Acoustic Cardiography Pacemaker for Fluid Overload Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pacemaker therapies for heart failure patients are inadequate in managing fluid buildup during low activity periods, particularly at night or when lying down, as they rely on preprogrammed pacing rates that do not account for real-time heart functionality and activity levels, leading to potential decompensation and fluid overload.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes acoustic cardiography to monitor heart rate activity and specific parameters like S3, EMAT, and % LVST to calculate an AC Value, which adjusts pacing rate, intensity, and delays in real-time to prevent fluid buildup, by comparing actual AC Values to reference values and making necessary adjustments to the pacemaker's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a predetermined reduction in pacing rate is applied during rest phase, then the pacemaker operates with simplified control, but fluid overload and decompensation occur due to inadequate heart rate support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static preprogrammed pacing rates to dynamic pacing rate adjustment based on real-time acoustic cardiography monitoring. The system continuously assesses heart sounds and physiological parameters to dynamically modify pacing rate, preventing fluid overload while maintaining operational simplicity through automated feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where acoustic cardiography sensors continuously monitor heart sounds and physiological parameters during rest phase. The pacemaker uses this feedback information to automatically adjust pacing rate, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents fluid overload without requiring complex manual programming.
2Device complexity
If preprogrammed pacing rates are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to real-time heart functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the pacemaker to self-adjust pacing rates by incorporating acoustic cardiography monitoring and automated algorithmic control. The device monitors its own operational context through heart sound analysis and automatically modifies pacing parameters without requiring external programming or manual intervention, achieving both simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pacemaker from fixed preprogrammed values to dynamically adjusted values based on acoustic cardiography measurements. By monitoring heart sounds and physiological parameters in real-time, the system continuously optimizes pacing rate to match actual heart functionality needs.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic cardiography monitoring is implemented, then real-time heart functionality assessment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates acoustic cardiography monitoring into the existing pacemaker system, allowing the device to perform multiple functions: traditional pacing and advanced heart functionality assessment. By combining these functions in a single device, the patent achieves precise monitoring without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges acoustic cardiography sensors and processing with the pacemaker's existing control system. By combining the monitoring and pacing functions into an integrated system that shares hardware and processing resources, the patent achieves real-time heart functionality assessment while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer method, employable during an at-rest period of a pacemaker patient, for controlling the operation of the pacemaker so as maximally to support the patient's hemodynamic behavior in a context involving inhibiting fluid overload. The method involves (a) collecting simultaneously occurring ECG and heart-sound information, (b) processing the collected information to obtain at least S3 data, and in certain instances also EMAT and/or % LVST data, (c) utilizing such obtained data, and during the at-rest period, applying (a) pacing rate, (b) pacing intensity, (c) atrio-ventricular delay, and (d) inter-ventricular delay control to the pacemaker. Processing involves (a) calculating from the obtained data an actual, real-time, acoustic cardiographic therapy (AC) value which is to be employed in relation to controlling pacemaker activity, and (b) comparing the actual AC value to a pre-established, related, rest-period-associated, reference AC value to detect differences therebetween, with the utilizing and applying steps being implemented so as to minimize such differences.