Catheter Electrode Arrangement for Real-Time Wave Vector Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cardiac electro-anatomical mapping techniques require laborious calculations to determine the propagation direction of electrophysiological waves, which are time-consuming and difficult to perform quickly, especially in diagnosing arrhythmias.

Innovation Solution

A system with two or more pairs of parallel electrodes disposed on a catheter's distal end, where the processor calculates the local direction of electrophysiological signal propagation based on timing differences between the electrodes, allowing for real-time estimation of wave direction and magnitude, including detection of normal propagation relative to the heart surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electro-anatomical mapping techniques are used to determine wave propagation direction, then measurement precision is achieved, but the process is laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewave propagation direction determinationVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter tip is divided into multiple discrete electrode pairs arranged in specific geometric patterns (e.g., hexagonal arrangement), allowing parallel measurement of electrical potentials at different locations. This segmentation enables simultaneous data collection from multiple points, reducing calculation time while maintaining directional accuracy through vector analysis of the segmented measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode pairs are pre-positioned in predetermined geometric configurations on the catheter tip before insertion. This preliminary arrangement of electrodes in optimal positions allows immediate measurement of wave propagation direction upon contact with cardiac tissue, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustment or sequential positioning during the diagnostic process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If conventional mapping techniques are used, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but the speed of cardiac diagnostics is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidspeed of diagnostics

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrode pairs measuring electrical potentials at different locations are combined into a unified measurement system. The signals from all electrode pairs are processed simultaneously to calculate wave propagation direction and magnitude, merging multiple measurements into a single diagnostic output that maintains accuracy while significantly increasing diagnostic speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual or sequential measurement process is replaced with an automated electronic system that simultaneously records electrical potentials from multiple electrode pairs and computationally determines wave propagation characteristics. This substitution of mechanical/sequential processes with electronic parallel processing enables real-time diagnostic analysis without sacrificing measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If complex calculations are performed to determine wave direction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewave direction determinationVSAvoidcalculation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex mathematical models to calculate wave propagation direction, the system uses simplified geometric patterns of electrode pairs that directly encode directional information in their spatial arrangement. The electrode geometry itself serves as a template for measurement, reducing the need for complex computational algorithms while maintaining measurement precision through the physical encoding of directional data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 enhances the diagnostic value of intracardiac electrophysiological mapping by simplifying the determination of wave propagation direction, improving the speed and accuracy of cardiac diagnostics.

Implementation Method 1

each first electrode is in contact with the surface to record a first signal, and each second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a distance which enables the second electrode to record a second signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11766206B2Electrode arrangement to sense cardiac wave vector

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

AI summary

A system includes two or more pairs of electrodes and a processor. The electrodes are disposed over a distal end of a catheter for insertion into a heart of a patient. The electrodes in each pair are parallel with one another, and the pairs are not parallel with one another. The processor is configured to receive electrophysiological (EP) signals acquired by the pairs of electrodes, and, based on a timing of the received EP signals, calculate a local direction at which the received EP signals propagate in the heart.