Leadless Cardiac Pacing Using Acoustic Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac pacing technologies rely on lead wires, which are prone to complications such as infection, lead failure, and limited accessibility, restricting the ability to stimulate at multiple sites.
Innovation Solution
A leadless tissue stimulation system utilizing a receiver-stimulator implanted at the heart and a controller-transmitter remotely positioned, communicating via acoustic and radiofrequency signals to deliver electrical stimulation, with energy harvesting and sensor capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead wires are used to deliver electrical stimulation to cardiac tissue, then reliable electrical connection can be achieved, but complications such as infection, lead failure, and electrode dislodgement occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lead wire component from the pacing system by implementing a leadless pacemaker design. The receiver-stimulator is implanted directly in the heart chamber, eliminating the need for subcutaneous pockets and transvenous leads, thereby removing the source of lead-related infections and mechanical failures while maintaining reliable electrical connection through direct cardiac contact
2Adaptability or versatility
If lead wires are used for tissue stimulation, then electrical energy can be delivered to cardiac tissue, but the number of accessible locations and ability to stimulate at multiple sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pacing system into separate functional modules: a controller-transmitter positioned externally and receiver-stimulators implanted directly in the heart. This segmentation allows multiple receiver-stimulators to be placed at different cardiac locations independently, enabling multi-site stimulation without the complexity of routing multiple leads through veins and managing multiple connection points
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a leadless receiver-stimulator is implanted in the heart, then lead-related complications are eliminated, but the system requires wireless energy transmission and acoustic signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lead wire connection system with wireless acoustic and electromagnetic communication. The controller-transmitter uses acoustic waves to communicate with the implanted receiver-stimulator and electromagnetic fields for energy transfer, eliminating mechanical connections while managing system complexity through integrated wireless protocols
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
Enables reliable cardiac pacing without lead-related complications, allowing for multiple stimulation sites and improved patient comfort and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal and convert the acoustic signal to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a fourth circuit configured to transmit the radiofrequency signal to the second circuit of the controller-transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems for stimulating tissue, such as heart tissue. In some embodiments, an implantable medical device system includes a controller-transmitter and a receiver-stimulator in operable communication with one another. The receiver-stimulator can be implanted at the heart of a patient. The controller-transmitter can be configured to transmit an acoustic signal to the receiver-stimulator, which receives the acoustic signal and converts the acoustic signal to electrical energy for delivery to the heart via one or more stimulation electrodes. The receiver-stimulator can further be configured to transmit a radiofrequency signal to the controller-transmitter including information about sensed physiological parameters of the patient, status information, and the like.