Catheter Navigation Using Electrical Field Transform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for non-fluoroscopic tracking of intra-body catheters during cardiac procedures face challenges in accurately determining the three-dimensional location of catheters within the body, particularly in navigating through complex cardiac anatomy, leading to potential errors in catheter placement and treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that associate intrabody catheter measurement values with positions within a body part by determining a transform establishing correspondence between catheter-measured measurement values and reference values, allowing for accurate navigation and mapping of catheters within cardiovascular anatomy using electrical field measurements and simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-fluoroscopic tracking methods are used to avoid radiation exposure, then patient safety is improved, but measurement precision and reliability of catheter location determination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electrical field measurements as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly determine catheter position. Instead of directly visualizing the catheter (which would require fluoroscopy), the system measures electrical fields at multiple electrodes and uses these measurements as mediators to calculate catheter location through mathematical transformations, thereby avoiding radiation while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical fluoroscopic imaging system with an electrical field-based measurement and computation system. Instead of using X-rays and mechanical imaging components, the system uses electrical field sensors and mathematical algorithms to determine catheter position, substituting a purely electrical and computational approach for the traditional mechanical imaging method
2Device complexity
If electrical field measurements are taken along a limited measurement track, then the complexity of the navigation system is reduced, but the reliability of catheter position determination in regions away from the track deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements along a measurement track to establish a transform relationship between electrical field measurements and anatomical positions. This preliminary action creates a mathematical model that can then be applied to determine positions in regions away from the measured track, allowing the system to maintain reliability without requiring direct measurements everywhere
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a mathematical copy or transformation model of the electrical field-measurement-to-position relationship based on measurements along the track. This copied model is then used to infer positions in unmeasured regions, effectively replicating the positioning capability without requiring physical measurements throughout the entire anatomical space
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
This approach significantly reduces positional errors in catheter navigation, enhances the accuracy of catheter placement, and improves the efficacy of cardiac procedures by providing precise spatial mapping and registration of catheter positions within the body, even in complex anatomical structures.
Implementation Method 1
catheter-measured measurement values comprise electrical field measurement values measured from a catheter electrode moving along a measurement track through electrical fields induced within the body part; and wherein the electrical fields induced within the body part comprise electrical fields induced from electrodes placed at intrabody positions
Data Source
AI summary
Registration of catheter-sensed intrabody voltage field measurements obtained along one or more tracks of catheter advance of withdrawal is made, in some embodiments, to reference voltage field measurements lying along predetermined tracks. Tracks optionally comprise the course of a blood vessel such as the superior or inferior vena cava, a path defined and/or limited by encounters with a wall of a heart chamber and/or apertures thereof, and/or another track of catheter motion. In some embodiments, transform parameters are propagated to regions away from the track, potentially allowing more rapid acquisition of targets.