System and method to identify sources associated with biological rhythm disorders
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv • Briggs, Carey Robert • Sehra, Ruchir
Assignees
Topera Inc • Office of General Counsel of VA • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-9332915-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-10
Expiration Date
2033-03-15
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Abstract
In a system and method for identifying a driver of a source associated with a heart rhythm disorder, data are accessed from a plurality of sensors representing biological activity in the heart. A first region and a second region of the heart are identified as the source of the heart rhythm disorder. If the first region has repeating activation and controls the second region for at least a predetermined number of beats, the first region is identified as controlling the source of the heart rhythm disorder.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system and method to identify the driver of a source associated with biological rhythm disorders, specifically heart rhythm disorders. The method involves accessing data from multiple sensors representing biological activity in the heart and identifying a first local region with repeating activation that controls a second distant region for a predetermined number of beats. This first local region is then assigned as the driver of the source of the heart rhythm disorder.
The problem being solved addresses the difficulty in identifying the core or origin of rotational or focal sources of complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Previous methods could detect rotational or focal sources but could not define the core of these sources or distinguish significant drivers from passive or transient activations that did not drive the rhythm disorder.
The disclosure describes a novel concept that a localized region must activate surrounding tissue during a heart rhythm disorder either by centrifugal activation or rotational activation, and such drivers occupy an area that may move dynamically. The system and method define and identify persistent rotational or focal drivers within a localized source by using phase mapping, vector analysis, and phase singularity persistence indicators, thereby improving identification of the actual driver regions that can be treated effectively to eliminate the rhythm disorder.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims comprising a method and a system for identifying a driver region controlling a source of a heart rhythm disorder.
Method to identify controlling region of a heart rhythm disorder source
Accessing data from multiple sensors representing heart biological activity, identifying two regions comprising the source of the disorder where the first region has repeating activation, determining if the first region controls the second region for a predetermined number of beats, and identifying the first region as controlling the source when this control exists.
System to identify controlling region of a heart rhythm disorder source
A system including a processor and storage medium with instructions to perform operations that access sensor data of heart biological activity, identify two regions comprising the source with repeating activation in the first region, determine control of the second region by the first region for a predetermined number of beats, and identify the first region as controlling the source when this control exists.
The claims cover a method and a system that identify a local region with repeating activation that controls a distant region for multiple beats, defining that local region as a driver of the source of the heart rhythm disorder. The claims further include features regarding rotational or centrifugal activation patterns, determination of stability and persistence via computed indexes, and classifications of driver cores in focal or rotational sources.
Stated Advantages
Ability to recognize rotational electrical patterns within complex sensed activation, enabling determination of disorder sources.
Filtering out spurious or incidental rotations or focal discharges to improve accuracy in identifying true drivers.
Provision of quantitative and qualitative indicators demonstrating strength, consistency, and duration of phase singularities.
Capability to rapidly and dynamically identify the source of complex rhythm disorders during sensing procedures.
Facilitates targeted treatment by accurately locating the driver regions associated with the rhythm disorder.
Documented Applications
Identification and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and other biological rhythm disorders.
Mapping and identifying rotational or focal drivers of heart rhythm disorders via catheters with sensor arrays in the heart.
Use of activation propagation maps and heat maps to dynamically display persistent rotational or focal activation sources for targeting cardiac ablation therapy.
Application in other biological rhythm disorders where biological activation information can be reconstructed, including neurological seizures, esophageal spasms, bladder instability, and irritable bowel syndrome.
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