Epicardial Mapping Using 3D Mesh Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Fast Anatomical Mapping (FAM) algorithm generates a closed 3-dimensional shape that distorts spatial representations of epicardial surfaces, obscuring rear-facing measurements and leading to misleading electroanatomic maps due to spatial errors and hidden data.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that acquire electrical signals from both front-facing and rear-facing locations on the epicardial surface, model the heart as a 3-dimensional mesh of triangles, and project rear-facing data onto front-facing triangles for accurate display, allowing for the construction of a corrected electroanatomic map by identifying and deleting rear-facing triangles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the FAM algorithm generates a closed 3-dimensional shape to represent the epicardial surface, then the spatial representation is complete, but spatial distortion occurs and rear-facing measurements are obscured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobscured rear-facing measurementsVSAvoidspatial representation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by projecting 3D rear-facing measurements onto a 2D display surface. The system determines whether each measurement point faces front or back relative to the observer, and rear-facing points are projected onto the front-facing surface for display. This resolves the contradiction by preserving all measurement information while eliminating spatial obscuration in the visual representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the FAM algorithm produces a volume with front-facing and rear-facing surfaces, then all measurement points are captured, but the rear-facing portions are hidden from view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectroanatomic map accuracyVSAvoidvisualization clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a projected representation of rear-facing measurements on the front-facing surface. Instead of displaying the complex 3D volume with hidden portions, the system copies the electrical signal data from rear-facing points and displays them on the visible front surface, maintaining data reliability while improving visualization clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If measurements are taken at multiple points on the external wall, then comprehensive electroanatomic data is obtained, but spatial distortion occurs in the representation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of measurement pointsVSAvoidspatial location accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating front-facing and rear-facing measurement points differently in the display process. Each point is evaluated individually for its facing direction, and rear-facing points are selectively projected onto the front surface. This localized approach preserves the comprehensive data set while correcting spatial distortion for each individual measurement point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3499466B1Epicardial mapping
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP3499466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Electroanatomic mapping of the epicardium includes acquiring first and second electroanatomic data from first and second epicardial locations, acquiring a closed 3-dimensional image of the epicardium and modeling the image as a 3-dimensional triangular mesh. The first and second locations align with front-facing triangles and rear-facing triangles of the mesh. The second locations are projected from the rear-facing triangles onto the closest front-facing triangles. The first and second electroanatomic data are displayed on the front-facing triangles and the closest front-facing triangles, respectively.