Bipolar Ablation Graphical User Interface

Abstract

To generate and present a graphical user interface that can be used to select ablation electrodes on an ablation catheter.SOLUTION: Methods, apparatuses and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include grouping a set of electrodes disposed at a distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue in a body cavity into a plurality of groups of adjacent electrodes. A set of selectable widgets having a one-to-one correspondence with the groups is presented on a display and, in response to receiving an input indicating selection of a given widget, an ablation selection status of one or more of the electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget can be toggled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 128,878, filed December 22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) The present invention generally relates to tissue ablation procedures, and more particularly to generating and presenting a graphical user interface that can be used to select ablation electrodes on an ablation catheter.

Background Art

[0003] Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm typically caused by small areas of heart tissue that produce an irregular heartbeat. Cardiac ablation is a medical procedure that can be performed to treat arrhythmia by destroying the area of heart tissue causing the irregular heartbeat. Some medical systems use irreversible electroporation (IRE) to excise heart tissue. IRE is a non - thermal ablation method based on the irreversible permeabilization of cell membranes caused by short pulses of high voltage delivered to the tissue.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0171942 to Werneth et al. describes a user interface for a tissue ablation system. The user interface can be used in conjunction with an ablation catheter that includes at least two ablation elements for delivering energy to tissue. The user interface provides a visual representation of the geometric shapes of the at least two ablation elements. The system may be programmable such that energy is delivered to specific electrodes or electrode pairs within a predetermined sequence or sequences determined and / or selected by an operator.

[0005] Edwards et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,844,406, describes a graphical user interface (GUI) for associating electrode structures deployed in contact with a tissue area. Using this GUI, a physician can select or deselect individual electrodes using selection keys in standby or ready mode. The GUI can typically be configured to prevent electrode selection / deselection while ablation energy is not being delivered to the electrodes, but to allow electrode selection / deselection during ablation energy delivery.

[0006] Govari et al., U.S. Patent Application No. 2019 / 0175265, describes a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying an estimated cardiac catheter in proximity to the esophagus. The GUI displays the placement of catheter electrodes 40 in diagrammatic form. In one embodiment, the GUI displays the placement of electrodes relative to esophageal tissue by presenting a diagram showing the respective distances of the electrodes to marked locations on the esophageal tissue.

[0007] Brewster et al., U.S. Patent No. 10,470,826, describes a system and method for selecting, activating, or selecting and activating transducers. The system includes a transducer-based device that takes a non-expandable configuration for delivery to the left atrium and expands when deployed within the left atrium to allow multiple adjacent transducers to engage with the tissue of the left atrium. The system also includes a graphical user interface that presents a corresponding transducer graphical element on the device and enables transducer selection.

[0008] Panescue et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,625,482, describes a graphical user interface (GUI) for use with multiple electrode catheters. The GUI can generate and display images of multiple electrode catheters and present highlighted symbols indicating early activation sites adjacent to specific electrodes. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method comprising: grouping a set of electrodes, which are positioned at the distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue in a body cavity, into a plurality of adjacent electrode groups; presenting a set of selectable widgets on a display that correspond one-to-one with the groups; having a processor receive an input indicating the selection of a given widget; and, in response to the selection, switching the ablation selection state of one or more electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget.

[0010] In one embodiment, the group includes overlapping electrode groups.

[0011] In another embodiment, the method further includes identifying an ablation selection state for each electrode and presenting a set of icons on a display that correspond one-to-one with the electrodes, the presented icons comprising a visual representation of each of the electrode's ablation selection states.

[0012] In additional embodiments, the distal end is selected from the group consisting of lassos, baskets, balloons, and deflectable elements.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the method further includes identifying a toggle state for each of a group, indicating whether the toggle state for a given group can switch the ablation selection state of any of the electrodes in the given group between a selectable state and a non-selectable state, and the presented widget includes a visual representation of each of the toggle states of the widget, indicating that receiving the toggle state of a given widget can switch the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group.

[0014] In a supplemental embodiment, the method further includes presenting a toggle widget on a display, and upon receiving an input to select the toggle widget, setting the ablation selection state of multiple electrodes to a selectable state.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further includes presenting a toggle widget on a display, and upon receiving an input to select a toggle widget, setting the ablation selection state of a plurality of electrodes to a non-selectable state.

[0016] In another embodiment, the electrode includes an ablation electrode, and the method further includes transferring ablation energy to an ablation electrode having a selectable state.

[0017] Furthermore, the ablation energy includes irreversible electroporation.

[0018] In a further embodiment, selecting a given widget involves switching the given widget between a widget selected state and a widget deselected state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the selected widget is switched from a deselected state to a selected state in response to an input, and if it is detected that the ablation selection state of an electrode adjacent to an electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is unselected, the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group is set to selected.

[0020] In other embodiments, each group includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, and the selected widget is switched from a widget deselected state to a widget selected state in response to an input, and when it is detected that the ablation selection state of an electrode adjacent to an electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is selected, the ablation selection state of one or more inner electrodes in the corresponding group is set to selected.

[0021] In additional embodiments, each group includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, and the selected widget is switched from a widget deselected state to a widget selected state in response to an input, the ablation selection state of a first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected to be selected, and if the ablation selection state of the first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected to be unselected, the ablation selection state of the outer electrode adjacent to the first given electrode is set to selected.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the selected widget is switched from a deselected state to a selected state in response to an input, and if it is detected that the ablation selection state of an electrode adjacent to an electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is not selected, the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group is set to deselected.

[0023] In a supplementary embodiment, each group includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, and the selected widget is switched from a widget selected state to a widget deselected state in response to an input, and when it is detected that the ablation selection state of an electrode adjacent to an electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is selected, the ablation selection state of one or more inner electrodes in the corresponding group is set to deselected.

