Multi-Electrode Catheter GUI for Selective Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving continuous and comprehensive physician awareness and control of multiple electrode configurations in medical probes for safe multi-electrode ablation is challenging, particularly in preventing collateral damage and optimizing electrode contact during procedures like pulmonary vein isolation.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that allows physicians to select and adjust the operational configuration of multiple electrodes by enabling or disabling individual or groups of electrodes, with modes for single-electrode selection and fan selection, and automatic updates based on measured rotational orientation and contact impedance, ensuring safe and spatially selective ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple electrodes are operated simultaneously for ablation, then productivity is improved, but the risk of collateral damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation procedure is segmented into multiple phases: a test ablation phase with limited electrodes, and a full ablation phase with all electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to gather impedance data from individual electrodes during the test phase, then use that data to selectively activate electrodes in the full phase, thereby maintaining high productivity while reducing collateral damage through informed electrode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
A preliminary test ablation is performed before the main ablation procedure. During this test phase, the system measures contact impedance for each electrode and identifies electrodes with adequate tissue contact. This preliminary action provides critical information that enables safe full-power ablation in subsequent phases, allowing multiple electrodes to operate simultaneously without excessive collateral damage risk.
2Productivity
If all electrodes are activated simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision of individual electrode contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into individual electrode assessments during the test ablation phase. By activating electrodes sequentially or in small groups during testing, the system achieves precise contact impedance measurements for each electrode. These precise measurements then inform the configuration of simultaneous multi-electrode activation in the full ablation phase, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ablation throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from contact impedance measurements taken during the test phase to control electrode activation in subsequent phases. Electrodes demonstrating adequate contact (below threshold impedance) are selected for activation, while those with poor contact are excluded. This feedback mechanism ensures both precise measurement of individual electrode contact and efficient multi-electrode ablation.
3Ease of operation
If a simplified GUI is used for electrode selection, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different ablation scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The GUI transitions dynamically between different operational modes: a simplified view for routine operations and an advanced view for complex scenarios. The system automatically adapts the interface complexity based on the ablation phase (test vs. full) and user interactions, providing ease of operation for common tasks while maintaining adaptability for specialized needs through context-aware interface transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The GUI is designed as a universal interface that handles multiple functions: automatic electrode selection based on impedance thresholds, manual electrode activation/deactivation, visualization of electrode status, and adaptation to different ablation phases. This multi-functional design achieves both ease of operation through automation and adaptability through comprehensive control options available within a single unified interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a display, an input device, and a processor. The processor is configured to present to a user, on the display, a GUI that illustrates multiple electrodes disposed on an expandable frame of a multi-electrode catheter, and indicates which of the electrodes is active and which of the electrodes is inactive. The processor is further configured to (a) receive, via the input device first user input that chooses between a single-electrode-selection mode and a fan-selection mode, (b) when in the single-electrode-selection mode, receive via the input device second user input that specifies for activation or deactivation individual ones of the electrodes, and (c) when in the fan-selection mode, receive via the input device third user input that specifies for activation or deactivation an angular sector including two or more of the electrodes, and activate and deactivate the electrodes responsively to the first, second and third user inputs.