Methods, systems, and apparatus for identification, characterization, and treatment of rotors associated with fibrillation

Abstract

Some embodiments described herein relate to a method that includes defining an electro-anatomical model of a heart. The electro-anatomical model can include conduction patterns for multiple patterns or phases identified by a measurement instrument. The electro-anatomical model can also include a voltage map of the heart. A portion of the heart containing a rotor can be identified based on circulation in one phase of the model. The rotor can be determined to be stable based on that portion of the heart having circulation in another phase of the model. The rotor can be characterized as a substrate rotor based on the rotor being stable and based on the voltage or a change in voltage at the portion of the heart containing the rotor. The rotor can be treated or ablated when the rotor is determined to be a substrate rotor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an input module, the input module configured to receive data from an electrode disposed within a heart;   a model module operably coupled to the input module, the model module configured to define an electro-anatomical model of at least a portion of the heart, the electro-anatomical model including a map of tissue voltages and a map of complex electrogram fractionation based on signals received from the electrode; and   a rotor characterization module operably coupled to the model module, the rotor characterization module configured to characterize a rotor as a substrate rotor or a non-substrate rotor based on at least two of (1) rotor stability, (2) the map of tissue voltages at the rotor, and (3) the map of complex electrogram fractionation at the rotor.