[0024] In an additional embodiment, each group includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, and the selected widget is switched from a widget selected state to a widget deselected state in response to an input, the ablation selection state of a first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected as selected, and if the ablation selection state of the first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected as unselected, the ablation selection state of the outer electrode adjacent to the first given electrode is set to deselected.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an invasive medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, comprising a set of electrodes disposed at a distal end of the probe and configured to contact tissue within the body cavity, an invasive medical probe, a display, and a processor configured to group the set of electrodes into a plurality of adjacent electrode groups, present a set of selectable widgets on the display that correspond one-to-one with the groups, receive an input indicating a selection of a given widget, and in response to the selection, switch the ablation selection state of one or more of the electrodes within the group corresponding to the selected widget.

[0026] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer software product that operates with a medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, the probe comprising a set of electrodes disposed at a distal end of the probe and configured to contact tissue within the body cavity, the product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to group the set of electrodes into a plurality of adjacent electrode groups, present a set of selectable widgets on the display that correspond one-to-one with the groups, receive an input indicating a selection of a given widget, and in response to the selection, switch the ablation selection state of one or more of the electrodes within the group corresponding to the selected widget. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In this specification, the present disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a medical system comprising a multi-electrode medical probe according to one embodiment of the present invention and a control console configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting and deselecting electrode groups. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a first example of the distal end of a multi-electrode balloon medical probe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a GUI that may be used to select and deselect electrodes in a first example of a multi-electrode balloon medical probe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a second example of the distal end of a multi-electrode lasso medical probe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a GUI that may be used to select and deselect electrodes in a second example of a multi-electrode lasso medical probe according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This flowchart schematically illustrates a method for selecting and deselecting electrodes of a multi-electrode medical probe using a GUI, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a widget that a GUI can present to select and deselect a group of electrodes, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of an example GUI for selecting and deselecting electrode groups according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] During irreversible electroporation (IRE) bipolar ablation procedures, the operator typically desires to excise a selected area close to the catheter electrodes. However, when using multi-electrode circular catheters (e.g., lasso catheters, small basket catheters, and small balloon catheters), there are limitations on which electrodes can be used efficiently.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for selecting electrodes of a multi-electrode catheter. As described below, a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue within a body cavity are grouped into a plurality of adjacent electrode groups, and a set of selectable widgets corresponding one-to-one with each group is presented on a display. Upon receiving input indicating the selection of a given widget, the ablation selection state of one or more electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget can be switched in response to the selection.

[0030] In some embodiments, the widgets can be presented in a visual configuration that shows a toggle state for each group, where the toggle state for a given group indicates whether any of the electrodes in the given group can be switched between a selectable and an unselectable state. In these embodiments, a first given widget having a selectable state corresponds to a first given group of electrodes whose ablation selectable state can be switched, and a second given widget having an unselectable state corresponds to a second given group of electrodes whose ablation selectable state cannot be switched. A system implementing embodiments of the present invention can configure the toggle states of the widgets to prevent any gaps in the electrodes selected for ablation, thereby balancing (i.e., stabilizing) the delivery of ablation energy from the electrodes to the body cavity tissue.

[0031] System Description Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a medical system 20 comprising an invasive medical probe 22 and a control console 24, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The medical system 20 may be based on, for example, the CARTO® system manufactured by Biosense Webster Inc. (33 Technology Drive, Irvine, CA 92618 USA). In embodiments described herein, the medical probe 22 can be used for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, for example, to perform an ablation procedure on the heart 26 of a patient 28. Alternatively, the medical probe 22 can also be used for other therapeutic and / or diagnostic purposes in the heart or other organs of the body, with necessary modifications.

[0032] The probe 22 comprises an insertion tube 30 and a handle 32 connected to the proximal end of the insertion tube. During a medical procedure, a medical professional 34 can insert the probe 22 through the vascular system of the patient 28, so that the distal end 36 of the medical probe enters a body cavity such as a cardiac chamber 26. Once the distal end 36 enters the cardiac chamber 26, the medical professional 34 can deploy an electrode assembly 38 fixed to the distal end 26. The electrode assembly 38 comprises a set of electrodes 40 arranged in a circular configuration, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 4 below.

[0033] To initiate a medical procedure such as irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation, a medical professional 34 can operate the handle 32 to position the distal end 36 so that the electrode 40 engages with cardiac tissue at a desired position(s). In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 38 may include a balloon-shaped electrode assembly, as described in the description with reference to Figure 2 below, or a lasso-shaped electrode assembly, as described in Figure 4 below. Although the embodiments described herein are described using a balloon electrode assembly or a lasso electrode assembly, other configurations of the electrode assembly 38 are also considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. In one example, the electrode assembly 38 may include a basket-shaped electrode assembly. In another example, the electrode assembly 38 may include a set of electrodes 40 fixed to a deflectable tip element of the distal end 36.

[0034] In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the control console 24 is connected via a cable 42 to a body surface electrode, which typically has an adhesive skin patch 44 attached to a patient 28. The control console 24 includes a processor 46 that works in conjunction with a current tracking module 48 to determine the position coordinates of the distal end 36 inside the heart 26 based on the impedance and / or current measured between the adhesive skin patch 44 and the electrode 40 attached to the electrode assembly 38. In addition to being used as a position sensor during medical procedures, the electrode 48 may perform other tasks, such as tissue ablation within the heart.

[0035] As described above, in conjunction with the current tracking module 48, the processor 46 may determine the position coordinates of the distal end 36 inside the heart 26 based on the impedance and / or current measured between the adhesive skin patch 44 and the electrode 40. Such a determination is typically made after a calibration process has been performed to associate the impedance or current with a known location at the distal end. In embodiments of the present invention, the electrode 40 is also configured to apply IRE ablation energy to the tissue within the heart 26.

[0036] The processor 46 may include a real-time noise reduction circuit 50, typically configured as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a subsequent analog-to-digital (A / D) signal conversion integrated circuit 52. The processor can be programmed to implement one or more algorithms disclosed herein, each of which includes the steps described below. The processor uses circuits 50 and 52, as well as the features of the modules described in more detail below, to implement one or more algorithms.

[0037] The medical system shown in Figure 1 measures the location of the distal end 36 using impedance or current-based sensing, but other location tracking techniques may be used (e.g., techniques using magnetic-based sensors). Impedance and current-based location tracking techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,983,126, 6,456,864, and 5,944,022. The location sensing methods described herein are implemented in the aforementioned CARTO® system and are described in detail in the patents cited above.

