Right Atrium Pressure Sensor Using Fossa Ovalis Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current implantable medical devices face challenges in directly measuring left atrial pressure due to the difficulty and risk of placing sensors within the left atrium or ventricle, which is crucial for monitoring heart failure and therapy effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sensor assembly is deployed within the right atrium, utilizing deployable anchor prongs to contact the fossa ovalis, which deflects proportionally to left atrial pressure, allowing for real-time measurement of relative and absolute pressure values, with optional external reference sensors for correlation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pressure sensor is placed directly into the left atrium or left ventricle to measure left-sided pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but the risk of clot formation and foreign object complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleft-sided pressure measurement accuracyVSAvoidclot formation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the fossa ovalis as an intermediary structure to transmit left atrial pressure to a sensor placed in the right atrium. The fossa ovalis acts as a mechanical mediator that deflects in response to left atrial pressure changes, allowing indirect measurement without direct left-sided sensor placement, thereby avoiding clot formation risks while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the sensor in the traditional location (left atrium/ventricle), the patent inverts the approach by placing the sensor in the right atrium and using the fossa ovalis as a transduction interface. This inversion allows measurement of left-sided pressures from a safer right-sided location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a pressure sensor is placed in the right atrium to avoid clot formation, then safety is improved, but the ability to directly measure left atrial pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidleft atrial pressure measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fossa ovalis serves as a mechanical intermediary that couples the right and left atrial pressure systems. When left atrial pressure changes, the fossa ovalis deflects, and this deflection is detected by the pressure sensor in the right atrium, enabling accurate indirect measurement of left atrial pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for direct left-sided mechanical sensor placement with a mechanical coupling system involving the fossa ovalis. The natural anatomical structure acts as a pressure transmission mechanism, substituting for direct invasive measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables direct, real-time monitoring of left atrial pressure, providing accurate diagnostic data for heart failure management and optimizing pacing parameters, while minimizing the risk of clot formation and foreign object complications.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor assembly utilizes the fossa ovalis, which deflects proportionally to left atrial pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced deflection: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS7850615B2System and method of determining cardiac pressure

Publication Date: 2010.12.14 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A pressure sensor is deployed in the right atrium and is in contact with the tissue of the fossa ovalis. The fossa ovalis acts as a membrane and the pressure sensor determines the relative and/or absolute pressure within the left atrium while remaining within the right atrium. A variety of embodiment are provided to deploy and anchor the sensor into the proper position.