Implantable Device for Cardiac Allograft Rejection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting cardiac allograft rejection, such as endomyocardial biopsy, are invasive, expensive, and can only detect rejection after cellular infiltration and significant graft damage have occurred, necessitating a more effective and less invasive monitoring solution.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device with sensors to measure parameters like electrical activity, impedance, and body temperature, which compares baseline data to detect statistically significant deviations indicative of acute or chronic rejection episodes, allowing for remote monitoring and adjustment of immunosuppressant therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If endomyocardial biopsy is used to detect cardiac allograft rejection, then rejection can be detected, but the procedure is invasive, expensive, and can only detect rejection after significant graft damage has occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive biopsy procedure with non-invasive or minimally invasive sensing technologies. The implantable device uses electrical sensors to detect changes in cardiac tissue properties, substituting the need for physical tissue sampling while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device continuously monitors cardiac parameters and detects rejection signs before significant graft damage occurs. By performing preliminary detection, the system enables early intervention before the damage reaches the stage where biopsy would be necessary.
2Reliability
If endomyocardial biopsy is performed frequently to monitor rejection, then rejection detection accuracy improves, but costs increase and patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device provides continuous monitoring of cardiac parameters, eliminating the need for discrete, frequent biopsy procedures. This continuous action ensures reliable detection of rejection while reducing the overall time and resource consumption associated with periodic invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-monitoring of rejection risk, reducing the need for repeated hospital visits and physician-performed biopsies. The system automatically detects and reports rejection signs, reducing patient burden and resource consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If immunosuppressant dosage is limited to reduce side effects, then patient quality of life improves, but rejection protection may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device provides real-time feedback on rejection risk by monitoring cardiac parameters. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of immunosuppressant therapy, allowing lower baseline dosages with automatic increases only when rejection is detected, thus reducing side effects while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic dosing strategies where immunosuppressant levels are adjusted based on real-time rejection risk assessment. This dynamic approach replaces static high-dose therapy with adaptive dosing that maintains protection while minimizing side effects.
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 approach enables early detection of cardiac allograft rejection, reduces the risk of invasive procedures, and allows for more precise management of immunosuppressant therapy, improving long-term graft survival and reducing patient discomfort and costs.
Implementation Method 1
measuring at least one parameter of the cardiac allograft during a measurement interval; wherein the at least one parameter may be selected from the group consisting of electrical activity generated by the cardiac allograft, at least one voltage generated by the cardiac allograft
Implementation Method 2
impedance within the chest, wherein the impedance is used to calculate cardiac output, lung water content or both
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention relates to an implantable device, system, method, and computer readable medium comprising computer executable components for detection of rejection of a cardiac allograft. Acute rejection and chronic rejection are the leading cause of death in heart transplant recipients post transplant. The current invention seeks to address this problem by providing methods, devices, systems and computer readable media comprising computer executable components to monitor the efficacy of immunosuppressant therapy and evaluate the degree of rejection in a cardiac allograft. To provide this functionality, an implantable device comprises sensors which measure physiologic parameters at specified intervals after the transplant procedure. These measured parameters are subsequently compared with baseline parameter data to detect rejection of the cardiac allograft.