Leadless Multi-Chamber Pacing Through Coronary Sinus Leadlets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in effectively pacing both the right atrium and left ventricle of the heart without the use of traditional leads, which can complicate implantation and reduce efficacy.

Innovation Solution

The development of leadless implantable medical devices (LIMDs) with deployable leadlets and electrodes that can be implanted in the right atrium and left ventricle through the coronary sinus ostium, allowing for direct electrical sensing and pacing therapy delivery using processing circuitry within the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional leads are used to pace both right atrium and left ventricle, then reliable cardiac therapy delivery is achieved, but device complexity and implantation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac therapy delivery reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the lead system into a leadless right atrial pacing component and a separate leadlet for left ventricular pacing. The leadless RAA electrode is implanted independently in the right atrial appendage, while the leadlet with LV electrode is delivered through the coronary sinus. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex lead traversing multiple chambers, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable therapy delivery to both chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional leads are used for multi-chamber pacing, then effective electrical sensing and pacing is achieved, but implantation procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical sensing and pacing efficacyVSAvoidimplantation procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the right atrial pacing function from the traditional transvenous lead system by implementing a leadless RAA electrode. This extracted component is implanted percutaneously in the right atrial appendage, separating it from the ventricular lead. The leadlet for left ventricular pacing is also delivered through a separate access route via the coronary sinus. This extraction simplifies the implantation procedure by allowing independent implantation of each chamber's pacing component without requiring a single complex lead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If leadless implantation is used, then implantation is simplified, but the ability to pace both atrium and ventricle effectively is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation simplicityVSAvoidmulti-chamber pacing efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces the coronary sinus as an intermediary access route to deliver the leadlet with left ventricular electrode. The leadlet traverses the coronary sinus ostium and extends into the coronary sinus or coronary vein to position the LV electrode proximate the left ventricle. This intermediary pathway enables effective left ventricular pacing while maintaining the leadless implantation approach for the right atrial component, thus achieving multi-chamber pacing efficacy through a simplified implantation procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 efficient and reliable cardiac therapy delivery to both atrial and ventricular chambers, simplifying implantation and enhancing therapeutic efficacy by eliminating the need for traditional leads.

Implementation Method 1

puncturing the right ventricular endocardium using the penetration element to form an opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

advancing a distal portion of a guide element through the delivery catheter and the opening and into the interventricular septal wall to extend along the left ventricular endocardial wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

delivering pacing therapy using the processing circuitry and at one or more of the plurality of electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4065216B1Implantable medical devices for multi-chamber pacing
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP4065216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4065216B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4065216B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods may be used to deliver and provide cardiac pacing therapy to a patient. Leads or leadlets carrying one or more left ventricular electrodes may be positioned in or near the interventricular septum to sense and pace left ventricular signals of the patient's heart. In one example, a leadlet including one or more left ventricular electrodes may extend in the coronary sinus from a leadless implantable medical device located in the right atrium.