Cardiac Virtualization Test Tank for Electrophysiology Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering temporally- and spatially-varying signals to simulate electrophysiological propagation on a defined surface is challenging due to the complexity of instrumentation and calculation of driving signals, particularly in requiring a large number of electrodes or a complex network of nodes to simulate propagation along the cardiac surface.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac virtualization system using a limited number of electrodes distributed within a test chamber, where the driving signals are delivered to generate a temporally- and spatially-varying field that can be measured and mapped as though generated by actual sources on a defined surface, such as a heart chamber, allowing for simulation of cardiac activity using a physical or virtual heart model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of electrodes or a complex network of nodes is used to simulate propagation along the cardiac surface, then the accuracy of electrophysiological simulation is improved, but the device complexity and instrumentation requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual replica of the cardiac electrophysiological system using a reduced number of physical electrodes. The virtual heart model replicates the electrical activity patterns that would require numerous physical electrodes to capture, thereby maintaining simulation accuracy while reducing hardware complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of numerous physical electrodes with a computational model. The virtualization approach substitutes direct electrical measurement with simulated electrical field generation and measurement, eliminating the need for complex electrode arrays while preserving measurement precision
2Reliability
If a large number of electrodes is used to deliver driving signals for simulation, then the fidelity of cardiac activity representation is improved, but the ease of operation and system setup worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual copy of the cardiac system that can be initialized and operated more easily than physical systems. The virtual heart model can be rapidly configured and modified without the physical constraints of electrode placement and wiring, improving ease of operation while maintaining fidelity through accurate virtual replication
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual heart model allows for pre-computation and pre-configuration of electrophysiological parameters and signal patterns. This preliminary preparation enables faster system setup and operation compared to physical electrode arrays that require real-time calibration and adjustment
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 effective simulation and mapping of cardiac activity with a reduced number of electrodes, facilitating training, testing, and validation of cardiac mapping systems by recreating the electrophysiological activity of a heart within a controlled environment.
Implementation Method 1
the superposition of the voltage field generated by each individual electrode yields a temporally- and spatially-varying field that can be measured and mapped as though the field was generated by actual sources on one or more defined surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cardiac virtualization test tank and testing system and method. A test tank is provided that includes a physical heart model representing the structure of the heart and a plurality of electrodes that output simulated biopotential signals based on an EP model representing the electrophysiological activity of the heart. The test system can be used for training, teaching, or validating a cardiac mapping, diagnosis, and/or treatment system, as examples.