Bipolar Microelectrode Spacing for Far-Field-Resistant Arrhythmia Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheter systems for cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis face challenges in accurately interpreting electrocardiogram signals due to the presence of far field signals, leading to signal fractionation and difficulty in pinpointing aberrant conductive tissue sites responsible for arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
The development of a mapping catheter assembly with a multi-ray end effector featuring closely-spaced bipolar microelectrodes and a position sensor, which allows for simultaneous and precise electrocardiogram signal acquisition from various cardiac regions, minimizing far field interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional catheter systems use sensing electrodes to monitor electrical signals, then electrocardiogram signals can be acquired, but far field signals cause signal fractionation and reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs multiple closely-spaced bipolar microelectrodes arranged in arrays along its length. Each electrode pair is separated by a small distance (e.g., 0.5-2mm), creating multiple discrete sensing points that can independently detect local electrical signals. This segmentation allows the system to spatially resolve signals and distinguish between near-field and far-field components through signal processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes far field signals from the recorded electrocardiogram signals through signal processing. By using the multiple closely-spaced electrode pairs to detect both near-field and far-field components, the system can mathematically separate and eliminate the far-field interference, leaving only the diagnostically relevant near-field signals from the local tissue.
2Measurement precision
If EP mapping is used to pinpoint aberrant conductive tissue sites, then arrhythmia locations can be identified, but signal fractionation makes accurate interpretation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter divides the sensing function into multiple discrete electrode pairs spaced closely together along the catheter body. This segmentation creates a spatial sampling array that can map electrical activity across different cardiac regions simultaneously, providing detailed spatial information that improves arrhythmia localization while maintaining signal clarity through the close spacing that minimizes far-field contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to signal acquisition by using multiple electrode pairs at different positions along the catheter. This dimensional approach allows the system to distinguish between signals originating from different spatial locations, thereby resolving signal fractionation and improving the ability to pinpoint aberrant conductive tissue sites in three-dimensional cardiac anatomy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing electrodes are used to monitor signals from various cardiac regions, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but far field interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter segments the sensing function across multiple closely-spaced bipolar microelectrode pairs distributed along its length. Each electrode pair acts as an independent sensing unit with a localized detection field. The close spacing ensures that each pair primarily detects signals from its immediate vicinity while minimizing pickup of far-field signals from distant cardiac regions, thus maintaining comprehensive coverage with reduced interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Each bipolar microelectrode pair is designed to detect electrical signals locally at its specific position on the catheter. The close spacing between pairs creates localized sensing zones with minimal overlap. This local quality approach allows comprehensive cardiac region coverage while each electrode pair maintains high signal-to-noise ratio by primarily detecting signals from its immediate vicinity rather than picking up far-field interference from distant regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector is sized to fit in an anatomical passageway within a subject's cardiovascular system. The end effector includes at least one electrode pair that is configured to contact cardiovascular tissue and thereby pick up electrocardiogram signals. Each electrode pair includes first and second electrodes spaced apart along a longitudinal axis from each other by a gap area located between the electrodes, the gap area having a gap length with respect to the longitudinal axis such that a length of one of the electrodes along the longitudinal axis is equal to or greater than the gap length; and a ratio of an area defined by the gap area to one electrode area is equal to or less than one.