Dot-matrix ablation system and ablation method for cell atrial fibrillation model

Abstract

The invention discloses a dot-matrix ablation system and ablation method of a cell atrial fibrillation model, the system comprises a culture dish with a constant temperature heating function, a dot-matrix heating head composed of a plurality of heating points is arranged at the inner bottom of the culture dish, each heating point penetrates through the bottom wall of the culture dish and is connected with a button switch through a control unit, and the button switch is connected with the culture dish. Each heating point corresponds to one button switch, and opening and closing of the single heating point are controlled by pressing the corresponding button switch; the ablation position can be controlled and the ablation scheme can be reproduced through the external keyboard type button switch, so that the reproducibility defect of an existing ablation scheme is overcome, and the technical problem that traditional manual operation ablation is lack of standardized positioning and extremely depends on manual operation of experimenters is solved; meanwhile, through the modularized electrical excitation system and the dot-matrix ablation actuator, the dual technical barriers of accurate modeling of electric turbulence and quantitative verification of an ablation strategy in a cell experiment are broken through, and a standardized and repeatable experiment platform is provided for research of an atrial fibrillation mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical prediction model technology, specifically to a matrix ablation system and ablation method for a cellular atrial fibrillation model. Background Technology

[0002] Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in clinical practice. It is characterized by irregular contractions and disordered conduction of the atria, resulting in a rapid and irregular heart rate. The sinoatrial node controls the heart's normal pacing. Electrical signals originating from the sinoatrial node are first transmitted to the left and right atria, causing the atria to contract and pump blood into the ventricles. The electrical signals then travel to the ventricles, causing them to contract and pump blood into the aorta and into the lungs or the whole body. Subsequently, the muscles of the atria and ventricles enter relaxation, awaiting the next contraction. This entire process of sequential contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles is called sinus rhythm.

[0003] If spiral waves are present in the heart, they will interfere with normal heart contractions because the inherent rotational frequency of the spiral waves is greater than the heart's pacing frequency, causing the heart to contract faster and resulting in tachycardia. Repeated stimulation of the myocardium not only reduces the heart's pumping capacity but also prevents the myocardium from getting sufficient rest, leading to diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. If the spiral waves break down and evolve into a turbulent spiral wave state, the electrical signals that propagate wildly like a tsunami can cause sudden cardiac arrest, leading to the loss of the heart's pumping capacity—a condition known as fibrillation.

[0004] Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and has a huge socioeconomic impact due to its associated morbidity, mortality, decreased quality of life and healthcare costs. At present, the etiologies of AF are diverse, and the rational development of new treatment methods requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms. A single layer of atrial cells represents a simplified substitute for atrial tissue, which is very suitable for studying the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias because they can be easily used in a standardized, systematic and controllable manner to study the role of specific pathways and processes in the occurrence, continuation and termination of atrial arrhythmias. Existing research techniques have the following limitations: (1) Experimental model defects: Although animal in vivo experiments (mammalians such as mice, monkeys, dogs, and pigs) can simulate real electrical conduction, they are costly and cannot achieve precise control of electrical signals; although cell monolayer culture models simplify the monitoring of electrical signals (calcium fluorescence imaging resolution up to 50 μm), the success rate of inducing abnormal electrical signals is insufficient.

[0005] (2) Inducing technical bottlenecks: Traditional high-frequency stimulation can easily lead to rapid cell apoptosis and cannot control the direction of spiral wave propagation.

[0006] (3) Low efficiency in inducing abnormal electrical signals: Existing technologies are insufficient for efficiently simulating the induction of abnormal electrical signals and the simulation of atrial fibrillation ablation surgery in cell experiments at a rapid and low cost. Current methods for inducing abnormal electrical signals typically involve stimulating a certain point in the culture dish with multiple high-frequency electrical signals to induce signal turbulence. However, the frequency and intensity of each stimulation vary for different types and batches of cells, requiring flexible adjustments based on the specific effects exhibited by the cells in the experiment to achieve successful induction. Furthermore, after multiple inductions, strong stimulation significantly shortens the cell survival period, reducing the time window for doctors or laboratory personnel to operate.

