Dual-Anchor Heart Sensor Lead for Motion Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heart monitoring systems using motion sensors like accelerometers face inaccuracies due to sensor movement and sliding on the heart surface, leading to noise in readings, especially when a single anchor is used for securing the sensor.

Innovation Solution

A heart anchor lead with two anchors coupled to a single main lead, allowing the sensor to be securely fixed between the anchors, reducing movement and enhancing stability, and optionally incorporating pacemaker electrodes for dual functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single anchor is used to secure the sensor at the heart, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensor stability and measurement precision deteriorate due to sensor movement and sliding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidheart motion measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single anchor is divided into two separate anchors that are distributed at different locations on the heart surface. This segmentation allows the sensor to be more securely positioned by distributing the anchoring force across multiple points, thereby reducing sensor movement and improving measurement precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors are positioned at different spatial locations and orientations on the heart surface, creating a three-dimensional anchoring configuration. This dimensional distribution prevents sensor sliding by restricting movement in multiple directions, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining reasonable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If a single anchor is used to secure the sensor, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of heart function assessment deteriorates due to sensor movement and noise in readings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheart function assessment reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system is segmented into two anchors that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation improves reliability by ensuring that the sensor remains stable even if one anchor becomes dislodged, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple as each anchor can be implanted using standard techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dual-anchor configuration provides a cushioning effect against potential anchor failure or sensor dislodgement. By having redundant anchoring points, the system compensates for potential manufacturing variations or implantation issues, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 configuration improves the accuracy of heart motion measurements by minimizing sensor movement, providing better assessment of heart function and cardiac assist device vibrations, while potentially eliminating the need for a separate pacemaker lead.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is a motion sensor for detecting motion of the heart

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3638358B1Devices for securing a sensor at the heart
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 CARDIACCS AS
  • EP3638358B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3638358B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3638358B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An apparatus for securing a sensor at the heart is formed based on a modified, branched, pacemaker lead to provide a heart anchor lead where two anchors are coupled to a single main lead rather than there being just a single anchor. Thus, the proposed heart anchor lead comprises a single main lead, a sensor included within the main lead, in which the sensor has a distal end and a proximal end, a first anchor coupled to the distal end of the sensor and extending outward from the distal end of the sensor, and a second anchor coupled to the proximal end of the sensor and extending outward from the proximal end of the sensor in a direction that forms an angle with the first anchor. The heart anchor lead can optionally also have a pacemaking function.