Patent Description:
Various techniques for displaying information on anatomical images have been published.

For example, <CIT> describes a method of displaying a medical image. The method includes displaying a first image that is generated by rendering volume data of an object in a first direction, displaying on the first image a viewer tool for generating a second image, wherein the viewer tool indicates a section of the object, generating the second image by rendering sub-volume data included in the volume data in a second direction which is different from the first direction and indicated by the viewer tool, and displaying at least a part of the second image.

<CIT> describes a medical scanner that generates a medical image that may have an artifact. A machine-learnt detector, trained from a library of many different types of artifacts in images, detects any artifact in the medical image for a patient. The location of the artifact is highlighted, providing an indication of possible artifact where the image may otherwise appear to represent anatomy or pathology. A machine-learnt network may be applied to the medical image to determine a correction, such as different scan or reconstruction, to remove or reduce the artifact.

International Patent Application Publication No <CIT> describes systems, devices and methods of determining orientation of a distal end of a medical instrument (e.g., electrode-tissue orientation of an RF ablation catheter). One or more processors may be configured to receive temperature measurements from each of a plurality of temperature-measurement devices distributed along a length of the distal end of the medical instrument and determine the orientation from a group of two or more possible orientation options based on whether temperature measurement values or characteristics of temperature response determined from the temperature measurement values satisfy one or more orientation criteria. Certain data can be configured to be displayed in relation to various ablation or other heating points or locations that are visually depicted on a model of the targeted region of a subject's anatomy (e.g., atrium, other chamber or location of the heart, other tissue or organs, etc.).

An embodiment of the present invention that is described herein provides a method as specified in claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second surface models the first surface in the anatomical map. In other embodiments, the design line is selected from a list of design lines consisting of: (i) a linear path, (ii) a circular path, and (iii) a path having a bifurcation shape.

In an embodiment, the organ includes a heart, and selecting the properties include selecting at least one of the one or more properties from a list of properties consisting of: (i) a local activation time of a wave propagating in the heart, (ii) a local direction of the wave propagating in the heart, (iii) a fractionated electrical signal, (iv) a conduction speed of the wave propagating in the heart, (v) an electrical parameter of an electrical signal in the heart, (vi) a scar in tissue of the heart, and (vii) an intersection of waves propagating in the heart. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the annotations is selected from a list of annotations consisting of: (i) a jagged section of the design line, (ii) an altering thickness of a first respective section of the design line, (iii) an altering color of a second respective section of the design line, (iv) a geometric shape marked on a third respective section of the design line, and (v) first and second geometrical shapes placed, respectively, at first and second locations on the design line, so as to form a given section having the respective property.

In some embodiments, at least one of the altering thickness and altering color is indicative of a magnitude of the respective property. In other embodiments, the first and second geometrical shapes include first and second lines orthogonal to the design line, and the respective property includes a scar contained within the given section. In yet other embodiment, the method further including, in response to visualizing the one or more properties falling along the design line, adjusting at least one of: (i) a path of the received design line, and (ii) the selection of at least one of the properties.

Some medical procedures, such as radiofrequency (RF) ablation of heart tissue, are planned by measuring various properties at one or more regions of interest (ROIs) of the heart, and based on the measured properties, drawing a design line on the surface of an anatomical map of the heart.

The measured properties are typically obtained by moving a mapping probe across selected areas of the heart, e.g., for acquiring electro-anatomical signals, and based on the acquired signals, displaying one or more spatial distributions of the measured properties. When a physician uses a design line tool for producing a design line (e.g., by marking an ablation line) on the surface of the anatomical map, he/she has to review different maps of showing two-dimensional (2D) maps of different properties, and in some cases merge some maps together, so as to determine an accurate path of the ablation line. This methodology is time consuming and may result in mistakes made by the physician, inter alia, due to a comparison between different 2D anatomical maps showing different properties at similar or different areas on the heart surface.

Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide improved techniques for displaying annotations on a design line produced on the surface of an anatomical map of the patient organ. In the present example, the organ comprises a heart, the design line comprises planning of an ablation line, and the annotations are indicative of properties of the heart falling along the ablation line.

