Cardiac Rhythm Control via Premature Contraction Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as artificial pacemakers, are unable to effectively compensate for early stimulation in the heart, particularly in conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, leading to inefficient heart contractions and potential heart failure.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes sensing elements, a processor, and a signal generator to detect premature electrical activity in the heart and suppress or stimulate heart contractions based on predetermined thresholds and timing, ensuring coordinated contraction by applying electrical pulses to manage the heart's rhythmic cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known stimulation devices (artificial pacemakers) are used to assist heart contraction, then heart contraction can be stimulated, but they cannot compensate for early stimulation (pre-excitation) in conditions like Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electrical activity in the heart using sensing elements and uses this feedback to detect premature ventricular contractions. The processor analyzes the electrical signals in real-time and triggers suppression pulses when pre-excitation is detected, creating a closed-loop feedback system that adapts to the patient's specific cardiac conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects premature electrical activity before it causes harmful effects. By monitoring electrical signals and identifying pre-excitation patterns early in the cardiac cycle, the system can suppress the premature contraction before it disrupts normal heart function, preventing rather than treating the harmful effect
2Reliability
If drugs or catheter ablation are used to control Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, then early stimulation can be controlled, but these are invasive procedures or have limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the heart to correct its own rhythm disturbances automatically. The sensing elements continuously monitor cardiac electrical activity, the processor identifies premature contractions, and the signal generator suppresses them without requiring external intervention, drugs, or invasive procedures. The system serves the heart's need for rhythm control autonomously
3Productivity
If the heart contracts without coordinated electrical impulses, then rapid heart rate can occur, but this decreases heart efficiency and may lead to heart failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies suppression pulses to counteract premature ventricular contractions before they can disrupt normal cardiac rhythm. By introducing a counteracting electrical signal at the moment of pre-excitation, the system prevents the harmful effect of uncoordinated contraction, maintaining efficient and synchronized heart pumping
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
The system effectively suppresses premature contractions and ensures coordinated heart function, improving hemodynamic efficiency and preventing heart failure by synchronizing the heart's contractions with the natural sinus rhythm.
Implementation Method 1
A signal generator is coupled to the processor and provides an electrical signal suppressing contraction in a portion of the heart responsive to the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided to control contraction of the heart. At least one sensing element receives signals indicating electrical activity of sinus rhythm of the heart. The electrical activity is monitored and analyzed to detect an event. In addition, the electrical activity is monitored to detect, for example, premature stimulation and contraction of a portion of the heart, such as the left ventricle. Contraction in the pre-excited portion of the heart is then suppressed using electrical pulses. The heart may then be allowed to contract naturally, or a stimulating pulse may be applied to assist the heart in contracting.