[0007] (4) Limitations of ablation operation: After inducing turbulence, targeted ablation surgery simulation is still required. At the same time, the problem of the ablation plan being unable to be reproduced will also be encountered. This is because most of the existing ablation plans are still based on manual operation by doctors or laboratory personnel. Firstly, and due to technical reasons, namely, the excitation state of cells needs to be determined by observing the intracellular calcium concentration through a camera using the MappingLab fluorescence mapping system. The location of key lesions needs to be manually determined and the ablation plan needs to be formulated. The implementation of the ablation plan also needs to be carried out manually by laboratory personnel, and the propagation of electrical signals cannot be observed at the same time during manual operation. Therefore, the existing ablation relies on visual positioning of calcium fluorescence imaging and manual thermal ablation (energy fluctuation ±25%). Due to the principle of calcium imaging, manual ablation and calcium imaging cannot be performed simultaneously. It can only be performed manually blindly after visually predicting the location of the lesion.

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical challenges, this invention proposes a lattice-based ablation system and method for a cellular atrial fibrillation model. By employing a modular electroexcitation system and a lattice-based ablation actuator, it aims to overcome the dual technical barriers of precise modeling of electrical turbulence and quantitative verification of ablation strategies in cell experiments, thereby providing a standardized and reproducible experimental platform for atrial fibrillation mechanism research. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a matrix ablation system and method for a cellular atrial fibrillation model. By using an external keyboard button switch to control the ablation location and reproduce the ablation scheme, the invention solves the reproducibility defects of existing ablation schemes and addresses the technical problems of traditional manual ablation, which lacks standardized positioning and is highly dependent on manual operation by experimental personnel.

[0010] Specifically, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art. In the first aspect, the present invention provides a dot matrix ablation system for a cell atrial fibrillation model, including a culture dish with a constant temperature heating function. A dot matrix heating head composed of multiple heating points is set at the bottom of the culture dish. Each heating point penetrates the bottom wall of the culture dish and is connected to a button switch through a control unit. Each heating point corresponds to a button switch. Pressing the corresponding button switch controls the opening and closing of a single heating point.

[0011] Preferably, the shape of all the push-button switches is the same as the shape of the dot matrix heating head.

[0012] Preferably, the position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head is the same as the position of the button switch that controls its on and off in the shape composed of all the button switches.

[0013] Preferably, the dot matrix heating head is an N*N square matrix.

[0014] Preferably, the control unit is provided with an LED dot matrix, the shape of which is the same as the shape of the dot matrix heating head, and the position of each LED dot in the LED dot matrix is ​​the same as the position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head.

[0015] Preferably, the constant temperature heating temperature of the culture dish is 37°C.

[0016] Preferably, pressing the corresponding button switch controls the activation of a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED point brightens; pressing the corresponding button switch controls the deactivation of a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED point turns off.

[0017] Secondly, the present invention provides a matrix ablation method for a cell atrial fibrillation model, wherein the cell atrial fibrillation model is ablated using the matrix ablation system for a cell atrial fibrillation model as described above. The ablation method includes the following steps: Step 1: Place cardiomyocytes in the center of the interior of a culture dish.

[0018] Step 2: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in a culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal (spiral wave) in the cardiomyocytes through a signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device.

[0019] Step 3: When a spiral electrical signal rotation center or propagation path is observed at a certain point in the dot matrix heating head, an ablation plan is formulated and the corresponding button switch is pressed to activate the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by the heating burns the myocardial cells at the corresponding position, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal and achieving the ablation effect.

[0020] Preferably, the ablation plan employs a ring-shaped isolation method surrounding the rotation center of the spiral electrical signal, and a linear isolation method that blocks the propagation of the electrical signal along its propagation path.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the positive effects of this invention are as follows: The dot matrix ablation system and ablation method for the cell atrial fibrillation model in this invention, through the dot matrix ablation actuator, enable the rapid formulation and execution of ablation plans after manual judgment of the location of key lesions. The external keyboard button switch can control the ablation location and reproduce the ablation plan, solving the reproducibility defects of existing ablation plans and the technical problems of traditional manual ablation due to the lack of standardized positioning and the extreme dependence on manual operation by experimental personnel. At the same time, through the dot matrix ablation actuator, it aims to break through the technical barriers to the quantitative verification of ablation strategies in cell experiments, and provide a standardized and reproducible experimental platform for the study of atrial fibrillation mechanisms. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the lattice ablation system in this invention. Figure 1 .

