Implantable Device Circuit for Vibratory Alert Sensor Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face issues with false positives from audible alerts and interactions between vibratory alerts and vibration-sensitive sensors, leading to inappropriate IMD responses and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical device with a circuit that communicates with both vibratory alerts and vibration-sensitive sensors to reduce the impact of vibratory alerts on the sensors, either by disabling or reducing the influence of the sensors during alert activation, and using a weighting scheme to adjust pacing rates based on multiple sensor inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibratory alert is activated to generate sufficient vibration for patient detection, then the alert effectiveness is improved, but the vibration-sensitive sensor may be triggered causing inappropriate IMD responses
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting when the vibratory alert is activated and proactively blocking or discounting sensor signals during the alert duration. This prevents the harmful effect of false sensor triggering before it can cause inappropriate IMD responses, while still allowing the vibratory alert to function effectively for patient notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (signal blocking or discounting logic) between the vibration-sensitive sensor and the IMD response system. This intermediary filters out false positive signals generated during vibratory alert operation, allowing both the alert and sensor to coexist without interference.
2Reliability
If audible alerts are used in IMDs, then patient notification is achieved, but false positives occur due to environmental sounds or impaired hearing
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the acoustic/mechanical alert system with a vibratory mechanical alert system. This substitution eliminates the problem of false positives caused by environmental sounds confusing the auditory system, while providing reliable patient notification through tactile sensation that is harder to mistake for other stimuli.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device and associated method are provided including a vibratory alert and a vibration-sensitive sensor. Further included is a circuit in communication with the vibratory alert and the vibration-sensitive sensor. Such circuit is adapted for at least reducing an affect of the vibratory alert on the vibration-sensitive sensor.