Local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping

Abstract

To provide methods and systems for improving regional resolution in fast anatomical mapping.SOLUTION: A method includes receiving, on a surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, a selection of a first selected region, which is intended to have a second presentation, different from the first presentation. A perimeter of the first selected region and at least an unselected area positioned within the first selected region are identified. A second selected region is produced, the second selected region including the first selected region and the unselected area. The anatomical map, having the second presentation applied to the second selected region, is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to methods and systems for improving local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping.

Background Art

[0002] Various techniques for presenting information on an anatomical map have been disclosed.

[0003] For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0196214 describes a catheter shaft to which a plurality of electrodes are connected, and a processor connected to the catheter shaft. The processor can collect a set of signals from the plurality of electrodes, characterize the set of signals, generate a visual representation of the set of signals, and improve the visual representation.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0366476 describes a medical device and a method for manufacturing and using the medical device. An exemplary medical device may include a system for mapping the electrical activity of the heart. The system may include a catheter shaft having a plurality of electrodes. The system may also include a processor. The processor may be capable of collecting a set of signals from at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The set of signals may be collected over a period of time. The processor may also be capable of calculating at least one propagation vector from the set of signals, generating a dataset from the at least one propagation vector, generating a statistical distribution of the dataset, and generating a visual representation of the statistical distribution.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention described herein includes receiving a selection of a first selection region on the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation. The periphery of the first selection region and non-selected areas located at least within the first selection region are identified. A second selection region is generated, and the second selection region includes the first selection region and the non-selected areas. An anatomical map having the second presentation applied to the second selection region is displayed.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first presentation includes a first mapping resolution of the anatomical map, and the second presentation includes a second mapping resolution of a second selected region of the anatomical map. In other embodiments, the first selected region includes one or more selected areas and at least one unselected area, and identifying the unselected area includes identifying at least one isolated unselected area surrounded by one or more selected areas within the first selected region. In yet another embodiment, the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, and generating the second selected region includes selecting one or more unselected polygons within an isolated unselected area.

[0007] In one embodiment, selecting one or more unselected polygons includes applying a flood fill algorithm to unselected polygons within isolated unselected areas. In another embodiment, at least one of the polygons in the anatomical map includes a triangle. In yet another embodiment, the first selection region includes a first selection region and a second selection region that are at least partially separated from each other by unselected areas, and identifying unselected areas includes identifying unselected areas within the first selection region that are partially enclosed by the first selection region and the second selection region.

[0008] In some embodiments, the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, where a first selection area includes a first polygon, a second selection area includes a second polygon, and the first and second selection areas are at least partially separated by unselected polygons of the unselected areas, and generating a second selection area includes (i) calculating the distance between one or more pairs of first and second polygons, and (ii) selecting a path of unselected polygons located between any pair of selected polygons selected from the first and second polygons. In other embodiments, the path includes a geodesic path. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the polygons includes a triangle.

[0009] According to embodiments of the present invention, a system is further provided which includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to (a) receive a selection of a first selection region intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation on the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, (b) identify (i) the periphery of the first selection region and (ii) non-selected areas located at least within the first selection region, and (c) generate a second selection region including (i) the first selection region and (ii) the non-selected areas. The output device is configured to display an anatomical map having a second presentation applied to the second selection region. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] This invention will be more fully understood by considering the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention" in conjunction with the drawings. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a catheter-based position tracking and ablation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure schematically illustrates a method for improving the region selection process for displaying cardiac tissue at a selected local resolution, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This flowchart schematically illustrates a method for improving local resolution when displaying anatomical mappings, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Overview Embodiments of the present invention described below provide techniques for improving local resolution in fast anatomical mapping (FAM) of patient organs. For example, FAM of a patient's heart may be used, among other things, to plan ablation procedures.

[0012] In some cases, the physician may select a region of interest within the anatomical map of the patient's heart using any suitable selection tool that marks an area on the surface of the anatomical map captured by a brush shape on the screen. The selected region is intended to be presented using different presentation parameters than those of other parts of the anatomical map. For example, when planning ablation of a given pulmonary vein (PV) in the atrium of the heart, the physician may want to have the given PV with high mapping resolution and other sections of the atrium with low mapping resolution (i.e., smoothing or interpolation).

[0013] In some embodiments, a selected region initially displayed at a lower mapping resolution is replaced with a higher-resolution map of the same region, which is then displayed on the anatomical map.

