Cardiac Ablation Map Visualization for Gap Closure and Tag Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardiac ablation procedures face challenges such as difficulty in closing ablation gaps, aligning 3D visualized locations with previous ablation sites, and preventing repetitive ablations during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) due to insufficient visualization of ablation progress and electrode proximity.
Innovation Solution
A real-time visualization technique using a graphical user interface that graphically encodes ablation tags on an anatomical map based on the level of ablation and electrode proximity, allowing physicians to make informed decisions about where to perform further ablations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ablation visualization methods are used, then the procedure is simpler to operate, but the ablation gaps are difficult to close and repetitive ablations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded encoding to ablation tags on the anatomical map, where different colors represent different ablation levels (e.g., green for sufficient ablation, yellow for partial ablation, red for insufficient ablation). This visual differentiation enables operators to quickly identify ablation gaps and areas requiring additional treatment, thereby improving ablation coverage completeness without significantly increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by dynamically updating the anatomical map with ablation tags that reflect the current ablation status. As ablation proceeds, the map automatically updates to show which areas have been treated and which remain insufficiently ablated, guiding operators to close gaps and prevent repetitive ablations through continuous visual feedback.
2Measurement precision
If real-time visualization of ablation progress is implemented, then ablation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the anatomical structure in the form of an anatomical map that replicates the cardiac chamber geometry and superimposes ablation tags at relevant locations. This graphical representation provides accurate spatial information about ablation progress without requiring complex physical measurement devices, thereby improving location accuracy while minimizing system complexity.
3Loss of information
If ablation tags are displayed on anatomical map, then information about ablation progress is provided, but the visualization of electrode proximity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the anatomical map by encoding ablation tags with local quality information that reflects both the ablation level at each location and the proximity of the ablation electrode. The encoding scheme provides differentiated visual cues for tags near the electrode versus those farther away, enabling operators to detect electrode proximity and make informed decisions about where to apply further ablation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving an anatomical map of wall tissue of at least a portion of a cardiac chamber, the map superimposed with a grid of ablation tags that are graphically encoded according to respective levels of ablation of the wall tissue. Upon placing a multi-electrode ablation catheter in a vicinity of the wall tissue, one or more of the ablation tags are graphically re-encoded according to (i) existing levels of ablation associated with the tags and (ii) electrode proximity to wall tissue locations associated with the tags. The anatomical map, having the re-encoded ablation tags, is displated to a user.