Indication-Based Programming for Implantable Cardiac Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices with sophisticated features and operational modes makes programming these devices patient-specific and challenging, often leading to underutilization of available features and capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An indication-based programming system that includes an external telemetry circuit and a programming device, which collects patient-specific and device-specific information to automatically generate values for operational parameters, facilitating the programming of implantable medical devices and optimizing therapy delivery based on individual patient conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If implantable CRM devices include increasingly sophisticated features and operational modes, then the therapeutic capability and adaptability improve, but the programming complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic capabilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The programming system automatically determines device type-specific parameters and programming procedures without requiring extensive physician input or manual configuration. The system self-configures by receiving device type identification and automatically selecting appropriate programming protocols, thereby reducing programming complexity while maintaining sophisticated therapeutic capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts programming parameters based on the identified device type and patient-specific indications. By automatically modifying programming settings according to device characteristics and clinical requirements, the system handles complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to the physician

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If device-specific programming procedures are required for different implantable CRM devices, then the programming precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming precisionVSAvoidease of programming
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The programming system is designed to universally handle multiple device types through a single unified interface. By incorporating device type identification and automatic protocol selection, the system provides multi-functional capability that adapts to different devices without requiring separate programming procedures, thereby maintaining precision while improving ease of operation

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between the physician and the diverse device types. It translates physician intentions into device-specific programming commands by automatically interpreting device type information and applying appropriate programming procedures, thereby shielding the physician from device-specific complexity while ensuring precise programming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If physicians manually determine programming parameters based on patient-specific data, then the patient-specific customization improves, but the time required for programming increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient-specific customizationVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic determination of programming parameters based on device type and patient indications before the physician needs to review or adjust them. By pre-configuring appropriate parameter sets and programming procedures, the system reduces the time required for manual parameter determination while maintaining patient-specific customization through subsequent physician review and adjustment capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2216071B1System for indication-based medical device programming
Publication Date: 2011.12.07 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC
  • EP2216071B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2216071B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2216071B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a programming device that determines parameters for programming an implantable medical device based on patient-specific information including indications for use of the implantable medical device. By executing an indication-based programming algorithm, the programming device substantially automates the process between the diagnosis of a patient and the programming of an implantable medical device using parameters individually determined for that patient.