Graphical user interface for real-time rf lesion depth display

Abstract

A system for displaying characteristics of target tissue during an ablation procedure is provided that includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to receive data regarding electrical properties of the target tissue for a time period. The ECU is also configured to determine a value responsive to the data and indicative of at least one of a predicted depth of a lesion in the target tissue, a predicted temperature of the target tissue, and a likelihood of steam pop of the target tissue for the time period. The system further includes a display device operatively connected to the ECU. The display device is configured to receive the value and display a visual representation indicative of at least one of a predicted depth of a lesion in the target tissue, a predicted temperature of the target tissue, and a likelihood of steam pop of the target tissue for the time period.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A graphical user interface system for generating an output signal representative of a graphical indicator of lesion depth in target tissue, the system comprising the following:
 an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to:
 receive a first signal indicative of a contact force measured between a first catheter electrode and the target tissue for a time period during which ablation energy is applied to the target tissue; 
 receive a second signal indicative of a measure of tissue temperature during the time period; 
 determine a predicted lesion depth based on each of the following: i) the time period, ii) the first signal, and iii) the second signal; 
 generate the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth; and 
 generate the output signal representative of the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth. 
   
     
     
         3 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 2 , wherein the ECU is further configured to receive a third signal indicative of a characteristic of the target tissue and wherein the determining step further comprises using the third signal. 
     
     
         4 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 3 , wherein the characteristic of the target tissue comprises a thickness of the target tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 2 , wherein the graphical indicator comprises a gauge. 
     
     
         6 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 5 , wherein the gauge comprises a variable scale comprising one or more colors. 
     
     
         7 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 5 , wherein the gauge comprises one or more shade patterns. 
     
     
         8 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 5 , wherein the gauge comprises a rectangular indicator comprising a color, a shade pattern, or a color and a shade pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 5 , wherein the gauge comprises a stoplight with a first indicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator, wherein the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are each configured to change color based on the predicted lesion depth. 
     
     
         10 . A graphical user interface system for generating an output signal representative of a graphical indicator of lesion depth in target tissue, the system comprising the following:
 an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to:
 receive a first signal indicative of a contact force measured between a first electrode and the target tissue for a time period during which ablation energy is applied to the target tissue; 
 receive a second signal indicative of a measured of tissue temperature during the time period; 
 determine a predicted lesion depth based on each of the following: i) the time period, ii) the first signal, and iii) the second signal; 
 generate the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth; and 
 generate the output signal representative of the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth; and 
   a display device operatively connected to the ECU, wherein the display device is configured to receive the output signal representative of the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth.   
     
     
         11 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 10 , wherein the ECU is further configured to receive a third signal indicative of a characteristic of the target tissue and wherein the determining step further comprises using the third signal. 
     
     
         12 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 11 , wherein the characteristic of the target tissue comprises a thickness of the target tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 10 , wherein the graphical indicator comprises a gauge. 
     
     
         14 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the gauge comprises a movable indicator and a plurality of indicator marks, wherein a position of the movable indicator corresponds to the predicted depth in the target tissue for the time period. 
     
     
         15 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the gauge comprises a variable scale comprising one or more colors. 
     
     
         16 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the gauge comprises a variable scale comprising one or more shade patterns. 
     
     
         17 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the gauge comprises a rectangular bar indicator comprising one or more indicator lines and one or more colors and shade patterns. 
     
     
         18 . The graphical user interface system of  claim 13 , wherein the gauge comprises a stoplight with a first indicator, a second indicator, and a third indicator, wherein the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are each configured to change color based on the predicted lesion depth. 
     
     
         19 . A method of generating an output signal representative of a graphical indicator of lesion depth in target tissue comprising:
 receiving, by an electronic control unit (ECU), a first signal indicative of a contact force measured between a first electrode and the target tissue for a time period during which ablation energy is applied to the target tissue;   receiving, by the ECU, a second signal indicative of a measure of tissue temperature during the time period;   determining, by the ECU, a predicted lesion depth based on each of the following: i) the time period, ii) the first signal, and iii) the second signal;   generating, by the ECU, the graphical indicator of lesion depth based on the determined predicted lesion depth; and   generating, by the ECU, the output signal representative of the graphical indicator of the predicted lesion depth.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the ECU is further configured to receive a third signal indicative of a characteristic of the target tissue and wherein the determining step further comprises using the third signal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the characteristic of the target tissue comprises a thickness of the target tissue.