IMD Conductive Communication Vector Switching Across Cardiac Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive communication between implantable medical devices (IMDs) and external devices is affected by changes in orientation and distance due to cardiac and respiratory cycles, leading to suboptimal communication quality and increased costs and time in repositioning skin electrodes, especially when multiple IMDs are involved.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using at least three electrodes to identify preferred conductive communication vectors based on cyclical physiologic cycles, such as cardiac or respiratory cycles, to optimize communication by switching between different vectors during different phases of these cycles, utilizing impedance measurements and electrocardiogram data to enhance communication quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skin electrodes are repositioned to optimize conductive communication with multiple IMDs, then communication quality improves, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects communication vectors based on the physiological state (cardiac/respiratory phase) rather than requiring physical repositioning of electrodes. The controller switches between different electrode pairs (vectors) to maintain optimal communication quality as the patient's physiology changes during the cardiac and respiratory cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical parameters by selecting different conductive communication vectors (combinations of electrodes) based on measured physiological parameters. Instead of changing the physical position of electrodes, the system changes which electrode pairs are activated for communication, adapting to the changing orientation of IMDs within the heart during cardiac and respiratory cycles.
2Reliability
If conductive communication signals are transmitted with higher energy, then communication reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic vector selection to maintain reliable communication at lower energy levels. By continuously monitoring physiological state and switching to optimal vectors, the system achieves reliable communication without requiring high-energy transmissions that would be needed with fixed electrode positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from physiological measurements (impedance, ECG, respiration) to select communication vectors that maximize signal quality. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliable communication while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-energy transmissions.
3Ease of operation
If fixed skin electrode positions are used, then ease of operation improves, but communication quality deteriorates due to changing IMD orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains ease of operation by keeping electrodes fixed while introducing dynamic vector selection. The controller automatically switches between different electrode pairs based on physiological state, compensating for changing IMD orientation without requiring the user to reposition electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically selecting optimal communication vectors based on physiological feedback. This self-service capability maintains communication quality without requiring external intervention to reposition electrodes, effectively making the system adapt to itself as physiological conditions change.
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
Improves conductive communication efficiency and quality between IMDs and external devices, reducing the need for repositioning electrodes and minimizing energy consumption, thereby enhancing patient monitoring and therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Communication between an external device and one or more IMDs (e.g., LPs) may be facilitated by conductive communication via patient tissue, whereby skin electrodes (that are part of or coupled to the external device) are attached to skin of a patient within which (i.e., in whom) one or more IMDs is/are implanted, and the skin electrodes are used to transmit information to and/or receive information from the IMD(s) via conduction through body tissue of the patient.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices (106, 109) and methods for improving conductive communication are described herein. One of the devices (106,109) involved in the conductive communication can be an external device while the other device is an IMD, or both of the devices can be IMDs. In certain embodiments, a preferred conductive communication vector for use is identified based on obtained information indicative of the at least one of a physical or physiologic state of the patient within which an IMD is implanted. In certain embodiments, each of at least three different conductive communication vectors are used to produce a respective bitstream, and a valid bit stream is selected or produced based on the at least three bitstreams. Message data included in and/or decoded from the valid bitstream is then stored and/or used. In certain embodiments, various different timing schemes are transitioned between improve conductive communication.