System and method of identifying sources for biological rhythms
Inventors
Narayan, Sanjiv • Briggs, Carey Robert
Assignees
US Department of Veterans Affairs • Topera Inc • Office of General Counsel of VA • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-9408536-B2
Publication Date
2016-08-09
Expiration Date
2032-07-27
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Abstract
An example system and method of locating a source of a heart rhythm disorder are disclosed. In accordance with the method, a first pair of cardiac signals is processed to define a first coefficient associated with variability of the first pair of signals at a first region of the heart. Further, a second pair of cardiac signals is processed to define a second coefficient associated with variability of the second pair of signals at a second region of the heart. Thereafter, the first coefficient of variability is compared to the second coefficient of variability to determine a direction towards the source of the rhythm disorder.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for identifying the source or sources of a biological rhythm disorder, particularly complex heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Unlike prior methods that rely on identifying activation onset times in signals at sensor locations, this invention uses variability in pairs of cardiac signals, defining coefficients associated with signal variability at different regions of the heart, and then compares these coefficients to determine a direction towards the source of the rhythm disorder.
The problem addressed by the invention stems from the difficulty in locating sources of complex heart rhythm disorders, where activation onset times cannot be reliably identified due to the highly variable and complex nature of the signals. Existing approaches that focus on regularity measures or early activation sites have proven ineffective for complex disorders. Further, prior methods suffer from numerous and complex treatment steps without successful identification of the disorder source, limiting effective and rapid treatment.
The invention overcomes these challenges by processing cardiac signals in pairs to define coefficients of variability without requiring activation onset identification. By comparing variability coefficients of adjacent cardiac signal pairs, the invention determines a direction from lower variability (regularity) to higher variability (irregularity), thus locating the source region of the rhythm disorder for targeted treatment. This approach allows for rapid and effective source identification, enabling immediate treatment such as ablation to mitigate or cure the rhythm disorder.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains independent claims directed to methods and systems for locating a source of a heart rhythm disorder by processing pairs of cardiac signals and defining coefficients of variability to identify the source direction.
Method of locating a source of heart rhythm disorder using variability coefficients
Processing a first and second pair of cardiac signals to define coefficients associated with variability at different heart regions, comparing these coefficients, and determining a direction toward the rhythm disorder source based on that comparison.
Method of processing cardiac signals using coordinate pairs and derivatives
Processing cardiac signals at multiple time points forming coordinate pairs, optionally using derivatives, to define coefficients of variability, and determining the source direction from lower to higher variability coefficients.
System with computing device configured to process cardiac signal pairs
A system comprising at least one computing device configured to process first and second pairs of cardiac signals to define variability coefficients and compare them to determine the direction toward the rhythm disorder source.
The claims cover innovative methods and systems that identify sources of heart rhythm disorders by defining and comparing coefficients of variability derived from pairs of cardiac signals, determining the source location as a region transitioning from lower to higher variability, facilitating targeted treatment.
Stated Advantages
Ability to identify the source of complex rhythm disorders from variability in signals independently of activation onset times.
Enables rapid determination of disorder sources during sensing, allowing immediate treatment.
Simplifies the diagnostic and treatment process by avoiding complex steps and ineffective prior approaches.
Documented Applications
Identification and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation through guided ablation.
Application to other biological rhythm disorders such as neurological seizures, esophageal spasms, bladder instability, and irritable bowel syndrome where biological signals can be analyzed for source determination and treatment.
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