Implantable Device Electrode Consistency Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face challenges in distinguishing between true physiological abnormalities and false alerts caused by mechanical or electrical failures or changes in electrical coupling, leading to unnecessary alarms in home monitoring systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple electrode poles arranged at different axial positions on the device allows for the sensing and processing of physiological signals, with a processing module assessing the consistency of signals received by one pair of electrode poles against another, reducing the risk of false alarms by verifying abnormalities through cross-validation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pair of electrode poles is used to sense physiological signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of detecting true abnormalities versus false alerts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the sensing function into multiple independent electrode poles arranged at different axial positions. Each electrode pole can independently sense physiological signals, allowing the system to segment the detection task and compare results from different locations to distinguish true abnormalities from false alerts caused by mechanical or electrical failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing module acts as an intermediary that receives signals from multiple electrode poles and mediates between them by assessing consistency. It compares signals from different electrode pole pairs to determine whether an detected abnormality is genuine or spurious, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex additional hardware.
2Reliability
If multiple electrode poles are used to verify signal consistency, then the reliability of abnormality detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode poles are arranged at different axial positions along the longitudinal axis of the device, adding a spatial dimension to the sensing array. This dimensional arrangement allows the system to capture physiological signals from multiple locations simultaneously, enabling consistency assessment to distinguish true cardiac abnormalities from false alerts while maintaining a relatively simple linear structure.
3Reliability
If cross-validation of signals from different electrode pole pairs is implemented, then false alarms are reduced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing module continuously monitors and compares signals from multiple electrode pole pairs in real-time, maintaining continuous useful action rather than performing intermittent validation. This continuous cross-validation approach allows the system to quickly identify true abnormalities versus false alerts without significant delays, as the consistency assessment is an ongoing process integrated into normal signal acquisition.
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 effectively reduces the occurrence of false alarms by confirming signal changes are due to physiological states rather than device failures or coupling issues, ensuring reliable monitoring and alert triggering only for genuine physiological abnormalities.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode poles may be formed by housing segments which are made from an electrically conductive material such as a metal material and are exposed to the outside such that they may be brought into electrical contact with surrounding tissue in order to establish an electrical coupling to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device for sensing physiological signals comprises an arrangement of at least a first electrode pole, a second electrode pole and a third electrode pole, said arrangement of at least the first, second and third electrode poles being configured to sense physiological signals. The implantable medical device further comprises a processing module for processing signals received via said arrangement of at least the first, second and third electrode poles. The processing module is configured to monitor cardiac activity based on a first signal received by a first pair of electrode poles of the arrangement of at least the first, second and third electrode poles and to assess a consistency of said first signal based on a second signal received by a second pair of electrode poles of the arrangement of at least the first, second and third electrode poles different then said first pair.