Catheter Electrode Selection via Hand Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
During cardiac ablation procedures, it is challenging for physicians to determine which electrodes on a multi-electrode catheter are in contact with heart tissue, especially as the number of electrodes increases, due to varying contact conditions and the complexity of interpreting impedance and force measurements.
Innovation Solution
A medical system that includes a catheter with a head-mounted display and camera, allowing physicians to view a three-dimensional anatomical map of the heart and the catheter's electrodes, with the ability to recognize hand gestures to select specific electrodes, display intracardiac electrograms, and generate electro-anatomical maps, thereby facilitating the identification of electrode-tissue contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of electrodes on the catheter is increased to improve mapping resolution, then the mapping precision is improved, but the difficulty of determining which electrodes are in contact with tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the catheter into individual electrode segments, each with its own contact status indicator. This segmentation allows the physician to individually assess contact conditions for each electrode rather than dealing with the complexity of multiple electrodes simultaneously, directly resolving the contradiction between having many electrodes for precision mapping and the difficulty of determining contact status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses visual indicators (such as color changes or illuminated markers) on the catheter to indicate which electrodes are in contact with tissue. This visual feedback mechanism simplifies the determination of electrode contact status, allowing physicians to quickly identify contacting electrodes without manually analyzing complex impedance data for each electrode.
2Measurement precision
If impedance and force measurements are used to determine electrode contact, then the measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of interpreting the measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces visual indicators as an intermediary between the complex impedance and force measurements and the physician's interpretation. These indicators translate the complex measurement data into simple visual signals that directly indicate contact status, eliminating the need for the physician to manually interpret complex numerical data while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual interpretation of complex measurement data with an automated visual display system. Instead of requiring the physician to analyze impedance and force values, the system automatically processes these measurements and presents contact status through visual indicators, simplifying the interpretation process while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If a three-dimensional display with gesture recognition is implemented to simplify electrode selection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single unified interface: the three-dimensional display shows anatomical structures, catheter position, and electrode contact status simultaneously, while gesture recognition handles both selection and navigation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems and interfaces into one cohesive tool, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through integration rather than accumulation of separate components.
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 system simplifies the identification of electrodes in contact with heart tissue, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of cardiac ablation procedures by providing a clear, intuitive interface for physicians to visualize and interact with the catheter's position and electrical activity within the heart.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field sensor within the distal end of the probe generates electrical signals in response to these magnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
measuring the contact between the distal tip and the body tissue using a force sensor embedded in the catheter
Implementation Method 3
determine electrode-tissue contact by measuring the impedance between the tip electrode and a return electrode
Implementation Method 4
A camera may be disposed in or near the head-mounted apparatus, and configured to capture an image of the user's hand
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, a display configured to provide a view of at least part of a hand of a user, and a processor configured to track a position of the catheter in the body part, render to the display a three-dimensional view of an interior of an anatomical map of the body part and a representation of the catheter inside the anatomical map responsively to the tracked position, while the display is providing the view of the at least part of the hand of the user, recognize a gesture of the at least part of the hand of the user selecting a portion of the catheter, and perform an action responsively to recognizing selection by the user of the portion of the catheter.