A method for controlling a remote navigation system includes operating the
remote navigation system to bring a sensor carried on a medical device
successively into a plurality of locations in a predetermined pattern,
and using the sensor to sense a physiological property in each location.
At least once thereafter, the remote navigation system is operated to
bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a series of
locations in a predetermined pattern relative to at least one location
selected from the predetermined pattern in the immediately preceding step
based upon the sensed physiological property value, and uses the sensor
to sense the physiological property in each location. A local extreme
value of the sensed physiological property is thereby located. The
physiological properties that can be sensed include electrical signals,
conductivity, temperature, fluid flow rate or fluid velocity, and range
of motion of a surface.