Interactive systems and methods for controlling the use of diagnostic or therapeutic instruments in interior body regions

• US 20030028118A1
• Filed: 10/10/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
• Inventors: Nguyen, Tuan, Dupree, Daniel A., McGee, David, Panescu, Dorin, Swanson, David K., Whayne, James G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/063 using impedance measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/363 Detecting tachycardia or bradycardia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

An interface is associated with a structure which, in use, is deployed in an interior body region of a patient. The structure includes an operative element coupled to a controller, which establishes an operating condition for the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in the interior body region. The interface generates a first display comprising an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure. The interface also generates a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller. The interface enables selection of the first display or the second display for viewing on a display screen.

Claims

1. An interface for association with a structure which, in use, is deployed in an interior body region of a patient, the structure including an operative element coupled to a controller, which establishes an operating condition for the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in the interior body region, the interface comprising

a display screen, and

an interface manager coupled to controller and the display screen and including a first function to generate a first display comprising an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure, a second function to generate a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller, and a third function to enable selection of the first display or the second display for viewing on the display screen.

2. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the third function generates an icon on the display screen which, when activated, selects the first display or the second display for viewing on display screen.

3. An interface according to claim 2

wherein the display screen includes a first display region and a second display region, and

wherein the third function displays the icon in the first display region and the first display or the second display in the second display region.

4. An interface according to claim 3

wherein, in response to activation of the icon, the third function opens a selected one of the first and second displays for viewing in the second display region while closing the other one of the first or second displays to viewing.

5. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes an input to receive operator input, and a processor coupled to the input to command the controller to establish the operating condition in response to operator input.

6. An interface according to claim 5

wherein the second function generates a data field for operator input.

7. An interface according to claim 5

wherein the input comprises an editable data field in the second display generated by the second function.

8. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the controller acquires output from the operative element, and

wherein the first function generates markers on the image in response to the output acquired by the controller.

9. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes an output to off-load data relating to at least one of the first and second displays.

10. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes an input to up-load data relating to at least one of the first and second displays.

11. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes an output to process data relating to at least one of the first and second displays as a data record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

12. An interface according to claim 11

wherein the output includes a storage medium.

13. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes an input to receive patient data identifying the patient and an output to process patent data as a data record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

14. An interface according to claim 13

wherein the output processes data relating to at least one of the first and second displays in association with the patient data.

15. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager further includes a fourth function to generate a third display comprising one or more data fields reflecting a test condition for the controller, and

wherein the third function enables selection of the first display or second display or third display for viewing on the display screen.

16. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the first display comprises a real image of the structure acquired by an imaging device.

17. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the first display comprises an idealized graphical image of the structure.

18. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the first function includes an adjustment function to alter appearance of the image in response to operator input.

19. An interface according to claim 18

wherein the adjustment function alters orientation of the image.

20. An interface according to claim 18

wherein the adjustment function alters shape of the image.

21. An interface according to claim 18

wherein the adjustment function alters view aspects of the image.

22. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes a comment function to insert annotations in the first display in response to operator input.

23. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager includes a marker function to mark one or more regions of the first display in response to operator input.

24. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the first function includes a navigation function that generates in the first display an output showing location of a roving element, deployed in the patient, relative to the structure.

25. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the first function includes a navigation function that generates in the first display a proximity-indicating output showing proximity of a roving element, deployed in the patient, to the structure.

26. An interface according to claim 1

and further including a central station communicating with the interface.

27. An interface according to claim 1

and further including a printer communicating with to the interface.

28. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the interface manager generates a graphical user interface that includes the first and second displays.

29. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the operative element comprises at least one electrode.

30. An interface according to claim 1

wherein the operative element comprises an array of electrodes.

31. A method for deploying a structure in an interior body region of a patient, the structure including an operative element coupled to a controller, which establishes an operating condition for the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure in the interior body region, the method comprising the steps

generating a first display comprising an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure,

generating a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller, and

deploying the structure in the interior body region while selecting the first display or the second display for viewing on a display screen.

32. A system comprising

an electrode structure which, in use, is deployed in contact with heart tissue,

a controller coupled to the electrode structure operating to establish an operating condition to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, and

an interface comprising

a display screen, and

an interface manager coupled to controller and the display screen and including a first function to generate a first display comprising an image of the electrode structure at least partially while performing the procedure, a second function to generate a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting the operating condition of the controller, and a third function to enable selection of the first display or the second display for viewing on the display screen.

33. A system according to claim 32

wherein the controller generates commands to establish the operating condition at least partly in response to operator input, and

wherein the interface manager includes an input to receive operator input and to transmit operator input to the controller.

34. A system according to claim 33

wherein the second function generates a data field for operator input.

35. A system according to claim 33

wherein the input comprises an editable data field in the second display generated by the second function.

