3D Heart Ablation Map With Voxel Tags for Precise Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac ablation techniques lack high-resolution and high-dynamic-range representations of tissue ablation, leading to inaccurate identification of non-ablated portions due to random electrode position changes and large, non-detailed ablation tags.
Innovation Solution
A high-resolution, high-dynamic-range ablation map is generated by overlaying small, densely spread ablation tags on a 3D heart rendering, with each tag assigned to a voxel and scored based on ablation instances, and a graphical user interface filters out inadequate ablation instances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If large ablation tags are used to mark ablation sites, then the ablation map is easier to view, but the resolution and detail of tissue ablation representation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ablation representation into multiple small tags distributed across the tissue surface, each representing a specific ablation instance. Instead of using one large tag per ablation site, multiple small tags are placed at precise locations, allowing both high visibility (through density) and high resolution (through individual tag precision).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the ablation map by using color coding to represent different time points or sequences of ablation applications. This allows the map to display both spatial precision (through small tag locations) and temporal progression (through color gradients), resolving the contradiction between visibility and resolution.
2Ease of manufacture
If ablation tags are placed at random electrode positions, then the mapping process is simpler, but the accuracy of ablation location representation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary registration of the catheter electrode positions with the 3D anatomical model before placing ablation tags. This preliminary alignment ensures that even though tags are placed at multiple positions during the ablation process, they are all accurately mapped to their corresponding anatomical locations, maintaining both procedural simplicity and location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously tracks electrode position and provides feedback to adjust tag placement accuracy. By monitoring the electrode's real-time position and comparing it with the anatomical model, the system ensures that each ablation tag is placed at the correct anatomical location, resolving the contradiction between simple random placement and precise location representation.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple ablation instances are accumulated without filtering, then the ablation map shows complete coverage, but inadequate ablation instances degrade the map accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and filters out inadequate ablation instances from the complete set of ablation data. By applying quality criteria to identify and remove substandard ablation applications, the system maintains complete coverage (through inclusion of valid instances) while ensuring map accuracy (through exclusion of inadequate instances).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the quality parameter threshold for including ablation instances in the map. By dynamically adjusting the criteria for what constitutes an adequate ablation instance, the system can balance between showing complete coverage (lower threshold) and maintaining accuracy (higher threshold), resolving the contradiction between quantity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes dividing a three-dimensional (3D) rendering of at least a portion of a heart into voxels having coordinates in a coordinate system of a position mapping system. Using a position tracking system, positions of one or more electrodes of a catheter are measured inside the heart during an ablation session that comprises multiple ablation instances. Each measured position is assigned a predefined number of voxels nearest to the position. A respective ablation score is calculated for each voxel, the ablation score representing at least a number of the ablation instances affecting the voxel. A respective ablation tag is assigned to each voxel and the ablation tag is graphically encoded according to the ablation score of the voxel. The graphically encoded ablation tags are overlaid on the 3D rendering to generate an ablation map. The ablation map is presented to a user.