[0038] The control console 24 also includes an input / output (I / O) communication interface 54 that enables the control console 24 to transfer signals from and / or to the electrodes 40 and the adhesive skin patch 44. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the control console 24 further includes an IRE ablation module 56 and a switching module 58.

[0039] The IRE ablation module 56 is configured to generate IRE pulses containing peak power in the range of tens of kilowatts. As described below, the medical system 20 performs IRE ablation by delivering IRE pulses to the electrode pair 40. Using the switching module 58, the IRE ablation module 56 can deliver one or more IRE pulses independently to each of the electrode pair.

[0040] In the embodiment described above, the electrode assembly 38 may include a balloon. In this embodiment, the control console 24 further includes an inflation module 60 as described below with reference to Figure 2.

[0041] In embodiments described herein, the processor 46 runs and presents a graphical user interface (GUI) 62 on the display 64. As described below, the medical professional 34 can use the GUI 62 to select a group of electrodes to be used to deliver IRE ablation energy to the tissues within the heart 26. In some embodiments, the medical professional 34 can interact with the GUI 62 using one or more input devices 62. In alternative embodiments, the display 64 may include a touchscreen that, in addition to presenting the GUI 62, can be configured to receive input from the medical professional 34.

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrode assembly 38 according to a first electrode assembly embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the electrode 40 is attached to the outer wall of the balloon 70. The balloon 70 is fixed to a tubular shaft 72 that extends from the distal end of the lumen 74 of the insertion tube 30, and the balloon is configured to expand through the lumen into a body cavity such as the heart 26. To inflate the balloon 70, the inflation module 60 can pump a fluid (e.g., saline solution) into the balloon through an inflation lumen (not shown) housed in the shaft 72.

[0043] The balloon 70 is typically formed from a biocompatible material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane, nylon, or Pebax. The electrode 40 can be manufactured together with the balloon and typically includes gold covering the outer wall of the balloon. For simplification, the connections of the electrode 40 to interface 54 and modules 56, 58 are not shown. In Figure 2, the electrodes 40 in the first set can be distinguished by adding letters to their identification numbers, and the electrodes include electrodes 40A to 40J.

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of GUI62 according to a first GUI embodiment of the present invention. In the first GUI embodiment, GUI62 comprises a first set of electrode icons 80 that correspond one-to-one with a first set of electrodes 40 attached to a balloon 70, a first set of triplet selection widgets 82, and a toggle widget 84.

[0045] In Figure 3 (and Figures 14 and 15 described below), icons 80 and selectable widgets 82 can be distinguished by adding letters to their identification numbers, with electrode icons including icons 80A to 80J, and group selection widgets including widgets 82A to 82J.

[0046] Typically, the medical system 20 is constrained to perform the IRE ablation operation on the tissue within the patient's body cavity using a specific grouping of electrodes 40. In the embodiments described herein, the constraint is that the medical system 20 uses a triplet of electrodes. For example, if a given triplet includes electrodes corresponding to icons 80A, 80B, and 80C, the medical system 20 performs bipolar ablation sequentially using the following electrode pairs: ● Electrodes compatible with Icon 80A and 80B. ● Electrodes compatible with Icon 80B and 80C. ● Electrodes compatible with Icon 80A and 80C.

[0047] While using the medical system 20, a medical professional 34 interacts with the GUI 62 (for example, using an input device 66 or touchscreen 64) to select a given widget 82, and in response to the selection of a given widget, the processor 46 can select / deselect each triplet of electrode icons 80 according to the table below (thereby selecting / deselecting the corresponding electrode 40 for IRE ablation).

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] In GUI62, the toggle widget 84 is similar to an on / off switch in that, in response to the medical professional 34 selecting the toggle widget, the processor 46 selects / deselects all icons 82 (i.e., icons 80A-80J) presented by the GUI in Figure 3.

[0050] While embodiments of this specification describe electrode selection in the form of a triplet, the use of other groupings of electrodes 40 is also considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, electrodes 40 may be selected using a quad grouping (e.g., a grouping of electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80A, 80B, 80C, and 80D).

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrode assembly 38 according to a second embodiment of the electrode assembly of the present invention. In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the electrode assembly 38 comprises a second set of electrodes 40 fixed to an end 90 formed as a complete or partial lasso, i.e., as a pre-formed arched structure. In Figure 4, the electrodes 40 in the second set can be distinguished by adding letters to their identification numbers, and the electrodes include electrodes 40K to 40T.

[0052] In the embodiments described herein, the end 90 may be referred to as the lasso 90. The arcuate and possibly helical shape of the end 90 may be maintained by incorporating a thin strut (not shown) made of a shape-memory material such as nitinol and shaped to the desired form into the end. The strut is typically made sufficiently flexible to allow it to straighten while the end is inserted through the lumen 74, but to return to its arcuate shape when it becomes unrestrained within the cardiac chamber. A second set of electrodes 40 is connected to a control console 24 by a wire (not shown) extending through a medical probe 22.

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of GUI62 according to a second GUI embodiment of the present invention. In the second GUI embodiment, GUI62 comprises a second set of electrode icons 80 that correspond one-to-one with a second set of electrodes 40 attached to the lasso 90, a second set of group selection widgets 82, and a toggle widget 84.

[0054] In Figure 5 (and Figures 8-13 described below), icons 80 and widgets 82 can be distinguished by adding letters to their identification numbers, with electrode icons including icons 80K-80T and group selection widgets including widgets 82K-82R.

[0055] While using the medical system 20, a medical professional 34 interacts with the GUI 62 (for example, using an input device 66 or touchscreen 64) to select a given widget 82, and in response to the selection of a given widget, the processor 46 can select / deselect a triplet of electrode icons 80 according to the table below (thereby selecting / deselecting the corresponding electrode 40 for IRE ablation).

[0056] [Table 2]

[0057] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for selecting and deselecting a triplet of adjacent electrode icons using a GUI 62 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In insertion step 100, the medical professional 34 inserts the distal end 36 of the medical probe 22 into a body cavity (e.g., a cardiac chamber 26) of the patient 28, and in engagement step 102, the medical professional manipulates the handle 32 so that the electrode assembly 38 engages with the tissue in the body cavity.

