Omnipolar Catheter Signal Processing for Orientation-Independent Cardiac Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter systems face challenges in accurately characterizing cardiac conduction conditions due to the dependence of bipolar electrode measurements on catheter orientation, which affects amplitude and morphology of signals, making it difficult to reliably discriminate or localize defects.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an electronic control unit that receives electrogram data and position/orientation information from a mapping system to determine catheter orientation-independent information about tissue, using closely spaced electrodes to derive local 'pseudo bipolar' or 'omnipolar' signals that are orientation-independent and free from low-frequency noise and far-field effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bipolar electrode measurements are used, then electrophysiological data can be obtained, but the measurements depend on catheter orientation which affects amplitude and morphology of signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional bipolar measurements (1D line between two electrodes) to a 3D omnipolar measurement approach using multiple electrodes arranged in a tetrahedron configuration. This dimensional change allows the system to calculate electric field vectors and potential distributions in three-dimensional space, making the measurements independent of catheter orientation while maintaining electrophysiological information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from simple bipolar voltage differences to comprehensive 3D electric field characterization including vector magnitude, direction, and potential distribution across multiple electrodes. This parameter transformation enables orientation-independent measurements by mathematically compensating for catheter orientation through computational algorithms that process signals from all four electrodes simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If electrode pairs are spaced greater than 4 mm apart, then catheter structure is simplified, but discrimination or localization of defects becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple electrodes (four electrodes arranged in a tetrahedron) to create a unified 3D measurement system. Instead of using simple bipolar pairs, the system combines signals from all four electrodes to compute comprehensive electric field characteristics, enabling both accurate defect localization and simplified catheter structure through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational algorithms as intermediaries that process the raw signals from the four electrodes to derive orientation-independent electrophysiological parameters. These algorithms act as mediators between the physical electrode arrangement and the final measurements, transforming the data to eliminate orientation dependence while maintaining high localization accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are closely spaced (1-2 mm), then defect discrimination improves, but the orientation of the electrode pair becomes a prominent factor in signal amplitude and morphology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the orientation sensitivity issue by adding a third dimension to the measurement approach. Instead of relying on 1D bipolar measurements that are highly orientation-dependent, the system uses 3D omnipolar measurements from four electrodes arranged in a tetrahedron, enabling accurate defect discrimination while achieving orientation independence through spatial vector analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite measurement system that integrates multiple electrode signals (four electrodes) to form a comprehensive electrophysiological picture. By combining the data from all electrodes and processing it through 3D electric field calculations, the system achieves both close spacing benefits for defect detection and orientation independence for signal consistency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for more consistent and reliable electrophysiological data, enabling better contact maps, improved characterization of cardiac tissue, and enhanced discrimination of arrhythmia patterns, while reducing the impact of catheter orientation on measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
acquire electrophysiology signals from a plurality of electrodes of one or more catheters
Implementation Method 2
determine the location and orientation of the plurality of electrodes, process the electrophysiology signals from the at least one clique from a full set of bipole subcliques to derive the local E field data points
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining electrophysiological data comprising an electronic control unit configured to acquire electrophysiology signals from a plurality of electrodes (130) of one or more catheters, select at least one clique of electrodes from the plurality of electrodes (136) to determine a plurality of local E field data points, determine the location and orientation of the plurality of electrodes, process the electrophysiology signals from the at least one clique from a full set of bipole subcliques to derive the local E field data points associated with the at least one clique of electrodes, derive at least one orientation independent signal from the at least one clique of electrodes (138) from the information content corresponding to weighted parts of electrogram signals, and display or output catheter orientation independent electrophysiologic information to a user or process.