Multi-Spine Catheter Mapping Cardiac Electrical Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mapping cardiac electrical activity using a single electrode are lengthy, require calibration, and expose patients to ionizing radiation, while also being less effective in rapidly identifying and treating arrhythmias due to their limitations in spatial resolution and dynamic changes in heart tissue during arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
A multi-spine catheter with multiple electrodes and position sensors is used to map cardiac electrical activity, allowing for simultaneous data collection and derivation of electroanatomic maps that include graphical representations of spine locations and orientations, enabling precise adjustment and visualization of abnormal electrical pathways for ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single electrode sensor is used for mapping cardiac electrical activity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mapping procedure becomes lengthy and less precise
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple spines (typically 3-6 spines), with each spine containing multiple electrodes (typically 4-8 electrodes per spine). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials at numerous locations throughout the heart chamber, dramatically increasing mapping speed while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs three-dimensional positioning of electrodes arranged radially outward from the catheter body axis. This spatial arrangement in three dimensions enables comprehensive coverage of the endocardial surface, allowing rapid mapping of activation times across the entire chamber while the modular spine structure keeps the device complexity manageable.
2Device complexity
If a single electrode sensor is used for mapping, then the calibration requirements are simplified, but the procedure requires ionizing radiation and becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by establishing a three-dimensional map of the heart chamber geometry and electrode positions before actual electrical mapping. This preliminary spatial mapping, achieved through magnetic or impedance-based position sensors, eliminates the need for repeated calibration during the procedure and removes the requirement for fluoroscopic imaging, thereby reducing both procedure time and radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging (ionizing radiation-based mechanical system) with magnetic field-based or impedance-based position sensing systems. This substitution eliminates exposure to ionizing radiation while providing continuous, real-time position data for all electrodes, significantly reducing procedure time and eliminating the need for radiation-based calibration.
3Productivity
If multiple electrodes are used to map electrical activity simultaneously, then mapping speed increases, but the device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple spines (typically 3-6 spines), with each spine containing multiple electrodes (typically 4-8 electrodes per spine). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials at numerous locations throughout the heart chamber, dramatically increasing mapping speed while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs three-dimensional positioning of electrodes arranged radially outward from the catheter body axis. This spatial arrangement in three dimensions enables comprehensive coverage of the endocardial surface, allowing rapid mapping of activation times across the entire chamber while the modular spine structure keeps the device complexity manageable.
4Productivity
If multiple electrodes are used to map electrical activity simultaneously, then mapping speed increases, but calibration and impedance adjustments become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by establishing a three-dimensional map of the heart chamber geometry and electrode positions before actual electrical mapping. This preliminary spatial mapping, achieved through magnetic or impedance-based position sensors, eliminates the need for repeated calibration during the procedure and removes the requirement for fluoroscopic imaging, thereby reducing both procedure time and radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging (ionizing radiation-based mechanical system) with magnetic field-based or impedance-based position sensing systems. This substitution eliminates exposure to ionizing radiation while providing continuous, real-time position data for all electrodes, significantly reducing procedure time and eliminating the need for radiation-based calibration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for mapping cardiac electrical activity employ a cardiac catheter having a plurality of spines mounted at the distal end, each spine having a plurality of electrodes. Electrical signal data are obtained from the heart via the electrodes, and respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines are sensed. An electroanatomic map of the heart is derived from the signal data, and presented as a graphic representation of the respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines, with distinctive graphical indicia of at least portions of the spines. The method is further carried out by displaying the electroanatomic map, and responsively to the displayed electroanatomic map, adjusting at least one of the locations and orientations of at least one of the spines.