Cardiac Response Classification Using Multiple Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac rhythm management systems face challenges in accurately classifying cardiac responses to pacing stimuli, particularly in distinguishing between captured responses and fusion or pseudofusion beats, which can lead to erroneous capture threshold determination and inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
The method involves defining multiple classification windows relative to pacing stimulation and sensing cardiac signals to detect specific characteristics, comparing these characteristics to reference templates, and classifying the responses based on their presence within these windows, thereby enhancing the discrimination between different types of cardiac responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple classification windows are defined and characteristics are detected within specific windows, then measurement precision of cardiac response classification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cardiac signal analysis into multiple classification windows (first, second, and third windows) with specific time durations and positional relationships. Each window is designed to detect specific characteristics of captured responses, fusion beats, or pseudofusion beats at different time points after the pace pulse, thereby improving classification accuracy through temporal segmentation of the analysis process.
2Reliability
If pace pulse energy is increased to ensure reliable capture, then reliability of cardiac contraction is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the classification of cardiac responses (captured, fusion, pseudofusion) based on detected characteristics feeds back into the control of pace pulse energy delivery. By accurately identifying the type of cardiac response, the system can adjust subsequent pace pulse energy levels to maintain reliable capture while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding both excessive energy use and inadequate capture.
3Productivity
If capture detection is performed to adjust energy levels, then productivity of pacing therapy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of cardiac responses by detecting characteristics within defined classification windows before final energy level adjustments are made. The first, second, and third windows are established in advance with predetermined time durations, allowing the system to pre-identify the nature of cardiac responses (captured, fusion, pseudofusion) and prepare appropriate energy adjustment strategies, thereby improving pacing therapy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for classifying a cardiac response to pacing involve establishing a plurality of classification windows relative to and following a pacing pulse. One or more characteristics of a cardiac signal sensed following the pacing pulse are detected within one or more particular classification windows. The characteristics may be compared to one or more references. Classification of the cardiac response may be performed based on the comparison of the one or more characteristics to the one or more references and the particular classification windows in which the one or more characteristics are detected.