Virtual Bipole Orientation for Multi-Dimensional Catheter Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophysiological mapping systems struggle to effectively display and orient electrophysiological signals from multi-dimensional catheters, such as HD grid catheters, due to the complexity of electrode arrangements and the sensitivity of bipolar electrogram morphology to bipole orientation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an electroanatomical mapping system that computes virtual electrograms for selected virtual bipoles, allowing users to select and display the virtual electrogram associated with a chosen virtual bipole orientation through a graphical user interface, which can include an orientation selection dial, slider, or geometric model, and optionally identifies a virtual bipole with maximum amplitude for orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrode traces are stacked vertically in display order corresponding to electrode order on the catheter, then the display is simple and logical for linear catheters, but the display becomes illogical and difficult to interpret for multi-dimensional catheters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional vertical stacking display to a two-dimensional spatial arrangement display that reflects the actual three-dimensional geometry of the catheter electrodes. The display shows electrode traces arranged in a grid or matrix pattern corresponding to the physical arrangement of electrodes on multi-dimensional catheters, allowing operators to visually correlate trace position with electrode location in space.
2Measurement precision
If the catheter is physically oriented to achieve desired bipolar electrogram morphology, then the electrogram quality improves, but the procedure becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the catheter and electrodes in the display system, allowing operators to simulate different catheter orientations and bipolar configurations virtually. The system calculates and displays what the electrogram would look like for various virtual catheter positions and orientations without requiring physical movement of the actual catheter, enabling preview and optimization of measurement configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of display parameters such as bipolar orientation angles, electrode selection combinations, and virtual catheter positioning. Operators can change these parameters to optimize the displayed electrogram morphology for diagnostic purposes, with the system recalculating and redisplaying the appropriate traces based on the selected parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-dimensional catheters are used to alleviate orientation complications, then catheter flexibility improves, but the complexity of defining and selecting desired bipolar orientation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual bipolar constructs as intermediaries between the physical multi-dimensional catheter and the electrogram output. These virtual bipoles are software-defined combinations of physical electrodes that can be configured in various orientations without requiring physical reconfiguration of the catheter. The system provides a layer of abstraction that simplifies the interface between the complex multi-dimensional electrode array and the desired bipolar electrogram measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying a virtual electrogram for a virtual bipole includes receiving a plurality of electrophysiological signals from a respective plurality of electrodes carried by a multi-dimensional catheter; using the received electrophysiological signals to compute a plurality of virtual electrograms associated with a respective plurality of virtual bipoles, each having a corresponding virtual bipole orientation; selecting a virtual bipole orientation; and displaying the virtual electrogram associated with the virtual bipole having the selected virtual bipole orientation. Aspects of the disclosure can be executed through a graphical user interface of an electroanatomical mapping system that also incorporates a visualization processor.