Rotational Activation Mapping Catheter with Compass Electrode Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mapping and identifying rotational activation sites in atrial fibrillation, such as dominant frequency mapping and basket catheters, are inadequate for accurately locating rotors due to limited electrode contact and spacing, especially in enlarged atria, leading to challenges in ablation therapy.
Innovation Solution
A mapping catheter with an array of electrodes configured for wide cross-perimeter electrode pairing and simultaneous bipolar and unipolar recordings is used to identify waveforms and determine the direction and location of rotational mechanisms in cardiac tissue, employing compass mapping to track rotational activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If basket catheter is used to record electrical activity simultaneously from multiple electrodes, then the coverage area is increased, but the electrode contact and spacing become inadequate in enlarged atria
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple splines (typically 8 splines) with electrodes distributed along each spline. This segmentation allows the catheter to conform to the enlarged atrial geometry while maintaining adequate electrode spacing and contact along each individual spline, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and measurement precision.
2Area of stationary object
If electrode spacing is increased to cover larger atrial areas, then the coverage is improved, but the ability to accurately identify rotor location within small rotor diameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into multiple splines with electrodes distributed along their lengths. This allows dense electrode spacing (e.g., 2-4 mm) along each spline to accurately localize rotors, while the overall catheter spans large atrial areas through its multi-spline configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from a two-dimensional electrode array to a three-dimensional multi-spline structure that can be deployed to conform to the atrial geometry. This dimensional change allows simultaneous achievement of large coverage area and fine electrode spacing for accurate rotor identification.
3Measurement precision
If point-by-point recording is used for dominant frequency mapping, then the measurement detail is improved, but the time required for mapping increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-configured with multiple electrodes positioned along splines before deployment. Once deployed, all electrodes can record simultaneously, allowing comprehensive mapping of large atrial areas in parallel rather than requiring sequential point-by-point recording, thus reducing mapping time while maintaining measurement detail.
Data Source
AI summary
Cardiac mapping catheters and methods for using the catheters are described. The catheter can detect the presence, direction and/or source of a depolarization wave front associated with cardiac arrhythmia. A mapping catheter includes a plurality of bipolar electrode pairs in which the members of each pair are opposed to one another across a perimeter, for instance in a circular pattern (compass mode). The spaced arrangement of the electrodes can be utilized to identify directional paths of moving electric fields or wave fronts in any direction passing across the endocardial surface. Double potential (DP) recordings in compass mode can provide a regional assessment for the existence of rotational activity. Simultaneous DP recordings in compass mode, narrow-adjacent bipolar, and unipolar recording provide an accurate assessment of the time, location, and path that a rotational mechanism breaches a perimeter of electrodes. Accurate time, location, and path of perimeter breaches can be used to electrically track rotational mechanisms during atrial fibrillation.