[0058] In the grouping step 104, the processor 46 divides the electrode 40 into overlapping groups of multiple adjacent electrodes 40. The examples described herein describe groups containing triplets corresponding to widgets 82A to 82R, but groups containing any multiple electrodes 40 (e.g., two, four, or five) are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0059] In the first identification step 106, the processor 46 identifies the ablation selection state (i.e., selected or unselected) of each electrode 40. In the embodiments described herein, the ablation selection state for a given electrode 40 may include a selected state or an unselected state, and the ablation module 56 and the switching module 58 deliver IRE ablation energy only to the selected electrode (i.e., having a selected state).

[0060] In the second identification step 108, the processor 46 identifies the respective toggle states for each widget corresponding to each set of electrodes 40 (e.g., a triplet). In embodiments herein, the toggle states of a given group are indicated by the toggle states of the corresponding widgets 82. The toggle states are described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0061] As described above, the medical system 20 is constrained to perform the IRE ablation operation on the tissue within the patient's body cavity using a specific grouping of electrodes 40. In the embodiments described herein, each group comprises a triplet of electrodes 40. However, if the medical professional 34 selects several triplets of electrodes 40, this may cause problems with the ablation.

[0062] For example, a medical professional 34 may select a first triplet including electrodes 40B, 40C, and 40D, and a second triplet including electrodes 40E, 40F, and 40G. These triplets include electrodes 40B-40G, but the tissue region between adjacent electrodes 40D and 40E is not covered (by the selected triplet). In some embodiments, the processor 46 can prevent this selection (i.e., the triplets 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E, 40F, and 40G) to prevent ambiguity about whether the tissue region between adjacent electrodes 40D and 40E is ablated. In this example (selecting the triplets 40B, 40C, 40D, and 40E, 40F, and 40G), even if electrodes 40B-40G are selected, the tissue region between adjacent electrodes 40D and 40E is not excised because none of the selected triplets include the pair of electrodes 40D and 40E. Examples of ablation procedures with gaps are described in the explanation below, referring to Figure 15.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the GUI 62 can prevent the medical professional 34 from selecting a second triplet (i.e., preventing the formation of a gap between electrodes 40D and 40E). In the second embodiment, the GUI 62 accepts the selection of the first and second triplets, detects that the area between electrodes 40D and 40E is not covered, and automatically selects further triplets of electrodes 40D, 40D, 40E and electrodes 40D, 40E, 40F to cover the gap between electrodes 40D and 40E. In this embodiment, the GUI 62 can reflect these automatically selected triplets as described in the following description with reference to Figure 15. By automatically selecting triplets 40C, 40D, 40E and 40D, 40E, 40F, the GUI 62 can ensure that the medical system 20 can deliver an additional amount of ablation energy to the area of ​​tissue surrounded by electrodes 40B and 40G.

[0064] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing examples of visual configurations 130-136 of widgets 82 that can be used by GUI 62 to indicate the toggle state of the corresponding triplet of electrode 40, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiments described herein, the toggle state for a given triplet of electrode 40 indicates whether a given triplet is selected or deselected, and whether the ablation selection state of the triplet electrode can be changed. In the example shown in Figure 7, ● A given widget 82, including the visual configuration 130, indicates that the electrode in the corresponding triplet is not currently selected and cannot be selected. ●A given widget 82, including the visual configuration 132, indicates that the electrodes in the corresponding triplet are not currently selected but can be selected. ●A given widget 82, including the visual configuration 134, indicates that the electrodes in the corresponding triplet are currently selected and can be deselected. ●A given widget 82, including the visual configuration 136, indicates that the electrode in the corresponding triplet is currently selected but cannot be deselected.

[0065] In some embodiments, the toggle state of a given group indicates whether the group can be selected / deselected. In these embodiments, the toggle state of a given group referenced by a given widget 82 including visual configurations 132 and 134 is selectable (i.e., the group can be selected / deselected), while a given group referenced by a given widget 82 including visual configurations 130 and 136 is not selectable (i.e., the group cannot be selected / deselected).

[0066] Returning to the flowchart, in the first presentation step 110, the processor 46 presents a GUI 62 which includes a set of icons 80 that correspond one-to-one with the electrodes 40 and indicate the ablation selection state for each. As described above, the ablation selection state for a given electrode 40 indicates whether the given electrode has been selected.

[0067] In some embodiments, the GUI62 may present icons 80 using visual configurations that indicate each ablation selection state. In the examples described below with reference to Figures 8 to 15, if a given electrode 40 is selected, the GUI62 presents the corresponding icon 80 with shading, and if a given electrode 40 is not selected, the GUI presents the corresponding icon 80 without shading.

[0068] In the second presentation step 112, the processor 45 presents a set of widgets 82 in the GUI 62 that correspond one-to-one with the defined triplets of electrode 40 and indicate the toggle state of each. As described above with reference to Figure 7, the toggle state of electrode 40 for a given triplet indicates whether the given triplet is selected and can be deselected, selected but cannot be deselected, not selected but can be selected, or not selected and cannot be selected.

[0069] Figures 8-15 show examples of how the GUI62 can present icons 80 and widgets 82 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The GUI62 in Figures 8-13 can be used to control the electrode assembly described in the above description with reference to Figures 4 and 5, and the GUI in Figures 14 and 15 can be used to control the electrode assembly described in the above description with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 8, GUI62 presents all widgets 82 using a visual configuration 132, thereby indicating that electrode 40 is not currently selected for ablation. Thus, GUI62 presents all icons 80 without shading.

