Electrographic Flow Mapping for Cardiac Source Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic tools lack precision in determining the source and location of cardiac rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, limiting the effectiveness of cardiac ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computing device, data acquisition device, and display, which processes intracardiac and body surface electrogram signals to accurately locate intracardiac sources or rotational phenomena associated with cardiac rhythm disorders, using techniques like multi-frame Horn-Schunck algorithm and image reconstruction methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current diagnostic tools are used to determine the source and location of cardiac rhythm disorders, then the procedure can be performed with existing technology, but the precision and accuracy of locating intracardiac sources is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the electrogram signal processing into multiple independent analytical components: waveform morphology analysis, activation time determination, voltage amplitude measurement, and spatial location calculation. Each component processes specific features of the cardiac electrical activity independently, then integrates results to precisely locate intracardiac sources without requiring a monolithic complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional electrogram displays to three-dimensional spatial mapping of intracardiac sources. By incorporating spatial coordinates (x, y, z) alongside electrical parameters, the system locates sources in three-dimensional cardiac anatomy, dramatically improving precision while distributing computational complexity across multiple spatial dimensions
2Measurement precision
If diagnostic tools are enhanced to improve measurement precision, then the accuracy of source location improves, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of electrogram signals before full analysis by pre-identifying potential source locations through initial waveform screening, pre-calculating activation times from standardized waveforms, and pre-filtering noise using adaptive filters trained on typical cardiac signals. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of subsequent precise localization while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediate computational layers between raw signal acquisition and final source localization. These intermediaries include activation time estimators that convert complex waveforms into simple time markers, and spatial interpolation algorithms that bridge discrete electrode measurements to continuous cardiac surfaces, simplifying the overall detection process while improving precision
3Reliability
If more comprehensive signal processing is applied to identify ectopic sources, then the therapeutic outcome improves, but the time and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing intensities to different regions of the cardiac anatomy based on local diagnostic needs. Areas with high suspicion of ectopic sources receive comprehensive multi-parameter analysis including waveform morphology, activation timing, and voltage amplitude, while areas with normal electrical activity use simplified monitoring. This localized quality approach ensures reliable identification of therapeutic targets without uniformly increasing procedure time across the entire cardiac mapping process
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods configured to provide enhanced resolution electrographic flow (EGF) spatial maps of a patient's heart, and subsequently to detect at least one location or type of at least one source, rotational phenomenon, or slow electrical conduction zone or area associated with at least one cardiac rhythm disorder within such maps. Data acquired using intracardiac electrodes and/or body surface electrodes are used in conjunction with EGF techniques to generate an enhanced resolution map corresponding to a spatial map. The enhanced resolution map is configured to reveal on a monitor or display to a user the at least one location or type of the at least one source, rotational phenomenon, or slow electrical conduction zone or area associated with at least one cardiac rhythm disorder.