Virtual Electrode Visualization for Dynamic Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiology visualization methods rely on static cardiac maps, which do not allow for dynamic interaction or real-time analysis of physiological data, limiting the ability to effectively plan and perform procedures like catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that stores electroanatomic data and provides an interactive graphical representation of a patient's surface region, enabling the selection of virtual electrodes for generating visual representations of physiological data, such as voltage potential and frequency information, which can be superimposed on a graphical model of the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical electrodes are placed in contact with biological tissue to record electrical activity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical electrode system by generating a three-dimensional electroanatomic map that replicates the electrical activity data collected from physical electrodes. This virtual model allows clinicians to perform measurements and analyses without repeatedly inserting physical electrodes, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity and procedural invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion and manipulation of physical electrodes with a computational system that processes electrical activity data to generate interactive three-dimensional visualizations. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical catheter manipulation while preserving the ability to accurately record and analyze electrical activity at specific anatomical locations.
2Device complexity
If static cardiac maps are used for procedure planning, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and real-time analysis capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static cardiac maps into dynamic, interactive three-dimensional visualizations that can be manipulated in real-time. The system allows users to rotate, zoom, and interact with the electroanatomic map during procedure planning and execution, enabling adaptability and real-time analysis while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interactive software interface as an intermediary between the raw electrical activity data and the clinician's decision-making process. This intermediary layer processes and visualizes the data in real-time, providing flexible adaptability for procedure planning without requiring complex hardware modifications.
3Measurement precision
If multiple physical electrodes are deployed to collect comprehensive electrophysiology data, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and procedural time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from multiple physical electrodes into a unified three-dimensional electroanatomic map. By combining the electrical activity measurements from numerous electrodes into a single integrated visualization, the system maintains comprehensive measurement precision while simplifying the operational complexity of managing multiple separate electrode signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal virtual electrode system that can simulate the function of multiple physical electrodes through computational methods. This multi-functional approach allows the system to perform measurements at various anatomical locations without physically deploying electrodes at each site, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods can be utilized to visualize physiological data relative to a surface region (e.g., an organ) of a patient. A computer-implemented method can include storing electroanatomic data in memory representing electrical activity for a predetermined surface region of the patient and providing an interactive graphical representation of the predetermined surface region of the patient. A user input is received to define location data corresponding to a user-selected location for at least one virtual electrode on the graphical representation of the predetermined surface region of the patient. A visual representation of physiological data for the predetermined surface region of the patient is generated based on the location data and the electroanatomic data.