Catheter Transformer for DC Offset Removal in Cardiac EKG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intracardiac electrocardiograph systems face challenges in accurately localizing the source of arrhythmias due to impedance distortions caused by the patient's internal body geometry, which affects the accuracy of voltage readings and makes it difficult to diagnose the specific source of arrhythmias in the heart tissue.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a catheter with a transformer that emits a low electric charge inside the heart to create a single middle point zero reference, allowing EKG electrodes to measure cardiac electrical signals based on the charge emitted by the transformer, thereby mitigating impedance distortions and enabling more accurate localization of arrhythmias by isolating the control point of maximum sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional intracardiac electrocardiograph systems are used, then voltage readings can be obtained, but impedance distortions caused by patient's internal body geometry reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transformer as an intermediary device that generates a reference voltage signal to counteract the impedance distortions caused by the patient's body geometry. This transformer acts as a mediator between the heart's electrical activity and the measurement system, providing a stable reference that compensates for the harmful impedance effects and enables more accurate voltage readings.
2Measurement precision
If DC offset is present in the analog electrical signal, then the signal can be transmitted, but the ADC cannot utilize its full resolution for measuring cardiac signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the DC offset component from the analog electrical signal before it reaches the ADC. By separating and eliminating the unwanted DC portion, the system allows the ADC to dedicate its full dynamic range and resolution to measuring the actual cardiac signal variations, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring additional complex processing.
3Measurement precision
If multiple reference points are used in the heart, then voltage measurements can be taken from different locations, but it becomes difficult to isolate the control point of maximum sensitivity for arrhythmia localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the measurement function at a single, specifically located control point within the heart rather than distributing measurements across multiple points. This localized approach ensures that the measurement is taken at the point of maximum sensitivity for detecting arrhythmias, simplifying the diagnostic process while maintaining high precision in arrhythmia source localization.
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 enhances the accuracy of EKG signals by removing DC offset and allowing for precise identification of the arrhythmia source within the heart, providing a more reliable diagnostic tool for clinicians.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer configured to remove a direct current (DC) offset of the analog electrical signal to generate an analog electrical signal centered at 0 volts
Data Source
AI summary
A cardiac electrophysiology system including a means for identifying the source of an arrhythmia in the heart is disclosed. The disclosed system may be an electrocardiograph device and may generate an enhanced electrocardiogram (EKG) of a cardiac structure. The disclosed system may include a disclosed catheter inserted into a chamber of the cardiac structure. The disclosed catheter may include electrodes configured to measure an analog electrical signal of the electrical activity of the cardiac structure over time, and a transformer configured to remove a direct current (DC) offset of the analog electrical signal to generate an analog electrical signal centered at 0 volts (V), which may be sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and gain adjusted to a maximum resolution of the ADC to produce an enhanced digital electrocardiogram (EKG) signal.