Optically imaging cardiac activation with a laser system

An alternative technique to activation mapping for the visualization of ventricular fibrillation (VF) is proposed. A laser-based imaging system has been developed which provides images of transmembrane potentials using a fluorescence-mode voltage sensitive dye (VSD) to transduce the potentials into optical signals. The system offers several advantages including its ability to depict potential distribution with high spatial and temporal resolution and image large areas. It does not require filtering for signal or image enhancements and allows the acquisition of images of programmable size and shape at varying frame rates.