Implantable Lead with Disconnectable Mapping Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable leads for delivering electrical stimuli to the heart require time-consuming procedures to find a suitable fixation location, causing unnecessary trauma to the myocardial tissue and increased energy consumption due to the presence of an electrode surface for both stimulation and sensing during the location-finding process.
Innovation Solution
An implantable lead with a separate mapping electrode for sensing intrinsic cardiac activity during implantation, which is electrically disconnected from the conductor after fixation, reducing the contact surface area and energy consumption by using only the stimulating electrode for delivering stimuli post-fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate mapping electrode is provided for sensing intrinsic cardiac activity during implantation, then the precision of locating suitable fixation position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is segmented into two distinct functional components: a mapping electrode for sensing intrinsic cardiac activity during implantation and a stimulating electrode for delivering electrical stimuli after fixation. This segmentation allows the mapping electrode to be electrically disconnected from the conductor post-fixation, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision during the critical implantation phase.
2Measurement precision
If the mapping electrode remains connected during implantation for sensing intrinsic cardiac activity, then the measurement precision for locating fixation position is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping electrode performs its sensing function during the preliminary implantation phase to identify suitable fixation positions. Once fixation is achieved, the mapping electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductor, eliminating its energy consumption during the long-term operation phase. This preliminary action approach ensures measurement precision is maintained when needed while energy consumption is minimized during routine operation.
3Reliability
If the distal end of the lead is fixated to tissue for sensing intrinsic cardiac activity and delivering stimulation pulses, then the reliability of stimulation delivery is improved, but the trauma to endocardial and myocardial tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping electrode function is extracted as a separate, temporarily connected component that can be electrically disconnected after fixation. This allows the fixation procedure to be minimized to only what is necessary for reliable stimulation delivery, reducing unnecessary tissue trauma while maintaining the reliability of the stimulating electrode for long-term operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the mapping electrode is used for finding suitable fixation location without fixating the lead, then the trauma to tissue is reduced, but the time required for the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping electrode enables the lead to self-locate suitable fixation positions by sensing intrinsic cardiac activity during the implantation procedure. This self-service capability allows the physician to identify optimal fixation locations without time-consuming trial-and-error fixation and repositioning, actually reducing total procedure time while minimizing tissue trauma.
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 allows for efficient reduction of energy consumption by disconnecting the mapping electrode post-fixation, minimizing tissue trauma and optimizing energy use by ensuring only the necessary electrode is connected for stimulation, thereby reducing impedance and energy requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a mapping electrode for transmitting the electrical stimuli to the myocardium and/or sensing intrinsic cardiac activity during implantation
Implementation Method 2
a stimulating electrode for transmitting said electrical stimuli to the myocardium after implantation
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable lead for delivering electrical stimuli to a human heart has a stimulating electrode for transmitting electrical stimuli to the myocardium after implantation, and a mapping electrode for use during implantation. The mapping electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimuli to the heart and to sense intrinsic cardiac activity, for the purpose of finding a suitable fixation position in the myocardium. During the implantation procedure, the mapping electrode is electrically connected to the conductor. The lead is configured to electrically disconnect the mapping electrode from the conductor after a suitable fixation position has been determined.