Cardiac Implant Motion Mapping With Acoustic-Electrical Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) methods lack effective mechanisms for determining optimal pacing locations and timing based on mechanical motion profiles of the heart, which are crucial for synchronizing heart contractions and improving therapy efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an implantable controller-transmitter and receiver-stimulator that tracks the 3D motion of the receiver-stimulator relative to the controller, using acoustic energy to generate electrical location signals, which are combined with EKG data to create electromechanical motion profiles, allowing precise pacing at optimal diastolic phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical motion data from imaging modalities is used to determine pacing location, then pacing optimization is improved, but device complexity and measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (MRI, echocardiography) with a simpler electromechanical sensing system. The receiver-stimulator generates electrical location signals that are detected by the controller-transmitter, eliminating the need for complex mechanical imaging modalities while achieving mechanical motion tracking through electrical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the receiver-stimulator itself as the sensing element. The receiver-stimulator generates location signals that serve as intermediaries to transmit mechanical motion information, eliminating the need for separate imaging modalities and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If acoustic energy is used to generate electrical location signals, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic acoustic energy transmission from the controller-transmitter to the receiver-stimulator. The acoustic signals are transmitted in periodic cycles to generate location signals, which allows for precise measurement while managing energy consumption through controlled periodic activation rather than continuous transmission.
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 dynamic tracking of heart motion to optimize pacing timing and location, improving cardiac synchronization and detecting abnormalities like ventricular dyssynchrony and electrical-mechanical dissociation, thereby enhancing CRT therapy effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an implantable receiver-stimulator that tracks the 3D motion of the receiver-stimulator relative to the controller, using acoustic energy to generate electrical location signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for tracking and determining the motion of a cardiac implant is disclosed. The motion of the implant is determined by transmitting acoustic energy to a tissue location using an acoustic controller-transmitter comprising an array of acoustic transducers; wherein the implant is configured to convert the transmitted acoustic energy to electrical energy; and the tracking is achieved by determining the electrical energy delivered to the tissue throughout one or more cardiac cycles in order to create a motion profile of the cardiac implant.