Method for the detection of intracardiac electrical potential fields
First Claim
1. A method for detecting the site of origin of ventricular arrhythmias during a single heartbeat, comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter having a distal end portion with a continuous outer surface on which a series of sensor electrodes are distributed, and a series of insulated electrical conductors located within said catheter and connecting said sensor electrodes to means for receiving and processing signals picked up by said sensor electrodes, said distal end portion on which the sensor electrodes are located having a volume less than the volume of a cardiac chamber into which said distal end portion is to be inserted,introducing said distal end portion into the cardiac chamber with the heart closed, while maintaining the outer surface of said distal end portion spaced apart from the wall of said cardiac chamber, so that normal cardiac functions can be maintained, anddetecting at least once during a single heartbeat the electric potentials picked up by said sensor electrodes on said outer surface, identifying thereby the site of origin of the arrhythmia as the portion of the heart closest to the electrode which has detected the most negative value of electric potential.
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Abstract
A catheter method for detecting intracardiac electrical potential fields makes use of a catheter provided with sensor electrodes which are connected through conductor wires to a signal receiver and processor. The catheter is inserted into the right or left ventricle through a hole formed in a vein or artery in a catheterization theatre, or during open thorax surgery, while normal cardiac function is maintained. The catheter has a distal end portion which may be inflatable, the size and shape of this end portion being such that the sensor electrodes are spaced substantially from the wall of the cardiac chamber in use of the catheter.
326 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for detecting the site of origin of ventricular arrhythmias during a single heartbeat, comprising the steps of:
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providing a catheter having a distal end portion with a continuous outer surface on which a series of sensor electrodes are distributed, and a series of insulated electrical conductors located within said catheter and connecting said sensor electrodes to means for receiving and processing signals picked up by said sensor electrodes, said distal end portion on which the sensor electrodes are located having a volume less than the volume of a cardiac chamber into which said distal end portion is to be inserted, introducing said distal end portion into the cardiac chamber with the heart closed, while maintaining the outer surface of said distal end portion spaced apart from the wall of said cardiac chamber, so that normal cardiac functions can be maintained, and detecting at least once during a single heartbeat the electric potentials picked up by said sensor electrodes on said outer surface, identifying thereby the site of origin of the arrhythmia as the portion of the heart closest to the electrode which has detected the most negative value of electric potential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification