External Pacemaker Biatrial Stimulation Threshold Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current external cardiac pacemakers lack the capability for biatrial stimulation and typically use a common stimulation threshold and amplitude for both atria, which may not effectively address the unique pacing needs of the left and right atrium, potentially leading to inefficiencies in cardiac stimulation.
Innovation Solution
An external cardiac pacemaker with a control unit that allows for separate determination and adjustment of stimulation thresholds and amplitudes for the left and right atria, enabling individualized pacing and the option for parallel, simultaneous, or delayed stimulation, with the ability to set a common amplitude based on the higher threshold for effective biatrial stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common stimulation threshold and amplitude are used for both atria, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the effectiveness of biatrial stimulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into separate control circuits for the right and left atrium, allowing independent determination of stimulation thresholds and individualized pacing parameters for each atrium while maintaining a unified device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different stimulation parameters (thresholds, amplitudes, pulse widths) to be set for each atrium based on their individual characteristics, rather than applying a uniform setting to both
2Reliability
If separate control circuits are implemented for left and right atrium, then the effectiveness of biatrial stimulation is improved through individualized pacing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is segmented into separate control circuits for the right and left atrium, allowing independent determination of stimulation thresholds and individualized pacing parameters for each atrium while maintaining a unified device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both separate pacing mode (independent control of each atrium) and common pacing mode (unified control), thereby accommodating different clinical needs without requiring multiple specialized devices
3Loss of time
If automatic configuration of common amplitude value is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved and time consumption is reduced, but the adaptability to individual atrial needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adapts its operation mode based on clinical needs, automatically configuring common amplitude values when appropriate while retaining the capability to switch to individualized parameter settings when atrial characteristics differ significantly
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an external pacemaker for iatrial stimulation, comprising a control unit for delivering at least one stimulation pulse, wherein the stimulation of the left or right atrium can be selectively deactivated. The invention further relates to a method for determining the pacing threshold with such an external pacemaker, wherein the atrial stimulation pulse delivery is alternately deactivated for the left and right atrium, and the pacing threshold is determined individually for the left and right atrium.