, ultrasound, or MRI. Preferably, the radioactive-emission-measuring probes include detectors, which are adapted for individual motions with respect to the probe housings, to generate views from different orientations and to change their view orientations (fig. 5c element 207). These motions are optimized with respect to functional information gained about the body structure, by identifying preferred sets of views for measurements, based on models of the body structures abd information theoretic measures (fig. 5c element 208). A second iteration, for identifying preferred sets of views for measurements of a portion of body structure, based on models of a location of a pathology that has been identified, makes it possible, in effect, to zoom in on a suspected pathology. The systems are programmed to provide these motions automatically.

Dynamic spect camera

A method of reconstruction of a radioactive emission image. The method comprises providing a first system of voxels for a region of interest, obtaining radioactive-emission data from the region of interest, performing a first reconstruction, based on the radioactive-emission data and the first system of voxels, to obtain a first image, correcting the first system of voxels, by aligning voxel boundaries with object boundaries, based on the first image; thus obtaining a second system of voxels, and performing a second reconstruction, based on the radioactive-emission data and the second system of voxels, thus obtaining a second image.

Diagnostic kit and methods for radioimaging myocardial perfusion

A method of radioimaging a myocardial perfusion, the method including in sequence: administering to a subject a low dose of a first radiopharmaceutical; subjecting the subject to a physical stress; administering to the subject at a peak of said physical stress a medium or high dose of a second radiopharmaceutical; and immediately radioimaging using a 3D non-coincidence imaging method a heart of the subject, thereby radioimaging a myocardial perfusion.

System and method for radioactive emission measurement

A method of radioactive-emission-measurement. The method comprises providing a camera for the detection of single emissions, which defines proximal and distal ends. The camera is configured for enabling a reconstruction of a volumetric image having a line spread function of less than 7 mm Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) when given a substantially line source of radioactive emission, with an activity of 5 mCi, within a region-of-interest volume, at a distance of at least 100 mm from said distal end, with air being substantially the only operating medium. The method further comprises detecting at least 1 of every 5000 photons, emitted from at least one radioactive-emission source, located within a certain region-of-interest volume, using the camera, and reconstructing a volumetric radioactive-emission image from the detected photons.