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Abstract

A method of determining cardiac volume including the steps of positioning a catheter in a blood-filled chamber of a patient's heart. The catheter comprises an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, a plurality of spaced electrodes arrayed on the outer surface of the catheter and spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other to define a distal electrode, a proximal electrode and a plurality of pairs of adjacent electrodes between the distal and proximal electrodes to define volume segments within the chamber. The method includes the steps of providing a constant alternating current to the distal and proximal electrodes, measuring the potential between pairs of electrodes located between a distal and proximal electrodes while the distal and proximal electrodes are energized with the constant amplitude alternating current; determining a set of correction factors from the measured raw segmental volumes and catheter curvature; and correcting for field non-uniformity by multiplying the raw volumes by the set of correction factors.

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First Claim