3D Heart Model Visualization for Catheter Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical systems for mapping action potential data in atrial fibrillation treatments face challenges in providing adequate orientation during electrophysiological sessions, leading to difficulties in accurately identifying and locating circular excitation patterns (rotors) and maintaining spatial orientation without prominent anatomical structures.

Innovation Solution

The system transforms 3D coordinates from electrical navigation, CT, or MRI scans into a six-direction anatomical coordinate system, allowing intuitive navigation and visualization with indicators for improved orientation, and includes a model visualization of the electrode assembly and action potential data to facilitate the identification and localization of anomalies like rotors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If 3D models are built from individual triangles with surface textures to visualize anatomical structures, then the visual representation of anatomical features is improved, but the complexity of defining topology and locating surface structures increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual representation qualityVSAvoidmodel topology definition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complex 3D model into six simple directional views (anterior, posterior, left lateral, right lateral, superior, inferior) that correspond to standard anatomical orientations. Each view displays only the relevant anatomical structures from that direction, eliminating the need to manage complex triangle topology while maintaining clear visual representation of cardiac anatomy during mapping procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If complex 3D models with surface textures are used to represent anatomical structures, then the visual detail is improved, but the ease of spatial orientation and location identification during procedures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical structure detailVSAvoidspatial orientation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to interpret complex 3D models with arbitrary triangle orientations and surface textures, the patent inverts the approach by presenting six standardized anatomical views that match conventional medical teaching and practice. This allows operators to easily orient themselves using familiar anatomical landmarks without needing to understand complex model topology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple catheters with different electrode configurations are used to map and treat arrhythmias, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining consistent spatial orientation and locating structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter functionalityVSAvoidspatial orientation consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal six-directional anatomical reference system that serves all mapping and ablation catheters regardless of their specific electrode configurations. The standardized views provide a common language for spatial orientation that works with different catheter types (mapping catheters, ablation catheters, navigation catheters), eliminating the need to re-orient for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3405094B1Medical system for mapping of action potential data
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 ABLACON INC
  • EP3405094B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405094B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3405094B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a Medical system for mapping of action potential data comprising an elongated medical mapping device (1) suitable for intravascular insertion having an electrode assembly (80) located at a distal portion (3) of the mapping device (1), a data processing and control unit (15) for processing data received from the mapping device (1), the data processing and control unit including a model generator for visualizing a 3-dimensional heart model based on one of electrical navigation system, MRI or CT scan data of a heart, a data output unit (16) for displaying both the 3-dimensional heart model and the processed data of the mapping device (1) simultaneously in a single visualization, wherein the model generator is configured to structure 3D scan data of the heart into 6 directions (a, b, c, d, e or f) of a cube, each direction is associated with a separate Cartesian coordinate system with X (a, b, c, d, e or f) , Y (a, b, c, d, e or f), Z (a, b, c, d, e or f) coordinates,wherein for assigning each 3D scan data point to one of the 6 directions (a, b, c, d, e or f) the following 6 true or false tests are applied: Formula (I), wherein max indicates the maximum leg length of the respective X, Y or Z axis and wherein mes indicates the measured value of a scanned data point, and wherein the data point is assigned to the direction (a, b, c, d, e or f) for which the test outcome is true.