Leadless Cardiac Implant Osmotic Pump Genetic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable cardiac pacemakers face challenges with battery life and size due to the need for large power sources, which can lead to lead breakage and dislodgement, and existing techniques to minimize energy consumption are limited in efficacy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A leadless implantable medical device (IMD) that delivers genetic material to a target tissue site using a pump and stimulation energy delivery elements, modifying cellular properties to reduce stimulation thresholds, allowing for more efficient treatment and potentially eliminating the need for a power source at the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large power source is implanted to provide sufficient energy for stimulation, then the stimulation energy delivery capability is improved, but the device size increases and may cause lead breakage or dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the cardiac implant location and places it in an external wearable carrier. The implantable device contains only the stimulation delivery components (electrodes, pulse generator circuitry) without a large battery, eliminating the need for leads connecting to a large power source and thus preventing lead breakage or dislodgement associated with large implanted batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two separate components: an external power source (wearable battery pack) and an internal stimulation device (leadless implant). The power source and stimulation delivery are segmented into different locations, with energy transmitted wirelessly or via inductive coupling, allowing the implant to be small and reliable while the power source remains external.
2Use of energy by moving object
If manual programming or algorithms are used to reduce stimulation parameters to minimum safe output, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the treatment efficacy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the implantable device monitors physiological responses (such as cardiac capture confirmation, impedance changes, or evoked responses) and adjusts stimulation parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that stimulation energy is optimized to the minimum effective level while maintaining reliable capture, preventing both under-stimulation and unnecessary energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrode designs concentrating current in a small area are used to increase stimulation efficiency, then the stimulation energy requirement is reduced, but the risk of tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dynamic adjustment of electrode configuration and current distribution patterns. The system can dynamically switch between different electrode combinations, adjust current density distribution, and modify stimulation waveforms in real-time based on tissue response, thereby maintaining high stimulation efficiency while preventing localized tissue damage through adaptive current management.
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 device enables more efficient cardiac pacing by reducing the required stimulation energy, potentially extending battery life and minimizing the size of the power source, while also providing a biological replacement for failed tissue, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a pump positioned within the housing, wherein the pump is configured to store the genetic material and deliver the genetic material to the target tissue site via the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for delivering genetic material to a target tissue site of a patient via a leadless implantable medical device that includes a pump and a stimulation energy delivery element are described. In some examples, delivery of genetic material to the target tissue site causes transgene expression of tissue at the target tissue site, which may result in generation of new cells or modified properties of existing cells of the target tissue site, facilitating more effective and efficient treatment of a disorder of the patient.