Optical spectroscopy enabled three-dimensional substrate mapping
This technology applies near infrared spectroscopy to generate a three-dimensional map of the epicardium for accurate identification and localized tissue ablation.
Unmet Need: Method for epicardial tissue delineation to guide successful ablation therapy
Current methods to treat ventricular tachycardia (VT), the occurrence of irregular heartbeats in a human heart, rely on epicardial ablation. Epicardial ablation utilizes a catheter that is inserted outside the heart to identify and perform tissue ablation in the region responsible for the tachycardia. However, tissue structure varies among patients and differences between endo- and epicardial structures, including lipid distribution and vascularity, further complicate the procedure. Additionally, current radiofrequency ablation procedures are unable to distinguish between epicardial fat and lesions, leading to significant ambiguities in electrograms.
The Technology: Near infrared spectroscopy imaging for anatomical mapping of epicardium
This technology uses near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to map the epicardial surface to help identify targets for ablation therapy. It can distinguish between scar and fat tissue, both of which are indistinguishable using current technologies, by performing three-dimensional NIRS mapping of the epicardium and extrapolating the local tissue’s lipid content using the adipose contrast index (ACI). This technology can also identify other types of tissues, including coronary arteries, which need to be avoided for successful ablation therapy. Therefore, this technology may be a promising complement to standard voltage mapping, may significantly improve treatment outcomes for VT, and could be used for guidance of other tissue ablation procedures.
This technology has been validated using tissue phantoms with known optical properties, as well as porcine and human myocardial tissues ex vivo, demonstrating contact verification and lesion transmurality vital for successful ablation therapy.
Applications:
- Guiding ablation therapy
- Identification of substrates for cardiac ablation
- Electroanatomical mapping
- Distinguishing low voltage areas of the epicardium
- Delineating scar tissue from fat
- Coronary artery identification
Advantages:
- High-sensitivity to different types of tissues
- Three-dimensional mapping of the epicardium for improved visibility during ablation therapy
- Compatible with existing NIRS methods
- Introduces the adipose contrast index (ACI) to estimate lipid content from NIRS data
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Related Publications:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU19293
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu