Catheter Spline Deflection Modeling for Electroanatomical Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing basket catheters face challenges in accurately estimating the location of electrodes when the basket shape deforms due to physical contact with cardiac cavity walls, leading to distorted electroanatomical maps.

Innovation Solution

A processor models the varying shape of the expandable distal-end assembly of the catheter in real time using a mechanical model analogous to virtual electrical charges, which accounts for the uneven distribution of splines and improves the accuracy of electrode location estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the basket catheter contacts cardiac cavity walls during mapping, then the catheter can acquire electrical signals from the tissue, but the basket shape deforms causing inaccurate electrode location estimation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode location estimation accuracyVSAvoidbasket shape deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by estimating the deformed shape of the basket catheter before calculating electrode locations. The processor uses a mechanical model to predict how the basket will deform based on contact forces with tissue, then uses this pre-estimated shape to correct electrode location calculations, preventing distortion in the electroanatomical map.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the estimated basket shape and using it to correct electrode location estimates in real-time. The mechanical model provides feedback about the expected deformation, which is then used to adjust the mapping calculations, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for shape changes during the mapping procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the basket catheter is expanded to contact tissue walls, then mapping coverage is improved, but the mechanical deformation increases leading to distorted maps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue contact capabilityVSAvoidelectrode location accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the mechanical model to continuously adjust electrode location estimates based on the current basket shape. As the basket expands and contacts tissue, the model estimates the resulting deformation, and this information feeds back into the location calculation algorithm to maintain accuracy despite the adaptive expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the basket shape model based on estimated contact forces and deformation. The mechanical model allows the system to adapt the shape parameters (spline positions, basket geometry) in real-time, enabling the catheter to maintain both tissue contact capability and location accuracy through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4393391B1Electrophysiology mapping using catheter splines deflection modeling
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP4393391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4393391B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4393391B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system includes an expandable distal-end assembly and a processor. The expandable distal-end assembly is coupled to a distal end of a shaft for insertion into a cavity of an organ of a patient, the assembly including one or more electrodes. The processor is configured to (i) receive location signals from each of a distal and proximal location of the distal-end assembly, (ii) receive location signals indicative of a relative orientational angle from one or more sensors that are located at the distal-end assembly and configured to output signals indicative of the change in the relative orientation, (iii) estimate angular position in the azimuthal plane of each of a plurality of splines extending from the proximal to distal end of the distal-end assembly, and (iv) estimate respective locations of one or more of the electrodes in three dimensional space based on the estimated angular position of each of the splines.