Atrial Fibrillation Source Localization Using AF-DF and Rotor Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for localizing atrial fibrillation sources are invasive, technically complex, expensive, and prone to errors due to small atrial volume and wall thickness, while non-invasive methods like ECGI face challenges in accurately characterizing electrical activity and require extensive training data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing heart and torso scan images to extract atrial and torso meshes, sample Body Surface Potential signals, determine cardiac potential, identify probable rotor regions, and combine Atrial Fibrillation-Dominant Frequency (AF-DF) probability for precise source localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive electrophysiological study with multiple catheters is used to map intracardiac signals, then arrhythmic sources can be localized, but the procedure becomes technically complex, expensive, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive catheter-based electrophysiological study with a non-invasive imaging-based system. The solution uses imaging data to create computational models and algorithms that localize arrhythmic sources without requiring physical catheter insertion into the heart chambers, thereby eliminating the complexity and invasiveness while maintaining diagnostic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or model of the cardiac structure using imaging data (CT or MRI scans). This digital twin allows for non-invasive mapping and localization of arrhythmic sources by processing imaging information through specialized algorithms, avoiding the need for direct intracardiac measurement
2Measurement precision
If invasive electrophysiological study with multiple catheters is used to map intracardiac signals, then arrhythmic sources can be localized, but the procedure becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming invasive catheter procedure with a non-invasive imaging-based approach. By using pre-acquired imaging data and computational processing, the system achieves arrhythmic source localization without the extended procedure time associated with catheter insertion, mapping, and signal acquisition
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive ECGI approach is used to reconstruct cardiac potential from torso signals, then arrhythmic source localization can be achieved without invasive procedures, but accuracy is reduced due to small atrial volume, wall thickness, and ECGI regularization errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging data to specifically isolate and enhance atrial structures, creating detailed three-dimensional models of the atria that account for their small volume and thin walls. This segmentation approach allows the system to focus computational resources on accurately representing atrial geometry and electrical properties, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining non-invasive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used in the reconstruction algorithm by incorporating imaging-derived geometric and tissue properties into the computational model. This allows the system to adjust for atrial-specific characteristics such as small volume and wall thickness, reducing regularization errors and improving the accuracy of electrical activity characterization
Data Source
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AI summary
Conventionally, invasive techniques are used to localize Atrial Fibrillation sources, but they are inconvenient, technically complex, and expensive. Non-invasive methods such as ECGI are prone to errors due to small volume and wall thickness of the atria. Thus, embodiments of present disclosure provide a method and system for source localization of AF utilizing a modified dominant frequency approach and atrium depolarization time. The method initially obtains heart and torso scan images and extracts atrial and torso meshes from them. Then, Body Surface Potential (BSP) signals are sampled from the atrial meshes and torso meshes. Cardiac potential is reconstructed from BSP. Further, AF-DF probability and probable rotor regions are determined from the cardiac potential. AF sources are then localized by combining AF-DF probability and probable rotor regions. Thus, the disclosed method which is non-invasive can be used for patient stratification for AF treatment plan, personalize procedure planning, and reduce ablation time.