[0014] In some cases, one or more areas within a region of interest may not be selectable by the brush. For example, from a given viewpoint, some anatomical areas within a region of interest may be hidden from the selection tool, for instance, due to the topographic structure of that region. In such cases, the hidden areas are not selected and remain presented at a lower resolution, while the selected areas are presented at a higher resolution. Such mixed resolutions can result in the presentation of artifacts within the anatomical map and / or the omission of essential sections within the region of interest. Therefore, when selecting a region of interest, it is important to select all areas within it.

[0015] In some embodiments, a system for improving area selection in a region of interest includes a processor and an output device such as a display. The processor is configured to receive a selection of a first region of selection intended to be displayed using a higher mapping resolution on the surface of an anatomical map displayed at a lower mapping resolution.

[0016] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to identify the perimeter of a first selection region and at least one non-selected area located within the perimeter of the first selection region. Note that the processor is configured to identify the perimeter even when the perimeter falls over one or more non-selected areas. In some embodiments, when the perimeter falls over one or more non-selected areas, the processor is configured to define the perimeter within one or more non-selected areas using any preferred technique. For example, by connecting the edges of two or more selection regions (using imaginary lines of the perimeter), they are positioned on the sides of their respective non-selected areas and fall within the perimeter.

[0017] In some embodiments, the area of ​​the anatomical map (and selection region) is calculated and displayed using a polygonal mesh, such as triangles. The processor is configured to check whether one or more unselected areas are surrounded by the perimeter of the selection region in the view of the brush selection tool. Additionally or alternatively, the processor is configured to check whether one or more unselected areas are surrounded by the triangles of the selection region.

[0018] If the selection area includes a connected component that may have one or more “holes” or openings, the processor is configured to “fill” the “holes” using any preferred technique. Additionally or alternatively, if the non-selection area is surrounded by the selected triangles, the processor is configured to apply any preferred algorithm for selecting the triangles within the non-selection area. For example, the processor may apply a flood-fill algorithm to “fill” the surrounded non-selection area.

[0019] If the unselected area is not surrounded, the processor is configured to calculate the path distance of the unselected triangles located between any two selected triangles. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to select from the calculated paths a geodesic path of triangles that surrounds one or more sections within the unselected area. After selecting the geodesic path triangles, the processor checks whether the unselected area is surrounded by the selected triangles and repeats the formation of geodesic paths and perimeter checks until the unselected area is surrounded by the selected triangles, meaning that the selected area forms connected components. Subsequently, the processor selects all triangles within the surrounded unselected area as described above.

[0020] The disclosed technology improves the accuracy of local resolution in anatomical mapping by including non-selected areas within the region of interest.

[0021] System Description Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a catheter-based position tracking and ablation system 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the system 20 includes a catheter 22, which in this example is a cardiac catheter, and a control console 24. In the embodiments described herein, the catheter 22 may be used for any suitable therapeutic and / or diagnostic purposes, such as ablation of tissue within the heart 26, and / or mapping of arrhythmias by detection of intracardiac electrical signals.

[0022] In some embodiments, the console 24 includes a processor 42, typically a general-purpose computer, having a suitable front-end circuit and interface circuit, which exchange signals with the catheter 22 (e.g., receive intracardiac electrical signals and apply ablation pulses to the tissue of the heart 26) and control other components of the system 20 described herein. The processor 42 may be programmed in software to perform functions used by the system, and the processor 42 is configured to store data for the software in memory 50. This software may be downloaded to the console 24 in electronic form, for example, over a network, or provided on a non-temporary tangible medium such as an optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, or an electronic storage medium. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the processor 42 may be performed using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any suitable type of programmable digital hardware component.

[0023] Here, refer to the inset 25. In some embodiments, the catheter 22 includes a distal end assembly 40 and a shaft 23 for inserting the distal end assembly 40 into a target position to perform ablation of tissue within the heart 26. While performing the ablation procedure, the physician 30 inserts the catheter 22 through the vasculature of the patient 28 lying on the table 29. The physician 30 uses a manipulator 32 near the proximal end of the catheter 22 connected to the interface circuit of the processor 42 to move the distal end assembly 40 to a target position within the heart 26.

[0024] In some embodiments, the catheter 22 includes a position sensor 39 of a position tracking system that is coupled, for example, to the distal end of the catheter 22 in proximity to the distal end assembly 40. In this example, the position sensor 39 includes a magnetic position sensor, although in other embodiments, any other suitable type of position sensor (e.g., other than magnetic - based) may be used.

