2D Polar Lesion Mapping for Blood Vessel Ablation Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Verifying the continuity, size, and effectiveness of lesions formed during tissue ablation in tubular organs, such as pulmonary veins, is difficult, which is crucial for preventing arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A system using a catheter with expandable distal end assemblies, including an inflatable balloon for ablation and a lasso-shaped assembly for sensing, provides quality measures of tissue ablation through a two-dimensional polar coordinate system graphical presentation, displaying lesion continuity and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ablation verification methods are used, then the ablation procedure can be completed, but the verification of lesion continuity and effectiveness is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the verification problem from three-dimensional spatial inspection to two-dimensional map representation. Multiple electrodes arranged circumferentially around the blood vessel capture signals at different angular positions, and these are projected onto a 2D polar coordinate system where lesion continuity becomes visually apparent as a complete circular pattern, while gaps appear as interruptions in the circle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a graphical copy or representation of the physical lesion geometry. The 2D map is a simplified copy that preserves the essential topological information (continuity, gaps, lesion extent) without requiring direct 3D visualization or physical measurement, enabling rapid assessment of lesion quality.
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are used to improve measurement accuracy, then lesion quality can be assessed more precisely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter design integrates multiple functions into a single device: the same catheter performs both ablation (via the balloon) and verification (via the embedded electrodes). The electrodes serve dual purposes by detecting both the presence of lesions and providing spatial information for 2D mapping, eliminating the need for separate verification devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a circumferential arrangement of electrodes around the blood vessel, leveraging the cylindrical geometry of the vessel. This curved/spheroidal electrode configuration naturally captures signals from all directions around the vessel, providing comprehensive lesion assessment without requiring complex multi-planar electrode arrays.
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
Improves the quality of lesions by providing immediate visualization of lesion properties, reducing verification time, and ensuring effective blockage of electrophysiological waves.
Implementation Method 1
detect blood flow within a cavity of the heart by detecting electrical signals relating to dielectric properties
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes, receiving multiple signals from multiple respective electrodes arranged along an inner circumference of a blood vessel that has been ablated. Based on the multiple signals, one or more quality measures of the ablated blood vessel are produced. A graphical presentation indicative of the one or more quality measures, is displayed to a user in a two-dimensional (2D) polar coordinate system.