Bipolar Electrode Pair Selection for Accurate Cardiac Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical procedures for mapping electrical activity in the heart, such as those for cardiac arrhythmias, face challenges in accurately and efficiently selecting bipolar electrode pairs for electro-anatomical mapping, which is time-consuming and prone to error, potentially leading to medical complications or fatalities.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system with multiple electrodes and processing circuitry that automatically selects bipolar signals from electrode pairs based on their alignment with the direction of electrical activation signals, using time differences between unipolar signals to determine optimal electrode pairs for electro-anatomical mapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual selection of bipolar electrode pairs is performed for electro-anatomical mapping, then the operator can review and verify each electrode pair, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of electrode pair selectionVSAvoidtime required for electrode pair selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic selection of bipolar electrode pairs using processing circuitry that analyzes unipolar signals and computes time differences to identify optimally aligned electrode pairs, eliminating the need for manual operator review while maintaining or improving selection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of reviewing and selecting electrode pairs by operator inspection is replaced with an automated electronic system that computes time differences between unipolar signals and automatically identifies the best electrode pairs for bipolar mapping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual selection of electrode pairs is performed, then operator judgment can be applied, but the process is prone to errors leading to medical complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of electrode pair selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the selection task that was previously requiring operator judgment, using processing circuitry to analyze signals and compute time differences, thereby eliminating human error while maintaining the ability to perform complex analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback by computing time differences between unipolar signals from different electrode pairs and using this information to identify which electrode pairs are optimally aligned with the direction of electrical activation, eliminating guesswork and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If all electrode pairs are analyzed manually to find the best alignment, then accurate selection is possible, but the time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of electrode pair alignmentVSAvoidspeed of electro-anatomical mapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The slow manual process of analyzing electrode pair alignments is replaced with rapid automated electronic computation that calculates time differences between unipolar signals and identifies optimally aligned electrode pairs in real-time, dramatically increasing mapping speed while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automatic analysis of all electrode pairs by computing time differences between unipolar signals before bipolar mapping begins, pre-identifying the optimally aligned electrode pairs so that the actual mapping can proceed efficiently without delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates rapid and precise selection of electrode pairs for electro-anatomical mapping, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of cardiac procedures by aligning electrode pairs with the direction of electrical activation signals, reducing the risk of errors and improving procedural outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

multiple electrodes configured to capture electrical activity from electrical activation signals propagating in tissue of the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

compute, for the respective electrode pairs, respective time differences between the unipolar signals of the respective electrode pairs, the respective time differences being indicative of respective alignments of the respective electrode pairs with the direction of propagation of the electrical activation signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime difference measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12544129B2Bipolar electrode pair selection

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

AI summary

In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a chamber of a heart of a living subject, and including multiple electrodes configured to capture electrical activity from electrical activation signals propagating in tissue of the chamber, a display, and processing circuitry configured to automatically select bipolar signals to be captured into an electro-anatomical map from respective electrode pairs of the multiple electrodes responsively to an alignment of the respective electrode pairs with a direction of propagation of the electrical activation signals, and render the electro-anatomical map to the display.