System and method of identifying sources associated with biological rhythm disorders
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv M. • Briggs, Carey Robert • Sehra, Ruchir
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs • Topera Inc • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-10434319-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-08
Expiration Date
2033-03-15
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Abstract
An example system and method associated with identifying and treating a source of a heart rhythm disorder are disclosed. In accordance therewith, a spatial element associated with a region of the heart is selected. Progressive rotational activations or progressive focal activations are determined in relation to the selected spatial element over a period of time. The selecting and determining are repeated over multiple periods of time. A source parameter of rotation activations or focal activations is determined, wherein the source parameter indicates consistency of successive rotational activations or focal activations in relation to a portion of the region of the heart. The determining of a source parameter is repeated for multiple regions of the heart. Thereafter, representation of the source parameter is displayed for each of the multiple regions of the heart to identify a shape representing the source of the heart rhythm disorder.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for identifying and treating sources of heart rhythm disorders by analyzing spatial elements associated with regions of the heart. It identifies progressive rotational or focal activations relative to selected spatial elements over time, repeats this process over multiple periods, and determines indices indicating the consistency of these successive activations. These indices are calculated for multiple regions of the heart and visually represented to identify shapes representing the sources of the heart rhythm disorder.
The invention addresses the problem of poor and ineffective identification of sources of complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Existing methods struggle with complex and varying signals, irregular activation patterns, and disorganized or noisy electrical activity, making it difficult to locate accurate sources for effective treatment. Traditional methods that work for simpler rhythm disorders fail in complex disorders due to phenomena like source precession, interruptions caused by fibrillatory conduction, and multiple interacting sources.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims covering a method, system, and non-transitory storage medium related to identifying sources of heart rhythm disorders using indices of progressive rotational or focal activations.
Method for identifying sources based on progressive activations and consistency indices
Selecting spatial elements associated with heart regions; determining progressive rotational or focal activations relative to these elements over time; repeating this determination over multiple periods; calculating an index indicating consistency of successive activations related to portions of the heart region; repeating for multiple regions; and displaying the representation of the index to identify shapes representing disorder sources.
System configured to identify sources of heart rhythm disorders via consistency indices
A system including a processor and memory with instructions to perform selection of spatial elements associated with heart regions; determining progressive rotational or focal activations related to these elements over time; repeating the process over multiple periods; determining consistency indices for multiple heart regions; and displaying representations of these indices to identify shapes of sources of heart rhythm disorders.
Non-transitory storage medium encoding instructions for source identification using indices
Storing instructions executable by a processor to select spatial elements associated with heart regions; determine progressive rotational or focal activations in relation to the selected elements over time; repeat selection and determination over multiple periods; determine indices indicating consistency of successive activations relative to heart regions; repeat determinations for multiple regions; and display representations of the indices to identify shapes representing sources of heart rhythm disorders.
These inventive features collectively enable advanced identification of heart rhythm disorder sources by quantifying consistent progressive rotational or focal activations within multiple heart regions and visually representing this information to facilitate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Stated Advantages
Enables rapid identification of sources of complex heart rhythm disorders even amid complex, noisy, and disorganized electrical activity.
Facilitates detection of rotational and focal activation patterns despite interruptions, precession, or multiple concurrent sources.
Supports tailored treatment of identified source regions to minimize damage to healthy tissue and improve treatment efficacy.
Provides visual spatial representation of source consistency over time, aiding clinicians in precisely locating and treating the source.
Documented Applications
Identification and treatment of sources of heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, multifocal atrial tachycardia, atrial tachycardias, and other complex and simple rhythm disorders.
Guiding therapies such as ablation and selective modification of cardiac tissue to ameliorate or terminate heart rhythm disorders.
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