Multi-Pole Sensor Catheter Guiding for Cardiac Arrhythmia Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for locating cardiac arrhythmia sources, such as rotors and foci outside pulmonary veins, are suboptimal due to limited resolution and maneuverability of basket catheters, which can lead to incomplete ablation and recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for guiding a multi-pole sensor catheter using signal processing and visualization techniques to determine the location of propagating wave sources, involving signal reception, processing, and Bayesian filtering to accurately navigate the catheter to target sites for precise ablation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a basket catheter is used to map arrhythmia sources, then coverage area is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited electrode contact with irregular endocardium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent positioning capabilities. Each segment can be independently maneuvered to ensure optimal electrode contact with the endocardial surface, while maintaining overall coverage of the cardiac chamber. This segmentation allows precise localization of arrhythmia sources without sacrificing comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow real-time repositioning of electrode arrays to adapt to the irregular geometry of the endocardial surface. This dynamic capability ensures continuous optimal contact between electrodes and tissue, improving measurement precision while maintaining broad coverage area throughout the mapping procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If a basket catheter is used to map arrhythmia sources, then coverage area is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited torque capabilities and maneuverability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If a basket catheter is used to map arrhythmia sources, then coverage area is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to endocardium abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates flexible, biocompatible coating layers on the electrode surfaces that reduce friction and prevent abrasion of the endocardial tissue. These protective films maintain optimal electrical contact while minimizing mechanical damage to the heart tissue, thereby improving reliability and reducing procedural risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If a basket catheter is used to map arrhythmia sources, then coverage area is improved, but loss of information increases due to inability to correlate activation times with precise anatomical sites

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidloss of information

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical manipulation and visual correlation with an automated computerized mapping system. Electrodes record electrical signals while the system automatically correlates activation times with precise three-dimensional anatomical locations using integrated sensors and imaging guidance, eliminating information loss and improving mapping accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital three-dimensional copy of the cardiac chamber anatomy with precise spatial coordinates. Electrical activation data is overlaid onto this digital model, allowing accurate correlation of activation times with specific anatomical sites without requiring manual manipulation or visual estimation, thereby preserving complete information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10398338B2Systems and methods for guiding a multi-pole sensor catheter to locate cardiac arrhythmia sources

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Systems and methods for guiding a sensor to a location of a propagating wave source. The methods comprise: receiving, by the computing device, a plurality of signals generated by a plurality of electrodes of the sensor while the sensor resides at the first location in the object; processing, by the computing device, the plurality of signals to determine coordinates of an estimated location of the propagating wave source relative to the first location at which the sensor resides; and providing a visual aid facilitating sensor movement by plotting a dot on a grid overlaid on top of an object image displayed by the computing device.