Patent Description:
Various techniques for visualizing information, such as electrophysiological data, on anatomical maps have been published.

For example, <CIT> describes a system for analyzing electrophysiological data, especially intracardial electrogram data. The system comprising a data processing and control unit for processing the electrophysiological data, a data output unit comprising a data output screen for displaying results of electrophysiological data analysis. The data processing and control unit being configured to receive electrophysiological data obtained from a mapping catheter assembly that comprises an electrode assembly with a plurality of n electrodes, each electrode configured for measuring electrophysiological data in the form of electrogram signals. The data processing and control unit comprises an engine for performing an optical flow analysis of the electrophysiological data to generate series of vector data representing the average speed and direction of movement of clusters of the electrophysiological data. The data output unit being configured to display the vector data on a data output screen of the data output unit.

<CIT> describes a system for displaying heart graphic information relating to sources and source locations of a heart disorder to assist in evaluation of the heart disorder. A heart graphic display system provides an intra-cardiogram similarity ("ICS") graphic and a source location ("SL") graphic. The ICS graphic includes a grid with the x-axis and y-axis representing patient cycles of a patient cardiogram with the intersections of the patient cycle identifiers indicating similarity between the patient cycles. The SL graphic provides a representation of a heart with source locations indicated. The source locations are identified based on similarity of a patient cycle to library cycles of a library cardiogram of a library of cardiograms.

In <CIT>, there are described methods of generating a graphical representation of cardiac information on a display screen.

In <CIT>, there is described a method for decluttering a mapping display. A decluttering manager causes, at least in part, rendering of a plurality of points of interest on a mapping display of a user device based on location information associated with each of the points of interest. The decluttering manager receives an input, from the device, for selecting a group of the points of interest on the mapping display and captures an image of the mapping display based on the input. The decluttering manager then causes, at least in part, display of the selected group of the points of interest as an overlay on the captured image. The method can be used in augmented reality navigation applications on mobile phones.

Some medical procedures, such as cardiac radiofrequency (RF) ablation, require electro-anatomical mapping of the heart before performing the ablation. In the mapping, a physician inserts a catheter having multiple sensing electrodes, each electrode configured to produce one or more signals indicative of electro-physiological (EP) signals sensed in tissue of the patient heart.

The signals produced by the sensing electrodes of the catheter may comprise thousands of data points, for example, about <NUM>,<NUM> data points or even more. Based on the data points, the physician may determine a plan for ablating tissue in the heart. However, the large number of data points may confuse the physician and may interfere with the setting of the ablation plan.

Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide improved techniques for presenting large amount (e.g., hundreds or thousands) of data points indicative of one or more properties of a patient organ, such as a patient heart.

In some embodiments, a system for presenting the data points comprises a display and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a dataset comprising the plurality of data points, each data point corresponding to one or more properties of the patient heart.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to produce, based on one or more clustering criteria, at least a cluster (and typically multiple clusters) comprising a plurality of the data points. The processor is further configured to produce and present on the display, an anatomical map of the heart and multiple objects indicative of the multiple clusters, respectively.

In principle, clustering the data points simplifies the visualization of the data points over the anatomical map, and therefore, may help the physician in determining the ablation plan. In some cases, however, the clustering may conceal or overlook one or more data points having values of properties that may affect the ablation plan.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to assign to each cluster a representative data value, which represents a calculated value corresponding to the clustered data points. For example, an average and a standard deviation of the values of a property selected for the ablation criterion, which are calculated for all the data points clustered in the respective cluster. In some embodiments, the physician may view the data values by hovering with a trackball or a mouse of the system, over the clusters displayed over the anatomical map of the heart. Additionally or alternatively, the physician may use any other suitable technique, such as viewing the data values of each cluster in a table having some or all of the clusters.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to analyze the data values of the clusters and provide the physician with an alert in case one or more of the data values exceed a predefined threshold.

In some cases the data value(s) of a given cluster may draw the attention of the physician. For example, in case the standard deviation is larger than a predefined threshold. In such cases, the physician may select the given cluster, for example, by clicking on the object, which is displayed over the anatomical map and is indicative of the given cluster.