[0071] In the example shown in Figure 9, in response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82L, the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80L-80N. In this example, GUI 62 presents widget 82L using a visual configuration 134 and shaded icons 80L-80N indicating that electrodes 40L-40N have been selected for ablation. The example presented in Figure 9 can immediately follow the example presented in Figure 8.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 9, ●The electrode groups corresponding to (i.e., referenced by) widget 82L include 40L, 40M, and 40N, respectively, which are referenced by icons 80L, 80M, and 80N. ●The electrodes 40 adjacent to this group (i.e., electrodes 40L, 40M, and 40N) include electrodes 40K and 40O, which are referenced by icons 80K and 80O, respectively. ●In this group, electrodes 40L and 40N may be referred to as the outer ablation electrode 40 in this specification, and since electrode 40M is surrounded by electrodes 40L and 40N, electrode 40M may be referred to as the inner electrode 40M in this specification. As described above, each group may include four or more electrodes 40. In these embodiments, if a given group includes electrodes 40P, 40Q, 40R, and 40S, the outer electrode includes electrodes 40P and 40S, and the inner electrode includes electrodes 40Q and 40R. In other words, the inner electrode may include one or more electrodes 40.

[0073] The examples shown in Figures 8 and 9 below, and Figures 10 to 15 below, can be based on the following set of rules for a given widget 82 corresponding to a given group of three or more adjacent electrodes 40. ●In an embodiment in which the processor 46 changes the visual configuration of a given widget from visual configuration 132 to visual configuration 134 or 136 in response to input from a given input device 66, ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of both electrodes 40 adjacent to the group is "not selected", the processor can change the ablation selection state of the electrodes in the group to "selected". ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of both electrodes 40 adjacent to the group is "selected", the processor can change the ablation selection state of one or more inner electrodes within the group to "selected". ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of only one of the outer electrodes in the group is "not selected" (i.e., the ablation selection state of the other outer electrodes in the group is "selected"), the processor can change the ablation selection state of only one of the electrodes to "selected". ●In an embodiment in which the processor 46 changes the visual configuration of a given widget from visual configuration 134 to visual configuration 130 or 132 in response to input from a given input device 66, ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of both electrodes 40 adjacent to the group is "selected", the processor can change the ablation selection state of the electrodes in the group to "not selected". ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of both electrodes 40 adjacent to the group is "selected", the processor can change the ablation selection state of one or more inner electrodes within the group to "not selected". ○If the processor 46 detects that the ablation selection state of only one of the outer electrodes in the group is "selected" (i.e., the ablation selection state of the other outer electrodes in the group is "not selected"), the processor may change the ablation selection state of only one of the electrodes to "not selected".

[0074] It should be noted that the above rule, which results in the processor 46 changing the ablation selection state of the "inner" electrode, applies only to embodiments in which the group includes three or more electrodes 40.

[0075] In the example shown in Figure 10, in response to the medical professional 34 clicking widgets 82L, 82M, 82N, and 82O, the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80L-80Q. In this example, the GUI 62 presents widgets 82L-82O using a visual configuration 134 and shaded icons 80L-80Q indicating that electrodes 40L-40Q have been selected for ablation. In some of the embodiments described above, the medical professional 34 can select electrodes corresponding to icons 80L-80Q by selecting widgets 82L and 82O, and the GUI 62 automatically "inputs" widgets 82M and 82N (i.e., by selecting them). The example presented in Figure 10 can immediately follow the example presented in Figure 9.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 11, in response to a medical professional 34 clicking widgets 82L and 82P, the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80L-80N and 80P-80R. In this example, the GUI 62 presents widgets 82L and 82P using a visual configuration 134 and shaded icons 80L-80N and 80P-80R indicating that electrodes 40L-40N and electrodes 40P-40R have been selected for ablation.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the example presented in Figure 11 can immediately follow the example presented in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the GUI 62 can transition from the configuration presented in Figure 9 to the configuration presented in Figure 11 in response to a medical professional 34 clicking (i.e., selecting) a widget 82P.

[0078] In a second embodiment, the example presented in Figure 11 may immediately follow the example presented in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the GUI 62 may transition from the configuration presented in Figure 10 to the configuration presented in Figure 11 in response to a medical professional 34 clicking the following sequence of widgets 82. ● Widget 82O. In Figure 10, GUI62 presents widget 82O using visual configuration 134, indicating that the triple electrode 40O, 40P, and 40Q is selected. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82O, GUI62 may deselect electrode 40Q and present widget 82O using visual configuration 132, as shown in Figure 11. ● Widget 82N. In Figure 10, GUI62 presents widget 82N using visual configuration 134, indicating that the triple of electrodes 40N, 40O, and 40P is selected. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82N, GUI62 can deselect electrode 40P and present widget 82N using visual configuration 132, as shown in Figure 11. ● Widget 82M. In Figure 10, GUI62 presents widget 82M using visual configuration 134, indicating that the triple electrode 40M, 40N, and 40O is selected. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82M, GUI62 can deselect electrode 40O and present widget 82M using visual configuration 132, as shown in Figure 11. ●Widget 82P. In Figure 10, GUI62 presents widget 82P using visual configuration 132. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82P, GUI62 may select a triplet of electrodes 40P, 40Q, and 30R and present widget 82P using visual configuration 134, as shown in Figure 11.

[0079] In a third embodiment, the example presented in Figure 11 may immediately follow the example presented in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the GUI 62 may transition from the configuration presented in Figure 10 to the configuration presented in Figure 11 in response to the medical professional 34 clicking the following sequence of widgets 82. ●Widget 82N. In Figure 10, GUI62 presents widgets 82N and 82O using visual configuration 134, indicating that electrodes 40N, 40O, 40P, and the triplet 40O, 40P, 40Q are selected. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82N, GUI62 can deselect electrodes 40P and 40Q (i.e., the GUI automatically deselects electrode 40Q) and present widgets 82N and 82O using visual configuration 132, as shown in Figure 11. ●Widget 82M. In Figure 10, GUI 62 presents widget 82M using visual configuration 134. When processor 46 detects that a medical professional 34 has clicked widget 82M, it can present widget 82M using visual configuration 132. ●Widget 82P. In Figure 10, GUI 62 presents widget 82P using visual configuration 132. In response to a medical professional 34 clicking widget 82P, GUI 62 may select electrode 40P and present widget 82P using visual configuration 134, as shown in Figure 11.

[0080] As shown in Figure 11, no electrode corresponding to icon 80O is selected. Thus, this example allows a medical professional 34 to configure the medical system 20 to perform IRE ablation in the gap (i.e., the area of ​​tissue engaged by the electrode corresponding to icon 80O) (i.e., via GUI 62).

