Implantable Device Crosstalk Mitigation via Preliminary Signal Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face interference issues between neurostimulators and cardiac rhythm management devices, leading to mischaracterization of electrical stimulation signals as cardiac signals, which can result in inappropriate therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
The system modifies therapy parameter values and switching between different therapy programs to minimize interference, allowing the neurostimulator and cardiac device to operate effectively without misinterpreting electrical stimulation signals as cardiac signals, and includes techniques for evaluating and mitigating crosstalk between the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a neurostimulator delivers electrical stimulation to nonmyocardial tissue, then therapeutic benefit is achieved, but the cardiac device may mischaracterize the stimulation signals as cardiac signals leading to inappropriate therapy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of crosstalk between the neurostimulator and cardiac device before delivering therapy. The processor evaluates the degree of crosstalk by analyzing signals during neurostimulation delivery, and based on this preliminary assessment, determines whether to mitigate the crosstalk or deliver the therapy anyway, preventing inappropriate therapy delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors and evaluates the interaction between neurostimulation signals and cardiac device sensing. The processor assesses the degree of crosstalk in real-time and uses this feedback to control whether the neurostimulator should mitigate the crosstalk by adjusting stimulation parameters or proceed with therapy delivery, ensuring accurate signal characterization
2Measurement precision
If the cardiac device senses electrical stimulation signals from the neurostimulator, then signal detection capability is demonstrated, but mischaracterization of these signals as cardiac signals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Before the cardiac device delivers therapy based on sensed signals, the system performs preliminary evaluation to determine whether the sensed signals are actual cardiac signals or crosstalk from the neurostimulator. The processor assesses the degree of crosstalk and controls whether therapy should be delivered, preventing mischaracterization errors
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary between the cardiac device sensing function and therapy delivery function. It evaluates the sensed signals to determine their origin (cardiac vs. neurostimulation crosstalk) and controls the therapy delivery based on this evaluation, ensuring accurate signal characterization and appropriate therapy decisions
3Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple therapy programs are used to minimize interference, then crosstalk mitigation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a selective approach to crosstalk mitigation by evaluating the degree of crosstalk and determining whether mitigation is necessary. Rather than always applying complex mitigation strategies, the system only implements therapy program switching or parameter adjustments when the evaluated crosstalk degree exceeds acceptable thresholds, reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining effective crosstalk management
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.