[0025] Referring again to the schematic diagram of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, while guiding the distal end assembly 40 within the heart 26, the processor 42 receives signals from the magnetic position sensor 39 in response to a magnetic field from the external magnetic field generator 36, for example, to measure the position of the distal end assembly 40 within the heart 26. In some embodiments, the console 24 includes a drive circuit 34 configured to drive the magnetic field generator 36. The magnetic field generator 36 is disposed at a known position outside the patient 28, such as under the table 29.

[0026] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to display the tracked position of the distal end assembly 40 overlaid on an image 44 of the heart 26, for example, on the display 46 of the console 24 or on any other suitable output device. In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to display at least a partial anatomical map of the heart 26 (shown in FIG. 2 below) as described in detail in FIG. 2 below.

[0027] This position detection method, which uses an external magnetic field, is implemented in various medical applications, for example, in the CARTO® system manufactured by Biosense Webster Inc. (Irvine, Calif.), and is described in detail in U.S. Patents 5,391,199, 6,690,963, 6,484,118, 6,239,724, 6,618,612 and 6,332,089, PCT International Publication 96 / 05768, and U.S. Patent Application Publications 2002 / 0065455(A1), 2003 / 0120150(A1) and 2004 / 0068178(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] This particular configuration of System 20 is shown as an example to illustrate the specific problems addressed in the embodiments of the present invention and to demonstrate the applicability of these embodiments in improving the performance of such systems. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this particular type of exemplary system, and the principles described herein may also be applied to other types of medical systems.

[0029] Improvements to the region selection process for displaying cardiac tissue at selected local resolution. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for improving the region selection process for displaying different regions of the heart 26 at different selected local resolutions, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the context of this disclosure and the claims, the terms “resolution” and “mapping resolution” are used interchangeably and refer to the level of detail displayed to a physician 30, for example, on a display 46, in different regions of the map of the heart 26, as described in detail herein.

[0030] The method begins with step 1, which involves receiving a region 55 selected by a physician 30 (or any other user of the system 20) onto the surface of an anatomical map 60 of the heart 26. The region 55 may be selected by the physician 30 using any preferred selection tool, such as a brush of the CARTO® system as shown in Figure 1 above, but is not limited to this selection tool.

[0031] In some embodiments, physician 30 controls the system 20 to display the anatomical map 60 at a first resolution and a selected region 55 at a second resolution different from the first resolution. In this example, physician 30 plans an ablation in a pulmonary vein located within region 55 and therefore controls the system 20 to display region 55, which is the region of interest, at a high resolution. In the context of this disclosure and claims, the term “high resolution” refers to a polygon that serves as a unit cell of the anatomical map and has a size of about 2 mm or any other preferred size, e.g., about 1 mm to 5 mm (described in detail below). Furthermore, physician 30 is not of much interest in an area of ​​the anatomical map 60 and therefore controls the system 20 to display a smoothed anatomical map 60 using a lower resolution (e.g., in this embodiment, having a polygon size of about 10 mm to 30 mm, approximately 20 mm in this example). In other words, the processor 42 is configured to display different regions of the anatomical map at different resolutions so as to provide physician 30 with a sufficiently high resolution in the region of interest.

[0032] In the context of this disclosure and in the claims, the terms “about” or “approximately” used with respect to any number or range of numbers indicate a reasonable tolerance for dimensions that enables a part or set of components to function in accordance with the intended purpose set forth herein.

[0033] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to apply a polygonal mesh, in this example a mesh of triangles 56, to the surface of the anatomical map 60 and region 55. Each triangle functions as a cell for displaying information and / or selecting areas within the anatomical map 60 and region 55. In other words, the resolution of information display and / or area selection is the size of the triangles 56 in the mesh.

[0034] In one embodiment, the size of the triangle defines the resolution for displaying and / or selecting areas of the anatomical map 60, and in this example, the size of the triangle is defined by the maximum length of the triangle's edge.

[0035] In other embodiments, the processor 42 may apply one or more other types of polygons having any preferred size to the anatomical map 60.

[0036] In some embodiments, region 55 is selected by the physician 30 to display a combined map of the anatomical map 60 and region 55 at different resolutions. In such embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to replace the selected region 55, which has a lower resolution, with a higher resolution map of the same area covered by region 55.

[0037] Refer here to Figures 2A and 2B. In some cases, the anatomical structure of the heart 26 may have one or more areas within region 55 that are invisible during the selection by physician 30 and therefore not selected during the selection performed by physician 30. In some embodiments, as shown in steps 2A and 2B, region 55 has one or more selection areas such as area 66a (in step 2A), areas 66b and 66c (in step 2B), where the triangles are selected and shown in a first color (filled with gray in the example in Figure 2). However, some areas within region 55, such as area 77a (in step 2A) and area 77b (in step 2B), were intended to be selected but are not captured by the selection tool for, for example, the anatomical structure of the heart 26 or for any other reason. Areas 77a and 77b are referred to herein as non-selected areas, and the triangles of areas 77a and 77b have the same filling color as the areas outside the perimeter 58 of region 55, which are filled with the same filling color as the other non-selected triangles, for example, white in the example of Figure 2.

[0038] It should be noted that the non-selected areas in step 2 have numbers 77a to 77g, and the areas selected during the selection of region 55 have numbers 66a, 66b, and 66g, as described herein.

[0039] In some embodiments, in steps 2A and 2B, the processor 42 is configured to identify a perimeter 58 that defines the outer boundary of region 55. As shown in steps 2A and 2B, on one side of the perimeter 58, triangles of one or more selected areas are filled in gray, and on the other side of the perimeter 58, triangles of one or more areas not intentionally selected by physician 30 are filled in white. Note that the perimeter 58 may be cut off by one or more unselected areas that fit along one or more sections of the perimeter. In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to estimate the path and shape of the perimeter 58, for example, by connecting sections of the perimeter 58 between adjacent edges of selected areas along an estimated path, or by using any other preferred technique.

[0040] In some embodiments, in steps 2A and 2B, the processor 42 is further configured to identify non-selected areas 77a (shown in step 2A) and non-selected areas 77b (shown in step 2B) within the selected region 55. Areas 77a and 77b were intended to be selected in the selection of region 55, and therefore, if the processor 42 replaces the lower-resolution selected areas 66a, 66b, and 66c of region 55 with the corresponding higher-resolution areas of the same region, the non-selected areas (e.g., areas 77a and 77b) are not replaced and therefore remain displayed at a lower resolution undesirable by the physician 30, which may impair the geometric quality of the anatomical map, and specifically in this example, may also reduce the quality of the planned ablation.

[0041] Now, refer to Figure 2A. In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to identify that the unselected area 77a includes an isolated unselected area surrounded by one or more selected areas of region 55. In this example, the unselected area 77a is surrounded by selected area 66a. In such embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to apply any preferred technique for selecting a triangle of the unselected area 77a, also referred to herein as the unselected triangle. Such techniques are described below in step 5 of Figure 2.

[0042] In some embodiments, in step 5, the processor 42 is configured to select unselected triangles in area 77a and display these triangles filled with gray on the display 46.

[0043] Now, refer to step 2B. In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to identify that the selected areas 66b and 66c are at least partially separated from each other by the non-selected area 77b. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 42 is configured to identify that the non-selected area 77b is partially surrounded by the selected areas 66b and 66c.

[0044] In the example of step 2B, the processor 42 is configured to identify that sections 70a and 70b, also referred to herein as “openings,” separate areas 66b and 66c.

[0045] Now, refer to step 3. In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to calculate the distance of a path between one or more pairs of selected triangles located within areas 66b and 66c (typically between any pair). In the context of this disclosure and the claims, the term “distance” means a distance measured on the surface of the anatomical map, which may be measured by the number of triangles (or other kind of polygons) located along the path. A pair of selected triangles may include one triangle from area 66b and one triangle from area 66c, or two triangles from the same area (e.g., from area 66b). Note that the path has (i) on each side of the path a triangle selected to generate connectivity between two selected areas (e.g., selected from either area 66b and 66c), and (ii) on each side of the path one or more unselected triangles located along the path connecting the aforementioned selected triangles (e.g., from area 77b).

[0046] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is further configured to select paths for unselected triangles in area 77b between (i) a first triangle selected by the processor 42 from among the triangles in area 66b (selected by the physician 30 in step 1) and (ii) a second triangle selected by the processor 42 from among the triangles in area 66c (also selected by the physician 30 in step 1). In the example of step 3, the processor 42 is configured to select geodesic paths 88a for the triangles between the aforementioned first selected triangles and the second selected triangles in areas 66b and 66c.

[0047] In other embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to select any preferred path between areas 66b and 66c that is not a geodesic path involving a non-selected triangle in area 77b.