36. A system according to claim 32

wherein the second function generates data fields defining a pacing configuration for the electrode structure to conduct pacing pulses from a stimulator coupled to the controller.

37. A system according to claim 36

wherein the interface manager includes a file manager function to off-load or up-load data files defining the pacing configuration.

38. A system according to claim 32 or 37

wherein the second function generates data fields defining a sequence of pacing pulses to be applied to the electrode structure from a stimulator coupled to the controller.

39. A system according to claim 38

wherein the interface manager includes a file manager function to off-load or up-load data files defining the sequence.

40. A system according to claim 32

wherein the second function generates data fields defining a recording configuration of the electrode structure to conduct electrical signal data to a recorder coupled to the controller.

41. A system according to claim 40

wherein the interface manager includes a file manager function to off-load or up-load data files defining the recording configuration.

42. A system according to claim 32 or 40

wherein the second function generates data fields defining a sequence of conveying electrical signal data from the electrode structure to a recorder coupled to the controller.

43. A system according to claim 42

wherein the interface manager includes a file manager function to off-load or up-load data files defining the sequence.

44. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager further includes a fourth function to generate a third display comprising one or more data base fields reflecting a test condition for the controller or the electrode structure, and

wherein the third function enables selection of the first display or second display or third display for viewing on the display screen.

45. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager further includes a service function to generate a service display comprising one or more data base fields reflecting a service condition, and

wherein the third function enables selection of the first display or second display or service display for viewing on the display screen.

46. A system according to claim 32

wherein the first display comprises a real image of the electrode structure acquired by an imaging device.

47. A system according to claim 32

wherein the first display comprises an idealized graphical image of the electrode structure.

48. A system according to claim 32

wherein the first function includes an adjustment function to alter appearance of the image in response to operator input.

49. A system according to claim 48

wherein the adjustment function alters orientation of the image.

50. A system according to claim 48

wherein the adjustment function alters shape of the image.

51. A system according to claim 48

wherein the adjustment function alters view aspects of the image.

52. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes a comment function to insert annotations in the first display in response to operator input.

53. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes a marker function to mark one or more regions of the first display in response to operator input.

54. A system according to claim 32

wherein the first function includes a navigation function that generates in the first display an output showing location of a roving element, deployed in the patient, relative to the electrode structure.

55. A system according to claim 32

wherein the first function includes a navigation function that generates in the first display a proximity-indicating output showing the proximity of a roving element, deployed in the patient, to the electrode structure.

56. A system according to claim 32

wherein the controller acquires output from the electrode structure, and

wherein the first function generates markers on the image in response to the output acquired by the controller.

57. A system according to claim 32

and further including a central station communicating with the interface.

58. A system according to claim 32

and further including a printer communicating with to the interface.

59. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager generates a graphical user interface that includes the first and second displays.

60. A system according to claim 32

wherein the third function generates an icon on the display screen which, when activated, selects the first display or the second display for viewing on display screen.

61. A system according to claim 60

wherein the display screen includes a first display region and a second display region, and

wherein the third function displays the icon in the first display region and the first display or the second display in the second display region.

62. A system according to claim 60

wherein, in response to activation of the icon, the third function opens a selected one of the first display and second displays for viewing in the second display region while closing the other one of the first or second displays to viewing.

63. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes an output to off-load data relating to at least one of the first and second displays.

64. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes an input to up-load data relating to at least one of the first and second displays.

65. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes an output to process data relating to at least one of the first and second displays as a data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

66. A system according to claim 65

wherein the output includes a storage medium.

67. A system according to claim 32

wherein the interface manager includes an input to receive patient data identifying the patient and an output to process patent data as a data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

68. A system according to claim 67

wherein the output processes data relating to at least one of the first and second displays in association with the patient data.

69. A method for examining myocardial tissue comprising the steps of

deploying an electrode structure in contact with myocardial tissue,

generating a first display comprising an image of the electrode structure,

generating a second display comprising one or more data fields reflecting an operating condition of the electrode structure, and

causing the electrode structure to either pace myocardial tissue, or record electric events in myocardial tissue, or both, while selecting the first display or the second display for viewing on a display screen.

70. A method according to claim 69

and further including the step of ablating myocardial tissue.

71. A method according to claim 69

wherein the step of generating the first display includes generating a real image of the electrode structure acquired by an imaging device.

72. A method according to claim 69

wherein the step of generating the first display includes generating an idealized graphical image of the electrode structure.

73. A method according to claim 69 and further including the step of altering appearance of the image in the first display in response to operator input.

74. A method according to claim 69

and further including the step of altering the operating condition of the electrode structure in response to operator input.

75. A method according to claim 69

and further including the step of communicating operator input through the first display or the second display to alter the operating condition of the electrode structure.