System and method for reconstructing cardiac signals associated with a complex rhythm disorder
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv • Sehra, Ruchir
Assignees
Topera Inc • Office of General Counsel of VA • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-9089269-B2
Publication Date
2015-07-28
Expiration Date
2031-04-06
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
System, assembly and method are provided to facilitate reconstruction of cardiac information representing a complex rhythm disorder associated with a patient's heart to indicate a source of the heart rhythm disorder. The complex rhythm disorder can be treated by application of energy to modify the source of the rhythm disorder.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems, assemblies, and methods to reconstruct cardiac information that represents a complex rhythm disorder in a patient's heart to indicate the source of the heart rhythm disorder. This cardiac source can then be treated by applying energy to modify or eliminate the source, thereby treating the rhythm disorder.
A significant problem addressed by the invention is the difficulty in identifying and locating the causes of complex heart rhythm disorders, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Current tools and methods do not reliably detect or locate the specific sources of these complex arrhythmias, often leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes such as lengthy ablation procedures with limited success and considerable complications.
Prior art mostly focuses on displaying electrical potential data for interpretation without directly pinpointing the cause of the rhythm disorder. Existing methods effective for simple arrhythmias fail for complex rhythms due to beat-to-beat variations and the presence of multiple deflections in cardiac signals. Furthermore, prior approaches do not identify electrical rotors or focal beats that are key sources sustaining complex arrhythmias like AF and VF.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent system claim, one independent assembly claim, and one independent method claim, each covering inventive methods and apparatuses for reconstructing cardiac signals associated with complex rhythm disorders.
Beat classification using high- and low-confidence signals
The system identifies discernible beats on high-confidence signals adjacent to low-confidence signals, enabling corresponding beats on low-confidence signals that are non-discernible to be addressed.
Activation onset determination using time vector and acceptance window
The system computes a time vector between activation onsets of identified beats on high-confidence signals through the low-confidence signal and defines a time interval (acceptance window) about the low-confidence signal's non-discernible beat to assign an activation onset closest to the time vector.
Reconciliation and updating of activation onset
The system determines a second time interval between discernible beats on the low-confidence signal before the non-discernible beat, advances this interval to approximate a previous beat's activation onset, reconciles selected activation onset with this, and updates the onset accordingly.
Signal classification into high-confidence and low-confidence based on beat discernibility
High-confidence signals comprise a predetermined percentage of discernible beats with identifiable activation onsets, whereas low-confidence signals include discernible and non-discernible beats with multiple deflections and quiescent periods, below the threshold percentage.
Generation of clinical representation using reconstructed activation onsets
The system generates clinical representations of the complex rhythm disorder using the assigned activation onsets, supporting diagnosis and treatment.
The patent claims cover systems, assemblies, and methods that employ beat classification differentiating signal confidence, activation onset computation using spatially adjacent signal vectors, and reconciliation techniques to reconstruct cardiac signals for complex rhythm disorders, culminating in clinical representations that enable localization of arrhythmia sources.
Stated Advantages
Provides a method and system capable of identifying and locating causes of complex rhythm disorders such as AF and VF, which prior art methods cannot achieve.
Enables direct identification and localization of electrical rotors and focal beats that sustain arrhythmias, improving accuracy in diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Allows use of as little as one activation event (beat) to identify and locate the cause, facilitating rapid and minimally invasive procedures.
Supports adaptive spatial resolution sensing and switchable sensor configurations to maximize efficient data acquisition.
Enables visualization and representation of arrhythmia sources through activation trails, aiding clinicians in treatment planning.
Incorporates data storage and expert systems to assist in identification and classification of rhythm disorder sources across patients.
Documented Applications
Minimally invasive detection, diagnosis, and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF).
Application in surgical therapy for detecting and treating rhythm disorders by identifying electrical rotors and focal beat sources.
Detection and localization of rhythm disorder sources in electrical disorders of the brain and nervous system, including epilepsy and seizure foci.
Application to electrical or contractile disorders in smooth muscle of gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems.
Use in non-real-time review of stored cardiac signals to assist diagnosis and treatment planning.
Interested in licensing this patent?