Computer-Aided Cardiac Activation Localization Using BSPM Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac mapping techniques for localizing the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia are limited by subjective interpretation, imperfect accuracy, and spatial resolution, particularly in hemodynamically unstable or non-sustained tachycardias, which hampers effective catheter ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A computer-aided localization system that compares body surface potential maps (BSPMs) of interest to pre-defined templates for each heart segment, using regression coefficients to interpolate and quantify similarity, facilitating objective localization of the activation site by averaging BSPMs from pacing sites within each segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional endocardial mapping techniques with fluoroscopy are used, then catheter localization is achieved, but measurement precision and spatial resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fluoroscopic localization with a computational electrocardiographic imaging system that uses body surface potential maps and inverse solution algorithms to determine catheter position and activation sites, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex fluoroscopic equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the cardiac electrical activity through body surface potential mapping and computational modeling, allowing visualization of activation patterns and catheter positioning without direct mechanical observation, thus improving localization accuracy while reducing system complexity
2Measurement precision
If subjective interpretation methods are used for tachycardia localization, then procedural flexibility is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an objective feedback mechanism by comparing measured body surface potential maps during tachycardia with template maps from known activation sites, using correlation coefficients to automatically identify the most likely origin location, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms subjective visual interpretation into objective quantitative measurement by calculating correlation coefficients between measured and template ECG patterns, changing the parameter from qualitative assessment to numerical similarity metric, thus improving reliability without increasing procedural complexity
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive body surface potential mapping is performed, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time during procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing template body surface potential maps for various cardiac activation sites before the procedure, allowing rapid comparison and identification during the actual mapping without time-consuming real-time computations, thus improving precision while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a limited set of discriminator leads (a subset of the full body surface potential map) to quickly identify the general region of activation origin, then focuses detailed mapping only on that specific area, performing partial mapping that suffices for the clinical question without requiring exhaustive comprehensive mapping
Data Source
AI summary
A method for quantifying, during pacemapping, a comparison of a BSPM of interest to a pace site BSPM. The method may include receiving at a computing device a plurality of ECG signals from an acquisition system. The pace site BSPM may be calculated using the plurality of ECG signals. The BSPM of interest may be compared to the pace site BSPM, by: retrieving the BSPM of interest from memory accessible by the computing device and, calculating one or more comparison metrics for the BSPM of interest as compared to the pace site BSPM. An indication of similarity between the BSPM of interest and the pace site BSPM based on the comparison metric calculated may be displayed on a user interface in communication with the computing device.