[0081] In the example shown in Figure 12, in response to the medical professional 34 clicking widgets 82K-82R (i.e., all triplet selection widgets in Figure 12), the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80K-80T (i.e., all icons in Figure 12) for ablation. In this example, the medical professional 34 clicks all widgets 82K-82R (i.e., GUI 62 does not automatically "select" any of the widgets), and during selection, GUI 62 prevents the medical professional from selecting widgets that could result in uneven ablation by electrodes 40.

[0082] In the configuration shown in Figure 12, the GUI 62 presents widgets 82K and 82R using visual configuration 134, widgets 82L to 82Q using visual configuration 136, and shaded icons 80K to 80T (i.e., all icons in Figure 12) indicating that electrodes 40K to 40T are selected for ablation. In an alternative embodiment, the processor 46 can select electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80K to 80T in response to a medical professional 34 "sliding" a toggle widget 84 from left to right, thereby selecting electrodes corresponding to all icons in Figure 12.

[0083] The example shown in Figure 13 can immediately follow the example presented in Figure 9. In this example, in response to the medical professional 34 clicking widgets 82L-82O, the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80L-80Q for ablation. In this example, the GUI 62 presents widgets 82K and 82P using visual configuration 132, widgets 82L and 82O using visual configuration 134, widgets 82M and 82N using visual configuration 136, widgets 82Q and 82R using visual configuration 130, and shaded icons 80L-80Q indicating that electrodes 40L-40Q are selected for ablation, as well as unshaded icons 80K and 80R-80T. In this example, the professional 34 clicks all widgets 82L-82O (i.e., the GUI 62 does not automatically "enter" any of the widgets), and during selection, the GUI 62 prevents the medical professional from selecting widgets that could result in uneven ablation by electrodes 40.

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 14, in response to the medical professional 34 clicking widgets 82A-82J (i.e., all triplet selection widgets in Figure 14), the processor 46 selects electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80A-80J (i.e., all icons in Figure 14). In this example, the GUI 62 uses a visual configuration 134 to present widgets 82A-82J and shaded icons 80A-80J (i.e., all icons in Figure 14) indicating that electrodes 40A-40J have been selected for ablation. In an alternative embodiment, the processor 46 can select electrodes 40 corresponding to icons 80K-80T in response to the medical professional 34 "sliding" the toggle widget 84 from left to right, thereby selecting electrodes corresponding to all icons in Figure 14.

[0085] In both Figures 12 and 14, the ablation selection state for each electrode 40 is shown as "selected," but the toggle state of the widget 82 differs between the two figures. This is due to the different configurations of the electrode assemblies presented in these figures. The electrode assembly shown in Figure 12 corresponds to the lasso-shaped electrode assembly shown in Figure 4, and the electrode assembly shown in Figure 14 corresponds to the balloon-shaped electrode assembly shown in Figure 2. In the balloon-shaped electrode assembly, a given widget 82 corresponds to a given group of electrodes including electrodes 40A and 40J, while none of the widgets in the lasso-shaped electrode assembly correspond to a group of electrodes including electrodes 40K and 40T.

[0086] In some embodiments, a medical professional 34 can select electrodes 40A to 40J by clicking at least four widgets 82 (i.e., transition from the configuration of widgets 82 shown in Figure 3 to the configuration shown in Figure 14). In one example, the medical professional 34 can select electrodes 40A to 40J by clicking one of the following sequence of widgets 82: 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D, 82E, 82F, 82G, and 82H. When the GUI 62 detects this sequence, the GUI can automatically select widgets 80I and 80J to prevent ablation gaps between electrodes 40I and 40J.

[0087] In another example, a medical professional 34 can select electrodes 40A-40J by clicking one of the following sequences in widget 82. ●82A, 82D, 82G, and 82H. Therefore, upon detecting the sequence, GUI62 can automatically "input" widgets 82B, 82C, 82E, 82F, 82I, and 82J to select electrodes 40A to 40J. ●82A, 82D, 82G, and 82I. Therefore, upon detecting the sequence, GUI62 can automatically "input" widgets 82B, 82C, 82E, 82F, 82H, and 82J to select electrodes 40A to 40J. ●82A, 82D, 82G, and 82J. Therefore, upon detecting the sequence, GUI62 can automatically "input" widgets 82B, 82C, 82E, 82F, 82H, and 82I to select electrodes 40A to 40J.

[0088] The examples presented in both Figure 12 and Figure 14 show that GUI 62 selects all electrodes 40 in response to input received from the medical professional 34, although the visual configuration of each widget differs in these two examples. In the example shown in Figure 12, the medical professional 34 must select or deselect a specific electrode 40 by clicking a given widget 82. For example, if electrodes 40K to 40M are currently selected, GUI 62 only allows the medical professional 34 to click widget 82L (to select electrode 40N) and 82K (to deselect electrodes 40K to 40M).

[0089] In the example shown in Figure 14, electrodes 40A to 40J are automatically selected by GUI 62. As described above, a medical professional 34 can select electrodes 40A to 40J by either "sliding" the toggle widget 84 from left to right, or by clicking at least four widgets 82 as shown in the example above.

[0090] The example shown in Figure 15 can immediately follow the example presented in Figure 14. In this example, in response to the medical professional 34 clicking widget 82E, the processor 46 can automatically "select" widgets 82D and 82F, thereby deselecting the electrode 40 corresponding to icon 80E.

[0091] In this example, electrodes 40D and 40F (i.e., corresponding to icons 80D and 80F, respectively) are selected, while electrode 40E (corresponding to icon 80E) is not selected, thereby creating a gap (for ablation) in the area of ​​tissue in contact with electrode 40E. As shown in Figure 15, GUI62 presents widgets 82A-82C and 82G-J using visual configuration 134, widgets 82D-F using visual configuration 132, shaded icons 80A-80D and 80F-80J (indicating that electrodes 40F-40J are selected for ablation), and unshaded icon 80E.

