Electrode Signal Outlier Detection for Catheter Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical device positioning systems, such as those using electrodes for determining catheter position and orientation within the heart, are prone to errors due to faulty, disconnected, or misconnected electrodes, leading to inaccurate image rendering and potentially negative procedural outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a processor and memory to receive electrode signals, compare them to other signals, and determine outliers, excluding erroneous data to generate a smoothed and accurate image of the catheter's shape and position by using impedance-based coordinates and extended Kalman filtering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electrode-based positioning systems are used to determine catheter position and orientation, then the system can provide position information to clinicians, but errors from faulty, disconnected, or misconnected electrodes can distort the rendered shape of the catheter from its true mechanical shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of catheter position determinationVSAvoidprecision of electrode location data

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors electrode signals and compares each signal against expected patterns and other electrode signals. When an outlier is detected, the system provides feedback by excluding that electrode's data from position calculations, thereby maintaining accurate catheter positioning despite individual electrode failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that acts as a mediator between raw electrode signals and final position determination. This intermediary system identifies and filters outlier signals before they can distort the catheter position calculation, protecting the overall system from individual electrode failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If all electrode signals are used to determine catheter position and orientation, then more data is available for calculation, but faulty signals from misconnected or disconnected electrodes can corrupt the overall position determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of electrode dataVSAvoidreliability of position data

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality control by evaluating each electrode signal individually against specific criteria. Rather than uniformly trusting or rejecting all data, the system selectively processes each electrode's contribution based on its local signal characteristics, allowing good signals to contribute while isolating and excluding faulty ones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a discarding mechanism where outlier electrode signals are identified and discarded from the position calculation process. The system recovers reliable position information by calculating catheter position using only the subset of electrodes that provide valid signals, thereby maintaining accuracy despite data loss from faulty electrodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 effectively identifies and corrects for errors in electrode data, providing a reliable and stable determination of catheter position and orientation, enhancing the accuracy of medical procedures by filtering out faulty signals and ensuring precise catheter placement.

Implementation Method 1

determining impedance based coordinates for the electrode from the electrode signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11607526B2Reliability determination of electrode location data

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 ST JUDE MEDICAL INT HLDG SARL

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for determining an error associated with an electrode disposed on a medical device. The system comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions are executable by the processor to receive an electrode signal from the electrode disposed on the medical device. The instructions are further executable by the processor to receive a plurality of other electrode signals from a plurality of other electrodes disposed on the medical device. The instructions are further executable by the processor to determine that the electrode signal received from the electrode disposed on the medical device is an outlier in relation to the plurality of other electrode signals from the plurality of other electrodes disposed on the medical device, based on a comparison between the electrode signal and the plurality of other electrode signals.