In some embodiments, in response to a selection of the object by the physician (or by any other user of the system), the processor is configured to produce and present on the display, a two-dimensional (2D) table comprising the properties of each of the data points clustered in the given cluster.

The disclosed techniques provide the physician with a multi-layered visualization of data points indicative of properties of a patient organ. The processor is configured to produce a first visualization layer by clustering, based on a clustering criterion, at least a cluster comprising two or more of the data points, and to display the object indicative of the cluster, on the anatomical map. The processor is further configured to produce a 2D table having the one or more properties of each of the clustered data points. Moreover, in response to a selection of the object by the user (e.g., the physician), the processor is configured to display the 2D table on the display (i.e., the 2D table constitutes a second visualization layer), so that the physician can review the properties of one or more data points clustered within the given cluster.

The disclosed techniques may help physicians in collecting and analyzing diagnostic data for determining various types of treatment procedures, such as but not limited to cardiac RF ablation. Specifically, by providing the physician with a multi-layered visualization and displaying of the properties associated with the organ in question, the disclosed techniques simplify the diagnostics and planning, but provide the user (e.g., the physician) with the capability to review one or more specific data points, which may be essential for appropriate determination of the treatment plan.

<FIG> is a schematic, pictorial illustration of a catheter-based 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>.

In some embodiments, console <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM>, typically a general-purpose computer, with suitable front end and interface circuits <NUM> for receiving signals via catheter <NUM> and for controlling the other components of system <NUM> described herein. Console <NUM> further comprises a user display <NUM>, which is configured to receive from processor <NUM> a map <NUM> of heart <NUM>, and to display map <NUM>.

In some embodiments, map <NUM> may comprise any suitable type of anatomical map produced using any suitable technique. For example, the anatomical map may be produced using an anatomical image produced by using a suitable medical imaging system, or using a fast anatomical mapping (FAM) techniques using the CARTO™ system, produced by Biosense Webster Inc. (Irvine, Calif. ), or using any other suitable technique, or using any suitable combination of the above.

Reference is now made to an inset <NUM>. In some embodiments, prior to performing an ablation procedure, a physician <NUM> inserts catheter <NUM> through the vasculature system of a patient <NUM> lying on a table <NUM>, so as to perform electro-anatomical mapping of tissue in question of heart <NUM>.

In some embodiments, catheter <NUM> comprises a distal-end assembly <NUM> having multiple sensing electrodes (not shown). For example, distal-end assembly <NUM> may comprise: (i) a basket catheter having multiple splines, each spline having multiple sensing electrodes, or (ii) a balloon catheter having multiple sensing electrodes disposed on the surface of the balloon. Each sensing electrode is configured to produce, in response to sensing electrophysiological (EP) signals in tissue of heart <NUM>, one or more signals indicative of the sensed EP signals.

In some embodiments, the proximal end of catheter <NUM> is connected, inter alia, to interface circuits <NUM>, so as to transfer these signals to processor <NUM> for performing the electro-anatomical mapping.

In some embodiments, during the electro-anatomical mapping, the signals produced by the sensing electrodes of distal-end assembly <NUM> may comprise thousands of data points, for example, about <NUM>,<NUM> data points or more. Based on the data points, physician <NUM> determines one or more sites for ablating tissue in heart <NUM>. However, physician <NUM> may have difficulties to review and analyze the aforementioned large number of data points, which may prolong the duration of the ablation procedure. Moreover, the large amount of data points may confuse physician <NUM>, which may reduce the quality of the ablation planning.

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 some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to present the data points, e.g., on display <NUM>, in two visualization layers by: (i) clustering data points, based on one or more clustering criteria, and displaying an object indicative of each cluster, and (ii) in response to selection of the object by physician <NUM> (or by any other user of system <NUM>), display a two-dimensional (2D) table comprising the properties of each of the clustered data points.

In some embodiments, displaying in two visualization layers can: (i) simplify the presentation of thousands of data points to physician <NUM>, by displaying the data points in clusters (e.g., on map <NUM>), and (ii) allow physician <NUM> to examine specific data points within each selected cluster. The techniques for displaying in two visualization layers are described in detail in <FIG> below.

