Ablation Catheter GUI with Color-Coded Electrode Sectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation systems for cardiac tissue treatment face challenges in effectively visualizing and managing the status of multiple electrodes during procedures, particularly in ensuring good tissue contact and monitoring ablation quality in real-time.
Innovation Solution
An ablation system comprising a catheter with an expandable balloon and a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays color-coded plots for electrode status, impedance, and temperature, allowing for real-time monitoring and feedback on electrode activity and ablation effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electrodes are used on the expandable balloon for cardiac ablation, then the coverage and effectiveness of tissue treatment is improved, but the complexity of visualizing and monitoring the status of each electrode increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is segmented into multiple specialized sectors, each dedicated to displaying specific electrode parameters (impedance, temperature, contact force). This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple electrodes efficiently by dividing the complex monitoring task into manageable, specialized display regions rather than presenting a single overwhelming view of all electrode data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional display to a three-dimensional visualization of electrode data by incorporating color-coded plots that represent multiple parameters simultaneously. The color intensity and patterns provide an additional dimension of information, allowing operators to quickly assess electrode status without increasing the physical display area or interface complexity.
2Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring of multiple electrode parameters is implemented, then the precision of tissue contact assessment is improved, but the amount of information to be processed and displayed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface employs color-coded plots where color intensity and variations represent different parameter values and thresholds. For example, color changes indicate impedance levels, temperature ranges, and contact force status. This visual encoding allows multiple parameters to be displayed simultaneously without creating information overload, as the human eye can quickly process color patterns rather than numerical data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified visual representations (copies) of complex electrode data through standardized icons and graphical elements. Each electrode is represented by consistent visual symbols that convey multiple pieces of information at once, reducing the cognitive load required to process raw data while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If color-coded plots are used to display electrode status, then the ease of visualizing electrode conditions is improved, but the complexity of data processing and update requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface implements real-time feedback mechanisms where color-coded plots automatically update based on incoming electrode data. The system continuously monitors impedance, temperature, and contact force parameters, and immediately reflects changes in the visual display. This automated feedback loop simplifies operational monitoring while the underlying processing complexity is managed through systematic data update protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data processing and threshold comparisons before generating visual updates. By pre-establishing threshold values and preparation of visual elements, the system reduces the computational burden during real-time operation. Color-coded plots are prepared in advance with defined color mappings, allowing rapid updates without complex processing during critical monitoring phases.
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation catheter with an expandable balloon or a basket, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the surface, and a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer system is disclosed. The GUI includes a plurality of electrode representations, a first sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, a second sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, a third sector color coded plot of at least one of the plurality of electrodes, and a processor configured to receive data on the inputs based on at least one of the plurality of electrodes, change an appearance of at least one of the first, second sector, and the third sector based on the received data, and update the color coded plot of the first input.