Cardiac Electrical Stimulation Feedback Control for Variable Heart Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac electrical stimulation treatments fail to adapt to real-time changes in cardiac activity, leading to inefficiencies and potential complications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for cardiac electrical stimulation that dynamically updates parameters such as stimulation rate, duration, and energy based on actual cardiac activity, using an implantable device with sensors to monitor and adjust treatment plans in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cardiac electrical stimulation parameters are fixed according to a treatment plan, then the treatment plan can be simple and easy to implement, but the treatment cannot adapt to real-time changes in cardiac activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to real-time cardiac activityVSAvoidcomplexity of real-time monitoring and adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors actual cardiac activity (heart rate, rhythm, contractility) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust stimulation parameters. The controller compares actual cardiac response with expected response and modifies stimulation rate, amplitude, or pulse width in real-time to optimize therapeutic effect while adapting to changing cardiac conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation parameters are transformed from static fixed values to dynamic adjustable parameters. The system enables continuous or periodic modification of stimulation characteristics based on real-time cardiac state, allowing the treatment to evolve with the patient's physiological conditions rather than remaining fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cardiac electrical stimulation parameters are updated in real-time based on actual cardiac activity, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of therapeutic effectVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter update mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller implements closed-loop feedback by continuously measuring cardiac response parameters (heart rate variability, contractility indicators) and automatically adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain consistent therapeutic effect. This ensures reliable and consistent treatment outcomes despite variations in cardiac activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of stimulation parameters without requiring external intervention. The embedded controller autonomously processes cardiac activity data and modifies stimulation parameters in real-time, reducing the need for manual programming or external control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the treatment plan includes a fixed number of stimulations and energy delivery, then the treatment protocol is simple to manage, but the total therapeutic dose may not be delivered if cardiac activity varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of planned stimulation doseVSAvoidflexibility to accommodate cardiac variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors the actual number of stimulations delivered and total energy transferred to the heart, comparing these against the planned therapeutic dose. When cardiac variability causes deviations (skipped or extra stimulations), the controller automatically adjusts subsequent stimulation parameters to compensate and ensure the cumulative therapeutic dose matches the treatment plan objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically modifies stimulation parameters (rate, amplitude, pulse width) to maintain the intended therapeutic dose delivery. By changing parameters in response to actual cardiac activity, the system ensures that the total accumulated therapeutic effect matches the planned dose even when the number or timing of individual stimulations varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12521559B2Methods for planning and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 IMPULSE DYNAMICS NV

AI summary

A system for cardiac electrical stimulation treatment, comprising: an implantable pulse generator; one or more leads extending from the pulse generator to the heart for applying cardiac electrical stimulation; a controller programmed with at least one treatment plan for applying cardiac electrical stimulations, the controller configured to automatically update the treatment plan in response to actual cardiac activity by updating one or more parameters including: a time period during which cardiac electrical stimulations are applied; a rate of cardiac electrical stimulations; an amount of energy delivered at each cardiac electrical stimulation.