Implantable Device Electromechanical Delay for Lead Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cardiac rhythm management systems face challenges in detecting lead dislodgement or migration and assessing ventricular dyssynchrony, which can compromise the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy and monitoring.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device that measures time delays between sensed electrical and mechanical heart activities to detect lead movement and assess ventricular dyssynchrony, allowing for adjustments in CRT timing parameters and detection of lead dislodgement or migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If lead position monitoring is performed using existing methods, then lead dislodgement can be detected, but the detection accuracy and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead position detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent measurement channels: electrical signal sensing, mechanical signal sensing, and electromechanical delay calculation. Each channel operates independently to provide specific information, with the combination yielding high-precision lead position detection and reliable dislodgement identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electromechanical delay serves as an intermediary parameter that connects electrical and mechanical signal domains. By measuring the time delay between electrical activation and mechanical response, the system indirectly detects lead position changes with high precision and reliability, bridging the gap between direct electrical sensing and mechanical effect observation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If ventricular dyssynchrony assessment is performed using existing methods, then CRT timing parameters can be adjusted, but the precision of dyssynchrony detection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventricular dyssynchrony detection precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromechanical delay measurement system serves multiple functions: detecting lead position, assessing ventricular dyssynchrony, and guiding CRT timing parameter adjustment. This multi-functionality achieves precise ventricular dyssynchrony detection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same core measurement mechanism supports all three functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects ventricular dyssynchrony by measuring changes in electromechanical delay parameters under different pacing conditions. By analyzing parameter variations rather than requiring complex structural modifications, the system achieves high detection precision while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If electromechanical delay measurement is implemented, then lead dislodgement detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead dislodgement detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the heart's own electrical and mechanical signals to perform self-diagnosis of lead position. By leveraging the intrinsic electromechanical coupling of cardiac physiology, the device achieves high detection accuracy without requiring external monitoring equipment or complex additional sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical lead position sensing mechanisms with electrical signal analysis and electromechanical delay calculation. This substitution achieves high detection accuracy while reducing mechanical complexity, as electrical signal processing is inherently less complex than direct mechanical position sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If CRT timing parameters are adjusted based on dyssynchrony assessment, then ventricular synchronization improves, but the complexity of parameter adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventricular synchronization reliabilityVSAvoidparameter adjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring electromechanical delay and using this information to guide CRT timing parameter adjustment. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable ventricular synchronization by automatically adapting parameters based on real-time dyssynchrony assessment, while the automated nature of the feedback reduces the operational complexity for clinicians.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2015839B1Implantable medical device with electromechanical delay measurement for lead position and ventricular dyssynchrony assessment
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP2015839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2015839B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2015839B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cardiac rhythm management system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) with leads carrying electrodes for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and a physiologic sensor for sensing cardiac mechanical activity. The IMD measures electromechanical delays between electrical activity sensed by the electrodes and mechanical activity sensed by the physiologic sensor. The measured electromechanical delays can be used to detect lead dislodgement and to assess dyssynchrony between two areas of the heart, such as the right ventricle and the left ventricle.