[0092] Returning to the flowchart, in receiving step 114, the processor 46 receives an input indicating the selection of a given widget 82. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the processor 46 can receive input in response to a medical professional 34 clicking on a given widget using an input device 66 or touchscreen 64. The given widgets correspond to a triplet of electrodes 40 in contact with areas of tissue within the heart 26, and the medical professional 34 can select the given widget to select or deselect areas of tissue (for IRE ablation).

[0093] In the first determination step 116, if a given widget can be selected (i.e., based on its toggle state), in the third identification step 118, the processor 46 identifies one or more electrodes within a triplet of electrodes 40 corresponding to a given widget that need to be switched to a different state (i.e., from selected to deselected or from deselected to selected) in response to the selection of the given widget. In embodiments described herein, a given widget can be selected if the widget on the display 64 includes a visual configuration 132 or 134.

[0094] In the toggle step 120, the processor 46 switches the ablation selection state of one or more electrodes identified (for ablation as described above) and switches the visual configuration of the corresponding one or more electrode icons 80 on the display 64 (for example, from shading to no shading or from no shading to shading).

[0095] In the second decision step 122, if the medical professional 34 has completed the selection of the electrodes 40, in the delivery step 124, the IRE ablation module 56 delivers the IRE ablation energy to the selected electrodes. However, if the selection of the electrodes 40 is not completed, the method proceeds to step 106.

[0096] Returning to step 116, if a given widget could not be selected, the method proceeds to step 106. In embodiments described herein, a given widget on the display 64 cannot be selected if it includes a visual configuration 130 or 136.

[0097] The embodiments described above are illustrative examples, and it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to those specifically illustrated and described above. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and partial combinations of the various features described above, as well as variations and modifications thereof not disclosed in the prior art, which would be conceived by those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

[0098] [Implementation Method] (1) A method, Grouping a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue within a body cavity into multiple adjacent electrode groups, On the display, a set of selectable widgets that correspond one-to-one with the aforementioned group is presented, The processor receives input indicating the selection of a given widget, A method comprising switching the ablation selection state of one or more electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget in response to the selection. (2) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the group includes overlapping electrode groups. (3) The method according to Embodiment 1, further comprising identifying the ablation selection state for each of the electrodes and presenting a set of icons on the display that correspond one-to-one with the electrodes, wherein the presented icons include a visual representation of each of the ablation selection states of the electrodes. (4) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the distal end is selected from the group consisting of a lasso, a basket, a balloon, and a deflectable element. (5) The method according to Embodiment 1, further comprising identifying a toggle state for each of the groups, wherein the toggle state for a given group indicates whether the ablation selection state of any of the electrodes in the given group can be switched between a selectable state and a non-selectable state, and the presented widget includes a visual representation of each of the toggle states of the widget, and receiving the toggle state of the given widget indicates that the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group can be switched.

[0099] (6) The method of Embodiment 5, further comprising presenting a toggle widget on the display, wherein upon receiving an input to select the toggle widget, the ablation selection state of the plurality of electrodes is set to the selectable state. (7) The method of Embodiment 5, further comprising presenting a toggle widget on the display, wherein upon receiving an input to select the toggle widget, the ablation selection state of the plurality of electrodes is set to the non-selectable state. (8) The method of Embodiment 5, wherein the electrode includes an ablation electrode and further comprises transferring ablation energy to the ablation electrode having a selectable state. (9) The method according to Embodiment 8, wherein the ablation energy includes irreversible electroporation. (10) The method according to Embodiment 5, wherein selecting the given widget switches the given widget between a widget selected state and a widget deselected state.

[0100] (11) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein the selected widget is switched from a deselected widget state to a selected widget state in response to the input, and when it is detected that the ablation selection state of the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is not selected, the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group is set to selected. (12) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein each of the groups includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, the selected widget is switched from a widget deselected state to a widget selected state in response to the input, and when it is detected that the ablation selection state of the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is selected, the ablation selection state of the one or more inner electrodes in the corresponding group is set to selected. (13) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein each of the groups includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, the selected widget is switched from a widget deselected state to a widget selected state in response to the input, the ablation selection state of a first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected to be selected, and the ablation selection state of the outer electrode adjacent to the first given electrode is set to selected when it is detected that the ablation selection state of the first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the corresponding group is not selected. (14) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein the selected widget is switched from a widget selected state to a widget deselected state in response to the input, and when it is detected that the ablation selection state of the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is not selected, the ablation selection state of the electrode in the corresponding group is set to deselected. (15) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein each of the groups includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, the selected widget is switched from a widget selected state to a widget deselected state in response to the input, and when it is detected that the ablation selected state of the electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is selected, the ablation selected state of the one or more inner electrodes in the corresponding group is set to deselected.

[0101] (16) The method according to Embodiment 10, wherein each of the groups includes a pair of outer electrodes surrounding one or more inner electrodes, the selected widget is switched from a widget selected state to a widget deselected state in response to the input, the ablation selection state of a first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the group corresponding to the selected widget is detected to be selected, and the ablation selection state of the outer electrode adjacent to the first given electrode is set to deselected when it is detected that the ablation selection state of the first given electrode adjacent to the electrode in the corresponding group is not selected. (17) A device, An invasive medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, comprising a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of the probe and configured to contact the tissue within the body cavity, The display and It is a processor, The set of electrodes is grouped into multiple adjacent electrode groups, On the aforementioned display, a set of selectable widgets that correspond one-to-one with the aforementioned group is presented, It receives input indicating the selection of a given widget, In response to the selection, the ablation selection state of one or more electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget is switched. A processor configured as follows, A device equipped with the following features. (18) A computer software product that operates in conjunction with a medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, wherein the probe comprises a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of the probe and configured to contact tissue within the body cavity, and the product comprises a non-temporary computer-readable medium on which program instructions are stored, and when the instructions are read by the computer, the computer provides the computer with The set of electrodes is grouped into multiple adjacent electrode groups, On the display, a set of selectable widgets that correspond one-to-one with the aforementioned group is presented, Receiving input indicating the selection of a given widget, A computer software product that, in response to the selection, causes the ablation selection state of one or more of the electrodes in the group corresponding to the selected widget to be switched.