In some embodiments, a system for displaying the annotations comprises a processor and an output device, such as a display. The processor is configured to receive an anatomical map of the patient heart. The anatomical map comprising properties obtained (e.g., measured) at respective locations on the surface of the heart. The processor is further configured to receive, typically from a physician that plans the ablation procedure, a planned ablation line (or any other suitable type of a design line) produced on the surface of the anatomical map.

In some embodiments, the physician may select one or more of the properties that, when falling along the design line, will be visualized thereon. The properties may be selected manually by the physician, or automatically by the processor, or using any suitable combination thereof, e.g., properties recommended by the processor and approved or adjusted by the physician.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to visualize the one or more properties falling along the ablation line, using any suitable type of annotations, and the display is configured to display the annotations on the ablation line of the anatomical map.

In some embodiments, the ablation line may comprise a linear path, for example, in case of a linear ablation along a surface of the heart. In other embodiments, the ablation line may comprise a circular path, for example, in a pulmonary vein isolation procedure, in which the ablation line forms a perimeter surrounding one or more veins of an atria of the heart. In alternative embodiments, the design line may have a bifurcation shape, for example, when two waves collide and merge into a single wave. Note that in the disclosed techniques, the properties are displayed along a line (e.g., the ablation line), rather than across areas of the anatomical map.

In some embodiments, the properties may be selected from a list of properties of the heart, which are measured and/or calculated based on the measurements. The list may consist, for example: (i) a local activation time (LAT) of a wave propagating in the heart, (ii) a local direction of the wave propagating in the heart, (iii) a fractionated electrical signal, (iv) a conduction speed of the wave propagating in the heart, (v) a voltage, or any other electrical parameter of a unipolar or bipolar signal measured in the heart, and (vi) a scar in tissue of the heart (where the measured voltage is about zero because signals are not propagating across the scar), and (vii) an intersection or collision of two or more waves propagating in the heart.

In some embodiments, the properties may be displayed on the surface of the anatomical map using any suitable type of annotations. For example, (i) the LAT may be displayed using color coding or one or more numbers, (ii) the local direction of the wave propagating in the heart may be annotated using an arrow indicative of the direction of propagation, (iii) the fractionated electrical signal may be annotated using a jagged line, (iv) the conduction speed of the wave propagating may be annotated using an altering thickness of the ablation line, e.g., a thick ablation line may be indicative of slow speed, (v) the voltage of the unipolar or bipolar signal may be annotated using color coding, and (vi) the scar may be annotated using two short lines, which are orthogonal to the ablation line and are positioned at the ends of the scar, and (vii) the collision of two or more waves propagating in the heart, may be annotated using an "X" marker.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to calculate an ablation index along the ablation line. The ablation index comprises a combination of parameters related to the amount of ablation required at a respective position along the ablation line. For example, the ablation index may be indicative of a combination of at least the following parameters required for the ablation: (i) contact force applied between the ablation electrode and the tissue at the ablation site, (ii) the ablation energy applied to the tissue, and (iii) the duration of the ablation at the respective point along the ablation line.

In some embodiments, the annotation of the ablation index may comprise a circle overlaid on the ablation line, wherein the diameter of the circle is indicative of the calculated size of the ablation index. For example, a large diameter is indicative of a large ablation index.

The disclosed techniques may be used for displaying, along a one-dimensional design line, multiple parameters and properties, which are typically presented using multiple 2D maps, wherein each map displays spatial distribution of a different parameter. Therefore, visualizing multiple properties and parameters along the design line assists the physician in the planning of the ablation procedure.

Therefore, the disclosed techniques improve the quality of ablation procedures, by (i) providing the physician with annotations displayed automatically and dynamically along a planned ablation line, (ii) reducing the time for planning the ablation procedure, and (iii) reducing potential errors in the definition of the ablation line.

<FIG> is a schematic, pictorial illustration of a catheter-based position-tracking and ablation system <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, system <NUM> comprises a catheter <NUM>, in the present example a cardiac catheter, and a control console <NUM>. In the embodiment described herein, catheter <NUM> may be used for any suitable therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes, such as ablation of tissue in a heart <NUM> and/or for mapping cardiac arrhythmias by sensing intra-cardiac electrical signals.

