Kinetic Energy Harvesting Pacemaker for Natural Heart Pacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating heart conditions, such as heart failure and arrhythmias, using pacemakers can lead to adverse effects like heart failure and increased mortality due to inappropriate pacing techniques, particularly right ventricular pacing, which contradicts natural heart physiology.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising wireless, power-generating receivers that deliver electrical impulses to the heart at synchronized times, using kinetic energy harvesting to stimulate heart chambers in a manner that mimics natural heart contractions, with features like energy conversion from heart movement and multi-chamber synchronization to improve pacing efficiency and reduce adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If right ventricular pacing is used to treat bradyarrhythmias, then heart rate control is improved, but heart failure risk and mortality increase due to inappropriate pacing that contradicts natural heart physiology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pacing approach by pacing the left ventricle first (LV-to-RV sequence) instead of the traditional right ventricular pacing, thereby mimicking the natural physiology where the left ventricle contracts slightly before the right ventricle. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable heart rate control while eliminating the harmful effects of RV-first pacing on heart failure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies natural heart physiology by implementing an LV-to-RV pacing sequence that replicates the normal contraction pattern observed in healthy hearts. By copying the physiological sequence rather than using conventional RV pacing, the system achieves reliable rate control without the adverse hemodynamic effects that increase heart failure risk.
2Reliability
If conventional pacemaker systems are used, then heart rate regulation is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple leads and generators required for multi-chamber pacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pacing functions into a single integrated system with one generator and one lead that can pace both the left and right ventricles. This combining of functions achieves reliable multi-chamber heart rate regulation while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate leads and generators for each chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal pacing system where a single lead and generator can perform multiple functions: pacing the left ventricle, pacing the right ventricle, and coordinating both chambers in an LV-to-RV sequence. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive heart rate regulation while minimizing device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If kinetic energy harvesting is implemented in pacemakers, then energy efficiency is improved and battery life extended, but device complexity increases due to energy conversion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by incorporating kinetic energy harvesting that automatically captures mechanical energy from heart movements and converts it to electrical energy to power the pacemaker. This self-powered approach improves energy efficiency and extends battery life while the integration of the harvesting mechanism into the existing device minimizes the increase in complexity.
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
The system effectively treats heart conditions by reducing heart failure hospitalizations and mortality, promoting more natural heart contractions and energy efficiency, while being resistant to MRI interference and capable of simultaneous or sequential chamber stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
The system includes features like energy conversion from heart movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and device for monitoring and treating conditions of a mammalian heart, among which may include bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias and heart failure, the device being configured as a pacemaker that harvests energy as it implements the pacemaker functions to treat and monitor conditions of the heart. The pacemaker has a case, electrical circuitry sealed within the case, an electrode that is electrically coupled to the electrical circuitry, and embodiments may include a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) for harvesting and converting the kinematic energy of the heart into electrical energy. Embodiments provide receivers at locations of the heart which sense heart activity and are controlled with pacing circuitry to deliver electrical impulses at locations and time intervals to replicate the contractions of a normal functioning heart. Further embodiments provide a multi-part pacemaker where case-connectable electrode part may be implanted separately from the case part.