Biventricular-triggered pacing for multi-site ventricular resynchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are inadequate for delivering optimal multi-site left ventricular pacing, requiring modifications in refractory period management, left ventricular protective periods, and biventricular-triggered pacing modes to ensure safe and effective ventricular resynchronization in heart failure patients.

Innovation Solution

The development of a cardiac pacing device with advanced refractory period management, left ventricular protective period implementation, and biventricular-triggered pacing modes that allow for multi-site left ventricular pacing, incorporating a programmable electronic controller and switch matrix to optimize pacing sequences and prevent arrhythmias.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-site left ventricular pacing is implemented, then ventricular resynchronization effectiveness is improved, but the risk of arrhythmias and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventricular resynchronization effectivenessVSAvoidrefractory period management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the left ventricular pacing function into multiple independent pacing sites (LV1, LV2, etc.), each with its own refractory period management. This segmentation allows precise control of electrical stimulation at different locations, improving resynchronization effectiveness while managing complexity through modular refractory period handling for each site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a left ventricular protective period that is initiated before actual pacing occurs. This preliminary protective period prevents arrhythmias by establishing a refractory window in advance, allowing the device to safely deliver multi-site pacing stimuli without triggering harmful arrhythmic responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If refractory periods are extended to prevent arrhythmias, then patient safety is improved, but pacing timing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidpacing timing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different refractory period settings to different pacing sites and sensing channels. Each ventricular channel (RV, LV1, LV2) has its own configurable refractory period parameters, allowing optimization of safety margins locally at each site while maintaining overall timing precision through individualized configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamically adjustable refractory periods that can be modified based on sensed cardiac events and pacing outcomes. The refractory period duration is not fixed but can be adapted in real-time to balance safety requirements with timing precision needs for effective resynchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If biventricular-triggered pacing mode is added, then coordination of ventricular contractions is improved, but device programming complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination of ventricular contractionsVSAvoiddevice programming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the biventricular-triggered pacing mode to work across multiple pacing sites and configurations. The same triggering mechanism and control logic are used regardless of which specific LV sites are activated, providing a universal solution that improves coordination without requiring separate programming for each site combination.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2654882B1Biventricular-triggered pacing for multi-site ventricular pacing
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC
  • EP2654882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2654882B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Biventricular-triggered pacing is a pacing mode that can employ in cardiac resynchronization pacing at elevated heart rates. Described herein are methods and devices for implementing biventricular pacing in the context of multi-site left ventricular pacing.