In some embodiments, console <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM>, typically a general-purpose computer, with suitable front end and interface circuits for exchanging signals with catheter <NUM> (e.g., receiving intra-cardiac electrical signals and applying ablation pulses to tissue of heart <NUM>), and for controlling other components of system <NUM> described herein. Processor <NUM> may be programmed in software to carry out the functions that are used by the system, and is configured to store data for the software in a memory <NUM>. The software may be downloaded to console <NUM> in electronic form, over a network, for example, or it may be provided on non-transitory tangible media, such as optical, magnetic or electronic memory media. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of processor <NUM> may be carried out using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any suitable type of programmable digital hardware components.

Reference is now made to an inset <NUM>. In some embodiments, catheter <NUM> comprises a distal-end assembly <NUM>, and a shaft <NUM> for inserting distal-end assembly <NUM> to a target location for ablating tissue in heart <NUM>. During an ablation procedure, physician <NUM> inserts catheter <NUM> through the vasculature system of a patient <NUM> lying on a table <NUM>. Physician <NUM> moves distal-end assembly <NUM> to the target location in heart <NUM> using a manipulator <NUM> near a proximal end of catheter <NUM>, which is connected to interface circuitry of processor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, catheter <NUM> comprises a position sensor <NUM> of a position tracking system, which is coupled to the distal end of catheter <NUM>, e.g., in close proximity to distal-end assembly <NUM>. In the present example, position sensor <NUM> comprises a magnetic position sensor, but in other embodiments, any other suitable type of position sensor (e.g., other than magnetic-based) may be used.

Reference is now made back to the general view of <FIG>. In some embodiments, during the navigation of distal-end assembly <NUM> in heart <NUM>, processor <NUM> receives signals from magnetic position sensor <NUM> in response to magnetic fields from external field generators <NUM>, for example, for the purpose of measuring the position of distal-end assembly <NUM> in heart <NUM>. In some embodiments, console <NUM> comprises a driver circuit <NUM>, configured to drive magnetic field generators <NUM>. Magnetic field generators <NUM> are placed at known positions external to patient <NUM>, e.g., below table <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display, e.g., on a display <NUM> of console <NUM> or on any other suitable output device, the tracked position of distal-end assembly <NUM> overlaid on an image <NUM> of heart <NUM>. In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display an anatomical map (shown in <FIG> below) of at least part of heart <NUM>.

The method of position sensing using external magnetic fields is implemented in various medical applications, for example, in the CARTO™ system, produced by Biosense Webster Inc. (Irvine, Calif. ) and is described in detail in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and<CIT>, in <CIT>, and in <CIT>,<CIT>and <CIT>.

This particular configuration of system <NUM> is shown by way of example, in order to illustrate certain problems that are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and to demonstrate the application of these embodiments in enhancing the performance of such a system. Embodiments of the present invention, however, are by no means limited to this specific sort of example system, and the principles described herein may similarly be applied to other sorts of medical systems.

<FIG> is a schematic, pictorial illustration of annotations displayed on a design line <NUM> formed on an anatomical map <NUM> of heart <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> displays on an output device, such as display <NUM>, the anatomical map of a left atria <NUM> of heart <NUM>. In the present example, display <NUM> displays anatomical map <NUM> solely with the geometrical features of the anatomy of left atria <NUM>, but in other embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display on anatomical map <NUM> any suitable properties of left atria <NUM>. For example, local activation time of waves propagating in heart <NUM>, conduction speed of the waves, unipolar or bipolar voltage measured at respective positions of heart <NUM>, and other properties described in detail below. Note that such properties may be displayed using color coding of areas within left atria <NUM>, which are indicative of the amplitude of the respective property, or using any suitable type of annotations. For example, red and blue colors may be indicative of high (e.g., about <NUM> V) and low (e.g., about <NUM> mV) bipolar voltages measured, for example, between two electrodes of distal-end assembly <NUM> at respective positions of left atria <NUM>.

