Contact assessment between an ablation catheter and tissue
Inventors
Koblish, Josef Vincent • CHUN, Donghoon • Johnson, Jessi E.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11617618-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for facilitating assessment of a nature of contact between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned along an electrode assembly of the ablation catheter, and wherein the first electrode is distal to the second electrode, obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, the third electrode positioned proximal to the second electrode.
Core Innovation
The invention facilitates contact assessment between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue. The method obtains a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode and obtains a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, then compares each detected voltage to a corresponding threshold voltage indicative of contact between viable body tissue and catheter portions located between the electrode pairs.
The method displays a halo about or around a graphical representation of the electrode assembly or ablation assembly, where the size and shape of the halo are indicative of contact between the catheter portions and viable tissue. The halo is displayed on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly, so the contact representation indicates level and location of contact.
The subject matter further determines the orientation of the electrode assembly or ablation assembly relative to viable body tissue based on contrasting the first comparison with the second comparison. The same concept is extended to an ablation assembly including ablation members, where detected voltages between adjacent ablation members are compared to contact-indicative threshold voltages and a halo is displayed around a graphical representation on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims center on voltage-based contact assessment using detected voltages between electrodes or ablation members, comparison to contact-indicative threshold voltages for different catheter portions, and halo visualization on a plane parallel to the catheter longitudinal axis. Across the claims, four inventive features are presented, with orientation determination included in some claim forms.
Threshold voltage comparisons for portion-wise contact assessment
Obtaining a first detected voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode and obtaining a second detected voltage between the second electrode and a third electrode, then making first and second comparisons between each detected voltage and corresponding threshold voltages indicative of contact between viable body tissue and catheter portions located between the electrode pairs.
Halo-based contact visualization on a longitudinally parallel plane
Displaying a halo about or around a graphical representation of the electrode assembly or ablation assembly, where the size and shape of the halo indicate a level and location of contact between a catheter portion and viable tissue, and where the halo is displayed on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly.
Voltage measurement between adjacent electrodes or ablation members
Obtaining detected voltages using electrode or ablation member positioning along the catheter such that the electrodes or ablation members are adjacent, and using the voltage measurements for portion-wise threshold comparisons of contact.
Orientation determination based on contrasting contact comparisons
Determining the orientation of the electrode assembly or ablation assembly relative to viable body tissue by contrasting the first comparison with the second comparison.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on measuring detected voltages between electrodes or ablation members, comparing each to a contact-indicative threshold for respective catheter portions, and displaying a halo whose size and shape indicate contact level and location on a plane parallel to the catheter longitudinal axis. Some claim forms also determine orientation relative to viable body tissue based on contrasting the contact comparisons.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates contact assessment between an electrode assembly of an ablation catheter and viable body tissue.
Provides a contact indication by displaying a halo whose size and shape indicate contact between catheter portions and viable tissue.
Provides contact visualization on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly, indicating level and location of contact.
Enables determination of orientation of the electrode assembly relative to viable body tissue.
Documented Applications
Facilitating contact assessment between an ablation catheter electrode assembly or ablation assembly and viable body tissue, including halo display of contact level and location on a plane parallel to the catheter longitudinal axis.
Extending the contact assessment and halo display concept to an ablation assembly of an ablation catheter using detected voltages between ablation members.
Interested in licensing this patent?