Electroanatomical Mapping System for Cardiac Slow Conduction Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac mapping technologies face challenges in effectively identifying regions of slow conduction and block during cardiac electrophysiology procedures, as they rely on static maps that do not adequately represent the propagation of cardiac activation wavefronts.
Innovation Solution
An electroanatomical mapping system that computes a slow conduction metric from local activation timing information, generating a slow conduction map and providing a graphical representation on a three-dimensional anatomical surface model, including animated representations of the activation wavefront, to visualize regions of slow conduction and no conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static maps with colors and shading are used to represent activation time, then the map generation is simple and fast, but the ability to identify regions of slow conduction and block is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static activation time maps into dynamic visualizations that show wavefront propagation over time. By animating the activation sequence and using time-varying displays, the system dynamically reveals slow conduction regions without requiring complex additional hardware, thus improving identification accuracy while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to traditional 2D activation maps by displaying activation sequences across multiple time points. This temporal dimension allows clinicians to observe wavefront propagation and identify slow conduction regions more accurately, effectively converting a 2D static representation into a 3D spatiotemporal visualization
2Loss of information
If traditional electroanatomical mapping systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the ability to visualize activation wavefront propagation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes electrogram signals during the mapping procedure to extract activation timing information, storing this data for subsequent wavefront propagation visualization. By performing this data extraction and organization in advance, the system preserves propagation information without requiring complex real-time processing during visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that transforms raw electrogram data into activation time maps and wavefront propagation visualizations. This intermediary layer acts as a bridge between simple data acquisition and complex visualization, preserving propagation information while managing system complexity through modular data processing
3Measurement precision
If detailed analysis of slow conduction regions is performed, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic visualization allows clinicians to quickly scan through activation sequences and identify slow conduction regions at a glance, rather than manually analyzing each data point. This reduces the time required for detailed analysis while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through intuitive temporal-spatial representation
Data Source
AI summary
An electroanatomical mapping system can map electrical activation of tissue, and in particular create a slow conduction map, using a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each including local activation timing information, by computing a slow conduction metric for each point using the local activation timing information. The slow conduction metric can be used to classify points as no conduction points, slow conduction points, and normal conduction points, and the results can be graphically expressed, including as an animated representation of an activation wavefront propagating along a three-dimensional anatomical surface model.