Catheter Electrical Barrier for Leadless Pacing Signal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices, particularly leadless cardiac pacing devices, face challenges in efficiently delivering electrical signals due to current crowding within the delivery device's distal holding structure, which impairs communication with the device.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electrical barrier within the distal holding structure of the delivery device, such as a ring or non-conductive gel filler, to prevent electrical signals from traveling between the proximal and distal electrodes of the leadless pacing device, thereby ensuring that signals exit the structure and travel to the electrodes via an external path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical signals are transmitted through the distal holding structure, then communication with the leadless pacing device is enabled, but current crowding occurs which impairs signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication signal strengthVSAvoidcurrent crowding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal holding structure is segmented into functionally distinct zones: a proximal region for signal generation, a distal region for signal reception, and an intermediate electrical barrier region that separates these zones. This segmentation prevents current crowding by blocking direct current paths through the holding structure while maintaining communication through alternative external pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An electrical barrier is introduced as an intermediary element within the distal holding structure. This barrier mediates between the proximal and distal electrodes by blocking direct current flow through the holding structure, forcing signals to travel externally and thereby eliminating current crowding while preserving communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the distal holding structure is made larger to accommodate the leadless pacing device, then device stability is improved, but current crowding within the structure worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidcurrent crowding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enlarged distal holding structure is segmented into functional zones separated by electrical barriers. This allows the structure to be large enough for stable device accommodation while the barriers prevent current crowding by blocking direct pathways between electrodes, effectively decoupling size from current density problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If electrical barriers are added to prevent current crowding, then signal strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication signal strengthVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical barriers are implemented as thin-film or flexible barrier elements that can be integrated into the catheter wall structure. These thin barriers effectively block current flow while adding minimal structural complexity and maintaining the flexibility needed for catheter operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration enhances the strength of communication signals with the leadless pacing device by ensuring that all electrical current exits the distal holding structure, increasing the dipole length and reducing signal loss due to current crowding.

Implementation Method 1

an electrical barrier at an axial location between the proximal electrode and the distal electrode of the leadless pacing device. The electrical barrier inhibits electrical signals of the leadless pacing device from traveling within the tubular distal holding structure between the proximal electrode of the leadless pacing device and the distal electrode of the leadless pacing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12329977B2Catheter and leadless cardiac devices including electrical pathway barrier

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Catheter and implantable leadless pacing devices, systems, and methods utilizing catheters and implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example catheter system may include a holding structure extending distally from a tubular member. An implantable device, such a leadless pacing device, may be located within a cavity of the holding structure and an electrical barrier may be located within the holding structure at a location between a proximal electrode and a distal electrode of the implantable device. The electrical barrier may inhibit electrical signals of the implantable device from traveling within the holding structure between the proximal electrode and the distal electrode of the implantable device. The holding structure may include one or more electrical ports adjacent the proximal end of the holding structure and adjacent or proximal of the proximal electrode of the implantable device.