Cardiac Device Shear Wave Propagation Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-invasive cardiac measurement methods lack direct access to useful cardiac parameters, relying on indirect and imprecise measurements, such as radial blood pressure and apparent stiffness, which do not provide a direct link to parameters like central blood pressure, elastic modulus, and heart pressure.

Innovation Solution

A cardiac device that transmits waves and measures shear waves to determine the propagation velocity of shear waves in multiple directions, allowing for the derivation of active cardiac stress during the systole phase, which can be used to access various cardiac parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If non-invasive measurement methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of measurementVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses shear waves as an intermediary physical phenomenon to indirectly measure cardiac parameters. By transmitting waves through the heart and measuring the resulting shear wave propagation characteristics, the system obtains precise measurements of cardiac stress and pressure without direct contact with cardiac tissue, thus maintaining non-invasive ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement methods (invasive pressure sensors, catheterization) with wave-based mechanical probing. Instead of physically contacting cardiac structures with sensors, the system uses transmitted waves to probe cardiac tissue mechanics and derive parameters from wave propagation characteristics, achieving both non-invasive operation and precise measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If in situ measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional measurement system that can derive multiple cardiac parameters (stress, pressure, tissue stiffness) from a single wave transmission and measurement process. The same apparatus and methodology can measure different parameters by analyzing different aspects of shear wave propagation, reducing the need for multiple specialized invasive devices and procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If in situ measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses shear waves as an intermediary physical phenomenon to indirectly measure cardiac parameters. By transmitting waves through the heart and measuring the resulting shear wave propagation characteristics, the system obtains precise measurements of cardiac stress and pressure without direct contact with cardiac tissue, thus maintaining non-invasive ease of operation while achieving high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement methods (invasive pressure sensors, catheterization) with wave-based mechanical probing. Instead of physically contacting cardiac structures with sensors, the system uses transmitted waves to probe cardiac tissue mechanics and derive parameters from wave propagation characteristics, achieving both non-invasive operation and precise measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device enables direct and non-invasive access to active cardiac stress, allowing for the derivation of multiple useful cardiac parameters, such as intraventricular pressure, and facilitating the detection of cardiac pathologies.

Implementation Method 1

a probe (12) arranged to measure a shear wave caused by a wave coming from the transmitter (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear wave propagation:

Implementation Method 2

a detector (14) arranged to detect a systole phase in an electrocardiographic signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrocardiographic signal detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12220280B2Cardiac device

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 INRIA INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE EN INFORMATIQUE ET EN AUTOMATIQUE

AI summary

A cardiac device comprises a transmitter (10) arranged to transmit at least one wave, a probe (12) arranged to measure a shear wave caused by a wave coming from the transmitter (10), a detector (14) arranged to detect a systole phase in an electrocardiographic signal, and an estimator (16) arranged to determine, during at least one cardiac cycle, the propagation speed of a plurality of shear waves caused by the transmission of waves in several directions towards the heart of a patient, to determine using the detector (14) that which has a maximum propagation speed during the systole phase, and to derive an active cardiac stress response therefrom (160).