System and method to define drivers of sources associated with biological rhythm disorders
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv • Briggs, Carey Robert • Sehra, Ruchir
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs • Topera Inc • Office of General Counsel of VA • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-10085655-B2
Publication Date
2018-10-02
Expiration Date
2033-03-15
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for identifying a driver of a source associated with a heart rhythm disorder. Data are accessed from a plurality of sensors representing biological activity in the heart. A local first region of the heart that has repeating activation and determine whether the first region controls a second distant region of the heart for at least a predetermined number of beats is identified. The first local region is assigned as a driver of a source of the heart rhythm disorder, the source including the first local region and the second distant region.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for identifying a driver of a source associated with a heart rhythm disorder. It involves accessing data from multiple sensors that represent biological activity in the heart, identifying a local first region demonstrating repeating activation that controls a second distant region for a predetermined number of beats, and assigning this first local region as the driver of the source of the heart rhythm disorder, where the source includes both the first and second regions.
The problem being solved is the difficulty in defining the core of rotational sources or the origin of focal sources associated with complex heart rhythm disorders. Despite breakthroughs in identifying rotational and focal sources causing such disorders, the inner mechanism or center of these sources had remained unclear. This ambiguity made it challenging to differentiate true drivers from passive or occasional activations and limited effective treatment targeting.
The invention further details a method and system to process cardiac signals spatially arranged around areas of the heart to determine sequences of arcs of rotation over a time interval. It identifies and displays areas associated with controlling the source of the rhythm disorder when the rotational directions continue consistently beyond a threshold. This approach assists in distinguishing persistent drivers from transient or insignificant activations, enabling targeted and effective treatment such as ablation.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims, covering a method and a system for identifying and defining a driver of a source associated with a cardiac rhythm disorder by analyzing cardiac signals from spatially arranged sensors.
Method for defining a driver of a cardiac rhythm disorder source by processing arcs of rotation
Processing multiple cardiac signals from spatially arranged sensors to determine sequences of arcs of rotation over a time interval; determining rotational directions of these arcs; and identifying and displaying on a graphical display the heart area associated with controlling the source when the rotational directions persist in the same direction beyond a threshold based on phase analysis.
System for defining a driver of a cardiac rhythm disorder source by processing arcs of rotation
A system comprising a processing device and memory storing instructions causing the processing device to process cardiac signals related to sensors spatially arranged around a heart area, determine sequences of arcs of rotation, determine rotational directions, and identify and display on a graphical display the area controlling the source when rotational directions continue in the same direction exceeding a phase analysis threshold.
The independent claims cover methods and systems that detect persistent rotational activations as drivers of cardiac rhythm disorder sources by analyzing sequences and directions of arcs of rotation measured by spatially arranged sensors, and visually present these identified drivers for possible treatment.
Stated Advantages
Ability to recognize rotational electrical patterns even amidst virtually indiscernible sensed activation patterns to determine the source of the disorder.
Filtering out spurious or insignificant rotational or focal activations, improving identification of true drivers related to the source of heart rhythm disorders.
Capability to perform the method rapidly in near real-time during procedures, allowing immediate follow-up treatment such as ablation.
Providing qualitative and quantitative indicators of driver strength, consistency, and duration enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Documented Applications
Identification and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial flutter, and supraventricular tachycardia by defining drivers of rotational and focal sources.
Use in procedures involving catheters with sensor arrays inserted in or near the heart to detect electrical activity and guide ablation therapy.
Generation of heat maps and activation propagation maps to visually present persistent drivers to physicians for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
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