Leadless Left Ventricular Pacing Using Acoustic Energy Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) face challenges in cardiac resynchronization therapy due to the delayed contraction of the left ventricle, which existing pacemaker systems struggle to address effectively, and the risk of lead failure poses significant health risks and implantation complications.
Innovation Solution
A wireless stimulation system that utilizes a controller-transmitter to emit acoustic energy, which is converted into electrical energy by a receiver-stimulator to synchronize the contraction of the left and right ventricles without the need for wired leads or a co-implanted pacemaker, by detecting real-time electrical activity and emitting acoustic energy to stimulate the left ventricle within a specific time window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pacemaker leads are used to treat LBBB, then cardiac resynchronization therapy can be provided, but the risk of lead failure and implantation complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pacemaker lead component from the system. The leadless pacemaker device is implanted directly into the heart chamber without requiring leads to traverse the venous system, thereby removing the source of lead-related failures and complications while maintaining the essential pacing function for LBBB treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary between the external programmer and the implanted pacemaker device. This wireless interface eliminates the need for physical lead connections for programming and data retrieval, further reducing lead-related failure risks while enabling full device functionality
2Reliability
If pacemaker leads are extracted after implantation, then lead failure risks are eliminated, but significant procedural risks and complications arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lead component entirely from the system architecture. By implanting the pacemaker device directly into the heart chamber without leads, the system eliminates both the need for lead implantation and the subsequent need for lead extraction, thereby avoiding all associated procedural risks
Solution Approach 2:
The leadless pacemaker device is designed to be self-contained and self-sufficient within the heart chamber. It performs all pacing functions independently without requiring external leads for programming, data retrieval, or battery replacement, eliminating the need for complex extraction procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If bi-ventricular pacing leads are placed through the coronary sinus, then left ventricular pacing is achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex lead placement procedure by eliminating the need for coronary sinus cannulation and lead maneuvering. The leadless device is implanted directly into the left ventricular apex or lateral wall through a simple venous access, removing the complex anatomical navigation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple venous access pathway as an intermediary to deliver the leadless device to the left ventricle. This direct delivery method replaces the complex coronary sinus navigation with a straightforward transvenous approach, significantly simplifying the implantation procedure
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 improves ventricular synchronization, reducing the duration of the QRS segment and enhancing cardiac function in patients with LBBB, while eliminating the need for traditional pacemaker leads and their associated risks.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver-stimulator that converts acoustic energy received from the controller-transmitter into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.