Non-contact Cardiac Mapping with Multi-electrode Catheter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cardiac mapping techniques, both contact-based and non-contact, face challenges such as time-consuming data acquisition, signal degradation, and reduced accuracy due to the need for multiple electrode placements and complex signal transformations, especially in unstable or transient arrhythmias.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact cardiac mapping method using a catheter with multiple spatially distributed electrodes that measures signals while spaced from the endocardium surface, determining physiological information by synchronizing and processing signals from multiple positions, applying transformation functions to improve accuracy and resolution, and displaying physiological data for treatment guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contact-based mapping techniques are used to acquire physiological signals, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential point-by-point data acquisition requiring multiple catheter movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal acquisition accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with electrodes distributed along its length, allowing simultaneous acquisition of signals from multiple locations rather than sequential point-by-point measurement. This segmentation enables parallel data collection while maintaining contact-based measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mapping approach transitions from one-dimensional sequential point sampling to three-dimensional volumetric sampling by deploying a multi-electrode catheter that can capture signals across the entire heart chamber volume simultaneously, dramatically reducing acquisition time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If non-contact mapping with multiple electrodes is used to reduce data acquisition time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal degradation with distance from the endocardium surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping speedVSAvoidsignal accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between non-contact rapid sampling and contact-based precision. By maintaining controlled contact or proximity through the catheter structure while using multiple electrodes, it achieves both speed and accuracy that neither pure contact nor pure non-contact methods can achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-electrode catheter performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains physical contact for signal stability, provides multi-point spatial sampling for speed, and enables three-dimensional mapping coverage. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If sequential contact-based mapping is used to ensure stable signal acquisition, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability decreases for unstable or transient arrhythmias that cannot be maintained for extended mapping periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidsuitability for transient arrhythmias

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mapping process transitions from sequential discrete measurements to continuous simultaneous measurement across multiple electrodes. This continuous parallel acquisition captures transient arrhythmia events as they occur without requiring the arrhythmia to be maintained for extended periods, improving adaptability while preserving signal stability through multiple stable contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Measurement precision

If multiple electrodes are attached to the catheter to improve non-contact mapping accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconstructed map accuracyVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrodes are nested along the catheter structure in a compact, organized arrangement. This nesting allows numerous electrodes to be integrated into the catheter without proportionally increasing external complexity, as the electrodes are systematically arranged within the catheter's structural framework rather than requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7953475B2Preprocessing for cardiac mapping

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A non-contact cardiac mapping method is disclosed that includes: (i) inserting a catheter into a heart cavity having an endocardium surface, the catheter including multiple, spatially distributed electrodes; (ii) measuring signals at the catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in the heart cavity with the catheter spaced from the endocardium surface; and (iii) determining physiological information at multiple locations of the endocardium surface based on the measured signals and positions of the electrodes with respect to the endocardium surface. Related systems and computer programs are also disclosed.