Noninvasive Cardiac Therapy Evaluation via Electrical Heterogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating cardiac therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), face challenges in determining optimal pacing locations and settings without invasive procedures, which can be cumbersome and less effective in assessing hemodynamic responses.

Innovation Solution

The use of noninvasive external electrodes to monitor baseline and therapy electrical activity, generating electrical heterogeneity information, and applying a transfer function to produce surrogate hemodynamic response data, allowing for the evaluation of pacing therapy effectiveness without implantable devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive implantable devices (leads, probes, sensors, catheters) are used to evaluate cardiac therapy, then measurement precision of hemodynamic response is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemodynamic response measurementVSAvoidimplantable device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses surface ECG electrodes to create a non-invasive copy of the cardiac electrical activity, replacing the need for invasive implantable sensors. The surface electrodes capture electrical signals that reflect cardiac function without requiring internal placement, thereby maintaining measurement capability while eliminating device complexity and surgical implantation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical invasive insertion of leads and catheters with a non-invasive electrical measurement system using surface electrodes. This replacement eliminates the need for surgical procedures and internal device placement while maintaining the ability to assess cardiac therapy effectiveness through electrical signal analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If invasive implantable devices are used to monitor cardiac therapy, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac function assessmentVSAvoidprocedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a non-invasive copy of cardiac electrical activity using surface ECG electrodes, eliminating the need for surgical implantation. This approach maintains accurate cardiac function assessment while making the procedure simple and non-invasive, allowing for easy operation without surgical procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical surgical implantation system with a simple non-invasive electrical measurement system. Surface electrodes can be applied without surgery, making the procedure straightforward and easy to perform while still providing precise cardiac therapy evaluation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If noninvasive external electrodes are used to monitor cardiac therapy, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation procedure simplicityVSAvoidhemodynamic response accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces transfer functions as an intermediary mathematical model that bridges the non-invasive surface ECG measurements and the hemodynamic response. This transfer function processes the electrical signal data from surface electrodes to accurately predict hemodynamic changes, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the procedure non-invasive and simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes direct mechanical measurement with non-invasive electrical measurement combined with computational analysis. By using surface electrodes and transfer functions, the system achieves accurate hemodynamic assessment without invasive procedures, maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pacing configurations are tested to optimize therapy, then adaptability of pacing settings is improved, but loss of time increases due to extensive evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacing configuration optionsVSAvoidevaluation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where surface ECG measurements are continuously analyzed during pacing therapy delivery. The system provides real-time feedback on electrical heterogeneity and hemodynamic response, allowing rapid assessment of multiple pacing configurations without time-consuming invasive measurements. This enables efficient optimization of pacing settings through quick iterative evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9586052B2Systems and methods for evaluating cardiac therapy

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are described herein for assisting a user in evaluation of cardiac therapy. The systems and methods may monitor electrical activity of a patient using external electrode apparatus to provide baseline electrical heterogeneity information and therapy electrical heterogeneity information. The electrical heterogeneity information may be used to generate surrogate hemodynamic information.