Implanted Medical Device Communication via Cardiac Cycle Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device communication systems face challenges in efficiently communicating between multiple implanted devices due to power constraints and interference from biological signals, which affects communication success and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that optimizes communication by identifying key characteristics such as cardiac cycles, transthoracic impedance, and respiration cycles to determine the best conditions for successful communication, using conducted communication methods that embed data packets within therapy outputs or avoid interference periods, and associating successful conditions with improved communication likelihoods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication attempts are made frequently between implantable medical devices, then communication reliability may improve, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic communication attempts synchronized with the patient's cardiac cycle, specifically attempting communication during the T-wave period when electrical interference is minimal. This periodic approach based on physiological rhythms allows the device to achieve reliable communication without continuous transmission, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where communication outcomes are monitored and used to adjust future communication strategies. When communication succeeds during certain cardiac phases or under specific conditions, the system learns from this feedback to preferentially attempt communication under similar conditions, improving reliability over time while avoiding unnecessary transmission attempts that would consume power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If communication attempts are made during all cardiac cycles, then communication opportunities increase, but interference from biological signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication opportunitiesVSAvoidbiological signal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by identifying specific temporal windows within the cardiac cycle that are locally optimal for communication. Rather than treating all cardiac cycles uniformly, the system detects the T-wave phase and selectively attempts communication only during these specific local time periods when electrical interference is minimized, thus increasing effective communication opportunities while avoiding periods of high biological signal interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the cardiac cycle phase before initiating communication attempts. By first identifying the T-wave period through cardiac signal detection, the system prepares and times communication attempts to occur during the optimal window, thereby increasing communication opportunities while preemptively avoiding periods when biological signals would cause interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If communication parameters are adjusted dynamically, then communication success improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication successVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes communication parameters such as transmission timing, pulse duration, and power level based on detected cardiac phase and historical communication outcomes. By adjusting these parameters in response to physiological conditions and learned patterns, the system improves communication success rates while managing device complexity through focused parameter optimization rather than comprehensive system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances communication reliability and efficiency between medical devices by minimizing power consumption and interference, allowing for more effective inter-device coordination and therapy delivery.

Implementation Method 1

using conducted communication methods that embed data packets within therapy outputs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11476927B2Communications in a medical device system with temporal optimization

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for managing communication strategies between implanted medical devices. Methods include temporal optimization relative to one or more identified conditions in the body. A selected characteristic, such as a signal representative or linked to a biological function, is assessed to determine its likely impact on communication capabilities, and one or more communication strategies may be developed to optimize intra-body communication.