Implantable Stimulation ECG Sensing Through Existing Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable pulse generators (IPGs) either lack heart rate detection capabilities, are susceptible to interference, or require complex equipment and additional components for heart rate detection, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

Configure existing electrodes or conductive components of the IPG and stimulation electrodes to function as ECG electrodes, allowing for heart rate detection without additional sensors, and incorporate a sensing and protection circuit to filter and amplify ECG signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional ECG sensors and components are added to the IPG for heart rate detection, then heart rate detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart rate detection capabilityVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by configuring existing IPG components (housing, leads, electrodes) to serve dual purposes: their primary functions plus ECG sensing for heart rate detection. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated ECG sensors, thereby improving heart rate detection capability while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The IPG system serves itself by using its own existing conductive components as ECG electrodes. The housing, leads, and stimulation electrodes that are already part of the implantable system are repurposed to detect ECG signals, eliminating the need for additional external sensing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If additional ECG sensors and components are added to the IPG for heart rate detection, then heart rate detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart rate detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By making existing components multi-functional (serving both their primary role and ECG sensing), the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and implant separate dedicated ECG sensor components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving reliable heart rate detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the ECG sensing function with the existing IPG structure by combining the sensing capability into the housing, leads, and electrodes that are already being manufactured and implanted, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing steps and component assembly costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional ECG detection methods are used in IPG, then heart rate detection is achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to interference and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart rate detection accuracyVSAvoidinterference and noise susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protection circuit as an intermediary component that sits between the ECG sensing electrodes and the signal processing electronics. This protection circuit filters and condition the ECG signals, blocking harmful interference and noise from the implant environment while allowing valid cardiac signals to pass through to the processor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection circuit is designed to convert the potentially harmful high-voltage interference and noise present in the implantable environment into beneficial filtered signals. By using filtering circuits and protection diodes, the system transforms harmful electrical interference into clean, usable ECG data for accurate heart rate detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables reliable heart rate detection with reduced noise and complexity, improving therapy effectiveness by integrating ECG sensing into the IPG without increasing component count or manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the IPG and the stimulation electrodes can be configured to measure transthoracic impedance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

incorporate a sensing and protection circuit to filter and amplify ECG signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal amplification:

Data Source

PatentUS20250249249A1Implantable stimulation system with ECG detection

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 ALFRED E MANN FOUND FOR SCI RES

AI summary

A medical system, according to some examples, includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG); a lead electrically coupled to the IPG; and an electrode on the lead, the electrode being configured to provide a stimulation signal to, and receive a first electrocardiogram (ECG) signal from, tissue around the electrode, wherein the IPG comprises a current source configured to provide an alternating current through the lead to the electrode, and wherein the lead is configured to selectively receive the current from the current source or to transmit the first ECG signal.