System and method for guiding direction to and treating targets for abnormal biological rhythms

A system for treating a heart rhythm disorder, the system comprising:

• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter comprising:
• a flexible body disposed at the distal end of the catheter, the flexible body having a contact surface configured to substantially conform to a tissue surface within a target region;
• an array of sensor electrodes arranged within the flexible body, each sensor electrode having a conductive surface substantially flush with the contact surface, each sensor electrode configured to detect electrical signals from corresponding regions of the tissue surface in contact with the contact surface;
• and
• one or more treatment elements disposed within the flexible body configured to deliver energy to the tissue surface;
• an elongated hollow shaft having a length configured to retain a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a distal end connected to one of a sensor electrode and the one or more treatment elements within the flexible body;
• and
• a controller disposed at a proximal end of the catheter, the controller in communication with the plurality of conductors and a processor configured to:
• receive the detected electrical signals;
• determine from the detected electrical signals a location of a treatment target within the target region associated with the heart rhythm disorder;
• determine from the detected signals whether the one or more treatment elements overlies the treatment target, and, if not overlying the treatment target, to compute directionality to the treatment target and generate instructions to navigate the catheter toward the treatment target;
• and
• after determining that the one or more treatment elements is at least partially overlying the treatment target, generate treatment signals to activate the one or more treatment elements to modify tissue in the target region.