Coronary Sinus Electromagnetic Mapping for Heart Chamber Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation and reconstruction techniques in body cavities using electromagnetic fields face challenges due to non-linear field characteristics, which lead to distorted shape reconstructions and positional ambiguity, especially in heart chambers like the left atrium and left ventricle, where voltage isopotential surfaces are highly curved and non-planar.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a system with a first intrabody probe generating reference electromagnetic fields, and a second probe measuring these fields to estimate its position within the body cavity, using a combination of locally calibrating spatial constraints and coherence constraints to transform measurements into accurate positions, incorporating multiple electrodes to generate distinguishable electrical fields at various frequencies and employing a cost function to minimize sudden changes in the transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnetic field-based navigation is used in body cavities, then non-invasive monitoring and positioning is achieved, but non-linear field characteristics cause distorted shape reconstructions and positional ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the non-linear electromagnetic field measurement problem into a linear reconstruction problem by changing the mathematical parameters used in the calculation. Specifically, it employs linear algebraic equations and matrix operations to relate electrode potentials to body cavity shape, effectively transforming the measurement space to eliminate non-linear distortions and enable accurate position reconstruction despite the inherently non-linear electromagnetic field characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mathematical model that acts as a bridge between the non-linear electromagnetic field measurements and the desired linear position reconstruction. This intermediary model uses a system of linear equations with unknown coefficients that are determined through calibration, serving as a mediator that translates distorted field measurements into accurate positional information without directly inverting the non-linear field equations
2Loss of information
If multiple electrodes generate crossing electromagnetic fields, then position estimation coverage is improved, but field non-linearity increases causing greater distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the body cavity reconstruction problem into multiple independent linear sub-problems, each corresponding to a specific electrode configuration or measurement set. By dividing the overall non-linear reconstruction task into smaller linear segments that can be solved independently using linear algebra, the system maintains comprehensive position coverage while avoiding the compounding effects of non-linearity that would arise from attempting a single global non-linear solution
3Device complexity
If traditional reconstruction methods are used, then system complexity is low, but positional ambiguity and distortion cannot be resolved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or geometric reconstruction methods with an electromagnetic field-based linear algebraic system. Instead of using physical models or mechanical measurement approaches that have inherent limitations in resolving positional ambiguity, the invention substitutes these with a mathematical field-based system that uses linear equations to directly compute positions from potential measurements, achieving superior positional resolution while managing complexity through algorithmic rather than mechanical means
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 reconstruction of body cavity shapes and accurate navigation by reducing distortions and ambiguity, improving positional accuracy and resolution, even in regions with highly non-linear electromagnetic fields, thereby enhancing the precision of procedures like ablation treatments.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, using the plurality of sensors of the first probe, at least one property of each of a plurality of crossing electromagnetic fields generated by electrodes of a second probe
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a body cavity shape of a subject is reconstructed based on intrabody measurements of at least one property of an electromagnetic field by an intrabody probe (for example, a catheter probe) moving within a plurality of electrical fields intersecting the body cavity. In some embodiments, the electrical fields are generated at least in part from electrodes positioned in close proximity, for example, within 1 cm, of the body cavity. In some embodiments, the body cavity is a chamber of a heart (for example, a left atrium or left ventricle), and the electrodes used to generate the electrical field are positioned in the coronary sinus, a large vein occupying the groove between the left atrium and left ventricle. In some embodiments, known distances between measuring electrodes are used in guiding reconstruction, potentially overcoming difficulties of reconstruction from measurements of non-linear electrical fields.