3D Heart Model Reconstruction for ICD Artifact Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter ablation techniques for ventricular tachyarrhythmia related to myocardial infarction have low efficacy due to difficulties in correlating electrical maps with anatomy and the point-by-point sampling nature of current mapping techniques, leading to prolonged procedures and increased complications, especially in patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) where MRI artifacts hinder the construction of patient-specific heart models.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives three-dimensional imaging data of a heart with an ICD, segments the data into normal and remodeled tissue regions, extrapolates affected areas, and simulates electrophysiological or electromechanical activity to identify optimal ablation targets non-invasively, overcoming the limitations of MRI artifacts by manual reconstruction and standard image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current voltage and pace mapping techniques are used to identify ablation targets, then ablation targets can be identified, but the procedure duration is prolonged and success rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary 3D reconstruction of the heart model and identification of ablation targets using imaging data (CT, MRI, or echocardiography) before the actual ablation procedure. This preliminary action allows the interventional team to plan the ablation strategy in advance, identify critical isthmuses and reentrant circuits, and prepare ablation pathways, thereby reducing procedure duration while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a 3D computational copy of the patient's heart anatomy based on imaging data, which serves as a virtual model for identifying ablation targets. This digital twin allows for non-invasive visualization and analysis of cardiac structures, eliminating the need for time-consuming intracardiac mapping while providing accurate anatomical correlation for target identification.
2Measurement precision
If point-by-point sampling mapping techniques are used, then ablation targets can be identified, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D point-by-point surface mapping to 3D volumetric reconstruction of the heart model. By utilizing imaging data to create three-dimensional representations of cardiac anatomy and integrating this with electrophysiological information, the system achieves superior spatial resolution and comprehensive visualization of ablation targets, including deep intramural structures that cannot be accessed by surface mapping alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter-based mapping system with a non-invasive imaging-based 3D reconstruction system. Instead of physically navigating catheters through cardiac chambers to collect point-by-point data, the system uses computational imaging and image processing algorithms to generate high-resolution 3D models, thereby eliminating the limitations of mechanical mapping while achieving superior measurement precision.
3Reliability
If extensive catheter ablation procedures are performed, then ablation targets can be treated, but complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables precise localization of ablation targets by identifying specific critical isthmuses, reentrant circuit pathways, and arrhythmogenic substrates within the 3D heart model. This localized approach allows for targeted ablation of only the necessary tissue regions rather than extensive empirical ablation, thereby maintaining high success rates while minimizing damage to healthy myocardium and reducing complications such as chamber perforation and thromboembolism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and visualization of ablation targets and pathways before the actual ablation procedure. By pre-planning the ablation strategy using 3D reconstruction, the interventional team can select the safest approaches, avoid critical structures, and minimize the number of catheter manipulations required, thereby reducing procedural complications while ensuring effective treatment of VT.
4Measurement precision
If MRI imaging is used for patients with ICDs, then detailed heart structure can be visualized, but imaging artifacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities (CT, MRI, and echocardiography) to create a comprehensive 3D heart model. By combining the strengths of different imaging techniques and using image fusion algorithms, the system can compensate for artifacts in one modality with data from another, thereby achieving detailed visualization of heart structure even in patients with ICDs while mitigating the impact of imaging artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses 3D reconstruction algorithms and image processing techniques as intermediaries to process and clean up artifact-contaminated imaging data. These computational methods can identify and correct artifact regions, interpolate missing information, and integrate data from multiple sources to produce a accurate 3D representation of cardiac anatomy, thereby enabling detailed visualization despite the presence of ICD-related imaging artifacts.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, computer-readable medium and method can include receiving three-dimensional imaging data of a subject's heart, the subject having an ICD, wherein the ICD causes an imaging artifact in the three-dimensional imaging data that includes regions that are free of the artifact and regions that are affected by the artifact; segmenting the regions that are free of the artifact into a plurality of normal tissue regions and remodeled tissue regions for the subject; extrapolating from the regions that are free of the artifact to provide extrapolated three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the regions that are affected by the artifact; and simulating at least one of electrophysiological or electromechanical activity of the subject's heart using the segmented and extrapolated three-dimensional imaging data, the simulating including providing a preselected alteration of electrophysiological or electromechanical behavior of the subject's heart for a target of said subject-specific cardiac ablation procedure.