AI-enabled cardiac mapping and electrophysiology innovations

Johnson & Johnson will showcase advancements in pulsed field ablation (PFA) and cardiac imaging at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Annual Meeting (April 23-26), in Chicago. The technical presentations will focus on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and the expansion of the VARIPULSE platform to automate mapping and energy delivery workflows.

Automated Intracardiac Imaging and Mapping
The upcoming launch of the CARTOSOUND SONATA Module will signal a shift toward automated anatomical modeling. By leveraging AI algorithms, the module will process ICE images to generate three-dimensional maps of multiple heart chambers without requiring manual contouring by the physician. This system will function as a digital interface between ultrasound imaging and the CARTO mapping environment, enabling the automatic identification and labeling of cardiac structures.

The module will be compatible with both 2D (SOUNDSTAR CRYSTAL) and 4D (NUVISION NAV) ultrasound catheters. This cross-compatibility will allow electrophysiologists to utilize a single software interface for diverse conditions, ranging from atrial fibrillation to complex ventricular tachycardia, thereby reducing hardware-software friction in the clinical automotive data ecosystem of medical devices.

Pulsed Field Ablation and Workflow Automation
The VARIPULSE Platform, a non-thermal PFA system, will receive updates designed to standardize clinical outcomes through increased automation. In the United States, the VARIPULSE Plus update will introduce automated irrigation flow control. This mechanism will adjust fluid delivery based on real-time procedural demands, reinforcing the safety profile and ensuring consistency across different operators by removing manual flow adjustments.

In the European market, the company will highlight the recently launched VARIPULSE Pro3 platform, which features a modified pulse sequence. This technical adjustment is designed to streamline the ablation process, reducing the time required for energy delivery while maintaining full integration with 3D mapping for precise catheter positioning.

Clinical Data and Procedural Efficiency
During HRS 2026, Johnson & Johnson will present new clinical and real-world data evaluating the VARIPULSE platform across safety and workflow efficiency benchmarks. The integration with the CARTO System will provide a feedback loop that utilizes real-world data to refine ablation parameters.

Expected technical benefits to be demonstrated include:

These innovations will represent a move toward "smart" electrophysiology labs where hardware performance is augmented by real-time AI analysis and automated fluidics.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.