In the present example, the ablation procedure comprises pulmonary vein (PV) isolation of veins <NUM> and <NUM> of left atria <NUM> for treating arrhythmia in heart <NUM>. In some embodiments, physician <NUM> controls processor <NUM> to display left atria <NUM> on image <NUM>, and uses any suitable input devices of console <NUM> to form a design line <NUM> surrounding veins <NUM> and <NUM> of left atria <NUM>. In the present example, the design line comprises an ablation line for performing the PV isolation by ablating the tissue along the ablation line. Note the physician <NUM> is drawing the ablation line based on clinical considerations, which are derived, inter alia, from the aforementioned properties of left atria <NUM>.

In principle, when physician <NUM> produces design line <NUM> on the surface of the anatomical map <NUM>, he/she has to review different maps of different respective properties, so as to determine an accurate path of design line <NUM>, which is the ablation line in this case. This methodology is time consuming and may result in mistakes made by physician <NUM>. Such mistakes may be caused, for example, due to a comparison between different 2D anatomical maps that show spatial distributions of multiple properties measured and/or displayed at similar or different areas on the surface of heart <NUM>. Moreover, processor <NUM> is configured to overlay on anatomical map <NUM>, multiple maps of corresponding properties consolidated or merged and displayed on anatomical map <NUM>. However, a congestion of properties displayed spatially across areas of the anatomical map of left atria <NUM> may confuse physician <NUM> and may interfere with the clinical considerations used for determining the path of design line <NUM>.

In some embodiments, during the mapping of left atria <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to receive from distal-end assembly <NUM>, measurements performed when physician <NUM> moves catheter <NUM> along selected areas (or all areas) of left atria <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is configured to derive from the measurements, one or more anatomical and electro-anatomical properties of left atria <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> is configured to calculate waves propagating in tissue of left atria <NUM>, and display the local activation time (LAT) of the wave at respective positions of left atria <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may assign a purple color to a starting point of a given wave, and a red color to an ending point of the given wave. Processor <NUM> is further configured to calculate and display the propagation the direction and propagation speed of the given wave, and a point of intersection or collision between two waves crossing one another when propagating in left atria <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display the voltage amplitude measured at respective positions on left atria <NUM>. The measurements may be performed using a unipolar configuration (e.g., between an electrode of distal-end assembly <NUM> and a patch electrode (not shown) coupled to the skin of patient <NUM>) or a bipolar configuration (e.g., between two electrodes of distal-end assembly <NUM>).

In some cases, an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal received from the electrode(s) of distal-end assembly <NUM> may be fractionated. In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to identify such fractionated signals and to associate them with respective positions on the tissue of left atria <NUM>. Similarly, processor <NUM> is configured to identify one or more scars that occur in left atria <NUM>, e.g., based on the measured voltage (typically zero) and other indications, such as deviation in the propagation direction of the wave in left atria <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to calculate an ablation index at a respective position on the surface of anatomical map <NUM>. In the context of the present disclosure and in the claims, the term "ablation index" refers to a metric indicative of the ablation required to be performed at the respective position. In other words, the ablation index comprises a combination of parameters related to the amount of ablation required at the respective position. For example, the ablation index may be indicative of a combination of at least the following parameters required for the ablation: (i) contact force applied between the ablation electrode and the tissue at the ablation site, (ii) the ablation energy applied to the tissue, and (iii) the duration of the ablation at the respective point.

