External Device for MRI Mode Activation in Implanted Medical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current process for preparing implanted medical devices for MRI scans is cumbersome and requires the involvement of clinicians and specialized technicians, as radiology personnel lack the capability to determine the medical status of patients and activate the MRI mode in implanted devices.

Innovation Solution

An external device with a display, user interface, and wireless telemetry circuit that allows MRI technologists to communicate with implanted medical devices, determine therapy and device parameters, and activate or deactivate the MRI mode, enabling radiology personnel to prepare devices for scans independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the current workflow is used to prepare implanted medical devices for MRI scans, then the medical status of the patient and device eligibility can be confirmed, but the process is cumbersome and requires multiple specialized personnel including clinicians, device technicians, and radiology staff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice eligibility confirmationVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (device interrogation, parameter verification, MRI mode activation, and deactivation) into a single integrated external device that can be operated by radiology personnel alone, eliminating the need for multiple specialized personnel and reducing process complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The external device is designed to perform multiple functions including communicating with the implanted medical device, determining therapy and device parameters, activating MRI mode, and deactivating MRI mode, making it a universal tool that replaces multiple specialized devices and personnel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If clinicians and device technicians are involved in the MRI preparation process, then accurate determination of patient medical status and device capability can be made, but valuable personnel resources and time are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient status determination accuracyVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The external device enables radiology personnel to independently perform all necessary functions for MRI preparation without requiring assistance from clinicians or device technicians, allowing the system to serve itself by providing all needed capabilities in one device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The external device performs all necessary determinations and activations in advance of the MRI scan, including verifying device eligibility and activating MRI mode before the patient enters the MRI scanner, eliminating delays during the scanning process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the implanted medical device is programmed into MRI mode, then the device becomes less susceptible to MRI scan conditions, but the device must be programmatically switched which requires specialized personnel and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation during MRIVSAvoidmode switching ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The external device acts as an intermediary between the radiology personnel and the implanted medical device, providing the specialized programming capability needed to activate and deactivate MRI mode while allowing radiology personnel to operate it without being experts in device programming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The external device changes the operational parameters of the implanted medical device by activating MRI mode, which modifies the device's behavior to be compatible with MRI scan conditions, and later reverses these parameter changes by deactivating MRI mode after the scan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution streamlines the MRI preparation process by allowing radiology personnel to confirm device and patient eligibility and activate the MRI mode without the need for additional assistance, reducing resource burden and simplifying the scanning process.

Implementation Method 1

wireless telemetry circuit, wirelessly communicating from an external device to the implanted medical device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20230061204A1Preparation of an implanted medical device for a magnetic resonance imaging scan

Publication Date: 2023.03.02 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

An implanted medical device is prepared for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan by being programmed into an MRI mode when deemed appropriate by an external device implementing an MRI mode control application. An MRI technologist or other user may use the external device to screen the patient and implanted medical device for the MRI scan and enable the MRI mode at the implanted medical device when it is deemed appropriate in the MRI mode control application. Therapy parameters for the MRI mode may be determined on the basis of information about the device and patient, and those therapy parameters may be programmed into the implanted medical device upon enabling the MRI mode. The MRI technologist or other user may use the external device to disable the MRI mode and return to normal operation once the MRI scan is complete.