Unipolar Far-Field Mapping for Ventricular Scar Depth Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac electrophysiological mapping techniques struggle to accurately assess the depth and severity of cardiac scars, particularly in thick cardiac walls like the left ventricle, due to interference from far-field signals, which distort local electrical activity and limit the ability to determine the extent of scarred tissue beneath the surface.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based method that utilizes far-field signals to estimate scar distribution and severity by analyzing unipolar signals, employing a mathematical model and spatial derivatives to generate a unipolar far-field EP map, which overlays endocardial scar borders, providing a three-dimensional visualization of scar regions within the cardiac wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If far-field signals are used to assess scar depth, then measurement precision of scar severity is improved, but far-field signals distort local electrical activity and interfere with accurate mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical signal into distinct components: near-field signals (local electrical activity) and far-field signals (distant electrical activity). By separating these signal sources through mathematical decomposition, the system can independently analyze far-field signals for scar depth assessment without the distortion of mixed local activity, thus resolving the interference problem while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the far-field signal component from the composite electrical signal recorded by catheter electrodes. Through signal processing techniques, the far-field component is isolated and removed from the near-field component, allowing the far-field signals to be utilized for scar depth assessment without their harmful distorting effects on local electrical activity mapping.
2Ease of operation
If localized mapping is used to identify surface scar tissue, then ease of operation is improved, but ability to assess deep scar tissue is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface mapping to three-dimensional scar characterization by incorporating the depth dimension. Through analyzing far-field signal characteristics (amplitude, morphology, activation timing), the system estimates scar depth and provides a volumetric understanding of scar tissue distribution, moving beyond mere surface identification to comprehensive 3D assessment.
3Measurement precision
If MRI diagnostics are used for scar assessment, then measurement precision of scar depth is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the electrophysiology mapping system to perform scar depth assessment functions that were previously requiring separate MRI imaging. By extracting and analyzing far-field signal components from the existing catheter electrode recordings, the system provides self-contained 3D scar characterization capability, eliminating the need for external MRI equipment and complex multi-modal diagnostic workflows.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and system for analyzing unipolar electrophysiological (EP) signals acquired by a multi-electrode catheter placed in a ventricle of a patient's heart. The method includes receiving unipolar EP signals, extracting unipolar far-field signals from the unipolar EP signals, and analyzing the extracted unipolar far-field signals to estimate the distribution of scar regions across a thickness of wall tissue of the ventricle. Using the estimated distribution, a unipolar far-field EP map showing the scar regions is generated. The method further includes displaying the unipolar far-field EP map including the scar regions to a user. The system comprises a display device and a processor configured to perform the steps of the method.