RF Catheter Sphere Model for Cavity Opening Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anatomical mapping techniques face challenges in accurately identifying openings in cavity wall tissues, such as the pulmonary veins in the left atrium of the heart, due to difficulties in following the anatomy near the openings, leading to low-resolution maps that require manual and time-consuming identification by professionals.
Innovation Solution
A radiofrequency (RF) transmission system using a catheter with multiple distal-electrodes to measure bi-polar impedances, combined with position-tracking, constructs a sphere model of the cavity volume, allowing for the estimation of opening locations by identifying spheres with anomalously larger radii relative to neighbors, indicating the direction of the opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional anatomical mapping techniques are used to identify openings in cavity wall tissue, then manual identification by professionals is required, but this process is time-consuming and requires close anatomical following which is difficult near openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical navigation with an automated RF electrical field-based detection system. The system uses RF signals to measure impedance and construct a sphere model that automatically identifies openings, eliminating the need for professionals to manually follow complex anatomy near openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational model (sphere model constructed from RF impedance measurements) that mediates between the raw electrical measurements and the final opening identification. This model translates electrical field data into spatial information, automatically highlighting openings without requiring direct visual inspection by professionals.
2Measurement precision
If close anatomical following is performed to accurately map cavity walls, then mapping resolution is improved, but this becomes difficult and time-consuming near openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical challenge of physically following complex anatomical structures with an electrical field-based measurement system. RF signals penetrate and interact with tissue, allowing the system to detect openings through impedance changes without requiring the catheter to precisely navigate every anatomical contour.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct anatomical visualization to RF impedance measurement. By measuring electrical impedance at different positions and constructing a sphere model from these measurements, the system achieves high-resolution opening identification without the operational difficulty of close anatomical following.
3Reliability
If manual identification of openings is performed on low-resolution maps, then professional expertise is required, but this increases procedure time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert analysis with an automated computational system that processes RF impedance data and constructs a sphere model. The algorithm automatically identifies openings by analyzing the spatial distribution of measured points, eliminating the need for professional expertise in manual map interpretation while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-identification of openings through automated processing of its own measurement data. The sphere model construction and opening detection are performed automatically by the system without requiring external professional interpretation, reducing procedure complexity while maintaining reliability.
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
Facilitates efficient and safe identification of cavity wall openings without requiring close anatomical following, providing rapid and accurate mapping that supports clinical decision-making for procedures like cardiac ablation.
Implementation Method 1
measure bi-polar impedances
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A method includes receiving, from a probe that includes electrodes and is positioned inside a cavity in an organ of a patient, (i) proximity signals indicative of proximity of the electrodes to a wall of the cavity, and (ii) position signals indicative of positions of the electrodes within the cavity. Based on the proximity signals and the position signals, at least a portion of a volume of the cavity is represented by a sphere model including multiple spheres. A direction is identified along which one or more spheres are larger than one or more surrounding spheres by at least a given factor. Based on the indicated direction, a location of an opening in the wall of the cavity is estimated and presented to a user.