Implantable Device Positioning via Digital Twin Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical devices face challenges in determining optimal positioning for effective tissue conductive communication (TCC) between devices, as the position and orientation of these devices within the body significantly affect signal strength and noise, leading to inconsistent communication performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize model data associating patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance, allowing for real-time computer simulations and comparisons to determine the optimal position for the first IMD to be implanted, facilitating better communication between implanted devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If implantable medical devices are positioned within the body, then communication between devices can be established, but signal strength and noise vary significantly leading to inconsistent communication performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning simulations using a digital twin model before actual device implantation. The simulation predicts optimal device positions and orientations that will achieve reliable TCC communication, allowing clinicians to plan the procedure in advance and avoid trial-and-error positioning during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
A digital twin copy of the patient's anatomy is created from medical imaging data to simulate device positioning and communication performance. This virtual model allows testing of different implant positions without affecting the actual patient, enabling optimization of device placement for reliable communication.
2Reliability
If device position and orientation are optimized for TCC communication, then signal strength improves and noise reduces, but the complexity of determining optimal position increases
Solution Approach 1:
A digital twin intermediary model is introduced that bridges the gap between complex electromagnetic simulations and clinical decision-making. The digital twin translates complex TCC signal propagation calculations into intuitive visualizations and recommendations, making the optimization process accessible to clinicians without requiring them to understand the underlying complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies multiple parameters including device position, orientation, and anatomical characteristics in the digital twin model to identify optimal configurations. By systematically changing these parameters and evaluating communication performance, the system finds positions that maximize signal strength and minimize noise without manual trial-and-error.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple simulations are performed to determine optimal device position, then positioning accuracy improves, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The digital twin model and simulation framework are prepared in advance, with the patient's anatomical model already constructed from imaging data. This preliminary setup allows rapid execution of multiple positioning simulations during the planning phase without repeated data processing, reducing overall computation time while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
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 improves the reliability and quality of TCC by identifying the most suitable implantation position for the first IMD, enhancing signal strength and reducing noise, thereby ensuring consistent and effective communication between implanted medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and the second IMD
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, this disclosure describes a method for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient. In some examples, the method includes storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance, receiving patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of the patient, receiving second IMD position data, performing analysis by at least one of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data, performing real-time computer simulations, or a combination of comparing and performing simulations, and outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.