In some embodiments, one or more of the properties that, when falling along design line <NUM>, are selected to be visualized at the suitable positions along design line <NUM>. The properties may be selected manually by physician <NUM>, or automatically by processor <NUM>, or using any suitable combination thereof, e.g., properties recommended by processor <NUM> and approved or adjusted by physician <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display, on display <NUM>, a legend <NUM> comprising a list of at least the properties described above, and selection boxes <NUM> indicative whether each of the respective parameters has been selected. As will be described in detail below, processor <NUM> is configured to visualize one or more (typically multiple) selected properties that fall on design line <NUM>. In such embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display, along (a one-dimensional) design line <NUM>, multiple parameters and properties, which are typically presented using multiple 2D maps, each map displays spatial distribution of a different parameter. Presenting multiple properties and parameters along design line <NUM> assists physician <NUM> in the planning of the ablation procedure.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign annotations for visualizing the selected parameters in legend <NUM>, and to display the properties falling on respective positions along design line <NUM>. In the present example, legend <NUM> comprises the following visualizations and/or annotations of properties: (i) an annotation <NUM> comprises an arrow indicative of the direction of a wave propagating along left atria <NUM> and coming across design line <NUM>, (ii) an annotation <NUM> comprises a jagged line indicative of a fractionated ECG signal obtained at one or more respective section(s) of design line <NUM>, (iii) an alteration of the thickness of design line <NUM>, indicative of the conduction speed of the wave at a respective position of left atria <NUM> falling on a respective section of design line <NUM>. In the present example, an annotation <NUM> comprises a thicker line on design line <NUM> is indicative of a slower speed (e.g., about <NUM>/msec relative to an average propagation speed of about <NUM>/msec) of the respective wave propagating along left atria <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign additional annotations for visualizing the selected parameters in legend <NUM>, for example, processor <NUM> is configured to assign an annotation <NUM> having an X-shape, which is overlaid on design line <NUM> and is indicative of a collision or intersection described above between waves propagating across left atria <NUM>, wherein the waves are colliding along a respective section of design line <NUM>. In some cases the intersection may be between two LATs of the same wave, also refers to herein as "early meets late" with an early activation time meets a later activation time of the same wave, for example, due to a barrier that affects the propagation of the wave across left atria <NUM> of heart <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign one or more circular annotations <NUM>, also referred to herein as circles, overlaid on design line <NUM>, wherein the diameter of the circle is indicative of the calculated size of the ablation index. For example, a large diameter (e.g., having a diameter of about <NUM>) is indicative of a large ablation index (e.g., about <NUM>), and a small diameter (e.g., having a diameter of about <NUM>) is indicative of a smaller ablation index (e.g., about <NUM>).

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign a sectional annotation <NUM>, which is limited by two lines orthogonal to design line <NUM>, for annotating a scar falling on design line <NUM>. In an embodiment, annotation <NUM> may be indicative of a projection of the scar area on design line <NUM>. In another embodiment, annotation <NUM> may be indicative of the physical part of the scar that falls on (e.g., coming across) design line <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign to design line <NUM>, a colored annotation <NUM> indicative of the voltage measured on tissue of left atria <NUM>, at a respective section of design line <NUM>. The color assignment depends on a range of the colors, For example, for a range between <NUM> and <NUM>, red color is assigned to <NUM> and blue color is assigned to <NUM>.

In the context of the present disclosure and in the claims, the terms "about" or "approximately" for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

In the present example, selection boxes 72a of legend <NUM> are selected by physician <NUM> and/or by processor <NUM>, whereas selection box 72b is not checked, and therefore, not selected. In such embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display annotations <NUM>-<NUM> that fall on design line <NUM> of anatomical map <NUM> of left atria <NUM>, and not to display annotations <NUM> even though one or more of them are falling on design line <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, processor <NUM> displays annotations <NUM>-<NUM> on respective sections of design line <NUM>, and annotations <NUM>, which, in the present example, are falling on two sections of design line <NUM>, are not displayed. Note that the dashed lines connecting between numerals <NUM> and the respective sections, are not actually displayed in image <NUM> and are shown in <FIG> purely for the sake of presentation of the conceptual clarity. In some embodiments, in case selection box 72b will be selected, processor <NUM> will be displaying annotations <NUM> on the respective sections of design line <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in the planning of the PV isolation procedure, physician <NUM> uses: (i) selection boxes <NUM> for selecting annotations (and therefore, respective properties) to be displayed, and (ii) a design line tool (e.g., implemented in software in processor <NUM>) for drawing design line <NUM>, which is an ablation line planned to ablate tissue of left atria <NUM> for performing the PV isolation.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to receive the selected annotations (e.g., annotations <NUM>-<NUM>), and when physician <NUM> is drawing design line <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to display the selected annotations falling on corresponding sections along design line <NUM>. Note that based on the displaying of such annotations, physician <NUM> may adjust the path of design line <NUM> so as to improve the ablation planning in left atria <NUM>.

In other embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display the selected annotations only after physician <NUM> completes the drawing of design line <NUM>.

