Three-Electrode Leadless Biostimulators for Stimulation and Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable leadless biostimulators face challenges in conserving power to prolong battery life while maintaining effective conductive communication and therapeutic stimulation, as existing designs often compromise between impedance for stimulation and communication quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of a three-electrode configuration with a distal tip electrode, a fixation element, and a proximal electrode, where the fixation element has a larger conductive surface area, allows for separate periods of stimulation and communication, optimizing impedance and power usage by isolating electrodes for different functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same electrodes are used for both stimulation and conductive communication, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases and battery life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into two distinct sets: a first set of electrodes (e.g., tip electrode and can electrode) dedicated to stimulation delivery, and a second set of electrodes (e.g., ring electrode and can electrode) dedicated to conductive communication. This segmentation allows each electrode set to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall power consumption by avoiding the high current draw of stimulation during communication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The can electrode serves multiple functions: it acts as part of the stimulation circuit (return electrode), part of the communication circuit (signal reference), and provides mechanical housing/fixation. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of electrodes needed while maintaining separate optimized pathways for stimulation and communication.
2Reliability
If a larger conductive surface area electrode is used for communication, then communication quality improves, but stimulation impedance decreases affecting therapeutic efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different electrode combinations to different functions: the communication function uses the ring electrode and can electrode (providing large surface area for low impedance communication), while stimulation uses the tip electrode and can electrode (providing appropriate impedance for therapeutic efficacy). This segmentation resolves the conflict between communication quality and stimulation power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrodes have different surface area characteristics optimized for their specific function: the ring electrode provides large surface area for communication, while the tip electrode provides focused current delivery for stimulation. Each electrode's local properties are tailored to its primary function.
3Device complexity
If the same electrode set is used for both stimulation and communication, then device simplicity is maintained, but battery longevity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the electrode system into stimulation-dedicated and communication-dedicated sets, the patent enables the device to use only the necessary electrodes for each operation. This reduces overall power consumption and extends battery life, with the trade-off of requiring more electrodes than a single-use configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device alternates between stimulation mode and communication mode, using different electrode sets during each period. This periodic switching allows optimization for each function while managing overall power consumption to extend battery longevity.
4Measurement precision
If smaller conductive surface area electrodes are used for stimulation, then stimulation precision is improved, but communication signal strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns the tip electrode (small surface area) specifically for stimulation to achieve precise current delivery and capture, while the ring electrode (large surface area) is assigned for communication to provide strong signal transmission. This segmentation resolves the conflict between stimulation precision and communication signal strength.
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
This configuration enhances battery longevity and maintains effective conductive communication quality by minimizing power consumption during stimulation and communication periods.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive communication signal includes one or more conductive communication pulses that are transmitted through patient tissue from a transmitting device to a receiving device.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
Implantable leadless biostimulators (102) and related methods are described. The implantable leadless biostimulator (102) comprises first, second and third electrodes (501, 502, 503), and also includes circuitry (103) configured to cause a first set of the electrodes, which includes the first electrode (501) and the third electrode (503), but does not include the second electrode (502), to be used during first periods of time to deliver stimulation pulses to the patient tissue. The circuitry (103) is also configured to cause a second set of the electrodes, which includes the second electrode (502) and the third electrode (503), to be used during second periods of time to at least one of transmit conductive communication pulses to, or receive conductive communication pulses from, one or more other devices (102, 104, 106, 109). The second set of electrodes optionally includes the first electrode (501) electrically connected to the second electrode (502).