Leadless Pacemaker Remote Programming via RF-Conductive Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Leadless pacemakers (LPs) require frequent communication with external programmers, which is limited by conductive communication that can be intermittent due to patient orientation and necessitates physical contact, increasing patient visits and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a remote non-implantable device (RNID), a local non-implantable device (LNID), and a secondary implantable device (SID) facilitates communication with the LP using RF and conductive signals, enabling remote programming and diagnostics without patient proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive communication is used between external programmer and leadless pacemaker, then communication can be established, but communication becomes intermittent and unreliable due to patient orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (external programmer with electrodes) that mediates communication between the remote device and the leadless pacemaker. The external programmer converts RF signals to conductive signals through body tissue, enabling reliable communication without requiring the patient to be in specific orientations or physically contact the remote device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical contact requirement of traditional conductive communication with electromagnetic RF communication. The external programmer acts as a transducer, converting RF electromagnetic signals into conductive signals that can penetrate body tissue, thereby eliminating the need for direct physical contact between the patient and the programming device.
2Reliability
If physical contact with skin electrodes is required for communication, then conductive communication can be established, but patient visits to medical facilities are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The external programmer serves as an intermediary that bridges the remote device and the implanted pacemaker. It receives RF signals from the remote device, converts them to conductive signals through body tissue using skin electrodes, and transmits them to the pacemaker, enabling remote programming without requiring patient travel to medical facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for in-person medical facility visits with wireless RF communication. The external programmer processes commands remotely and delivers them to the pacemaker through conductive coupling via skin electrodes, eliminating geographical and temporal constraints on patient care.
3Reliability
If conductive communication signals are transmitted through body tissue, then communication with LP is achieved, but signal fading occurs due to LP orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The external programmer with skin electrodes acts as an intermediary that establishes a more stable conductive path through body tissue. By placing electrodes on the skin surface rather than requiring direct contact with the implanted pacemaker, the system creates a larger, more stable electrical field that is less sensitive to the pacemaker's orientation within the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an equipotential field through the skin electrodes that distributes the electrical signal across a broader area of body tissue. This reduces the impact of local variations in tissue conductivity and pacemaker orientation, maintaining more consistent signal strength during transmission.
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 and secure remote communication with LPs, reducing the need for patient visits and lowering costs by allowing LPs to be interrogated and programmed from a distance.
Implementation Method 1
The LNID sends the one or more commands to the SID by transmitting one or more radio frequency (RF) communication signals, which include the one or more commands, using an antenna of the LNID
Implementation Method 2
Communication between an LP and an external programmer may be facilitated by conductive communication via patient tissue, whereby at least two skin electrodes (that are part of or coupled to an external programmer) are attached to the skin of a patient within which (i.e., in whom) one or more LPs is/are implanted, and the skin electrodes are used to transmit information to and/or receive information from the LP(s) via conduction through body tissue of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods, devices, and systems that enable a remote non-implantable device (RNID) to send commands to a leadless pacemaker (LP) implanted within a patient. The RNID provide commands to a local non-implantable device (LNID) over one or more communication networks, and the LNID sends the commands to a second implantable device (SID) by transmitting radio frequency (RF) communication signals, which include the commands, using an antenna of the LNID. After receiving the commands from the LNID, by receiving RF communication signals that include the commands using an antenna of the SID, the SID transmits conductive communication signals, which include the commands, using electrodes of the SID. The LP receives the commands from the SID by receiving the conductive communication signals, which include the commands, using electrodes of the LP, and the LP performs command responses based on the commands that originated from the RNID.