[0048] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to divide area 77b into two unselected areas 77c and 77d by generating a geodesic path 88a. Note that area 77c is partially enclosed by areas 66b and 66c, as well as the geodesic path 88a, but remains open by section 70a. Similarly, area 77d is partially enclosed by areas 66b and 66c, as well as the geodesic path 88a, but remains open by section 70b.

[0049] In step 4, using the technique described in step 3 above, the processor 42 is configured to surround all unselected areas within the region 55, namely (i) to generate a triangular geodesic path 88b for surrounding the unselected area 77c, and (ii) to generate a triangular geodesic path 88c for surrounding the former unselected area 77c (as shown in step 3).

[0050] In some embodiments, after generating geodesic paths 88b and 88c, the processor 42 may generate a triangular geodesic path 88d to divide the unselected area 77c into unselected areas 77e and 77f. It should be noted that after the formation of geodesic paths 88b and 88c, the formation of geodesic path 88d is not mandatory, since all unselected areas of region 55 are surrounded, as also shown and described in the example of step 2A above.

[0051] In some embodiments, in step 5, the processor 42 is configured to select a non-selected triangle in the area enclosed by region 55. In the example of step 5, region 55 includes a non-selected area 77g that is marked by a perimeter 78g and enclosed by a selected area 66g and a geodesic path 88g of the triangle.

[0052] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to apply a flood-fill algorithm to an unselected area 77g to select its unselected triangles. The flood-fill algorithm is configured to expand the selection of unselected triangles in multiple directions indicated by arrows 90 by selecting an unselected triangle 99 within the area 77g and subsequently selecting additional unselected triangles surrounding triangle 99.

[0053] In some embodiments, after selecting the triangles of area 77g adjacent to the perimeter 78g, the flood fill algorithm continues to expand the selection in other directions 90 to select the remaining unselected triangles of area 77g. After all unselected triangles have been selected, the processor 42 is configured to display the gray-filled triangles of area 77g on the display 46.

[0054] In some embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to repeat the same technique by applying a flood fill algorithm to other enclosed, unselected areas of region 55, such as area 77a shown in step 2A and areas 77c, 77e, and 77f shown in step 4.

[0055] In other embodiments, instead of a flood fill algorithm, the processor 42 is configured to apply any other preferred algorithm to the unselected areas of region 55 to the unselected areas of region 55, for selecting the unselected triangles of the unselected areas surrounded by region 55.

[0056] In some embodiments, after the termination step 5, the processor 42 is configured to generate a modified selected region within the perimeter 58 that includes (i) areas selected by the physician 30 in region 55 (e.g., areas 66a, 66b, 66c, and 66g) and (ii) unselected areas selected by the processor 42 using, in particular, the geodesic paths and flood fill algorithms described in detail in steps 3 to 5 above.

[0057] In some embodiments, after the termination step 5, all triangles of the modified selection region located within the area enclosed by the perimeter 58 are selected. In such embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to replace the lower mapping resolution of the region intended to be selected by the physician 30 with the higher mapping resolution of the modified selection region. In alternative embodiments, the region intended to be selected may have a higher mapping resolution, thereby the processor 42 is configured to replace the higher mapping resolution of the region intended to be selected by the physician 30 with the lower mapping resolution of the modified selection region.

[0058] The embodiments described in the steps of Figure 2 are provided as examples, and the present invention is not limited to those specifically shown and described in the exemplary embodiments of Figure 2. In other embodiments, the processor 42 is configured to apply any other preferred techniques and any other preferred set of steps to apply any preferred presentation to a map of the heart 26 or any region of any other organ of the patient 28, as selected by any user of the processor 42 or the system 20.

[0059] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for improving local resolution when displaying an anatomical mapping within the heart 26, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] This method begins in a user selection step 100, where the selection of region 55 is received from physician 30 or any other user of the system 20. Region 55 may be selected by physician 30 using any preferred selection tool, such as the aforementioned brush of the CARTO® system as described in step 1 of Figure 2 above. In step 100, region 55 and other sections of the anatomical map 60 are displayed at a lower resolution (e.g., triangle size is approximately 10mm to 30mm), where, after selection, region 55 is intended to be displayed at a higher resolution (e.g., triangle size is approximately 1mm to 5mm).

[0061] In the peripheral area and non-selected area identification step 102, the processor 42 identifies the boundary of region 55 and one or more non-selected areas (e.g., areas 77a and 77b) located within region 55. In this example, the boundary of region 55 is indicated by the peripheral 58 surrounding the user selection of region 55.

