His Bundle Pacing Impedance Mode Selection for Reliable Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices for His bundle pacing face challenges in selecting the optimal impedance measurement mode (unipolar or bipolar) due to the absence of a conventional measurement path between the electrode and the device housing, necessitating a method to determine the best measuring mode based on physiological conditions and implantation site.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device with a detection unit and processor that automatically selects the impedance measurement mode (unipolar or bipolar) by comparing parameters of measuring pulses to optimize the analog-to-digital converter's control range, using parameters like amplitude and gain to ensure reliable impedance measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If unipolar measurement is used between the electrode and housing, then the measurement path is simple, but the available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement path complexityVSAvoidanalog-to-digital converter control range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the measurement configuration parameters by switching between unipolar and bipolar measurement modes based on the available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter. This allows optimization of measurement precision while maintaining system simplicity through automated parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If bipolar measurement is used between the first electrode pole and the second electrode pole, then the available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter is maximized, but the measurement path becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalog-to-digital converter control rangeVSAvoidmeasurement path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically selecting the optimal measurement mode (unipolar or bipolar) based on the available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter. This eliminates the need for manual configuration and allows the device to self-optimize measurement precision while managing complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the impedance measurement mode is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement reliability decreases when physiological conditions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement mode selection mechanismVSAvoidimpedance measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a fixed measurement mode to a dynamic selection mechanism that adapts between unipolar and bipolar modes based on physiological conditions and the available level control range. This dynamic adaptation ensures measurement reliability across varying conditions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4048390B1Implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart employing an automatic choice between different impedance measuring modes
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG
  • EP4048390B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart having a stimulation unit configured to stimulate the His bundle (8) of a human or animal heart (4) and a detection unit configured to detect an electrical signal at the His bundle (8) of the same heart (4). During operation, the following steps are performed: a) determining a first value of at least one parameter of a first measuring pulse measured between a first electrode pole (5) and a housing (6); b) determining a second value of the same at least one parameter of a second measuring pulse measured between the first electrode pole (5) and a second electrode pole (9); c) comparing the first value and the second value; d) determining, based on the comparing of the preceding step, whether the first measuring pulse or the second measuring pulse enables a higher available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter; e) measuring an impedance (Z) in a unipolar manner between the first electrode pole (5) and the housing (6) or in a bipolar manner between the first electrode pole (5) and the second electrode pole (9) depending on which measuring pulse enables a higher available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter.