Adaptive Cardiac Pacing Modes for Atrioventricular Synchrony

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pacing techniques often lead to desynchronization of heart contractions, particularly affecting the left ventricle, which can result in inefficiency and potential heart failure, and existing cardiac resynchronization therapies may not adequately address changing conduction disorders over time.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive cardiac conduction system pacing therapy for dual-chamber and triple-chamber devices that dynamically adjust pacing modes based on real-time conduction metrics, including inhibited pacing, ventricular fusion, and atrioventricular synchronous pacing, to maintain atrioventricular and ventricular synchrony.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If atrial lead is advanced through the venous system to the coronary sinus, then left atrial appendage pacing capability is achieved, but lead dislodgement risk increases due to venous access route

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacing therapy effectivenessVSAvoidlead dislodgement risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by accessing the left atrial appendage through the coronary sinus (a mediating structure) rather than direct puncture. The lead is advanced through the venous system into the coronary sinus and then positioned in the left atrial appendage, using the coronary sinus as a safe intermediary pathway that reduces dislodgement risk while achieving the desired pacing location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple leads are implanted for multi-chamber pacing, then comprehensive cardiac conduction control is achieved, but device complexity and procedural risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac conduction controlVSAvoidnumber of leads
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple pacing functions into a single lead system. The lead is configured with multiple electrodes that can pace the right atrium, right ventricle, and left atrial appendage simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate leads for each chamber and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive cardiac conduction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lead is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple pacing roles. A single lead can deliver pacing impulses to different cardiac chambers through its various electrodes, making it a universal component that replaces multiple specialized leads and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional right ventricular apical pacing is used, then simple lead placement is achieved, but pacemaker syndrome occurs due to loss of atrioventricular synchrony

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead placement simplicityVSAvoidatrioventricular synchrony
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic pacing strategies that adapt to maintain atrioventricular synchrony. By incorporating left atrial appendage pacing capability, the system can dynamically coordinate atrial and ventricular contraction sequences, preserving physiological synchrony while allowing for flexible lead placement options including simple venous access routes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4593942B1Adaptive cardiac conduction system pacing therapy for multi-chamber devices
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP4593942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4593942B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4593942B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Adaptive cardiac conduction system pacing therapy for multi-chamber devices may monitor electrical activity of a patient's heart and select a cardiac conduction system pacing therapy pacing mode based on the monitored electrical activity. For instance, one or more metrics such as P-wave-to-R-wave interval and QRS complex width may be determined based on the monitored electrical activity, and one of an inhibited pacing mode, a ventricular fusion pacing mode, an atrioventricular synchronous pacing mode, and an atrial fibrillation pacing mode may be selected based on the determined one or more metrics.