Cardiac Probe Wavefront Direction Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and targeting sources of atrial fibrillation, such as rotors and focal sources, during ablation therapy are inefficient due to the inability to map the heart chamber with sufficient resolution and the assumption that these sources remain stationary, leading to challenges in independent implementation.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac monitoring system with a probe and processing means that detects electrical potentials across a series of activation wavefronts, determines propagation directions, and generates images to indicate wavefront directions and potential sources of fibrillation, allowing for the identification of rotors and focal sources through curl and divergence analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If isochronal mapping is used to map activation sequences, then mapping coverage is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert assessment of electrograms with an automated computer system that processes electrical signals and generates isochronal maps automatically. The computer system analyzes electrogram data, determines local activation times, and produces visual representations without requiring continuous expert intervention, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining comprehensive mapping coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables independent operation by automating the entire mapping process from data acquisition to analysis and visualization. The computer system independently processes electrogram signals, identifies activation patterns, and generates maps without requiring continuous expert assessment, allowing the system to serve itself in completing the mapping task efficiently.
2Measurement precision
If expert assessment is used to identify local activation time, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert assessment with an automated computer algorithm that processes electrogram signals to determine local activation times. The computer system automatically analyzes the electrical signals, applies appropriate algorithms to identify activation timing, and produces results without requiring expert intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy through systematic computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer system acts as an intermediary between the electrogram data and the final activation time determination. It processes the raw electrical signals through automated algorithms, serving as a mediator that translates complex signal data into precise activation time measurements without requiring direct expert interpretation, thus simplifying the operational process.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution mapping is implemented, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heart chamber into multiple discrete mapping points or regions, with electrodes positioned at specific locations to capture local electrical activity. The computer system processes data from each segment independently to determine local activation times, then integrates these segmented measurements into a comprehensive high-resolution map. This segmentation approach enables high detection precision by focusing measurements at specific points while managing system complexity through modular data processing.
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
Enables precise localization of fibrillation sources within the heart, facilitating effective ablation therapy by providing real-time visualization of wavefront propagation and source identification, improving the accuracy and efficiency of treatment.
Implementation Method 1
each of the electrodes is arranged to detect electrical potential at a respective position in the heart during movement of a series of activation wavefronts across the detection region
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for monitoring activation in a heart comprises a probe (101), a plurality of electrodes (102) supported on the probe and extending over a detection area of the probe, the detection area being arranged to contact a detection region of the heart. Each of the electrodes (102) is arranged to detect electrical potential at a respective position in the heart during movement of a series of activation wave fronts across the detection region. A processor is arranged to analyse the detected electrical potentials to identify a propagation direction of at least one of the wave fronts, and to generate an output indicative of that direction.