The embodiments described in <FIG> are provided by way of example, and the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described in the example embodiments of <FIG>. In other embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to apply any other suitable type of annotations indicative of the same properties or any other properties measured and/or received and/or calculated for being annotated on design line <NUM> or on any other feature produced on any sort of anatomical map of heart <NUM> or any other organ of patient <NUM>. Moreover, the embodiments described in <FIG> may be implemented using any other suitable techniques, instead of or in addition to the annotations and the design line described in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for displaying annotations <NUM>-<NUM> on design line <NUM> of anatomical map <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The method begins at an anatomical map receiving step <NUM> with processor <NUM> receiving anatomical map <NUM> of heart <NUM>. In some embodiments, anatomical map <NUM> comprises properties obtained at respective locations on the surface of heart <NUM>, as described in <FIG> above.

At a design line receiving step <NUM>, processor <NUM> receives design line <NUM> produced by physician <NUM> (or any other user of system <NUM>) on the surface of anatomical map <NUM>. In the present example design line <NUM> comprises a circular line surrounding veins <NUM> and <NUM> of left atria <NUM>, which is used for planning ablation along design line <NUM> so as to carry out the aforementioned PV isolation procedure, as described in <FIG> above. In other embodiments, processor <NUM> may receive any other sort of design line, which may be produced by physician <NUM> or imported from any suitable source. The design line may have a path having any suitable shape, such as but not limited to a circular shape (as shown in <FIG> above), a linear shape, a bifurcation shape (when two waves collide and merge into a single wave), or any other suitable shape and/or any other suitable type of design line, which is produced on the heart surface, along one or more produced or selected paths based on the clinical considerations of physician <NUM>.

At a properties selection step <NUM>, one or more of the properties described in <FIG> above, are selected. Note that, when falling along design line <NUM>, the selected properties will be visualized on anatomical map <NUM>. In the present example, the properties will be overlaid on corresponding sections of design line <NUM>, as shown and described in detail in <FIG> above.

At a displaying step <NUM> that concludes the method, processor <NUM> displays on any suitable output device, such as display <NUM>, a visualization of the one or more properties falling along the design line. In the present example, display <NUM> displays, in image <NUM>, annotations <NUM>-<NUM> that fall at corresponding positions along design line <NUM>. Note that, as described in detail in <FIG> above, the voltage measured along design line <NUM> were not selected (by physician <NUM> and/or processor <NUM>), thus, annotations <NUM> (e.g., the colors indicative of the measured voltages) are not displayed in image <NUM>.

In other embodiments, based on the displayed annotations, physician <NUM> may revise the path of design line <NUM>, for example, in order to bypass one or more sections of the design line formed in step <NUM> above. In such embodiments, the method loops back to step <NUM> for adjusting the visualization of the annotations in response to the revised design line.

In yet other embodiments, after reviewing the visualization of step <NUM>, physician <NUM> may adjust the selection of one or more of the properties. In the example of <FIG>, physician <NUM> may check selection box 72b for displaying annotations <NUM> that fall on the revised path of design line <NUM>. In such embodiments, processor <NUM> may repeat step <NUM> so as to include, in anatomical map <NUM>, the visualization of annotations <NUM> that may fall on the revised path of design line <NUM>.

Although the embodiments described herein mainly address visualization of properties on ablation lines, the methods and systems described herein can also be used in other applications, such as in treating atrial flutter. In this application, the user of system <NUM> (e.g., physician <NUM>) can mark on the anatomical map: (i) a first design line indicative of the main circle, and (ii) a second design line indicative of the planned ablation line designed for breaking the main circle.

Claim 1:
A method for displaying annotations on a design line provided on the surface of an anatomical map, comprising:
receiving an anatomical map (<NUM>) of a patient organ, the anatomical map (<NUM>) comprising properties obtained at respective locations on a first surface of the organ;
receiving a design line (<NUM>) produced on a second surface of the anatomical map (<NUM>), wherein the design line (<NUM>) comprises a planning of one or more ablation lines for ablating tissue in the first surface of the organ;
selecting one or more of the properties that, when falling along the design line (<NUM>), will be visualized thereon; and
visualizing the one or more properties falling along the design line (<NUM>), wherein visualizing the properties comprises applying, to the design line (<NUM>), one or more types of annotations indicative of a respective property of the one or more properties.