AV Conduction Measurement Using Heart Rate Zone Timers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac pacing therapies for heart failure struggle with individualized and dynamic adjustments to account for inter-patient differences and intra-patient variations over time, particularly due to changes in intrinsic AV conduction characteristics across different heart rates.

Innovation Solution

A patient management system that includes a stimulation control circuit capable of updating stimulation parameters based on measured atrioventricular (AV) conduction characteristics, using separate timers for different heart rate ranges to ensure timely measurement and adjustment of therapy parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single timer is used for AV conduction characteristic measurement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for different heart rate ranges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAV conduction characteristic measurement precisionVSAvoidtimer configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heart rate range into multiple zones (e.g., 60-80 bpm, 80-100 bpm, 100-120 bpm) and assigns a separate timer to each zone. This segmentation allows optimized measurement timing for each heart rate range, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timer duration parameter based on the detected heart rate range. Different heart rate zones have different timer durations programmed into the system, allowing the measurement parameters to adapt to physiological variations while maintaining a manageable device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If AV conduction characteristics are measured continuously, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repetitive sampling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAV conduction characteristic capture accuracyVSAvoidtime spent on repetitive sampling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic measurement timing where the timer duration is adjusted based on the detected heart rate range. This dynamic approach ensures timely measurements for rare heart rates while avoiding excessive sampling for frequent heart rates, reducing time loss while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameter (timer duration) according to the heart rate zone. By programming different timer durations for different heart rate ranges, the system optimizes the balance between capturing accurate AV conduction characteristics and minimizing repetitive sampling time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If stimulation parameters are updated frequently, then the adaptability to patient conditions is improved, but the loss of time increases due to frequent adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy adaptation to patient conditionsVSAvoidtime for parameter updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from AV conduction characteristic measurements to update stimulation parameters. The measured AV conduction characteristics serve as feedback to adjust timing parameters, creating a closed-loop system that adapts therapy to patient conditions while controlling update frequency through timer-based feedback intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the frequency of parameter updates based on the detected heart rate range and measurement availability. This dynamic update strategy allows frequent adaptation when needed while reducing update frequency during stable periods, minimizing time loss while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple timers for different heart rate ranges are implemented, then the adaptability to different heart rates is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart rate range coverageVSAvoidmulti-timer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operational range into discrete heart rate zones with dedicated timers for each. This segmentation approach provides comprehensive heart rate coverage while organizing complexity through clear functional separation and standardized timer implementation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12220587B2Heart rate indicated atrioventricular delay optimization

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for monitoring and treating patients with heart failure are discussed. The system can store in a memory stimulation parameters, including stimulation timing parameters for a plurality of heart rate ranges. The system includes a plurality of timers with respective durations for the plurality of heart rate ranges. A stimulation control circuit can identify a target heart range in which a detected heart rate falls, and measure an atrioventricular (AV) conduction characteristic value in response to the timer for the target heart range being expired at the detected heart rate. The stimulation control circuit can update a stimulation parameter corresponding to the target heart rate range using the measured AV conduction characteristic. The updated stimulation parameter can be used in cardiac stimulation.