Leadless Pacing Device Mode Switching for Loss of Conduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cardiac pacing systems with leads can cause complications and are not suitable for all patients, particularly those with intermittent AV node conduction or irregular heart rates, as they require leads that may not always accurately sense atrial and ventricular activity, leading to suboptimal pacing modes.

Innovation Solution

A leadless pacing device (LPD) configured for implantation in the ventricle, capable of switching between sensing without pacing, atrio-ventricular synchronous, and asynchronous ventricular pacing modes based on detected atrial oversensing and loss of conduction, using a processing module to determine the appropriate pacing mode and timing of pacing pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cardiac pacing systems with leads are used, then pacing function is provided, but complications and inaccuracies in sensing atrial and ventricular activity occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidcomplications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the external leads from the pacing system, extracting the harmful element (leads that cause complications and sensing inaccuracies) while retaining the essential pacing function through a leadless device implanted directly in the ventricle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the pacing and sensing functions into a single integrated leadless device, merging the pulse generator and sensing electrodes into one unit that is implanted directly in the ventricle, eliminating the need for separate leads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If leadless pacing device switches pacing modes frequently, then adaptability to cardiac conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacing mode adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching capability that allows the device to automatically transition between different pacing modes (AV synchronous, asynchronous, sensing without pacing) based on real-time detection of atrial oversensing and loss of conduction, making the system adaptable to changing cardiac conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from the detection of atrial oversensing and loss of conduction events to automatically adjust the pacing mode, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual cardiac electrical activity and selects appropriate pacing modes accordingly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3218050B1Ventricular leadless pacing device mode switching
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP3218050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3218050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3218050B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

In some examples, a leadless pacing device (LPD) is configured to switch from a sensing without pacing mode to ventricular pacing mode in response to determining that no intrinsic ventricular activity was detected within a ventricular event detection window for at least one cardiac cycle, which may be referred to as loss of conduction. The ventricular pacing mode may be selected based on whether atrial oversensing is detected in combination with the loss of conduction. In some examples, an atrio-ventricular synchronous pacing mode is selected in response to detecting loss of conduction and in response to determining that atrial oversensing is not detected. In addition, in some examples, an asynchronous ventricular pacing mode is selected in response to detecting both atrial oversensing and loss of conduction.