Cardiac Pacing Capture Grading for Faster Electrode Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures for cardiac arrhythmia treatment, such as electrode catheter placement and ablation, rely heavily on manual visual analysis of electrical activation signals, which is time-consuming and cumbersome, especially when multiple electrodes are involved.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically evaluates the successful acquisition of electrical activations induced by pacing pulses, computes a capture grade indicative of electrode placement reliability, and provides a quantitative measure of electrode performance, allowing for efficient mapping and ablation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual analysis is used to assess electrode placement reliability, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual analysis with an automated computer-based system that processes electrical activation signals. The system automatically evaluates capture grades by analyzing signal characteristics, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining assessment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-evaluation of electrode capture quality by automatically analyzing the electrical signals generated during pacing. The computer system independently assesses capture grades without requiring manual intervention, enabling rapid automated feedback.
2Productivity
If automated evaluation system is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes electrical activation signals, evaluates capture grades, and provides feedback on electrode placement reliability. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that automatically analyze electrical signals and provide immediate assessment of electrode capture quality. This feedback loop enables rapid evaluation without requiring complex manual analysis procedures.
3Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are analyzed manually, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The system independently analyzes each electrode's electrical activation signals separately, allowing parallel processing of multiple electrodes. Each electrode's capture grade is evaluated independently through automated signal analysis, enabling simultaneous assessment of all electrodes without manual sequential review.
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
Enables rapid assessment of electrode placement reliability, reducing manual analysis time and enhancing the precision and efficiency of cardiac procedures by providing immediate feedback on electrode performance.
Implementation Method 1
A first electrode of the first probe applies a sequence of pacing pulses at a position in the chamber to induce a corresponding sequence of electrical activations in a myocardium of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
A second electrode of the second probe senses an electrical activation signal responsively to a sequence of electrical activations induced by capture of the pacing pulses in a myocardium of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a medical procedure system includes a probe for insertion into a chamber of a heart of a living subject, and including a first electrode to apply a sequence of pacing pulses at a position in the chamber, a second electrode to sense an electrical activation signal responsively to electrical activations induced by capture of the pacing pulses in a myocardium of the chamber, a display, and processing circuitry to evaluate a successful acquisition by the second electrode of the induced electrical activations responsively to the electrical activation signal, the successful acquisition being indicative of a successful capture of the pacing pulses by the myocardium, compute a capture grade responsively to the evaluation of the successful acquisition of the induced electrical activations, the capture grade being indicative of a count of the induced electrical activations evaluated as being successfully acquired, and render the capture grade to the display.