Leadless Intra-cardiac Device RF Telemetry and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable cardiac medical devices with leads outside the heart are prone to infections, Twiddler's syndrome, venous stenosis, and other complications due to their external components, and face challenges in compactness and power sourcing for intra-cardiac pacing systems.
Innovation Solution
A leadless intra-cardiac medical device (LIMD) is implanted entirely within the heart, featuring an intra-cardiac extension with loop segments for RF energy reception and transmission, and a housing with a rechargeable energy source that uses induced current from RF energy for power, allowing for secure attachment and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external leads and housing are used in implantable cardiac devices, then electrical connection and device functionality are achieved, but infection risk and Twiddler's syndrome increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful external components (leads and external housing) from the implantable device, leaving only the essential functional elements (electrodes and generator) to be implanted within the heart chamber. This eliminates the external pathways that allow bacterial entry and reduce infection risk while maintaining electrical connection functionality through direct endocardial contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the housing and generator into a single integrated unit that is implanted within the heart chamber rather than externally. This consolidation eliminates the need for external leads connecting separate components, thereby removing the infection pathway while preserving all necessary electrical stimulation and sensing functions.
2Reliability
If external leads and housing are used in implantable cardiac devices, then electrical connection and device functionality are achieved, but Twiddler's syndrome occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external housing and leads from the implantable system, eliminating the mechanical components that can be manipulated or displaced outside the body. This extraction prevents Twiddler's syndrome by ensuring all device components remain fixed within the heart chamber where they cannot be externally manipulated.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the housing and generator into a single integrated unit implanted within the heart, the patent eliminates the mechanical connection interfaces between separate external and internal components. This integration removes the possibility of lead disconnection or housing manipulation that causes Twiddler's syndrome.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a leadless intra-cardiac device is implemented, then infection risk and Twiddler's syndrome are reduced, but device size and power sourcing become constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the battery, electronic circuitry, and electrodes are arranged concentrically or in layered configurations within the compact generator housing. This nesting allows maximum functional integration within minimum volume, enabling a leadless design that fits within the heart chamber while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin-film battery technology and flexible printed circuit boards to reduce the overall device volume. These thin-film components allow the generator to be compact enough for intracardiac implantation while providing sufficient power and electrical connection capabilities for leadless operation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a leadless intra-cardiac device is implemented, then infection risk and Twiddler's syndrome are reduced, but power sourcing becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/chemical battery system with an electromagnetic induction-based power transmission system. An external coil generates a magnetic field that induces current in an internal coil within the generator, providing wireless power transfer to the implanted device without requiring large chemical batteries, thus enabling compact leadless design with adequate power supply.
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 LIMD eliminates external leads, reducing infection risks and Twiddler's syndrome, enables compact and efficient power management within the heart, and facilitates secure attachment and communication through RF energy, enhancing cardiac function and device stability.
Implementation Method 1
the loop body may include at least one coil group configured to receive and/or transmit radio frequency (RF) energy
Implementation Method 2
The housing includes a rechargeable energy source that uses induced current from RF energy for power
Data Source
AI summary
A leadless intra-cardiac medical device is configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient. The device includes an intra-cardiac extension and a housing. The intra-cardiac extension includes a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart. The housing is in electrical communication within the loop body, and includes a transceiver, control logic and an energy source. The housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy.