System for recording use of structures deployed in association with heart tissue

Abstract

A system records use of a structure deployed in operative association with heart tissue in a patient. An image controller generates an image of the structure while in use in the patient. An input receives data including information identifying the patient. An output processes the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A system to record use of a structure deployed in operative association with heart tissue in a patient comprising 
 an image controller to generate an image of the structure while in use in the patient,    an input to receive data including information identifying the patient, and    an output to process the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.    
     
     
         2 . A system comprising 
 a structure, which, in use, is deployed in operative association with heart tissue in a patient, the structure carrying an operative element,    a device coupled to the operative element to condition the operative element to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the heart tissue while deployed in the patient,    an image controller to generate an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure,    an input to receive data including information identifying the patient, and    an output to process the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.    
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2   wherein the electrode structure comprises an elongated body.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 2   wherein the electrode structure comprises a loop.    
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 2   wherein the structure comprises a three-dimensional basket.    
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 2   wherein the structure comprises an outer electrode element and an inner array of electrode element located within the outer electrode element.    
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller is coupled to the input to display the data in association with the image.  
 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data further includes information identifying the procedure.  
 
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data includes diagnostic information.  
 
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 9   wherein the diagnostic information includes heart tissue pacing data.    
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data includes therapeutic information.  
 
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 11   wherein the therapeutic information includes heart tissue ablation data.    
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data includes time stamped information.  
 
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data includes processing information documenting the storage, retrieval, or manipulation of the data.  
 
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14   wherein the processing information includes a date on which data was entered into the data base record.    
     
     
         16 . A system according to  claim 14   wherein the processing information includes a date on which data was retrieved from the data base record.    
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the data includes information identifying a person other than the patient.  
 
     
     
         18 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the output password-protects the data base record.  
 
     
     
         19 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller includes an adjustment function to alter appearance of the image in response to operator input before or after processing by the output.  
 
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19   wherein the adjustment function alters orientation of the image before or after processing by the output.    
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 19   wherein the adjustment function alters shape of the image before or after processing by the output.    
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 19   wherein the adjustment function alters view aspects of image before or after processing by the output.    
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller includes a comment function to insert annotations in the image in response to operator input before or after processing by the output.  
 
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller includes a marker function to mark one or more regions of the image in response to operator input before or after processing by the output.  
 
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image generated by the image controller comprises an idealized graphical image.  
 
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller generates a proximity-indicating output showing the proximity of a roving element, deployed in the patient, to the structure.  
 
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 24   wherein the output processes the proximity-indicating output with the image as part of the patient-specific, data base record.    
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 24   wherein the image controller includes an input for establishing a proximity threshold for the proximity-indicating output.    
     
     
         29 . A system according to  claim 28   wherein the output processes the proximity threshold with the image as part of the patient-specific, data base record.    
     
     
         30 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller is adapted to be coupled to a source of ablation energy to generate an ablation-indicating annotation when ablation energy is applied to the heart tissue of the patient.  
 
     
     
         31 . A system according to  claim 30   wherein the output processes the ablation-indicating annotation with the image as part of the patient-specific, data base record.    
     
     
         32 . A system according to  claim 30   wherein the image controller generates an ablation-proximity output on the image showing a location where ablation energy is applied.    
     
     
         33 . A system according to  claim 30   wherein the output processes the ablation-proximity output with the image as part of the patient-specific, data base record.    
     
     
         34 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 and further including a central station coupled to the output.  
 
     
     
         35 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 and further including a printer coupled to the output.  
 
     
     
         36 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 and further including a display device coupled to the output.  
 
     
     
         37 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 and further including a communications port coupled to the output.  
 
     
     
         38 . A system according to  claim 1  or  2  
 wherein the image controller generates a graphical user interface that includes the image.  
 
     
     
         39 . A system for diagnosing or treating cardiac conditions of multiple patients comprising 
 a network of local work stations, each one adapted to be coupled to an electrode structure, which, in use, is deployed in operative. association with heart tissue of a patient, the device being operative to condition the electrode structure to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving the heart tissue, each local work station including an image controller to generate an image of the structure at least partially while the operative element performs the procedure, an input to receive data including information identifying the patient, and an output to process the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation, and    a central terminal coupled to the output of each work station to receive the patient-specific data base records for all work stations for storage in a central patient data base.    
     
     
         40 . A system according to  claim 39   and further including a printer coupled to the central terminal.    
     
     
         41 . A system according to  claim 39   and further including a display device coupled to the central terminal.    
     
     
         42 . A system according to  claim 39   and further including a communications port coupled to the central terminal.    
     
     
         43 . A system according to  claim 39   wherein the image controller of at least one of the work stations generates a graphical user interface that includes the image.    
     
     
         44 . A system according to  claim 39   and further including a local memory unit coupled to the output of at least one work station to store a patient-specific data base record generated by the at least one work station.    
     
     
         45 . A system according to  claim 39   wherein the output of at least one work station is coupled to the central terminal using an Internet-type network.    
     
     
         46 . A system according to  claim 39   wherein the output of at least one work station is coupled to the central terminal using an intranet-type network.