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lattice ablation system in this invention. Figure 2 .

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lattice ablation system in this invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the dot matrix ablation system in this invention. Figure 1 .

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the rotation center of the spiral wave and the dot matrix in this invention.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the spiral wave and the dot matrix in this invention.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the button switch and the spiral wave in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) respectively show the distribution of the spiral wave after the ablation scheme is executed.

[0029] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the button switch and the spiral wave in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) respectively show the distribution of the spiral wave after the ablation scheme is executed.

[0030] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the button switch and the spiral wave in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) respectively show the distribution of the spiral wave after the ablation scheme is executed.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a fluorescent labeling system in the prior art.

[0032] The labels in the attached diagram are: 1-Plastic ring, 3-Cultural dish, 4-Myocardial cells, 6-Dot matrix heating head, 7-Button switch, 8-Spiral wave, 9-Heating plate, 10-LED dot matrix, 11-Button matrix, 12-OLED, 13-Temperature and humidity sensor, 14-Microcontroller, 15-Relay switch array, 16-Calcium camera. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following is combined with Figure 1 Figure 9 and specific embodiments further illustrate the present invention.

[0034] Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice, and it has a significant socioeconomic impact due to its associated morbidity, mortality, decreased quality of life, and healthcare costs. Currently, the etiologies of AF are diverse, and the rational development of new treatments requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Atrial cell monolayers, representing simplified surrogate representations of atrial tissue, are well-suited for studying the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias because they can be readily used in a standardized, systematic, and controlled manner to investigate the roles of specific pathways and processes in the occurrence, continuation, and termination of atrial arrhythmias. However, existing cellular AF model research techniques suffer from three limitations: experimental model deficiencies: while in vivo animal experiments (mammalians such as mice, monkeys, dogs, and pigs) can simulate real electrical conduction, they are costly and cannot achieve precise modulation of electrical signals; while monolayer cell culture models simplify electrical signal monitoring (calcium fluorescence imaging resolution up to 50 μm), the success rate of inducing abnormal electrical signals is insufficient.

[0035] Technical bottlenecks: Traditional high-frequency stimulation can easily lead to rapid cell apoptosis and cannot control the direction of spiral wave propagation.

[0036] Limitations of ablation procedures: Current ablation methods rely on visual localization using calcium fluorescence imaging and manual thermal ablation (energy fluctuation ±25%). Due to the principles of calcium imaging, manual ablation and calcium imaging cannot be performed simultaneously; manual blind ablation is only possible after visually predicting the lesion location. This method utilizes a fluorescence mapping system – MappingLab, specifically as follows... Figure 10 As shown, the calcium camera 16 is involved.

[0037] To address the aforementioned deficiencies, this invention proposes a dot matrix ablation system for a cell atrial fibrillation model, comprising a culture dish 3 with a constant temperature heating function. A dot matrix heating head 6 consisting of multiple heating points is disposed at the bottom of the culture dish 3. Each heating point penetrates the bottom wall of the culture dish 3 and is connected to a button switch via a control unit. Each heating point corresponds to a button switch, and pressing the corresponding button switch controls the opening and closing of a single heating point.

[0038] The shape of all the push-button switches is the same as the shape of the dot matrix heating head 6.

[0039] The position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head 6 is the same as the position of the button switch that controls its on and off in the shape composed of all the button switches.

[0040] The dot matrix heating head 6 is an N*N square matrix.

[0041] The control unit is equipped with an LED dot matrix, the shape of which is the same as the shape of the dot matrix heating head 6. The position of each LED dot in the LED dot matrix is ​​the same as the position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head 6.

[0042] Preferably, the constant temperature heating temperature of the culture dish is 37°C.

[0043] Pressing the corresponding button switch turns on a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED light up; pressing the corresponding button switch turns off a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED light goes out.

[0044] A schematic diagram of the lattice ablation system for the cellular atrial fibrillation model in this invention is shown below. Figure 3 As shown, it includes a petri dish 3, a dot matrix heating head 6, a heating plate 9, an LED dot matrix 10, a button matrix 11, an OLED 12, a temperature and humidity sensor 13, a microcontroller 14, and a relay switch array 15.

[0045] The ablation method for performing matrix ablation on the cell atrial fibrillation model using the above-mentioned matrix ablation system includes the following steps: Step 1: Place cardiomyocytes 4 in the middle of the culture dish 3.

[0046] Step 2: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in a culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal (spiral wave) in cardiomyocytes 4 by excitation with a signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device.

[0047] Step 3: When a spiral electrical signal rotation center or spiral electrical signal propagation path is observed at a certain point in the dot matrix heating head 6, an ablation plan is formulated and the corresponding button switch is pressed to activate the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by the heating burns the myocardial cells at the corresponding position, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal and achieving the ablation effect.

[0048] The ablation plan employs a ring-shaped isolation method surrounding the rotation center of the spiral electrical signal, and a linear isolation method to block the propagation path of the spiral electrical signal.

[0049] To further illustrate the above ablation method, the following three embodiments are listed: Embodiment 1: See Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) in Figure 7, where the spiral electrical signal 8 is a single spiral wave that starts from a rotation center and spirals in one direction.

[0050] The aforementioned spiral wave is induced by an abnormal electrical signal induction device. The signal generator controls the point to first generate an S1 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width. After N cycles of the S1 electrical signal, the signal generator controls the electric field to generate another S2 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width.

[0051] The process of generating and ablating the spiral wave in the cell atrial fibrillation model includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the cardiomyocytes 4 in the middle of the culture dish 3 with constant temperature heating function.

[0052] Step 2: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in a culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal 8 in the cardiomyocytes 4 by activating the signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device.

[0053] Step 3: When a propagation path of a spiral electrical signal 8 is observed at a certain position of the dot matrix heating head 6, an ablation plan is formulated using a linear isolation method to block the propagation of the electrical signal. According to the ablation plan, the corresponding button switch 7 is pressed to activate the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by the heating burns the myocardial cells at the corresponding position, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8 and achieving the ablation effect.

[0054] The linear isolation method involves four button switches 7 connected along the propagation path of the pressed electrical signal forming a straight line to block the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. When the heating point on the straight line formed by the four button switches 7 heats up, the heat generated burns the corresponding myocardial cells, thus preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. The spiral electrical signal 8 gradually diffuses towards the edge, eventually achieving the ablation effect.

[0055] Example 2: Referring to Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) in Figure 8, the spiral electrical signal 8 is a double spiral wave that originates from two rotation centers and spirals in opposite directions.

[0056] The aforementioned spiral wave is induced by an abnormal electrical signal induction device. The signal generator controls the electric field to first generate an S1 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width. After N cycles of the S1 electrical signal, the signal generator controls the electric field to generate another S2 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width.

[0057] The process of generating and ablating the spiral wave in the cell atrial fibrillation model includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the cardiomyocytes 4 in the middle of the culture dish 3 with constant temperature heating function.

[0058] Step 2: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in a culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal 8 in the cardiomyocytes 4 by activating the signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device.

[0059] Step 3: When a rotation center of a spiral electrical signal 8 is observed at a certain position of the dot matrix heating head 6, an ablation plan is formulated using an annular isolation method surrounding the rotation center. According to the ablation plan, the corresponding button switch 7 is pressed to activate the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by the heating burns the myocardial cells at the corresponding position, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8 and achieving the ablation effect.

[0060] The ring-shaped isolation method involves multiple button switches 7 connected along the propagation path of the pressed electrical signal forming a ring that surrounds the center of rotation, thus blocking the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. When the heating points on the ring formed by the multiple button switches 7 heat up, the heat generated burns the corresponding myocardial cells, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. The spiral electrical signal 8 gradually diffuses towards the edge, eventually achieving an ablation effect.

[0061] Example 3: Referring to Figures (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) in Figure 9, the spiral electrical signal 8 is a double spiral wave that originates from two rotation centers and spirals in opposite directions.

