Systems for determining catheter orientation
Inventors
Panescu, Dorin • Koblish, Josef Vincent • CHUN, Donghoon • Johnson, Jessi E. • Schultheis, Eric Andrew
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11389230-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods of determining orientation of a distal end of a medical instrument (e.g., electrode-tissue orientation of an RF ablation catheter) are described herein. One or more processors may be configured to receive temperature measurements from each of a plurality of temperature-measurement devices distributed along a length of the distal end of the medical instrument and determine the orientation from a group of two or more possible orientation options based on whether temperature measurement values or characteristics of temperature response determined from the temperature measurement values satisfy one or more orientation criteria.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for continuously determining an orientation of an ablation catheter with respect to a target region while ablative energy is being applied during an ablation procedure. The catheter includes an elongate body with temperature-measurement devices positioned at a distal end and, in some configurations, additional temperature-measurement devices spaced proximal to the distal end, and at least one electrode member positioned at the distal end.
The system obtains temperature measurements or temperature-indicative signals at first time points over a first period of time during energy application and determines the orientation of the distal end relative to the target region based on a first set of orientation criteria. After the first period of time, the system receives temperature-indicative signals at second time points over a second period of time and determines the orientation again using a second set of orientation criteria different from the first set.
The determined orientation is mapped to discrete orientation options including a parallel orientation, a perpendicular orientation, and an oblique orientation, and the system generates an output indicative of the determined orientation. The output includes only a graphical icon of the distal end portion and its associated electrode, along with an indicator indicating the determined orientation, and the display does not include an image of surrounding tissue.
Claims Coverage
The excerpt provides two independent claims. Across them, the inventive features focus on distributed temperature-measurement devices on an ablation catheter, time-separated orientation determination using two different sets of orientation criteria, and orientation output limited to a graphical icon and indicator without imaging surrounding tissue.
Continuously determining distal-end orientation during ablation using distributed temperature measurements
Obtain temperature measurements from a plurality of temperature-measurement devices at first time points over a first period of time while ablative energy is being applied; determine the orientation of the distal end relative to the target region based on a first set of orientation criteria applied to the obtained temperature measurements at each time point; receive signals indicative of temperature at second time points over a second period of time after the first period of time; determine the orientation based on a second set of orientation criteria applied to the obtained temperature measurements at each time point, the second set being different from the first set; and generate an output indicative of the determined orientation as one of a parallel orientation, a perpendicular orientation, and an oblique orientation.
Display output limited to a graphical icon and orientation indicator without imaging surrounding tissue
Generate an output indicative of the determined orientation, the output including only a graphical icon of the distal end portion and its associated electrode in the determined orientation on a display and an indicator indicating the determined orientation, the display not including an image of surrounding tissue.
Distributed temperature-measurement devices for catheter orientation
An ablation catheter having an elongate body with a first plurality of temperature-measurement devices positioned at a distal end and a second plurality spaced proximal to the first plurality, wherein temperature measurements from both pluralities are used to determine orientation of the distal end relative to the target region.
Time-based temperature response and cross-device comparison orientation criteria
A system where the first set of orientation criteria includes comparisons of a time-based characteristic of a temperature response for each temperature-measurement device, and the second set of orientation criteria includes comparisons of the obtained temperature measurements from at least two temperature-measurement devices.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the continuous determination of distal-end orientation during ablation by using temperature measurements from distributed temperature-measurement devices, applying first and second different sets of orientation criteria over respective time periods, and outputting the orientation as a graphical icon and indicator for the parallel, perpendicular, or oblique orientation options.
Stated Advantages
Real-time feedback indicative of the determined orientation during an ablation procedure.
Reduced heating/heat risk and reduced char risk associated with ablation.
Orientation output without requiring radiometry; display includes only a graphical icon and an orientation indicator without imaging surrounding tissue.
Documented Applications
Determining and displaying an orientation of an ablation catheter distal end with respect to a target region during an ablation procedure while energy is being applied.
Providing output indicative of parallel, perpendicular, or oblique distal-end orientation on a display during ablation, without imaging surrounding tissue.
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