Echo Probe Data Integration for Non-Invasive Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardiac electrophysiology mapping systems require intra-cardiac electrodes or sensors, which are invasive and limit the ability to visualize coronary structures with sufficient resolution without internal catheters.
Innovation Solution
Integration of ultrasonic echo probe data with electrophysiology mapping systems using a sensor, such as a magnetic field sensor or electrode, mounted on a transthoracic echo probe to provide positional information, eliminating the need for intra-cardiac electrodes and enhancing visualization of cardiac structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intra-cardiac electrodes or sensors are used, then positional information and visualization resolution are improved, but invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an echo probe as an intermediary device to obtain cardiac structure information non-invasively through the chest wall. The echo probe transmits ultrasonic waves through the chest to image cardiac structures, serving as a mediator between external measurement and internal cardiac anatomy, thereby avoiding direct insertion of electrodes into the heart while still achieving detailed visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical intrusion of intra-cardiac electrodes with ultrasonic wave propagation. Instead of physically inserting sensors into the heart chamber, the system uses acoustic waves that can penetrate soft tissue to image cardiac structures from an external position, substituting mechanical invasion with acoustic field interaction
2Measurement precision
If intra-cardiac catheters are used, then locational information accuracy is improved, but device complexity and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the intra-cardiac environment and places it externally. By positioning the echo probe outside the body and using ultrasonic wave propagation to obtain cardiac images, the system removes the need for catheters to be inserted into the heart, thereby simplifying the overall device system while maintaining locational accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The echo probe serves multiple functions: it provides locational information, visualizes cardiac structures, and guides procedures all from a single external device. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate intra-cardiac catheters and imaging systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
3Object-affected harmful factors
If body surface electrodes are used, then non-invasiveness is improved, but measurement precision for coronary structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional electrical potential measurements at the body surface to three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging through tissue penetration. By using ultrasonic waves that can propagate through the chest wall and provide cross-sectional images of coronary structures, the system adds a depth dimension to the measurement, achieving both non-invasiveness and improved resolution of internal structures
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 allows for non-invasive, three-dimensional visualization of cardiac structures with increased resolution, broadening the application of electrophysiology mapping systems to patients without arrhythmia issues and reducing the need for nuclear radiation exposure, while enabling safer and more efficient cardiac procedures.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment sound waves are generated by a piezoelectric crystal
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic sound wave source, typically in the form of a transthoracic echo probe, sends data gathered thereby to the EP mapping system
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophysiology mapping system utilizes multiple surface electrodes on a body of a patient for visualization of internal bodily structures, and especially cardiac structures. Some such systems can further utilize a magnetic field source adjacent to the patient for internal bodily structure visualization. In place of an intra-cardiac electrode or other intra-cardiac sensor, an echo probe is utilized external to the body. The electrode or other sensor on the echo probe is spaced a known distance from a sound wave detector, such as a piezoelectric crystal which also generates sound waves, the sensor assisting in correlating echo probe sensed patient structural data with patient structural data otherwise gathered by the EP mapping system. This data is integrated together for visualization on the EP mapping display without requiring an intra-cardiac electrode or other intra-cardiac sensor.