Probabilistic Algorithm for Cardiac Ablation Location Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Determining optimal ablation locations during electrophysiological procedures for atrial arrhythmias is challenging due to the variability of each patient's heart anatomy and the reliance on clinical knowledge rather than software recommendations.

Innovation Solution

A cardiac mapping system employing a probabilistic algorithm that uses historical ablation data to identify candidate ablation locations, allowing non-expert practitioners to leverage expert clinical knowledge and improve decision-making during EP procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a probabilistic algorithm using historical ablation data is implemented, then decision-making consistency and accessibility for non-expert practitioners is improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making accessibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A probabilistic algorithm acts as an intermediary between historical expert ablation data and clinical decision-making. The algorithm processes complex historical data and transforms it into simplified probability scores that guide practitioners, mediating between raw data and actionable recommendations without requiring users to directly analyze complex datasets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual model of expert decision-making by copying and analyzing historical ablation procedures from expert practitioners. This digital replica captures expert knowledge patterns and reproduces their decision-making logic through probabilistic calculations, allowing non-experts to leverage expert experience without direct mentorship

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Stability of the object's composition

If software recommendations are used to identify ablation locations, then standardization is improved, but clinical knowledge integration and practitioner trust decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure standardizationVSAvoidclinical decision accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback loops where ablation outcomes are continuously monitored and fed back into the probabilistic algorithm. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from actual clinical results and adjust its recommendations accordingly, creating a dynamic system that improves over time while maintaining standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts decision parameters based on probabilistic calculations derived from historical data. Instead of using fixed software rules, the system modifies recommendation parameters probabilistically based on similar cases, allowing flexibility to incorporate clinical nuance while maintaining overall procedural standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3544536B9Determining ablation location using probabilistic decision-making
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC
  • EP3544536B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3544536B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3544536B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of determining a candidate ablation location using historical ablation data includes generating a database including a plurality of ablation records, and generating a set of probability parameters describing each ablation record. The method also includes developing an algorithm based upon the probability parameters for the ablation records. For a candidate ablation procedure, the method includes receiving patient parameters associated with a patient receiving the candidate ablation procedure, and determining at least one candidate condition associated with the patient and a respective probability associated with each candidate condition. The method further includes applying the algorithm to determine at least one candidate ablation location based upon the respective probabilities associated with the at least one candidate condition, and displaying the at least one candidate ablation location on a visual interface of a cardiac mapping system.