Software-Based 3D Cardiac Mapping Without Navigation Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D mapping systems for electrophysiology are costly and require complex equipment, making it difficult for operators to accurately locate catheters within the heart without precise navigation systems, especially when matching indwelling electrodes to cardiac models.
Innovation Solution
A software-based system that uses a template model of the heart, allowing operators to position and color-code electrogram channels on a display, enabling the creation of 3D maps without the need for precise navigation devices, by interpolating data and excluding certain areas from calculations, and synchronizing with fluoroscopic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional 3D mapping systems use magnetic fields, electrical fields or ultrasound to localize catheters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the catheter position by manually marking corresponding locations on a computer-generated 3D model of the heart chamber. Instead of using complex physical tracking systems, the operator copies the spatial relationship from fluoroscopic images to the digital model, achieving accurate localization through information replication rather than physical measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-generated 3D model as an intermediary between the fluoroscopic images and the catheter position data. This model serves as a mediator that integrates information from multiple sources (fluoroscopic images, electrogram channels, anatomical knowledge) to achieve accurate catheter localization without requiring direct complex tracking equipment.
2Measurement precision
If conventional 3D mapping systems use specialized localization equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex localization equipment with inexpensive, readily available components: standard fluoroscopic imaging equipment, computer-generated 3D models, and manual marking tools. These 'cheap' digital and software-based tools achieve comparable accuracy to expensive specialized systems without requiring additional specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate catheter position data by copying spatial information from fluoroscopic images to a digital 3D model, eliminating the need for expensive specialized tracking equipment. The virtual representation replicates the physical catheter position with sufficient accuracy for clinical purposes at minimal cost.
3Ease of operation
If operators pilot catheters without navigation systems, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates in matching electrodes to cardiac models
Solution Approach 1:
The computer-generated 3D model acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple manual catheter navigation and accurate electrode-to-model matching. The model provides a visual reference framework that helps operators correlate their manual navigation actions with the correct anatomical locations, improving matching accuracy without requiring complex navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating the 3D cardiac chamber model and pre-defining the spatial relationships and anatomical landmarks before the catheter procedure begins. This preparation creates a reference framework that guides the operator's manual navigation, improving accuracy without adding complexity to the actual catheter manipulation.
4Ease of operation
If fluoroscopic images are used independently without connection to other systems, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information increases in coordinating multiple data sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate information sources (fluoroscopic images, electrogram channel data, 3D cardiac model) into a single integrated 3D visual representation. The computer-generated model integrates spatial information from fluoroscopy with electrical activity data from multiple electrodes, creating a unified view that preserves all relevant information while simplifying the operator's task of coordinating these data sources.
Data Source
AI summary
Guidance to an operator to more accurately position electrodes upon a segmented heart model (SGM). The SGM is included in a map panel on a display screen. A catheter advanced into a beating heart supports one or more electrodes. During a single beat of the heart, an image is obtained with darkened portions corresponding to locations of the electrodes. The image is presented in the same map panel as the SGM. The current location of the electrodes is confirmed relative to the SGM, either manually or through automated software algorithms. EP data is captured that represents electrophysiological signals of the beating heart at the current location for each of the electrodes. A signal processing algorithm is applied to the captured EP data in view of the confirmed current location of the electrodes to result in a calculation that is mapped at the confirmed location of the electrodes.