Noninvasive Cardiac Conduction System Evaluation via Breakthrough Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for evaluating cardiac conduction system pacing therapy lack noninvasive methods to accurately determine cardiac conduction system block locations and assess the efficacy of pacing therapy, relying on invasive procedures and equipment.

Innovation Solution

The use of external electrodes to monitor cardiac electrical activity and generate breakthrough maps, allowing for noninvasive evaluation of cardiac conduction system block locations and the effectiveness of pacing therapy by comparing baseline and paced electrical heterogeneity information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive procedures and equipment are used to evaluate cardiac conduction system pacing therapy, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and patient risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of block location determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of invasive equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical/electrical measurement systems with noninvasive electrical field measurement using body surface electrodes. The electrical activity of the heart is measured through the body surface to generate breakthrough maps, eliminating the need for invasive leads and catheters while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the body surface and electrical fields as intermediaries to indirectly measure cardiac conduction system block locations. Instead of directly measuring within the heart, the system measures electrical potentials on the body surface and processes them into breakthrough maps that reveal internal cardiac conduction patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If invasive procedures are used to assess pacing therapy efficacy, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of therapy evaluationVSAvoidconvenience of evaluation procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex invasive measurement procedures with simple noninvasive body surface electrode placement. The evaluation process becomes as convenient as applying ECG electrodes, allowing clinicians to assess pacing therapy efficacy without requiring specialized invasive equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-contained evaluation where the body surface naturally transmits cardiac electrical signals that can be captured by external electrodes. The breakthrough map generation and block location determination are performed automatically by the system without requiring invasive patient preparation or complex procedural steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If noninvasive methods are used to evaluate cardiac conduction system pacing therapy, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of evaluation procedureVSAvoidaccuracy of block location determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms two-dimensional body surface potential measurements into three-dimensional breakthrough maps that visualize cardiac conduction patterns. By mapping electrical potentials across multiple body surface locations and processing them through algorithms, the system reconstructs internal cardiac activation sequences with sufficient precision for clinical decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameters from direct intracardiac electrical signals to body surface potentials, and further transforms these into derived parameters such as breakthrough timing and activation sequences. These parameter transformations maintain diagnostic precision while enabling noninvasive measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11813464B2Cardiac conduction system evaluation

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Systems, interfaces, and methods are described herein related to the evaluation of a patient's cardiac conduction system and evaluation of cardiac conduction system pacing therapy being delivered to the patient's cardiac conduction system. Evaluation of the patient's cardiac conduction system may utilize a plurality of breakthrough maps to determine where a cardiac conduction system block may be located. Evaluation of cardiac conduction system pacing therapy may utilize various electrical heterogeneity information monitored before and during delivery of cardiac conduction system pacing therapy.