Implantable Blood Pump Communication via Encoded Electrical Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart failure management systems, including Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and implantable cardiac rhythm management devices, lack interoperability, leading to high power demands for communication that significantly reduces battery life and requires frequent replacements or recharging, inconveniencing patients.
Innovation Solution
An implantable blood pump and cardiac rhythm management device system that communicates through encoded electrical pulses, allowing the blood pump to adjust its protocol based on detected abnormal heart rhythms, reducing power consumption by leveraging existing heart stimulation pulses for information transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If MICS band radio transceivers are used for communication between implanted devices, then information transfer capability is improved, but battery life is drastically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the communication function with the existing heart stimulation pulses. The CRM device encodes information about detected heart rhythms into the timing and pattern of electrical pulses that are already being delivered to the heart, merging data transmission with the therapeutic pacing function. This eliminates the need for separate high-power radio transceivers while maintaining information transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical pulses delivered by the CRM device serve dual purposes: they provide heart stimulation therapy and simultaneously encode communication information about detected heart rhythms. The blood pump processor decodes these same pulses to receive rhythm information, making the pulse system universal for both therapeutic and communicative functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MICS band radio transceivers communicate information to the VAD, then device coordination is improved, but invasive replacement procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication function with the existing heart stimulation pulses. The CRM device encodes information about detected heart rhythms into the timing and pattern of electrical pulses that are already being delivered to the heart, merging data transmission with the therapeutic pacing function. This eliminates the need for separate high-power radio transceivers while maintaining information transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing infrastructure of heart stimulation pulses for self-service communication. The CRM device automatically encodes rhythm information into its own therapeutic pulses, and the blood pump automatically decodes and responds to this information, creating a self-contained communication system that requires no external intervention or additional power sources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If frequent battery recharging is required for VAD systems, then power management is improved, but patient convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing infrastructure of heart stimulation pulses for self-service communication. The CRM device automatically encodes rhythm information into its own therapeutic pulses, and the blood pump automatically decodes and responds to this information, creating a self-contained communication system that requires no external intervention or additional power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication occurs periodically through the regular delivery of heart stimulation pulses. Information is transmitted at natural intervals determined by the heart rhythm and pacing schedule, eliminating the need for continuous high-power transmission and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective device coordination.
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 solution enables efficient communication between heart assist devices, prolongs battery life, reduces invasive procedures, and improves patient convenience by adjusting pumping protocols in response to abnormal heart rhythms without increasing power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A first lead having a first end coupled with an implantable cardiac rhythm management device and a second end opposite the first end coupled with an input of a pump processor of the implantable blood pump
Implementation Method 2
The pump processor may sense and detect a frequency of the electrical pulses
Implementation Method 3
an implantable blood pump configured to couple with a circulatory system of a patient and to pump blood therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to heart treatment systems. In some aspects, methods and systems are provided for facilitating communication between implanted devices. For example, an implantable cardiac rhythm management device may be configured to communicate with an implantable blood pump. The implantable cardiac rhythm management device may deliver heart stimulation rate information in addition to information associated with any detected abnormalities in heart function. In response, the pump may be configured to adjust pumping by the pump to better accommodate a patient's particular needs.