Guided procedures for treating atrial fibrillation

A method for pre-planning and treating atrial fibrillation in a heart of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• placing an ultrasonic catheter in a first chamber of the heart;
• acquiring two-dimensional ultrasonic images of a second chamber of the heart and at least a portion of surrounding structures of the second chamber using the ultrasonic catheter placed in the first chamber;
• reconstructing a three-dimensional ultrasonic image based on the two-dimensional ultrasonic images;
• displaying the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• identifying at least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• marking the at least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• determining dimensions of the at least one key landmark;
• identifying one or more points for treatment on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• determining paths to the one or more points for treatment using the marked at least one key landmark and the determined dimensions of the at least one key landmark as a guide;
• simulating on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image insertion of a sheath into the heart;
• simulating on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image insertion of a medical device through the sheath and within the second chamber of the heart;
• verifying that the one or more points for treatment in the second chamber of the heart can be accessed for treatment;
• outlining a plan based on the simulation;
• using the plan, penetrating the septum of the heart for accessing the second chamber of the heart;
• positioning a sheath through the penetrated septum and within the second chamber of the heart;
• inserting an ablation catheter through the sheath and into the second chamber of the heart;
• and
• ablating a portion of the second chamber of the heart using the ablation catheter while under observation with the ultrasound catheter located in the first chamber of the heart.

A method for simulating, developing a plan and treating atrial fibrillation in a heart of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• placing an ultrasonic catheter in a first chamber of the heart;
• acquiring two-dimensional ultrasonic images of a second chamber of the heart and at least a portion of surrounding structures of the second chamber using the ultrasonic catheter placed in the first chamber;
• reconstructing a three-dimensional ultrasonic image based on the two-dimensional ultrasonic images;
• displaying the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• identifying at least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• marking the at least one key landmark on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• determining dimensions of the at least one key landmark;
• identifying one or more points for treatment on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image;
• determining paths to the one or more points for treatment using the marked at least one key landmark and the determined dimensions of the at least one key landmark as a guide;
• simulating on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image insertion of a sheath into the heart;
• simulating on the reconstructed three-dimensional ultrasonic image insertion of a medical device though the sheath and within the second chamber of the heart;
• verifying that the one or more points for treatment in the second chamber of the heart can be accessed for treatment;
• outlining a plan based on the simulation;
• using the plan, penetrating the septum of the heart for accessing the second chamber of the heart;
• positioning a sheath though the penetrated septum and within the second chamber of the heart;
• inserting an ablation catheter though the sheath and into the second chamber of the heart;
• and
• ablating a portion of the second chamber of the heart using the ablation catheter while under observation with the ultrasound catheter located in the first chamber of the heart.