Catheter Navigation via Electrophysiological Signal Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiovascular electrophysiological procedures are lengthy and expose patients and medical personnel to high X-ray doses due to the difficulty in navigating catheters to specific electrophysiological signal locations within the heart.

Innovation Solution

An interventional system comprising a catheter with electrodes for sensing electrophysiological signals, an electrographic device, an imaging device, and a data processing unit that stores and processes images and signal recordings to facilitate precise navigation by registering reference and actual images, allowing for direct visual guidance of the catheter to target positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If X-ray fluoroscopy is used to provide spatial positions of the catheter, then the catheter navigation is enabled, but the procedure duration increases and patient X-ray dose increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter navigationVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the catheter position by detecting electrophysiological signals and mapping them to anatomical locations. This virtual representation allows operators to navigate and visualize catheter position without continuous X-ray imaging, thereby reducing radiation exposure and procedure time while maintaining navigation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

Electrophysiological signals serve as an intermediary between the physical catheter position and its visual representation. Instead of directly using X-ray images for navigation, the system uses EP signals as a mediator to infer and display catheter location, reducing the need for continuous fluoroscopy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If X-ray fluoroscopy is used to provide spatial positions of the catheter, then the catheter navigation is enabled, but the patient X-ray dose increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter navigationVSAvoidpatient X-ray dose

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the catheter position through electrophysiological signal mapping, replacing the need for continuous X-ray imaging. This virtual representation provides sufficient navigation information without exposing the patient to repeated radiation doses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/optical X-ray imaging system with an electrical signal-based navigation system. By substituting electrophysiological signal detection for X-ray fluoroscopy, the harmful radiation effect is eliminated while maintaining catheter position awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the catheter is directed to target sites using traditional methods, then the procedure can be completed, but the navigation remains difficult and lengthy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure completionVSAvoidcatheter navigation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous feedback by detecting electrophysiological signals and comparing them with reference signals from known anatomical locations. This feedback mechanism guides the operator in real-time, indicating when the catheter has reached the target site, thereby simplifying navigation and reducing procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary mapping of electrophysiological signals to anatomical locations before the actual intervention. This pre-established signal-to-position mapping enables rapid and accurate navigation to target sites during the procedure, making the navigation process more efficient and easier to execute

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces procedure duration and X-ray exposure by enabling accurate and efficient catheter navigation to specific electrophysiological signal locations, thereby minimizing stress on patients and medical personnel.

Implementation Method 1

A catheter with at least one electrode that can sense electrophysiological signals from tissue (e.g. the heart muscle)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7805182B2System and method for the guidance of a catheter in electrophysiologic interventions

Publication Date: 2010.09.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

In a system and a method for the guidance of a catheter with an electrode in an electrophysiological procedure, sequence of images of the catheter and of a resting reference catheter is generated with an X-ray device and stored together with the associated electrographic recordings from the electrodes. A reference image may then be selected from said sequence that corresponds to a desired electrographic pattern. In a next step, the positions of the catheters are localized on the reference image. The position of the reference catheter can be identified with the position of this catheter on an actual image. Thus it is possible to determine on the actual image also a target position for the catheter that corresponds to the position of this catheter on the reference image. The target position may finally be indicated on a monitor to assist the guidance of the catheter to a desired location.