Adaptive Nerve Stimulation Controller for Cardiac Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nerve stimulation technologies for treating cardiac conditions, such as cardiac failure and tachycardia, lack the ability to dynamically adjust stimulation timing and frequency based on the heart's functional status, which is crucial for effective treatment.
Innovation Solution
A nerve stimulation apparatus with a heartbeat detection unit, nerve electrode, functional-status detection unit, and stimulation-timing controller that switches between synchronous and asynchronous modes, and adjusts stimulation frequency based on in-vivo information, allowing for adaptive output of electrical pulses to the vagus nerve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronous stimulation mode is used to treat tachycardia and fibrillation, then timing precision is improved, but adaptability to different cardiac conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between synchronous and asynchronous stimulation modes based on detected cardiac conditions. The controller automatically selects the appropriate mode (synchronous for tachycardia/fibrillation, asynchronous for other conditions) to optimize treatment effectiveness while maintaining adaptability to various cardiac pathologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the stimulation mode parameter dynamically based on cardiac condition detection. By monitoring cardiac function and transitioning between synchronous and asynchronous modes, the system adapts stimulation parameters to match the specific cardiac pathology being treated, resolving the contradiction between timing precision and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous stimulation mode is used to prevent cardiac remodeling, then adaptability is improved, but timing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulation mode based on the therapeutic goal and cardiac condition. For prevention of cardiac remodeling, asynchronous mode provides the necessary adaptability, while for arrhythmia treatment, synchronous mode provides precise timing. The controller transitions between modes to optimize both adaptability and timing precision as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation mode parameter is changed based on the detected cardiac condition and treatment objective. This allows the system to provide asynchronous stimulation with adaptability for remodeling prevention when appropriate, while maintaining the capability for precise synchronous timing when treating arrhythmias.
3Device complexity
If fixed frequency stimulation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but therapeutic effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from cardiac condition detection to automatically adjust stimulation frequency. The controller monitors cardiac function and modifies the stimulation frequency accordingly, providing tailored therapy for different conditions without requiring complex manual programming or multiple fixed-frequency modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation system performs self-adjustment of frequency based on detected cardiac conditions. The device automatically selects appropriate frequency parameters for different pathologies (e.g., higher frequencies for arrhythmia, lower frequencies for remodeling prevention) without external intervention, maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while avoiding excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sufficient therapeutic effect is achieved for each of a plurality of pathologies constituting a cardiac failure. Provided is a nerve stimulation apparatus including: a heartbeat detection unit that detects a heartbeat; a nerve electrode that is connected to a nerve controlling a heart; a nerve stimulation unit that outputs an electrical pulse to the nerve electrode; a functional-status detection unit that detects in-vivo information that indicates a functional status of the heart; and a stimulation-timing controller that controls the nerve stimulation unit so as to switch between a synchronous mode in which the electrical pulse is output in synchronization with the heartbeat detected by the heartbeat detection unit and an asynchronous mode in which the electrical pulses are output at constant time intervals, on the basis of the in-vivo information that indicates the functional status of the heart detected by the functional-status detection unit.