Drive-Sense ECG Lead Circuit for Low-Interference Cardiac Pacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems face challenges in efficiently and simultaneously driving and sensing signals to electrodes, particularly in medical applications such as electrocardiogram (ECG) leads, leading to inefficiencies and potential inaccuracies in data collection and communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of drive-sense circuits (DSCs) that integrate both driving and sensing functions, allowing for simultaneous signal transmission and reception to and from electrodes, optimizing power usage and reducing line interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate driving and sensing circuits are used for ECG leads, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate driving and sensing circuits into a single integrated drive-sense circuit that can perform both functions through time-division multiplexing. The circuit alternates between driving the electrode with pacing signals and sensing cardiac responses through the same electrode, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional reliability through systematic signal separation in the time domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit is designed to perform multiple functions using a single circuit architecture. It can operate as both a driving circuit for delivering pacing impulses and a sensing circuit for detecting cardiac electrical activity through the same electrode conductor, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If separate driving and sensing circuits are used, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges driving and sensing operations into a single time-division multiplexed circuit, eliminating the need for two continuously operating circuits. The circuit alternates between driving and sensing modes, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sensing precision through dedicated sensing phases that are free from driving signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit employs periodic time-division multiplexing, alternating between driving intervals and sensing intervals in a systematic cycle. During sensing intervals, the circuit is dedicated to high-precision cardiac signal detection without interference from driving signals, while during driving intervals, it delivers pacing impulses. This periodic operation reduces average power consumption compared to having both circuits operate simultaneously or continuously.
3Device complexity
If single-conductor leads are used, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the single conductor alternates between carrying driving signals and carrying sensing signals. By systematically switching between driving and sensing modes with appropriate timing, the circuit ensures that sensing occurs during intervals when no driving signal is present, thereby eliminating line interference while maintaining the simplicity of single-conductor lead structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit performs preliminary actions by applying drive signals to charge the capacitance of the single conductor before sensing operations. This preliminary charging phase ensures that when sensing begins, the conductor is ready to accurately capture cardiac signals without residual interference from previous drive signals, thereby reducing line interference while maintaining lead structure simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.