Anchored Multi-Chamber Cardiac Sensors for Pressure Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic approaches for heart failure, both acute and remote, lack accurate and reliable methods for monitoring cardiac pressures, leading to ineffective pharmacological treatments and increased rehospitalizations due to heart failure.

Innovation Solution

Implantable measurement devices with anchoring components and sensing elements in both the left and right chambers of the heart, capable of measuring physiologic parameters such as pressure, temperature, and oxygen saturation, providing comprehensive data for improved treatment regimens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current diagnostic approaches are used for monitoring cardiac pressures, then the approach is simple and non-invasive, but the measurement accuracy and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac pressure monitoring accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device is divided into separate anchoring components that can be independently positioned in different heart chambers (right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle), with each component containing sensing elements for localized pressure measurement. This segmentation enables multi-point monitoring across the heart while keeping each individual sensor unit relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary anchoring component structure that bridges the heart chamber walls and the sensing elements. This intermediary structure (including anchoring members, membranes, and fenestrations) enables minimally invasive placement while providing stable mounting for accurate pressure measurements, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pharmacological treatments are determined by trial and error approach, then the treatment selection is flexible, but the treatment effectiveness is reduced and rehospitalizations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtime for treatment optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The implantable measurement device provides continuous feedback on cardiac pressure parameters (right atrial pressure, left atrial pressure, ventricular pressures) to clinicians. This real-time feedback enables data-driven adjustment of pharmacological treatments, replacing trial-and-error approaches with evidence-based optimization, thereby improving treatment reliability and reducing rehospitalizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables preliminary identification of heart failure decompensation trends through continuous monitoring before acute episodes occur. By detecting pressure changes early, clinicians can intervene proactively with appropriate medications, preventing the need for emergency treatments and reducing time lost to acute care episodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensing elements are placed in different heart chambers, then the measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement comprehensivenessVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses multiple independent anchoring components (first anchoring component, second anchoring component, etc.) that can be separately positioned in different heart chambers. Each anchoring component contains its own sensing elements, allowing comprehensive multi-chamber monitoring while maintaining modular simplicity in the design of each individual unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each anchoring component serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables minimally invasive placement through the heart wall, mounts the sensing elements, and facilitates electrical connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive measurement capability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3897372B1Implantable cardiac sensors
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 WL GORE & ASSOC INC
  • EP3897372B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3897372B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3897372B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

An implantable measurement device is disclosed which includes a first anchoring component which engages a first inner wall defining a first chamber of a heart, a first sensing element which performs physiologic measurements in the first chamber, and a second sensing element which performs physiologic measurements in the second chamber.