Epicardial Pacing Wire Adapter for Simultaneous Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ECG monitoring systems face challenges in differentiating atrial arrhythmias and require time-consuming and risky processes for connecting and disconnecting epicardial pacing wires between pacemakers and telemetry monitors, leading to potential misconnections and inefficiencies in monitoring and pacing.
Innovation Solution
A connector block system that allows simultaneous and continuous interconnection of epicardial pacing wires, pacemakers, and ECG monitors, featuring labeled terminals and circuitry to prevent signal overload, enabling intuitive and rapid connections while reducing the risk of misconnection and dislodgment of wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If epicardial pacing wires are connected to ECG monitor for visualization, then atrial signal visualization is improved, but connection time increases and misconnection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-configured with all necessary connections and circuitry before use. The ECG monitor inputs are already connected to the appropriate epicardial wire terminals through the adapter's internal wiring, so no time-consuming wire manipulation is needed during the procedure. The conditioning circuitry is also pre-installed to automatically prevent signal overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the epicardial pacing wires and the ECG monitor. It provides a dedicated interface that directly connects monitor inputs to the correct wire terminals, eliminating the need for technicians to manually connect wires during the procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If epicardial pacing wires are disconnected and reconnected between pacemaker and monitor, then pacing and visualization functions are achieved, but misconnection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the adapter with dedicated terminals for each epicardial wire, separate pacemaker connection points, and separate monitor connection points. This segmentation with clear labeling reduces confusion and ensures correct connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as a reliable intermediary that maintains consistent connections between the epicardial wires, pacemaker, and monitor. The internal circuitry and structured wiring ensure that signals are correctly routed without manual intervention, eliminating misconnection risks.
3Productivity
If ECG monitor receives high-voltage pacing signals, then simultaneous monitoring and pacing is enabled, but signal overload and monitor damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful high-voltage pacing signals are extracted and isolated from the ECG monitor input path. The adapter's circuitry separates the pacing signal pathway from the monitoring pathway, allowing the monitor to receive only conditioned, safe-level signals while the pacemaker receives full-voltage signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter transforms the electrical parameters of the pacing signals before presenting them to the ECG monitor. Through voltage division and conditioning circuitry, the high-voltage pacing signals are converted into low-voltage, monitor-safe signal levels while preserving the essential waveform information for visualization.
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
Facilitates simultaneous monitoring and pacing, reducing procedure times, minimizing the risk of misconnection, and improving rhythm discrimination by allowing continuous visualization and pacing without the need for frequent wire reconnections, thus enhancing patient care efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a clipper that limits the voltage sent to the monitor at at least one predetermined voltage level
Implementation Method 2
electrical circuitry connected with the first, second, and third terminals, which presents current division so the pacing current is propagated almost completely to the heart
Data Source
AI summary
A connector block that permits simultaneous and continuous interconnection of the three leads of the epicardial pacing wires, the pacemaker, and the ECG monitor on clear separately labeled connectors is provided. Circuitry is provided that allows the display of epicardial signals on the telemetry unit, while still preserving the ability to pace the heart from the pacemaker. When pacing the connector block prevents excessive loading of the pacer signals by the ECG monitor and/or damage to the monitor by the high-voltage pacer signals. The connector block may be used universally on all monitors without the need for sophisticated understanding of the electrical characteristics of the ECG monitor or concern for damage or improper signal loading.