Catheter Tracking via Electrical Conductivity Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking a catheter's position within a patient's heart cavity during minimally invasive procedures, such as cardiac mapping, face challenges in accurately registering the catheter's location with a 3D anatomical representation of the heart, especially due to variations in complex conductivity within the heart tissue.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve causing electrical current to flow within the heart cavity, measuring electrical signals, and using spatial information from imaging techniques like CT or MRI to determine the catheter's position by minimizing differences between measured and predicted signals, allowing for continuous tracking and registration of the catheter's position within a coordinate system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If independent tracking systems using magnetic or electric fields are used to track catheter location, then catheter position can be determined, but accurate registration with 3D anatomical representation is compromised due to variations in complex conductivity within heart tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary registration process that uses measured electrical signals and spatial information from imaging techniques as a mediator between the independent tracking system and the 3D anatomical representation. This intermediary layer accounts for variations in complex conductivity by using optimization algorithms to find the transformation that best aligns the tracking coordinates with the anatomical coordinates, rather than directly registering them which would be inaccurate due to conductivity variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for registration by incorporating measured electrical signals and spatial information from CT or MRI imaging techniques. Instead of relying solely on the independent tracking system's coordinates, the method uses multiple parameters including electrical signal measurements, imaging data, and optimization-based transformations to accurately register the catheter position with the 3D anatomical representation despite conductivity variations.
2Loss of information
If current methods are used to track catheter position, then basic location information can be obtained, but precise and continuous tracking with accurate orientation information is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measured electrical signals are continuously used to update and refine the catheter position determination. The system measures electrical signals, compares them with predicted signals based on spatial information, and uses optimization algorithms to continuously adjust the transformation parameters. This feedback loop enables precise and continuous tracking of both catheter position and orientation by constantly refining the registration between tracking coordinates and anatomical coordinates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by acquiring spatial information from imaging techniques and establishing the initial transformation parameters before actual catheter tracking begins. The method pre-processes the imaging data to create accurate 3D anatomical representations and pre-determines the conductivity values of different heart tissues, which are then used as the foundation for continuous accurate tracking throughout the procedure.
3Device complexity
If simple coordinate transformation is used for registration, then the process is computationally simple, but accuracy is insufficient due to ignoring variations in complex conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the registration approach from simple coordinate transformation to a multi-parameter optimization process. Instead of using a single transformation matrix, the method incorporates multiple parameters including measured electrical signals, spatial information from imaging, conductivity values of different tissues, and optimization-based transformation parameters. This comprehensive parameter set enables accurate registration that accounts for conductivity variations while maintaining a systematic approach to the increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics into the registration process by using optimization algorithms that can adapt and refine the transformation parameters based on measured electrical signals. Rather than using a static, pre-determined transformation, the system dynamically adjusts the registration parameters during the procedure to account for variations in conductivity and ensure continuous accurate alignment between the tracking system and the 3D anatomical representation.
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 enables precise and continuous tracking of the catheter's position and orientation within the heart cavity, improving the accuracy of cardiac mapping and treatment by synchronizing with cardiac cycles and using optimization algorithms to determine conductivity values and transform reference frames.
Implementation Method 1
causing current to flow in the distribution; measuring an electrical signal at each of multiple locations in the distribution of materials in response to the current flow
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for determining information about a position of an object within a distribution of materials having different complex conductivities. The method includes: (i) causing current to flow in the distribution; (ii) measuring an electrical signal at each of multiple locations in the distribution of materials in response to the current flow; (iii) providing spatial information about the distribution of materials with respect to a first reference frame, the spatial information indicative of regions of different complex conductivity in the distribution of materials; and (iv) determining the position of the object with respect to the spatial information about the distribution of materials based on measured electrical signals and the spatial information. In certain embodiments, the object is a catheter inserted into a patients heart cavity for cardiac mapping.