[0062] In some embodiments, the processor 42 further identifies user-selected areas within region 55, in this example, area 66a (shown in step 1) and areas 66b and 66c (shown in step 2) in Figure 2 above.

[0063] In the first decision step 104, the processor 42 checks whether the unselected areas of region 55 are completely surrounded by one or more selected areas of region 55. In the example shown in step 1 of Figure 2 above, the unselected area 77a is completely surrounded by the selected area 66a. In other words, area 77a is an "island" surrounded by a "sea" of area 66a. In this exemplary embodiment, the method proceeds to an island-filling step 112 in which all triangles within the surrounded unselected area (e.g., area 77a) are selected by the processor 42. The triangle selection in step 112 may be carried out using any preferred technique, such as applying a flood-fill algorithm as described in detail in step 5 of Figure 2 above.

[0064] In some embodiments, if all (user-selected) non-selected areas within the surface defined by the perimeter 58 are selected by the processor 42, the method proceeds to the modified resolution region generation step 114. In the example shown in step 2A of Figure 2 above, the method proceeds to step 114 when all triangles in areas 66a and 77a are selected.

[0065] In step 114, the processor 42 removes the region 55 that was initially intended to be selected by the physician 30 in step 100 and the area selected by the processor 42. In some embodiments, the processor 42 generates a modified region that is substantially identical to the area selected by the physician (in step 100) and the area selected by the processor 42 in step 112 and other steps of the method described later.

[0066] In some embodiments, the modified area has a higher resolution compared to the anatomical map 60, so that the physician 30 can see more detail, for example, to plan an ablation procedure in this area or for any other clinical needs.

[0067] In other embodiments, in step 104, the processor 42 may identify one or more non-selected areas that are not surrounded by selected areas. For example, as shown in step 2B of Figure 2 above, area 77b is partially surrounded by selected areas 66b and 66c.

[0068] In some cases, a partially enclosed non-selected area may have two or more openings, such as sections 70a and 70b of area 77b shown in step 2B of Figure 2 above. Such a non-selected area is continuous and is also referred to herein as a “road” passing between selected areas (e.g., areas 66b and 76c). In other cases, a partially enclosed non-selected area may have one opening, such as non-selected area 77c having section 70a, as shown in step 3 of Figure 2 above. The geometric structure of area 77c is also referred to herein as a “peninsula.”

[0069] In some embodiments, if in step 104 the processor 42 identifies that one or more non-selected areas within the surface defined by the perimeter 58 are not surrounded by selected areas, the method proceeds to the geodesic path calculation step 106.

[0070] In step 108, as shown in step 3 of Figure 2 above, the processor 42 calculates the path distance between any selected triangles in areas 66b and 66c and selects unselected triangles along the geodesic path 88a between areas 66b and 66c to enclose at least one section of the unselected area. If the unselected area has a “road” shape (e.g., area 77b), the geodesic path (e.g., geodesic path 88a) may occupy one opening in the unselected area. If the unselected area has a “peninsula” shape (e.g., area 77c as shown in step 3 of Figure 2 above), the geodesic path (e.g., geodesic path 88b as shown in step 4) may complete a perimeter to enclose the unselected area having one or more groups of selected triangles.

[0071] In some embodiments, for a peninsula-shaped unselected area, the selected triangle along the geodesic path encloses at least one section of the unselected area.

[0072] In the second decision step 110, the processor 42 checks whether the unselected areas of region 55 are completely enclosed as described above. If at least one unselected area is not enclosed, the method loops back to step 106. For example, as shown in step 3 of Figure 2 above, after selecting the triangle of the geodesic path 88a, the unselected area 77c is not completely enclosed by the selected triangle. In such an embodiment, the processor 42 applies steps 106 and 108 to generate a geodesic path 88b, which closes off section 70a and completes the perimeter of area 77c with the selected triangle that encloses area 77c.

[0073] If, in step 110, all unselected areas are surrounded by the selected triangles, the method proceeds to step 112 to select all triangles within the surrounded unselected areas, as detailed in step 5 of Figure 2 above.

[0074] Next, in step 114, which terminates the method, the low mapping resolution of the region 55 selected in step 100 is replaced with a region having the same surface mapped at a higher resolution, as described in detail above.

[0075] After the completion step 114, note that the display 46 (i) displays the anatomical map 60 (of which the physician 30 is of little interest) at a low resolution, and (ii) displays the area within the surface surrounded by the perimeter 58 at a high resolution using any preferred resolution as described above.

