System and method for reconstructing cardiac activation information
Inventors
Briggs, Carey Robert • Narayan, Sanjiv
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs • Topera Inc • University of California Berkeley • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-8594777-B2
Publication Date
2013-11-26
Expiration Date
2031-08-24
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Abstract
An example system and method of reconstructing biological activation information are disclosed. A first biological signal and a second biological signal associated with an organ are processed via a computing device to determine whether there is a point of change in a derivative of the first biological signal with respect to a derivative of the second biological signal above a threshold. An activation onset time is assigned in the first biological signal at the point of change to define biological activation associated with the organ in the first biological signal if it is determined that the point of change is above the threshold.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system and method for reconstructing biological activation information, particularly cardiac activation onset times, from complex biological signals associated with organs such as the heart. The disclosed system processes first and second biological signals to detect points of change in their derivatives above a threshold and assigns activation onset times at these points to define biological activation associated with the organ.
The problem addressed is the difficulty in identifying activation onset patterns in complex heart rhythm disorders, such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation, where traditional systems fail to locate an earliest or latest activation onset due to continuously changing and complex activation patterns. Existing tools inadequately discern local activations from far-field activations or noise in such complex signals, hindering effective diagnosis and treatment.
The disclosure presents a method that iteratively pairs biological signals from sensor arrays, analyzing derivative changes and employing composite signals to identify significant activation onsets despite noise and far-field effects. It also includes comparison against reference catalogs when derivative changes fail to surpass thresholds, enabling reconstruction of activation patterns to locate sources of biological rhythm disorders.
Claims Coverage
The claims include five main inventive features disclosed across independent claims for methods and systems of reconstructing biological activation information.
Derivative-based detection of activation onsets
Processing two biological signals associated with an organ to determine if there is a point of change in the derivative of the first signal relative to the second signal above a threshold, and assigning an activation onset at that point.
Use of composite biological signals for enhanced detection
Forming a composite signal from the first and second biological signals, determining ratio values at multiple points in the first signal based on differences of derivatives, and selecting the point with the largest ratio value as the activation onset.
Matching to reference biological signal catalogs when threshold not met
When no point of change above the threshold is detected, matching characteristics of the first biological signal to those in a catalog of reference signals and assigning the activation onset time of the matched reference signal to the first signal.
Iterative pairwise signal processing to reconstruct activation patterns
Iteratively selecting pairs of biological signals, processing each pair to define multiple biological activations, and reconstructing a biological activation pattern based on assigned activation onsets from multiple signals to indicate a source of a biological rhythm disorder.
System comprising computing device configured for above operations
A system with at least one computing device configured to process paired biological signals as above, assign activation onsets based on derivative changes, form composite signals, match reference catalogs, iteratively process multiple signals, reconstruct activation patterns, and display results to facilitate treatment of the organ.
Overall, the claims cover methods and systems for analyzing pairs of biological signals using derivative-based detection, composite signal formation, catalog matching, iterative processing, and activation pattern reconstruction to identify sources of biological rhythm disorders for treatment.
Stated Advantages
Ability to reconstruct cardiac activation information in complex rhythm disorders, enabling determination and treatment of their causes.
Capability to perform reconstruction rapidly while sensing devices are in or near the patient, permitting immediate subsequent treatment.
Overcomes limitations of prior systems that failed to locate sources of complex heart rhythm disorders, reducing the number and complexity of treatment steps.
Documented Applications
Diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF).
Applicable to other biological rhythm disorders such as neurological seizures, esophageal spasms, bladder instability, and irritable bowel syndrome, where biological activation information reconstruction aids determination, diagnosis, and treatment.
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