In some embodiments, physician <NUM> may use processor <NUM> for clustering the data points into multiple clusters, so that physician <NUM> may review and analyze the clusters constituting smaller amount of data. However, some of the clustered data points may be essential for appropriate determination of the ablation plan. Therefore, presenting the data points in clusters may not be sufficient for producing the most clinically suitable ablation plan.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to present the data points in two or more levels so as to: (i) reduce the amount of data (e.g., by clustering) for simplifying the data analysis, and yet, (ii) provide physician <NUM> with the capability to review one or more specific data points (e.g., within the clusters).

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to receive a dataset comprising multiple data points. Each data point corresponding to one or more properties of heart <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is configured to produce, based on a clustering criterion, multiple clusters, so that at least one of the clusters comprises two or more (typically tens or hundreds) of the data points. Processor <NUM> is further configured to assign to each cluster a representative data value, which represents a calculated value corresponding to the clustered data points.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to produce map <NUM> of heart <NUM> comprising the one or more clusters, and to display objects indicative of the respective clusters, over map <NUM> displayed on display <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, processor <NUM> is configured to display the clusters in a two-dimensional (2D) table, e.g., adjacent to the anatomical map. The clustering reduces the amount of data points to be analyzed by physician <NUM>, as described above.

In some embodiments, physician <NUM> may select a cluster for reviewing one or more properties associated with a specific data point within the cluster. In such embodiments, in response to selecting an object indicative of a respective cluster, processor <NUM> is configured to produce a 2D table comprising one or more properties of each of the clustered data points, and to display, on display <NUM>, the 2D table. These techniques are depicted in detail in <FIG> and <FIG> below.

In other embodiments, catheter <NUM> may comprise one or more ablation electrodes (not shown) coupled to distal-end assembly <NUM>. The ablation electrodes are configured to ablate tissue at a target location of heart <NUM>. After determining the ablation plan, physician <NUM> navigates distal-end assembly <NUM> in close proximity to the target location in heart <NUM> by using a manipulator <NUM> for manipulating catheter <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, physician <NUM> may use any different sort of suitable catheter for ablating tissue of heart <NUM> so as to carry out the aforementioned ablation plan.

In some embodiments, the position of distal-end assembly <NUM> in the heart cavity is measured using a position sensor (not shown) of a magnetic position tracking system. In the present example, console <NUM> comprises a driver circuit <NUM>, which is configured to drive magnetic field generators <NUM> placed at known positions external to patient <NUM> lying on table <NUM>, e.g., below the patient's torso. The position sensor is coupled to the distal end, and is configured to generate position signals in response to sensed external magnetic fields from field generators <NUM>. The position signals are indicative of the position the distal end of catheter <NUM> in the coordinate system of the position tracking system.

This method of position sensing 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>.

In some embodiments, the coordinate system of the position tracking system are registered with the coordinate systems of system <NUM> and map <NUM>, so that processor <NUM> is configured to display on map <NUM>, the position of the distal end of catheter <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM>, typically comprises a general-purpose computer, which is programmed in software to carry out the functions described herein. The software may be downloaded to the computer in electronic form, over a network, for example, or it may, alternatively or additionally, be provided and/or stored on non-transitory tangible media, such as magnetic, optical, or electronic memory.

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.

<FIG> is a schematic, pictorial illustration of map <NUM> and a multi-layered visualization of data points <NUM> displayed on display <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to receive from distal-end assembly <NUM> the signals described in <FIG> above. The signals comprise a dataset comprising multiple data points <NUM>. Each data point corresponding to one or more properties of heart <NUM>. Processor <NUM> is configured to produce, based on a clustering criterion, multiple clusters, so that at least one of the clusters comprises two or more (typically tens or hundreds or thousands) of data points <NUM>. In the present example, processor <NUM> is configured to produce and present clusters <NUM> and <NUM>, and optionally, data points <NUM> (which are not clustered), over map <NUM> that is displayed on display <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to present, on display <NUM>, clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and data points <NUM> using any suitable objects. In the present example, data points <NUM> may be presented using round-shaped objects having a given color (e.g., orange) and a given diameter, one or more clusters <NUM> may be presented using round-shaped objects having a yellow color and one or more different diameters, one or more clusters <NUM> may be presented using round-shaped objects having a red color and one or more different diameters, and clusters <NUM> may be presented using round-shaped objects having a green color and one or more different diameters.

In other embodiments, the objects indicative of the clusters may have any suitable shape other than round, e.g., an ellipse or any sort of an irregular shape.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to assign the diameter of the round-shaped object to be indicative of the number of data points <NUM> clustered in the object. In other embodiments, the diameter of the round-shaped object may be indicative of the area covered by the clustered data points <NUM>. In the present example, the objects indicative of clusters <NUM> and <NUM> typically have a larger diameter than the objects indicative of clusters <NUM>. Similarly, the objects indicative of clusters <NUM> have a diameter larger than the objects indicative of data points <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to apply multiple different clustering criteria for clustering data points <NUM> at different sections of map <NUM>, and to assign a different color or a different shape for presenting every property and/or clustering criterion over map <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the clustering criterion may be based on one or more properties of heart <NUM>, or based on properties of any other organ in question. In the present invention, processor <NUM> is configured to select the clustering criterion from a list of criteria consisting of: (i) the morphology of the EP signal acquired by the electrodes of distal-end assembly <NUM> at the positions of data points <NUM>, (ii) the local activation time (LAT) measured by the electrodes of distal-end assembly <NUM> at the positions of data points <NUM>, (iii) the anatomical feature of heart <NUM> at each data point <NUM>, or any other suitable property and/or clustering criterion. The list of clustering criteria may additional comprise: the location of data points <NUM> on map <NUM> of heart <NUM>.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is further configured to assign to each cluster a representative data value, which represents a calculated value corresponding to the clustered data points <NUM>. For example, console <NUM> may comprise an input device, such as a trackball or a mouse, and when physician <NUM> hovers with the input device over cluster <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to present on display <NUM>, the calculated value corresponding to the respective cluster <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the calculated value may comprise, for example, an average and a standard deviation
of the parameter selected for the clustering criterion, which are calculated by processor <NUM> for the clustered data
points <NUM> of the selected cluster <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the calculated value may comprise any other statistical calculation and/or other properties, such as the minimal or maximal or average distance between adjacent clustered data points <NUM> of the selected cluster <NUM>.

In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to the objects displayed over map <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to present at least some of clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and/or at least some of data points <NUM>, using a two-dimensional (2D) table (not shown), also referred to herein as "a clusters table" or "an additional table. " In such embodiments, each line of the table constitutes an object indicative of the respective cluster. The line of the table may comprise, in the columns of the 2D table, some or all of the calculated values of the cluster in question, using the techniques and embodiments described above for the rounded-shaped objects displayed over map <NUM>.

In some cases, physician <NUM> may wish to review one or more data points <NUM> of a given cluster. For example, in case the standard deviation of the LAT of one cluster <NUM> is higher than a predefined threshold.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to present a 2D table <NUM> of a selected cluster, so that physician <NUM> can review the properties associated with each data point <NUM> of the respective cluster. In the example of <FIG>, physician <NUM> (or any other user) may select an object indicative of a cluster <NUM>, e.g., by clicking on the object presented over map <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in response to the object selection by physician <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce and display, on display <NUM>, table <NUM> having all the selected properties (e.g., measured and/or calculated) of each data point <NUM> clustered in the selected cluster <NUM>.

In some embodiments, table <NUM> may comprise the shape and color of the object assigned to each data point <NUM> of table <NUM>. In the present example, a yellow round shape, wherein each data point may have a gradient indicative of a value of a property selected for the clustering, or any other selected property. In response to a user selection, processor <NUM> is configured to allow the user to browse, read, filter, sort or manipulate the properties of data points <NUM> displayed in table <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in response to an instruction from the user (e.g., physician <NUM>) processor <NUM> is configured to remove table <NUM> from display <NUM>, or alternatively, to display multiple tables <NUM>, each of which indicative of the different cluster selected from among clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, as well as selected data points <NUM> that are not clustered.

In other embodiments, processor <NUM> is configured to display table <NUM> in response to a selection of the aforementioned cluster <NUM> from the clusters table having at least some of the clusters, as described above.

This particular presentation of map <NUM>, the clusters, data points <NUM>, and table <NUM> of <FIG>, 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 system <NUM>, and improving the quality and cycle time of the data analysis and ablation planning.

<FIG> is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for a two-level visualization of data points <NUM> over map <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the context of the present disclosure and in the claims, the terms "two-level," "multi-level," "two layers" and "multi-layered" are used interchangeably and refer to presenting any sort of data in multiple layers by providing the user with the capability to select the layer or level of information he or she wants to view.

The method begins at a dataset receiving step <NUM>, with processor <NUM> or any other device that receives from distal-end assembly <NUM>, a dataset comprising multiple data points <NUM>. Each data point corresponding to one or more properties of heart <NUM>. At a cluster production step <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce, based on a clustering criterion (or based on multiple clustering criteria), at least cluster <NUM> comprising two or more of data points <NUM>. As shown in the example of <FIG>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce multiple clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, each of which has multiple (e.g., hundreds or thousands of) data points <NUM>.

At a representative data value assignment step <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to assign to the cluster (e.g., cluster <NUM>) a representative data value, which represents a calculated value corresponding to data points <NUM> that are clustered within cluster <NUM>, as described in detail in <FIG> above.

At a map and cluster presentation step <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce and present map <NUM> of heart <NUM>, and one or more objects indicative of one or more clusters, such as clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, as described in detail in <FIG> above.

At a table presentation step <NUM> that concludes the method, in response to the selection (by physician <NUM> or any other user) of the aforementioned one or more objects, e.g., the object indicative of one cluster <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce and present (e.g., on display <NUM>) two-dimensional (2D) table <NUM> comprising properties of data points <NUM> clustered in selected cluster <NUM>.

As described in detail in <FIG> above, in step <NUM>, the objects indicative of the clustered data points may be displayed on display <NUM> using any other suitable presentation, for example, in an additional 2D table.

<FIG> is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for a two-level visualization of thousands of data points <NUM>, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The method begins at a dataset receiving step <NUM> with processor <NUM> receiving from distal-end assembly <NUM>, a dataset comprising multiple data points <NUM>, each data point corresponding to one or more properties of heart <NUM>.

At a first visualization layer production step <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to produce a first visualization layer by clustering, based on a clustering criterion, at least cluster <NUM> (and typically additional clusters, such as clusters <NUM> and <NUM>) comprising two or more of data points <NUM>. Processor is further configured to display one or more objects indicative of one or more clusters (e.g., clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>), respectively, as shown and described in detail in <FIG> above.

In some embodiments, processor <NUM> is further configured to assign to the cluster (e.g., cluster <NUM>) a representative data value, which represents a calculated value corresponding to data points <NUM> that are clustered within cluster <NUM>, as described in detail in <FIG> above and also in step <NUM> of <FIG> above. Moreover, in addition to or instead of the visual objects presented over map <NUM>, processor <NUM> is configured to present one or more of clusters <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and optionally at least some of data points <NUM>, in an additional table, also referred to as the cluster table described in <FIG> above.

At a second visualization layer production step <NUM> that concludes the method, processor <NUM> is configured to produce a second visualization layer. In the present example, the second visualization layer comprises 2D table <NUM> (shown in <FIG> above) having properties of each of the clustered data points <NUM>. In some embodiments, in response to selection of the object indicative of cluster <NUM> by physician <NUM> (or by any other user) processor <NUM> is configured to display table <NUM> on display <NUM>, as described in detail in <FIG> above.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>), comprising:
a display (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>), which is configured to: (i) receive a dataset comprising multiple data points (<NUM>), each data point corresponding to one or more electrophysiological properties of an organ of a patient, (ii) produce, based on a clustering criterion, multiple clusters (<NUM>, <NUM>), each cluster comprising two or more of the data points, and (iii) produce and present on the display, a map (<NUM>) of the organ and multiple objects, each object being indicative of a given cluster of the multiple clusters, and
in response to selection of an object by a user, produce and present on the display, a two-dimensional (2D) table (<NUM>) comprising the one or more properties of each of the clustered data points in the given cluster;
wherein the organ comprises a patient heart, and wherein the clustering criterion is selected from a list of criteria consisting of: (i) a morphology of a signal acquired at the data point, (ii) a local activation time (LAT) measured at the data point, and (iii) an anatomical feature at the data point.