Indwelling Cardiac Probe Motion Sensing for Early Dysfunction Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring cardiac dysfunction, such as pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, during cardiac procedures have low sensitivity to early changes in cardiac contractility and are often reactive, lacking proactive monitoring capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An indwelling probe with motion sensing means, such as a three-axis accelerometer, is inserted within the coronary sinus to sense motion and process acceleration data to monitor cardiac dysfunction, allowing for real-time detection of changes in cardiac wall motion and volumetric displacement compared to baseline data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If hemodynamic monitoring and echocardiographic assessment are used to monitor cardiac dysfunction, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but sensitivity to early changes in cardiac contractility is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitivity to early changes in cardiac contractilityVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical hemodynamic monitoring and echocardiographic assessment with a motion sensing system using accelerometers and gyroscopes integrated into a catheter. This mechanical sensing substitution enables direct measurement of cardiac wall motion with high sensitivity to early contractility changes, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and continuous monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces motion sensing means as an intermediary between the cardiac wall and the monitoring system. The accelerometers and gyroscopes act as mediators that directly sense cardiac wall motion and translate it into measurable signals, providing both high sensitivity to early changes and continuous monitoring capability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If current imaging modalities involving x-ray and ultrasound are used, then cardiac function assessment is possible, but they are utilised reactively rather than proactively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveearly detection capabilityVSAvoidresponse time for intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring cardiac wall motion proactively throughout the procedure using the indwelling motion sensing catheter. This allows early detection of dysfunction before clinical compromise occurs, enabling timely intervention and preventing loss of time for treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining constant motion sensing and monitoring throughout the cardiac procedure. The continuous data stream from accelerometers and gyroscopes provides uninterrupted early detection capability, eliminating gaps in monitoring and enabling real-time proactive management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If an indwelling probe with motion sensing means is inserted within the coronary sinus, then sensitivity to early changes in cardiac contractility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of changes in cardiac wall motionVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sensing functions into a single integrated catheter device. The motion sensing means including accelerometers and gyroscopes are combined with the coronary sinus catheter structure, creating a unified device that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for detecting cardiac wall motion changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the indwelling probe to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a coronary sinus catheter for procedural access and a motion sensing platform for cardiac dysfunction monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall monitoring system.

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

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 approach provides higher sensitivity to early changes in cardiac contractility, enabling proactive monitoring and reducing the risk of complications during procedures like pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, while adding minimal complexity to clinical practices.

Implementation Method 1

motion sensing means, such as a three-axis accelerometer, is inserted within the coronary sinus to sense motion and process acceleration data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3576615B1Apparatus for monitoring cardiac dysfunction
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT
  • EP3576615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3576615B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3576615B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of monitoring cardiac dysfunction, such as pericardial effusion, is disclosed. The method uses an indwelling probe inserted within a coronary sinus or a chamber or vessel of the heart, the probe having motion sensing means configured to sense motion of the probe based on movement of the wall of the coronary sinus or other chamber or vessel. Data is obtained from the motion sensing means and processed to monitor for cardiac dysfunction. The monitoring can be in real-time and can utilise one or more three-axis accelerometers. In some embodiments, two or more three-axis accelerometers are spaced longitudinally along an elongate body of the probe, which can increase accuracy and reliability of monitoring.