Ischemia Detection via Coronary Sinus Oxygen Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ischemia detection methods based on oxygen saturation in coronary sinus blood often misclassify non-ischemic events as cardiac ischemia, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and risk of arrhythmias.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device with an oxygen sensor that monitors oxygen concentration in coronary sinus blood, processing sensor signals to detect ischemic events by identifying a temporary decrease followed by an increase above normal levels, distinguishing true ischemic episodes from non-ischemic events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ischemia detection is based solely on a drop in oxygen concentration in coronary sinus blood, then detection simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false classification of non-ischemic events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidischemia detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static threshold-based detection method to a dynamic pattern recognition approach. Instead of simply comparing oxygen saturation against a fixed threshold, the system analyzes the temporal dynamics of oxygen concentration changes, identifying specific patterns (initial drop followed by rise above baseline) that characterize true ischemic events. This dynamic approach maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback by continuously monitoring oxygen concentration and comparing actual measurements against expected patterns. The detection algorithm uses feedback from the oxygen sensor data to adjust its classification decisions, recognizing that true ischemic events produce a characteristic biphasic response (drop then rise) rather than a simple monotonic decrease. This feedback mechanism enables accurate discrimination between ischemic and non-ischemic events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the detection method monitors only oxygen saturation decrease, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to misclassification of non-ischemic episodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection method complexityVSAvoidischemia detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances reliability by analyzing the dynamic temporal pattern of oxygen concentration changes rather than relying on a single static measurement. The system detects the characteristic sequence of an initial oxygen drop followed by a rise above baseline levels, creating a more reliable signature for true ischemic events. This dynamic pattern recognition maintains relatively simple device architecture while significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors changes in oxygen concentration parameters over time, specifically looking for the characteristic biphasic pattern (initial decrease followed by increase above baseline). By analyzing multiple parameter changes sequentially rather than a single parameter at one time point, the system achieves higher reliability in distinguishing true ischemic events from non-ischemic episodes without substantially increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Accurately detects temporary ischemic events and differentiates them from non-ischemic events, such as exercise-induced reductions, thereby reducing false classifications and improving heart condition monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

measure oxygen saturation (SO2) in coronary sinus blood

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen saturation measurement: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2586369B1Ischemia detection
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 ST JUDE MEDICAL AB
  • EP2586369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2586369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2586369B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

An implantable medical device (100) comprises a connector (110) connectable to an implantable oxygen sensor (40) configured to generate a sensor signal representative of oxygen concentration in coronary sinus blood in a subject's heart (15). An ischemia detector (132) is connected to the connector (110) and configured to detect an ischemic event in the heart (15) if the sensor signal indicates a temporary decrease in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood below a normal level followed by a temporary increase in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood above the normal level.