Layered LAT Mapping for Multi-Wavefront Cardiac Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac electrical activation maps fail to accurately display multiple activation times at the same location, leading to invalid interpolation and visual artifacts, especially in complex arrhythmias, and lack clear delineation of slow conduction and blockage regions.
Innovation Solution
The method generates and visualizes distinct layers of electrical activation values, such as early and late local activation times, using predefined criteria to differentiate between normal and abnormal conduction, and displays these layers with graphical indications, reducing interpolation and enhancing clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple activation times at the same location are displayed using traditional single-layer mapping, then the map structure remains simple, but the measurement precision and diagnostic accuracy deteriorate due to invalid interpolation and visual artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cardiac activation map into multiple distinct layers, each representing a specific activation time (e.g., earliest activation time, latest activation time, intermediate activation times). This segmentation allows each layer to display activation times independently without interpolation artifacts, thereby improving measurement precision while managing complexity through structured layering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional display to a multi-layer three-dimensional visualization where the third dimension represents different activation time layers. This dimensional change enables simultaneous display of multiple activation times at the same spatial location without visual artifacts, improving diagnostic accuracy
2Reliability
If traditional single-layer mapping is used, then the visualization is simple, but the diagnostic accuracy deteriorates due to inability to distinguish slow conduction from blockage regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments activation times into multiple distinct layers (earliest, intermediate, latest activation times), allowing clear visual differentiation between slow conduction regions and blockage regions. This segmentation improves diagnostic reliability by enabling physicians to distinguish between these critical conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different visual properties to different layers, with each layer representing specific activation time characteristics. This local quality differentiation enhances diagnostic accuracy by allowing targeted analysis of specific activation patterns in different regions
3Measurement precision
If interpolation is applied to display multiple activation times in single layer, then the visual representation appears continuous, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to invalid interpolation artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts multiple activation time values from each spatial location and places them into separate layers, removing them from the interpolation process entirely. This extraction eliminates the source of interpolation artifacts while preserving the continuous spatial representation through layered overlay
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a plurality of data points including electrical activation (EA) values measured at respective positions in at least a portion of a surface of a cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient. Using a predefined EA value criterion, the EA values in a given region of the cardiac surface are classified into multiple distinct EA wave-fronts, and multiple layers of EA values are calculated for the given region, wherein each EA layer includes the EA values found to belong to a respective and contiguous EA wave-front. The multiple EA layers are overlayed on a graphical representation of the surface. The graphical representation with the multiple overlaid EA layers is displayed to a user, with a graphical indication distinguishing between the multiple EA layers.