Catheter Navigation Using Physiological Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cardiac arrhythmias, such as catheter ablation, often require multiple devices and invasive procedures, and struggle to precisely locate and treat focal arrhythmia sources within the heart.
Innovation Solution
A system combining an electrophysiological catheter with navigation and ECG recording capabilities, using a computer algorithm to determine wave front propagation direction and guide the catheter to the source of arrhythmia, while also incorporating fluid velocity sensors to assess disrupted blood flow patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices and invasive procedures are used for catheter ablation, then the treatment capability is improved, but the device complexity and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (navigation, sensing, ablation, and blood flow measurement) into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes both electrophysiological sensors for locating arrhythmia sources and fluid velocity sensors for assessing blood flow, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic and therapeutic devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform navigation, electrical signal sensing, ablation, and blood flow velocity measurement. This universal device replaces multiple specialized devices, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining comprehensive treatment capability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional navigation methods are used, then the procedure is simpler, but the precision of locating focal arrhythmia sources decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from electrophysiological sensors to continuously update the catheter's navigation toward the arrhythmia source. The computer analyzes electrical signals and provides directional guidance, creating a closed-loop control system that improves localization precision through iterative feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical navigation methods with a computer-based algorithmic system that uses electrophysiological signal analysis to determine wave front propagation direction and guide catheter movement, achieving higher precision without relying on complex mechanical positioning systems.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive blood flow assessment is performed, then the diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrophysiological sensing and fluid velocity sensing into a single catheter tip assembly. Both types of sensors work simultaneously to provide comprehensive diagnostic information about arrhythmia mechanisms and blood flow patterns, improving diagnostic accuracy without requiring separate measurement systems.
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 allows for precise localization and treatment of arrhythmia sources with minimal devices, improving the accuracy and efficiency of catheter navigation and diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias by iteratively determining the direction of wave front propagation and identifying areas of disrupted blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more fluid velocity sensors are capable of measuring temperature changes across a region of the sensor to determine relative changes in fluid velocity
Implementation Method 2
The one or more Doppler fluid velocity sensing means are located on the tip of the electrophysiological catheter. The one or more Doppler fluid velocity sensing means comprise a transmitter for transmitting a high frequency sound wave into the fluid, and an antenna that detects a frequency shift of the reflected wave from the fluid particles to determine the fluid velocity
Implementation Method 3
an electrophysiological catheter having at least one electrode for sensing intra-cardiac wave front activation signals on a tissue surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a remote navigation system includes operating the remote navigation system to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a plurality of locations in a predetermined pattern, and using the sensor to sense a physiological property in each location. At least once thereafter, the remote navigation system is operated to bring a sensor carried on a medical device successively into a series of locations in a predetermined pattern relative to at least one location selected from the predetermined pattern in the immediately preceding step based upon the sensed physiological property value, and uses the sensor to sense the physiological property in each location. A local extreme value of the sensed physiological property is thereby located. The physiological properties that can be sensed include electrical signals, conductivity, temperature, fluid flow rate or fluid velocity, and range of motion of a surface.