[0076] The particular method shown in Figure 3 is provided as an example to illustrate a specific problem addressed by embodiments of the present invention and to demonstrate the applicability of these embodiments in improving the performance of such systems. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this particular type of exemplary sequence of steps, and the principles described herein can similarly be applied to other types of methods for presenting information in any preferred medical procedure.

[0077] While the embodiments described herein primarily address anatomical mapping in the planning of cardiac ablation procedures, the methods and systems described herein can also be used for other applications, such as the presentation of data and / or information used to perform any medical procedure. Furthermore, the methods and systems described herein can also be used for any applications, including manual selection of selection areas and resolution improvement.

[0078] Accordingly, it will be understood that the embodiments described above are cited as examples and that the present invention is not limited to those specifically shown and described in the above specification. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and partial combinations of the various features described in the above specification, as well as variations and modifications thereof not disclosed in the prior art, which would be conceivable to those skilled in the art by reading the foregoing description. Documents incorporated by reference in this patent application shall be considered integral parts of this application, except that if any term is defined in such incorporated documents in a manner that contradicts the definitions expressed or implied herein, only the definitions herein shall be considered.

[0079] [Implementation Method] (1) A method for improving local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping, Receiving a selection of a first selection region intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation on the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, (i) Identifying the outer periphery of the first selected region, and (ii) identifying non-selected areas located at least within the first selected region, (i) generating the first selection region and (ii) generating a second selection region including the non-selected area, A method comprising displaying the anatomical map having the second presentation applied to the second selected region. (2) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first presentation includes a first mapping resolution of the anatomical map, and the second presentation includes a second mapping resolution of the second selected region of the anatomical map. (3) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first selection region includes one or more selection areas and at least the non-selection areas, and identifying the non-selection areas includes identifying at least isolated non-selection areas surrounded by the one or more selection areas within the first selection region. (4) The method according to Embodiment 3, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, and generating the second selection region includes selecting one or more unselected polygons within the isolated unselected area. (5) The method of Embodiment 4, wherein selecting one or more unselected polygons includes applying a flood fill algorithm to the unselected polygons in the isolated unselected area.

[0080] (6) The method according to embodiment 4, wherein at least one of the polygons of the anatomical map includes a triangle. (7) The method according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first selection area includes a first selection area and a second selection area that are at least partially separated from each other by the non-selection area, and identifying the non-selection area includes identifying the non-selection area within the first selection area that is partially enclosed by the first selection area and the second selection area. (8) The method according to Embodiment 7, wherein the anatomical map comprises a polygonal mesh, the first selection area comprises a first polygon, the second selection area comprises a second polygon, the first selection area and the second selection area are at least partially separated by unselected polygons of the unselected area, and generating the second selection area comprises (i) calculating the distance between one or more pairs of the first and second polygons, and (ii) selecting the path of the unselected polygons located between any pair of selected polygons selected from the first and second polygons. (9) The method according to embodiment 8, wherein the path includes a geodesic path. (10) The method according to embodiment 8, wherein at least one of the polygons includes a triangle.

[0081] (11) A system for improving local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping, It is a processor, On the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, a selection of a first selection region is received, which is intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation. (i) Identify the outer periphery of the first selected region, and (ii) identify non-selected areas located at least within the first selected region. A processor configured to generate (i) the first selection region and (ii) the second selection region including the non-selected area, A system comprising: an output device configured to display the anatomical map having the second presentation applied to the second selected region. (12) The system according to Embodiment 11, wherein the first presentation includes a first mapping resolution of the anatomical map, and the second presentation includes a second mapping resolution of the second selected region of the anatomical map. (13) The system according to Embodiment 11, wherein the first selection region includes one or more selection areas and at least the non-selection areas, and the processor is configured to identify at least isolated non-selection areas surrounded by the one or more selection areas within the first selection region. (14) The system according to Embodiment 13, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, and the processor is configured to select unselected polygons within the isolated unselected areas. (15) The system according to Embodiment 14, wherein the processor is configured to select the unselected polygons by applying a flood fill algorithm to the unselected polygons in the isolated unselected area.

