Catheter Force-Vector Mapping for Accurate Heart Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac catheter mapping techniques struggle to accurately determine the location of contact with cardiac tissue due to inconclusive results from position sensors, especially in scenarios where the catheter is not perpendicular to the tissue surface or when tissue curvature complicates the mapping process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a contact-force sensing capability into the catheter to measure the force vector, which is used in conjunction with position sensors to accurately determine the touched location by correlating the force vector with an electro-anatomical map, ensuring the correct location is identified.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position sensors are used to determine catheter contact location, then the basic positioning function is provided, but the accuracy is insufficient especially when the catheter is not perpendicular to the tissue surface or when tissue curvature complicates the mapping process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines position sensors and contact-force sensors into a single integrated sensing system. The position sensor provides spatial coordinates while the contact-force sensor measures force magnitude and direction, and both are processed together by a single processor to determine the touched location on the electro-anatomical map, resolving the limitation of position sensors alone
Solution Approach 2:
The contact-force vector acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between catheter position and actual tissue contact location. By measuring the force vector direction and magnitude, the system can calculate the offset between the catheter tip position and the actual touched location on the curved tissue surface, improving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If contact-force sensing capability is incorporated into the catheter, then the accuracy of determining touched location is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact-force sensor serves multiple functions: it measures the magnitude of contact force, determines the direction of the force vector, and enables calculation of the offset between catheter tip and touched location. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive contact information from a single sensor type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a sensing-based approach. Instead of using mechanical stops or physical references to determine contact location, the system uses contact-force sensors to detect force vectors and calculates the touched location mathematically, simplifying the overall device architecture
3Measurement precision
If force vector information is used in conjunction with position signals, then the accuracy of electro-anatomical mapping is improved, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor uses feedback from both position signals and contact-force signals to continuously refine the determination of touched location. The contact-force vector provides feedback on the direction and magnitude of tissue interaction, which is combined with position feedback to calculate the accurate touched location on the electro-anatomical map
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the data processing by incorporating force vector information (magnitude and direction) alongside position coordinates. This transforms the problem from 3D spatial positioning to 6D measurement (3D position + 3D force vector), enabling accurate determination of touched location on curved surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes an electrical interface for communicating with a probe, and a processor. The electrical interface is configured to be inserted into a heart of a patient. The processor is configured to (A) receive from the probe, via the electrical interface, (i) position-signals indicative of a position of a distal tip of the probe in the heart, (ii) a contact-force indication indicative of a contact force exerted on the distal tip, and (iii) an electrophysiological (EP) measurement acquired by the distal tip at the position, (B) calculate a contact-force vector based on the contact-force indication received from the distal tip, and (C) based on the position-signals and on the contact-force vector, estimate a location, on an electro-anatomical map of the heart, at which the distal tip touches tissue, and to update the electro-anatomical map with the EP measurement, associated with the estimated location.