Claims

1. It is a device, An invasive medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, comprising a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of the probe and configured to contact the tissue within the body cavity, The display and It is a processor, The set of electrodes is grouped into multiple adjacent electrode groups, On the display, a set of selectable widgets that correspond one-to-one with each of the multiple adjacent electrode groups is presented. It receives input indicating the selection of a given widget, In response to the above selection, the adjacent electrode group corresponding to the selected widget is selected as the electrode group for delivering ablation energy. A processor configured as follows, Equipped with, In the plurality of adjacent electrode groups, adjacent adjacent electrode groups include identical electrodes and electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group and the second adjacent electrode group include only electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group includes a first electrode adjacent to the second adjacent electrode group, the second adjacent electrode group includes a second electrode adjacent to the first adjacent electrode group, there are no electrodes between the adjacent first and second electrodes, the first adjacent electrode group is selected when the first widget is selected, the second adjacent electrode group is selected when the second widget is selected, and the first widget When the jet and the second widget are selected, the processor automatically selects all of the one or more widgets that are located between the first widget and the second widget and are used to select one or more adjacent electrode groups, each of the one or more adjacent electrode groups including both the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby configuring the processor to select one or more adjacent electrode groups in addition to selecting the first and second adjacent electrode groups when the first widget and the second widget are selected.

2. A computer software product that operates in conjunction with a medical probe configured to be inserted into a body cavity, wherein the probe comprises a set of electrodes positioned at the distal end of the probe and configured to contact tissue within the body cavity, and the product includes a non-temporary computer-readable medium on which program instructions are stored, and when the instructions are read by the computer, the computer receives The set of electrodes is grouped into multiple adjacent electrode groups, On the display, a set of selectable widgets that correspond one-to-one with each of the multiple adjacent electrode groups is presented, Receiving input indicating the selection of a given widget, In response to the above selection, the system selects the adjacent electrode group corresponding to the selected widget as the electrode group for delivering ablation energy, and performs the following: In the plurality of adjacent electrode groups, adjacent adjacent electrode groups include identical electrodes and electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group and the second adjacent electrode group include only electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group includes a first electrode adjacent to the second adjacent electrode group, the second adjacent electrode group includes a second electrode adjacent to the first adjacent electrode group, there are no electrodes between the adjacent first and second electrodes, the first adjacent electrode group is selected when the first widget is selected, and the second adjacent electrode group is selected when the second widget is selected. A computer software product wherein, when the first widget and the second widget are selected, all of the one or more widgets located between the first widget and the second widget and used to select one or more adjacent electrode groups are automatically selected, and each of the one or more adjacent electrode groups includes both the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby, when the first widget and the second widget are selected, the one or more adjacent electrode groups are selected in addition to the first and second adjacent electrode groups being selected.

3. A method of operation for a processor, The processor groups a set of electrodes, which are positioned at the distal end of a medical probe and configured to contact tissue within a body cavity, into a plurality of adjacent electrode groups. The processor presents a set of selectable widgets on the display that correspond one-to-one with each of the plurality of adjacent electrode groups, The processor receives an input indicating the selection of a given widget, The processor, in response to the selection, selects the adjacent electrode group corresponding to the selected widget as the electrode group for delivering ablation energy, In the plurality of adjacent electrode groups, adjacent adjacent electrode groups include identical electrodes and electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group and the second adjacent electrode group include only electrodes that are different from each other, the first adjacent electrode group includes a first electrode adjacent to the second adjacent electrode group, the second adjacent electrode group includes a second electrode adjacent to the first adjacent electrode group, there are no electrodes between the adjacent first and second electrodes, and when the processor receives an input indicating the selection of a first widget and a second widget to select the first adjacent electrode group and the second adjacent electrode group, the processor A processor operation method wherein the determiner selects the first widget and the second widget, and automatically selects all of the one or more widgets that are located between the first widget and the second widget and are used to select one or more adjacent electrode groups, each of the one or more adjacent electrode groups including both the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby, when the first widget and the second widget are selected, the processor selects the one or more adjacent electrode groups in addition to selecting the first and second adjacent electrode groups.

4. The method of operating the processor according to claim 3, wherein the group of adjacent electrodes adjacent to each other includes a plurality of identical electrodes.

5. A method of operating the processor according to claim 3, further comprising: the processor identifying whether each of the electrodes is selected as an electrode for delivering the ablation energy; and the processor presenting on the display a set of icons corresponding one-to-one with the electrodes, wherein the presented icons include a visual configuration indicating whether the electrode is selected as an electrode for delivering the ablation energy.

6. The method of operating the processor according to claim 3, wherein the distal end is selected from the group consisting of a lasso, a basket, a balloon, and a deflectable element.

7. The processor operates according to claim 3, wherein the processor displays widgets corresponding to adjacent electrode groups that are not currently selected and cannot be selected in the future, widgets corresponding to adjacent electrode groups that are not currently selected but can be selected in the future, widgets corresponding to adjacent electrode groups that are currently selected and can be deselected in the future, and widgets corresponding to adjacent electrode groups that are currently selected and cannot be deselected in the future, in a visually distinct manner from one another.

8. The method of operating the processor according to claim 7, further comprising the processor presenting a toggle widget on the display, and when the processor receives an input to select the toggle widget, the processor sets an adjacent group of electrodes that have not been selected as the group of electrodes to deliver the ablation energy as the group of electrodes to deliver the ablation energy.

9. The method of operating the processor according to claim 7, further comprising the processor presenting a toggle widget on the display, and when the processor receives an input to select the toggle widget, the processor sets the plurality of adjacent electrode groups selected as the electrode group that delivers the ablation energy as the electrode group that does not deliver the ablation energy.

10. The method of operating the processor according to claim 7, further comprising the processor transferring ablation energy to the ablation electrode which is selected as the electrode for delivering the ablation energy, wherein the electrode includes an ablation electrode, the processor further comprises this.

11. The method of operating the processor according to claim 10, wherein the ablation energy includes irreversible electroporation.

12. The method of operating the processor according to claim 3, wherein the processor selecting the given widget means that the processor switches the given widget between a widget selected state and a widget deselected state.

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