Implantable Medical Device Posture Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices for treating sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, often require improved operation based on sensed patient information, as external therapies and surgical interventions may not adequately address sleep disordered breathing, and there is a need for systems that can adjust therapy delivery based on patient posture.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an implantable medical device system that includes an implantable sensor to detect patient posture, a posture module to determine and classify the patient's posture, and an optional external device for wireless communication, allowing for adaptive therapy delivery based on sensed posture information, including calibration methods to account for misalignment and posture changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external breathing therapy devices and surgical interventions are used, then initial treatment is provided, but treatment efficacy is insufficient for sleep disordered breathing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidadaptive therapy delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts therapy delivery based on real-time sensed patient posture information. The implantable medical device transitions from static, fixed therapy parameters to dynamic, adaptive therapy delivery that responds to changing patient conditions, specifically posture changes during sleep, thereby improving treatment efficacy for sleep disordered breathing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback through implantable sensors that continuously monitor patient posture and provide this information to the control system. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the device to automatically adjust therapy parameters based on actual patient state, resolving the contradiction between reliable treatment and adaptive delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If therapy parameters are fixed, then device operation is simple, but treatment effectiveness varies with patient posture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidposture detection and adaptive control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting patient posture through integrated sensors and autonomously adjusting therapy parameters without requiring external intervention or complex user programming. This self-adjusting capability improves treatment effectiveness across varying postures while keeping the user interface simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable medical device incorporates multiple functions including sensing, processing, and therapy delivery within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality allows the device to handle both fixed and adaptive operation modes, providing comprehensive treatment effectiveness without requiring separate complex systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240042207A1Systems and methods for operating an implantable medical device

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 INSPIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A system and/or method to control operation of an implantable medical device in response to a monitored gravity vector.