Leadless Atrial Pacemaker Autonomous Ventricular Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiac pacing technologies rely on wired or wireless communication between pacemaker devices, which consumes power and may not function reliably without established communication links, especially in scenarios involving atrial and ventricular device coordination.

Innovation Solution

A leadless atrial pacing device that operates independently by detecting ventricular activation events to control atrial pacing timing, eliminating the need for communication links with a ventricular device, and comprising a signal generator module, processing module, and housing for implantation within the atrium, allowing it to function as a standalone or coordinated system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pacemaker devices use wired or wireless communication to coordinate pacing, then pacing coordination between atrial and ventricular devices can be achieved, but power consumption increases and reliability decreases when communication links are not established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacing coordination reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The atrial device autonomously detects ventricular activation events and independently controls atrial pacing timing without requiring communication with the ventricular device. Each device serves itself by sensing cardiac electrical activity directly, eliminating dependency on inter-device communication links and associated power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If pacemaker devices establish communication links for coordination, then pacing timing can be synchronized, but system complexity increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacing timing synchronizationVSAvoidcommunication link requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The atrial device independently senses ventricular activation events and autonomously determines atrial pacing timing without requiring communication protocols, wired or wireless links, or coordination mechanisms with other devices. This self-service approach eliminates communication infrastructure complexity while achieving proper pacing timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pacing devices are implanted with communication capability, then comprehensive cardiac monitoring is achieved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac monitoring capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Each pacing device independently senses cardiac electrical activity and autonomously determines pacing timing based on detected ventricular activation events. This eliminates the need for inter-device communication to coordinate monitoring and pacing functions, reducing power consumption while maintaining comprehensive cardiac monitoring capability through direct electrical sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2914337B1Leadless pacemaker system
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP2914337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2914337B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2914337B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device includes a signal generator module, a processing module, and a housing. The signal generator module is configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium. The processing module is configured to detect a ventricular activation event and determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event that preceded the ventricular activation event. The processing module is further configured to schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval and control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time. The housing is configured for implantation within the atrium. The housing encloses the stimulation generator and the processing module.