Method for mapping a heart using catheters having ultrasonic position sensors

• US 6,983,179 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biosense, Inc. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Biosense, Inc. (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ben-Haim, Shlomo
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20020045810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 600/424, 600/425, 600/426, 600/427, 600/450, 600/466, 600/459, 600/374, 600/378, 600/508, 600/509, 600/413, 600/527, 607/122
• US Class Current: 600/374
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• 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 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6853 with a balloon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6856 with a distal loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6859 with multiple distal splines
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence

Abstract

A method for mapping a heart comprises the steps of inserting a mapping catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor into the heart. At least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor is also inserted into the heart. The position of the mapping catheter is determined relative to the at least one reference catheter and a portion of the heart is mapped with the mapping catheter. Additionally, the at least one reference catheter may be provided outside of the heart.

Claims

1. A method for mapping a heart comprising the steps of:

inserting a mapping catheter, having a tip and an ultrasonic position sensor located at the tip, into the heart;

inserting at least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor into the heart;

placing the tip of the mapping catheter on a surface of the heart at a plurality of points in time of a cardiac cycle;

determining the position of the mapping catheter relative to the at least one reference catheter using the ultrasonic position sensors by making a geometric snapshot of the heart during each point in time of the cardiac cycle; and

mapping the surface of the heart with the mapping catheter and making a map comprised of each geometric snapshot.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising mapping electrical activity of a portion of the heart with at least one electrode mounted at the tip of the mapping catheter.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising measuring impedance of the portion of the heart.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising measuring mechanical information of the portion of the heart.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising measuring movement of the portion of the heart.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising performing a therapeutic procedure on a portion of the heart.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising performing an ablation procedure on the portion of the heart.

8. A method for mapping a heart comprising the steps of:

inserting a mapping catheter, having a tip and an ultrasonic position sensor located at the tip, into the heart;

inserting at least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor outside of the heart;

placing the tip of the mapping catheter on a surface of the heart at a plurality of points in time of a cardiac cycle;

determining the position of the mapping catheter relative to the at least one reference catheter using the ultrasonic position sensors by making a geometric snapshot of the heart during each point in time of the cardiac cycle; and

mapping the surface of the heart with the mapping catheter and making a map comprised of each geometric snapshot.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising mapping electrical activity of a portion of the heart with at least one electrode mounted at the tip of the mapping catheter.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising measuring impedance of the portion of the heart.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising measuring mechanical information of the portion of the heart.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising measuring movement of the portion of the heart.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising performing a therapeutic procedure on a portion of the heart.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising performing an ablation procedure on the portion of the heart.

15. A method for mapping a heart comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a mapping catheter, having a tip and an ultrasonic position sensor located at the tip, into the heart;

(b) inserting at least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor into the heart;

(c) bringing the tip of the mapping catheter into contact with a wall of the heart at a location at a point in time of a cardiac cycle;

(d) determining a position of the tip of the mapping catheter at the location using the ultrasonic position sensors and making a geometric snapshot of the wall of the heart;

(e) moving the tip of the mapping catheter to a second location at another point in time of the cardiac cycle and making a second geometric snapshot of the wall of the heart; and

(f) making a map of the wall of the heart based on the geometric snapshots by repeating steps (d)–

(e).

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising mapping electrical activity of a surface of the heart with at least one electrode mounted at the tip of the mapping catheter.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising measuring impedance of the surface of the heart.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising performing a therapeutic procedure on a surface of the heart.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising performing an ablation procedure on the surface of the heart.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising measuring mechanical information of a surface of the heart.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising measuring movement of the surface of the heart.

22. A method for mapping a heart comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting a mapping catheter, having a tip and an ultrasonic position sensor located at the tip, into the heart;

(b) inserting at least one reference catheter having an ultrasonic position sensor outside of the heart;

(c) bringing the tip of the mapping catheter into contact with a wall of the heart at a location at a point in time of a cardiac cycle;

(d) determining a position of the tip of the mapping catheter at the location using the ultrasonic position sensors and making a geometric snapshot of the wall of the heart;

(e) moving the tip of the mapping catheter to a second location at another point in time of the cardiac cycle and making a second geometric snapshot of the wall of the heart; and

(f) making a map of the wall of the heart based on the geometric snapshots by repeating steps (d)–

(e).

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising mapping electrical activity of a surface of the heart with at least one electrode mounted at the tip of the mapping catheter.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising measuring impedance of the surface of the heart.

25. The method according to claim 22, further comprising performing a therapeutic procedure on a surface of the heart.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising performing an ablation procedure on the surface of the heart.

27. The method according to claim 22, further comprising measuring mechanical information of a surface of the heart.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising measuring movement of the surface of the heart.