System and method for reconstructing cardiac activation information
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv • Briggs, Carey Robert • Sehra, Ruchir
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs • Topera Inc • Office of General Counsel of VA • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-9220427-B2
Publication Date
2015-12-29
Expiration Date
2031-08-24
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Abstract
In a system and method for reconstructing cardiac activation information, an analysis cardiac signal and a reference cardiac signal are processed to determine a first point of change in a derivative of the analysis cardiac signal with respect to a derivative of the reference cardiac signal. The analysis cardiac signal and the reference cardiac signal are processed to determine a second point of change in a different derivative of the analysis cardiac signal with respect to a different derivative of the reference cardiac signal. An activation onset time is assigned in the analysis cardiac signal at a point based on a mathematical association of the first point of change and the second point of change to define cardiac activation indicating a beat in the analysis cardiac signal.
Core Innovation
The invention disclosed relates to a system and method for reconstructing cardiac activation information associated with heart rhythm disorders. It involves processing an analysis cardiac signal and a reference cardiac signal to determine points of change in derivatives of these signals and assigning an activation onset time based on a mathematical association of these points to define cardiac activation indicating a beat in the analysis cardiac signal.
The problem being solved arises from the difficulty in diagnosing and treating complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Existing tools and methods fail to effectively reconstruct cardiac activation patterns due to the complex, variable, and overlapping signal deflections in electrogram signals. This impedes accurate identification of activation onset times and the sources of rhythm disorders, hindering effective treatment such as ablation.
The disclosed invention addresses this by providing a relatively fewer-step process to reconstruct activation information in complex cardiac signals. It compares derivatives of analysis and reference cardiac signals (including zero, first, and second order derivatives), identifies significant points of change, and mathematically associates these points to assign activation onset times. This reconstruction enables identification of the cause or source of a heart rhythm disorder to allow expedient and potentially curative treatment.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses three independent claims covering methods and systems for reconstructing cardiac activation information and treating cardiac rhythm disorders.
Method of reconstructing cardiac activation information
Processing of an analysis cardiac signal and a reference cardiac signal to determine first and second points of change in respective derivatives (zero, first, or second order) of these signals, and assigning an activation onset time in the analysis signal based on a mathematical association of these points to define cardiac activation indicating a beat.
System to reconstruct cardiac activation information
A computing device configured to process an analysis and a reference cardiac signal to determine first and second points of change in derivatives (selected from zero, first, and second order) of these signals, and to assign an activation onset time in the analysis signal based on a mathematical association of these points to define cardiac activation indicating a beat.
Method of treating a cardiac rhythm disorder
Iteratively accessing analysis and reference cardiac signals from multiple signals, processing to determine first and second points of change in derivatives of these signals, assigning activation onset times based on mathematical association of these points to define cardiac activations, reconstructing a cardiac activation pattern to indicate a source of the disorder, and treating cardiac tissue at the source to suppress or eliminate the disorder.
The independent claims collectively cover inventive features of determining points of change in various order derivatives of cardiac signals and mathematically associating these to define activation onsets, implemented as methods and computing systems, including iterative processing for treatment applications.
Stated Advantages
Ability to reconstruct cardiac activation information in complex heart rhythm disorders where activation patterns are difficult or impossible to decipher using prior methods.
Enables rapid determination of the cause or source of heart rhythm disorders to facilitate immediate and targeted treatment during sensing procedures.
Reduces the number and complexity of steps needed for reconstructing activation information compared to prior systems, improving efficiency and effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment.
Documented Applications
Reconstructing activation information and determining causes of complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation for diagnosis and treatment.
Iterative processing of cardiac signals obtained from catheter sensors positioned in the heart to assign activation onsets and reconstruct cardiac activation patterns.
Facilitating treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders by detecting activation onset patterns and guiding targeted ablation therapy at identified sources in heart tissue.
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