[0082] (16) The system according to embodiment 14, wherein at least one of the polygons of the anatomical map includes a triangle. (17) The system according to Embodiment 11, wherein the first selection area includes a first selection area and a second selection area that are at least partially separated from each other by the non-selection area, and the processor is configured to identify the non-selection area by identifying the non-selection area partially enclosed by the first selection area and the second selection area within the first selection area. (18) The system according to Embodiment 17, wherein the anatomical map comprises a polygonal mesh, the first selection area comprises a first polygon, the second selection area comprises a second polygon, the first selection area and the second selection area are at least partially separated by unselected polygons of the unselected area, and the processor is configured to generate the second selection area by (i) calculating the distance between one or more pairs of the first and second polygons, and (ii) selecting a path of the unselected polygons located between any pair of selected polygons selected from the first and second polygons. (19) The system according to embodiment 18, wherein the route includes a geodesic route. (20) The system according to embodiment 18, wherein at least one of the polygons includes a triangle.

Claims

1. A system for improving local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping, It is a processor, On the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, a selection of a first selection region is received, which is intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation. (i) Identify the outer periphery of the first selection region, and (ii) identify non-selected areas located at least within the first selection region. A processor configured to generate (i) the first selection region and (ii) the second selection region including the non-selected area, Includes an output device configured to display the anatomical map having the second presentation applied to the second selected region, A system in which the first presentation includes a first mapping resolution of the anatomical map, and the second presentation includes a second mapping resolution of the second selected region of the anatomical map.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first selection region includes one or more selection areas and at least the non-selection area, and the processor is configured to identify at least isolated non-selection areas surrounded by the one or more selection areas within the first selection region.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, and the processor is configured to select unselected polygons within the isolated unselected areas.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to select the unselected polygons by applying a flood fill algorithm to the unselected polygons in the isolated unselected area.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the polygons of the anatomical map includes a triangle.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first selection region includes a first selection region and a second selection region that are at least partially separated from each other by the non-selection region, and the processor is configured to identify the non-selection region by identifying the non-selection region within the first selection region that is partially enclosed by the first selection region and the second selection region.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, the first selection area includes a first polygon, the second selection area includes a second polygon, the first selection area and the second selection area are at least partially separated by unselected polygons of the unselected area, and the processor is configured to generate the second selection area by (i) calculating the distance between one or more pairs of the first polygons and the second polygons, and (ii) selecting a path of the unselected polygons located between any pair of selected polygons selected from the first polygons and the second polygons.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the aforementioned path includes a geodesic path.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the polygons includes a triangle.

10. A method for operating a system to improve local resolution in high-speed anatomical mapping, The processor of the system receives a selection of a first selection region on the surface of an anatomical map of a patient organ having a first presentation, which is intended to have a second presentation different from the first presentation. (i) The processor identifies the outer periphery of the first selection region, and (ii) non-selected areas located at least within the first selection region. (i) The processor generates a second selection region which includes the first selection region and (ii) the non-selection region, The output device of the system includes displaying the anatomical map having the second presentation applied to the second selected region, A method of operating the system, wherein the first presentation includes a first mapping resolution of the anatomical map, and the second presentation includes a second mapping resolution of the second selected region of the anatomical map.

11. A method for operating the system according to claim 10, wherein the first selection region includes one or more selection areas and at least the non-selection area, and identifying the non-selection area includes the processor identifying at least an isolated non-selection area surrounded by the one or more selection areas within the first selection region.

12. A method of operating the system according to claim 11, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh and generating the second selection region includes the processor selecting one or more unselected polygons within the isolated unselected area.

13. A method of operating the system according to claim 12, wherein selecting one or more unselected polygons includes the processor applying a flood fill algorithm to the unselected polygons in the isolated unselected area.

14. A method of operating the system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the polygons of the anatomical map includes a triangle.

15. A method of operating the system according to claim 10, wherein the first selection region includes a first selection region and a second selection region that are at least partially separated from each other by the non-selection region, and identifying the non-selection region includes the processor identifying the non-selection region within the first selection region that is partially enclosed by the first selection region and the second selection region.

16. A method of operating the system according to claim 15, wherein the anatomical map includes a polygonal mesh, the first selection area includes a first polygon, the second selection area includes a second polygon, the first selection area and the second selection area are at least partially separated by the unselected polygons of the unselected area, and generating the second selection area includes the processor (i) calculating the distance between one or more pairs of the first polygons and the second polygons, and (ii) selecting a path for the unselected polygons located between any pair of selected polygons selected from the first polygons and the second polygons.

17. The method of operating the system according to claim 16, wherein the aforementioned path includes a geodesic path.

18. A method for operating the system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the polygons includes a triangle.

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