Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Region Mapping System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining regions of interest for catheter ablation in cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation, are time-consuming and require extensive medical expertise, relying on manual analysis of intra-cardiac electrocardiogram signals to identify areas causing irregular heart rhythms.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing sensors to detect electro-cardiogram signals and determine local activation times, generating mapping information to identify regions of interest based on spatio-temporal manifestations of cardiac arrhythmia, reducing analysis time and increasing ablation success rates through efficient and accurate mapping techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual analysis of intra-cardiac electrocardiogram signals is used to identify ablation regions, then medical expertise can accurately interpret complex signals, but the analysis process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ablation region identificationVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated identification of ablation regions through computer algorithms that independently analyze electrocardiogram signals and generate ablation target recommendations without requiring continuous manual interpretation by medical experts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis by medical professionals with an automated computational system that uses algorithms to process electrocardiogram signals and identify ablation regions, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If extensive manual analysis is performed to ensure accurate ablation region determination, then ablation success rates improve, but the complexity and time required for the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveablation success rateVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system performs the complex analysis tasks independently, generating ablation region recommendations without requiring extensive manual intervention, thereby reducing procedure complexity while maintaining high success rates through algorithmic accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual interpretation of electrocardiogram signals is used, then flexibility in handling complex cases is maintained, but the process becomes less efficient and more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handling complex casesVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously handles complex signal analysis and adapts to different case types through its algorithmic processing capabilities, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual interpretation while maintaining the flexibility to handle diverse clinical scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3725220B1System for determining atrial fibrillation regions for ablation
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP3725220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3725220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3725220B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of determining target heart ablation regions is provided which includes detecting electro-cardiogram (ECG) signals each indicating an electrical activity of a heart over time and determining, for each of the ECG signals, local activation times (LATs) each indicating a time of electrical activation for an area the heart. The method also includes generating, based on the LATs, electrical activity mapping information for displaying one or more maps representing the electrical activity of the heart and alternatively, or in addition to the electrical activity mapping information, generating spatio-temporal mapping information for one or more maps representing a spatio-temporal manifestation of the conditions indicative of cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation (AF). The method further includes determining a region of interest (ROI) of the heart by identifying the ROI as a region exhibiting conditions indicative of cardiac arrhythmia based on the mapping information.