[0062] The aforementioned spiral wave is induced by an abnormal electrical signal induction device. The signal generator controls the electric field to first generate an S1 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width. After N cycles of the S1 electrical signal, the signal generator controls the electric field to generate another S2 electrical signal with a specific frequency and width.

[0063] The process of generating and ablating the spiral wave in the cell atrial fibrillation model includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the cardiomyocytes 4 in the middle of the culture dish 3 with constant temperature heating function.

[0064] Step 2: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in a culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal 8 in the cardiomyocytes 4 by activating the signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device.

[0065] Step 3: When a propagation path of a spiral electrical signal 8 is observed at a certain position of the dot matrix heating head 6, an ablation plan is formulated using a linear isolation method to block the propagation of the electrical signal. According to the ablation plan, the corresponding button switch 7 is pressed to activate the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by the heating burns the myocardial cells at the corresponding position, thereby preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8 and achieving the ablation effect.

[0066] The linear isolation method involves four button switches 7 connected along the propagation path of the pressed electrical signal forming a straight line to block the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. When the heating point on the straight line formed by the four button switches 7 heats up, the heat generated burns the corresponding myocardial cells, thus preventing the propagation of the spiral electrical signal 8. The spiral electrical signal 8 gradually diffuses towards the edge, eventually achieving the ablation effect.

[0067] Compared with existing technologies, the positive effects of this invention are as follows: This invention solves the reproducibility defects of existing ablation schemes and the technical problems of traditional manual ablation due to the lack of standardized positioning and the heavy reliance on manual operation by experimental personnel by controlling the ablation position and reproducing the ablation scheme through an external keyboard button switch; at the same time, this invention aims to break through the dual technical barriers of accurate modeling of electrical turbulence and quantitative verification of ablation strategies in cell experiments through a modular electrostimulation system and a lattice ablation actuator, providing a standardized and reproducible experimental platform for the study of atrial fibrillation mechanisms.

[0068] The above description only illustrates the preferred technical solution of the present invention. Any modifications that may be made by those skilled in the art to certain parts thereof all reflect the principles of the present invention and should be within the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A matrix ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model, characterized in that, The system includes a petri dish (3) with a constant temperature heating function. A dot matrix heating head (6) consisting of multiple heating points is set at the bottom of the petri dish (3). Each heating point penetrates the bottom wall of the petri dish (3) and is connected to a button switch through a control unit. Each heating point corresponds to a button switch. Pressing the corresponding button switch controls the opening and closing of a single heating point.

2. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of all the push-button switches is the same as that of the dot matrix heating head (6).

3. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head (6) is the same as the position of the button switch that controls its opening and closing in the shape composed of all the button switches.

4. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The dot matrix heating head (6) is an N*N square matrix.

5. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The control unit is provided with an LED dot matrix, the shape of which is the same as that of the dot matrix heating head (6), and the position of each LED dot in the LED dot matrix is ​​the same as the position of each heating point in the dot matrix heating head (6).

6. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Pressing the corresponding button switch turns on a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED light up; pressing the corresponding button switch turns off a single heating point, at which point the corresponding LED light goes out.

7. The fractional ablation system for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The constant temperature heating temperature of the culture dish (3) is 37°C.

8. A method for fractional ablation of a cellular atrial fibrillation model, comprising fractional ablation of the cellular atrial fibrillation model using the fractional ablation system for the cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The ablation method includes the following steps: First step: Place the cardiomyocytes (4) in the middle of the culture dish (3); Second step: Place the abnormal electrical signal induction device in the culture dish and generate a spiral electrical signal in the cardiomyocytes (4) by stimulating the signal generator, and then remove the abnormal electrical signal induction device; Third step: When the rotation center of the spiral electrical signal or the propagation path of the spiral electrical signal is observed at a certain point of the dot matrix heating head (6), formulate an ablation plan and press the button switch at the corresponding position to start the heating point at the corresponding position. The heat generated by heating will burn the cardiomyocytes at the corresponding position and prevent the propagation of the spiral electrical signal, thereby achieving the ablation effect.

9. The fractional ablation method for a cellular atrial fibrillation model as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The ablation plan employs a ring-shaped isolation method surrounding the rotation center of the spiral electrical signal, and a linear isolation method to block the propagation path of the spiral electrical signal.

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