AFCL Gradient Mapping for Atrial Fibrillation Origins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac electro-anatomical mapping techniques face challenges in efficiently identifying and visualizing regular atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) patterns and their gradients, which are crucial for diagnosing and treating atrial fibrillation, due to the need for simultaneous recording of electrical signals from multiple locations and limitations in producing consistent maps.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that calculate and display AFCL gradient maps by determining average AFCL values, checking for regularity, and calculating gradients between adjacent locations, overlaying these on a heart map, and color-coding or animating the results to indicate AF origins and propagation paths, using a single catheter to collect and analyze electrocardiograms independently at different times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simultaneous recording of electrical signals from multiple locations is performed, then mapping precision is improved, but device complexity and procedural invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mapping process into two distinct phases: a mapping phase where catheter positions and electrogram signals are recorded, and a separate analysis phase where AFCL gradients are calculated. This allows the system to achieve high mapping precision without requiring complex simultaneous multi-location recording equipment, as the analysis is performed computationally on sequentially collected data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting electrogram signals and determining catheter positions during the mapping phase before performing the actual AFCL gradient calculation during the analysis phase. This preliminary data collection enables subsequent detailed analysis without requiring all measurement components to be active simultaneously, reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If simultaneous recording from multiple locations is performed, then mapping precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the process into sequential mapping and analysis phases, the system eliminates the time required for complex simultaneous multi-location recording setup. The mapping phase collects necessary data efficiently, and the analysis phase processes this data computationally, reducing overall procedural time while maintaining mapping precision through the gradient calculation approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of simultaneous multi-location recording with a computational analysis system. Instead of requiring multiple sensors to record simultaneously, the system uses sequential electrogram recording followed by computational AFCL gradient analysis, substituting mechanical complexity with information processing that reduces procedural time.
3Ease of operation
If a single catheter is used for data collection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic analysis by calculating AFCL gradients based on the propagation of atrial fibrillation wavefronts across different locations over time. Even though a single catheter is used, the dynamic nature of AFCL calculation from sequentially recorded electrograms at different positions maintains measurement precision by capturing the temporal and spatial characteristics of arrhythmia propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses computational analysis as an intermediary between the single catheter's sequential measurements and the final mapping result. The AFCL gradient calculation acts as a mediator that transforms simple sequential data from one catheter into precise spatial-temporal mapping information, bridging the gap between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method including calculating, at multiple intracardiac locations, respective average atrial fibrillation cycle-length (AFCL) values. A determination is made as to whether the calculated average AFCL values are indicative of a regular atrial fibrillation (AF) activity. Gradients between pairs of the average AFCL values are calculated for a plurality of average AFCL values that are determined to be indicative of regular AF activity. The calculated AFCL gradients are presented to a user, overlaid on a map of at least a portion of the heart.