Method for displaying catheter electrode-tissue contact in electro-anatomic mapping and navigation system
First Claim
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1. A method for use in operating an electrode catheter, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a navigation system for monitoring a position of a first electrode of said electrode catheter during a medical procedure;
establishing an electrode coupling assessment system for evaluating an electrode-to-patient coupling condition indicative of a level of electrical coupling between said first electrode of said electrode catheter and a tissue, said assessment system adapted to distinguish between multiple levels of said electrode coupling condition including at least levels of insufficient coupling for a procedure and sufficient coupling for said procedure;
operating said electrode coupling assessment system in connection with the medical procedure to compare an electrical signal measured between said first electrode and a second electrode to predetermined baseline ranges associated with said multiple levels of electrode coupling to identify said level of said coupling condition; and
providing an output via said navigation system indicating said identified level of said coupling condition.
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Abstract
An electrode coupling output system associated with an electrode catheter that provides indication to the physician via the navigation system, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for use in operating an electrode catheter, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a navigation system for monitoring a position of a first electrode of said electrode catheter during a medical procedure; establishing an electrode coupling assessment system for evaluating an electrode-to-patient coupling condition indicative of a level of electrical coupling between said first electrode of said electrode catheter and a tissue, said assessment system adapted to distinguish between multiple levels of said electrode coupling condition including at least levels of insufficient coupling for a procedure and sufficient coupling for said procedure; operating said electrode coupling assessment system in connection with the medical procedure to compare an electrical signal measured between said first electrode and a second electrode to predetermined baseline ranges associated with said multiple levels of electrode coupling to identify said level of said coupling condition; and providing an output via said navigation system indicating said identified level of said coupling condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for use in operating an electrode catheter, the apparatus comprising:
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an input for receiving a signal indicative of a level of electrical coupling between an a first electrode of said electrode catheter and a tissue, wherein said signal is measured between said first electrode and a second electrode; a processor for processing said signal to determine said level of electrical coupling between said first electrode of said electrode catheter and said tissue, wherein said processor is operative to compare said signal with multiple predetermined ranges associated with differing levels of electrical coupling between said first electrode and said tissue of said patient and wherein said ranges include at least insufficient coupling levels and sufficient coupling levels; and an output interface for providing an output to a navigation system to indicate said determined level of electrical coupling, wherein said navigation system is adapted to monitor a position of said electrode catheter during a medical procedure. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrode catheter system comprising:
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a first electrode; a catheter associated with said first electrode; a second electrode; a navigation system for use in monitoring a position of said electrode during a medical procedure; and a processor for receiving signal information measured between said first electrode and said second and determining a level of electrical coupling between said first electrode patient tissue, wherein said processor is operative to compare at least a portion of said signal information with predetermined value ranges associated with differing levels of electrical coupling between said first electrode and said patient tissue, said value ranges including at least insufficient coupling levels and sufficient coupling levels, said processor further adapted to transmit information to said navigation system such that said navigation system can provide an indication of said level of electrical coupling. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification