Control Unit for Detecting Electrical Leakage Between Electrode Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for treating hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) face challenges in accurately and efficiently delivering energy to target tissues without causing damage to neighboring nerves or organs, and existing methods are time-consuming and difficult to perform.

Innovation Solution

A control unit and method for determining electrical leakage between electrode pads of an in vivo medical device, which applies signals to measure impedance and estimate electrical leakage, allowing for precise energy delivery to nerve tissues while minimizing damage to adjacent tissues, using a system with a processor and electrode assemblies on a catheter device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional energy delivery methods are used to treat hypertension and CHF, then energy can be delivered to target tissues, but electrical leakage causes damage to neighboring nerves and organs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy delivery accuracyVSAvoidelectrical leakage damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary impedance measurements between electrode pads before delivering therapeutic energy. By measuring impedance values and calculating electrical leakage estimates in advance, the system identifies potential leakage paths and adjusts energy delivery parameters to prevent damage to neighboring tissues and organs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors impedance between electrode pads and uses this feedback to calculate electrical leakage estimates. Based on these real-time measurements, the control unit adjusts energy delivery parameters dynamically to maintain safe operating conditions and prevent harmful electrical leakage to surrounding tissues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If traditional denervation procedures are performed, then nerve activity can be targeted, but the procedures are time-consuming and difficult to perform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedenervation effectivenessVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs impedance measurements, calculates electrical leakage estimates, and adjusts energy delivery parameters without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously optimizes treatment parameters based on real-time impedance data, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustments and simplifying the procedural workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes energy delivery parameters based on measured impedance values and calculated leakage estimates. By automatically adjusting voltage, current, or pulse duration parameters in response to real-time measurements, the system achieves effective denervation while reducing procedural time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If impedance measurements are taken between electrode pads, then electrical leakage can be detected, but the measurement process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical leakage detectionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions using the same impedance measurement infrastructure: it measures impedance between electrode pads, calculates electrical leakage estimates, and uses these data to guide energy delivery. This multi-functional approach achieves precise leakage detection without requiring separate dedicated measurement systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses impedance measurements as an intermediary parameter to infer electrical leakage characteristics. Rather than directly measuring leakage current, the system measures impedance between electrode pads and uses this intermediate measurement to calculate leakage estimates, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables effective denervation treatments with reduced pain and procedural time, improving hypertension and CHF conditions by precisely targeting nerve activity without extensive tissue damage, as demonstrated by experimental results showing reduced neointima formation and endothelialization.

Implementation Method 1

determine a measure that is related to an impedance between the active electrode of the first electrode pad and the ground electrode of the first electrode pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2967725B1Control unit for detecting electrical leakage between electrode pads and system comprising such a control unit
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP2967725B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2967725B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2967725B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a control unit for determining an electrical leakage between a first electrode pad and a second electrode pad of an in vivo medical device. The first electrode pad may be spaced from the second electrode pad. The first electrode pad may have an active electrode and a spaced ground electrode. The second electrode pad may have an active electrode and a ground electrode. The ground electrode of the first electrode pad may be electrically connected to the ground electrode of the second electrode pad.