Electro-Anatomical Mapping Using Overlapping Catheter Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac mapping techniques require a reference catheter for generating 3D electro-anatomical maps, which can be challenging to insert, secure, or result in electrical dissociation, making them impractical in some patients.
Innovation Solution
A multielectrode mapping catheter is used to generate 3D electro-anatomical maps without a reference catheter by measuring activation signals with spatially overlapping electrodes, deriving time measurements, and constructing maps based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference catheter is inserted to acquire a reference activation signal, then the accuracy of electro-anatomical mapping is improved, but the device complexity and procedural difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference signal acquisition function from a separate reference catheter and integrates it into the mapping catheter itself through self-overlapping electrodes. This eliminates the need for a dedicated reference catheter while maintaining the ability to generate accurate activation maps.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping catheter is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the mapping electrode and the reference signal source through its self-overlapping electrodes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate reference catheter insertion.
2Reliability
If multiple catheters are inserted to ensure accurate reference signal acquisition, then the reliability of mapping is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference catheter and mapping catheter into a single integrated device. The self-overlapping electrodes on the mapping catheter provide both mapping and reference signals, simplifying the procedure to a single catheter insertion while maintaining reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a reference catheter is secured at a fixed location, then the stability of the reference frame is improved, but the adaptability to different patient anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible mapping catheter with self-overlapping electrodes that can dynamically adapt to different anatomical configurations. The catheter can be positioned at various locations (CS, RVOT, LVOT) depending on patient anatomy, providing both stability through fixed reference points and adaptability through flexible positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating an electro-anatomical map of the heart. Techniques disclosed include measuring groups of activation signals. The activation signals of each group are measured by respective electrodes of a mapping catheter that is placed at a respective position in the heart. Where at least one electrode of the mapping catheter that measured an activation signal of one group spatially overlapped with a respective electrode of the mapping catheter that measured an activation signal of another group. Techniques disclosed further include obtaining, based on the groups of activation signals, respective sets of time measurements, utilizing the overlapping electrodes. And, constructing the electro-anatomical map based on the obtained sets of time measurements.