Dual-Mode Sensing Apparatus for Rapid Cardiac Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sensing technologies for heart chambers require sequential movement of contact electrodes to map electrical properties, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially for determining regions of interest with abnormal electrical activity.

Innovation Solution

A sensing apparatus with dual-mode operation (contact and non-contact) using bandpass filtering to acquire and process electrical signals, allowing initial non-contact sensing for large area mapping and subsequent contact mode sensing for precise region analysis, enabling faster and more accurate determination of electrical properties and abnormal electrograms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact electrodes are used for sensing electrical properties, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to sequential movement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical property measurement accuracyVSAvoidmapping speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensing process into two distinct phases: non-contact sensing for comprehensive area coverage and contact sensing for precise measurement. This segmentation allows the system to perform bulk screening efficiently followed by targeted detailed analysis, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The non-contact sensing mode performs preliminary action by identifying regions of interest and abnormal areas before contact sensing is applied. This preliminary mapping guides subsequent precise measurements only where needed, improving overall productivity while maintaining measurement precision in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If non-contact sensing is used for large area mapping, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemapping speedVSAvoidelectrical property measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by using non-contact sensing for general area mapping where high speed is prioritized, and contact sensing for specific regions of interest where high precision is required. The sensing mode is locally adapted to the measurement needs of each area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The non-contact sensing acts as an intermediary that identifies and marks regions of interest, which then guides the contact sensing to those specific locations. This intermediary step enables the system to achieve both high productivity in screening and high precision in detailed measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If sequential movement of contact electrodes is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical property measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Non-contact sensing performs preliminary identification of abnormal regions and regions of interest before contact electrodes are moved into position. This eliminates unnecessary sequential movement to areas that do not require detailed contact measurement, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates only the regions that require contact sensing for precise measurement, rather than performing sequential contact sensing across the entire area. This extraction approach removes unnecessary time-consuming movements while preserving measurement precision for critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2326243B1Sensing apparatus for sensing an object
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2326243B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2326243B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2326243B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sensing apparatus for sensing an object, wherein the sensing apparatus (1) comprises an arrangement (7) of sensing elements for sensing a property of the object (2). The sensing elements are operable in a contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are in contact with the object (2), and in a non-contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are not in contact with the object. The sensing apparatus comprises preferentially further a mode determination unit for determining whether a sensing element is in contact with the object (2) or not.