Bioadhesive Pacing Lead for Atraumatic Cardiac Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioelectronic implants for cardiac pacing are invasive, causing tissue trauma and complications such as bleeding, tissue damage, and device failure during implantation and removal, compromising electrophysiological functionality and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A bioadhesive pacing lead with a conductive bioadhesive interface and a built-in reservoir for on-demand detachment, allowing atraumatic attachment and removal without helical fixation screws, using hydrophilic polymers and amine-coupling groups for rapid adhesion and detachment solution delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical fixation methods (suturing or inserting electrodes) are used, then reliable electrical interfacing is achieved, but tissue trauma and complications (bleeding, tissue damage, device failure) occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical interfacing reliabilityVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fixation systems (sutures, helical screws, inserted electrodes) with a chemical adhesion system based on bioadhesive polymers. The bioadhesive interface uses hydrophilic polymers with amine-coupling groups that form chemical bonds with tissue, eliminating the need for mechanical penetration or suturing while maintaining reliable electrical interfacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite bioadhesive interface combining hydrophilic polymers (for adhesion), amine-coupling groups (for chemical bonding to tissue), and conductive fillers (for electrical conductivity). This composite material simultaneously achieves tissue attachment, electrical conduction, and atraumatic integration without the harmful effects of conventional mechanical fixation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional epicardial pacing leads are removed, then device retrieval is achieved, but tissue damage and complications (heart chamber perforation, hemorrhage, cardiac tamponade) occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice retrievalVSAvoidtissue damage during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic adhesion system where the bioadhesive bonds can be reversibly activated or deactivated. The adhesion strength can be modulated on-demand, allowing strong attachment during operation but easy, atraumatic removal when needed, eliminating the permanent mechanical anchoring that causes tissue damage during conventional lead extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If bioadhesive interface is used for atraumatic attachment, then tissue trauma is reduced, but adhesion strength and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue trauma reductionVSAvoidadhesion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reliable, minimally invasive cardiac monitoring and pacing with high charge injection capacity and stable electrical performance, reducing tissue trauma and complications, and facilitating easy integration with existing clinical equipment.

Implementation Method 1

hydrophilic polymers and amine-coupling groups for rapid adhesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

one or more conductive fillers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

fluidic channel and a built-in reservoir to deliver triggering solution for detachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20250303149A1Bioadhesive pacing lead

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

Existing clinically adopted epicardial pacing leads mostly rely on surgical suturing or insertion of electrodes to the heart tissue. However, these approaches can cause tissue trauma during application and/or retrieval of the implants, potentially causing detrimental complications such as bleeding, tissue damage, and/or device failure. The present invention provides a bioadhesive epicardial pacing lead for atraumatic epicardial monitoring and stimulation of the heart in vivo to overcome the limitations of existing bioelectronic implants. The bioadhesive pacing lead is composed of an insulation layer, a conductive bioadhesive interface, a built-in reservoir, an electrode lead wire, and a fluidic channel. The bioadhesive pacing lead shows robust mechanical and electrical properties, biocompatibility, continuous epicardial monitoring and pacing capability, and rapid on-demand atraumatic employment and removal.