Patent ID: 8755860

Claim:
A method for use in operating an ablation electrode catheter, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring, via a navigation system, a position of an ablation electrode of the ablation electrode catheter during an ablation procedure; operating an electrical power system to provide electrical signals to said ablation electrode; first operating a coupling assessment system to evaluate an initial level of an electrical coupling condition between said ablation electrode and a tissue, said coupling assessment system being operative to compare a contact sensing signal measured between said ablation electrode and a second electrode at least partially through the tissue to distinguish between multiple predetermined ranges of said electrical coupling condition including at least a range of insufficient electrical coupling for said ablation procedure and a range of sufficient electrical coupling for said ablation procedure; upon identifying said initial level of said electrical coupling condition being within said range of sufficient electrical coupling for said ablation procedure, providing an ablation power signal to the ablation electrode; second operating said coupling assessment system, subsequent to application of said ablation power signal to the ablation electrode, to identify a change in said initial level of said electrical coupling condition; and providing an output, via said navigation system, indicating said change in said initial level of said electrical coupling condition.