Multi-lead ECG Sensor for Cardiac Augmentation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiac augmentation devices face challenges in reliably determining control parameters for synchronizing with the natural heartbeat, often due to issues with single ECG lead sensors, such as detachment or noise, leading to inaccurate augmentation control parameters.

Innovation Solution

A cardiac augmentation device with a sensor system configured to record multiple ECG leads, allowing a controller to determine and adapt control parameters, such as augmentation start and end points, in real-time, using signal analysis and selection across multiple leads to enhance robustness and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single ECG lead sensor is used to determine control parameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and measurement precision deteriorate due to potential detachment or noise issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidcontrol parameter determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ECG monitoring function into multiple independent sensor channels (leads), each capable of independently detecting cardiac signals. This segmentation allows the system to isolate and identify reliable signals even when individual leads experience detachment or noise interference, thereby improving overall system reliability without requiring a single complex sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-lead (one-dimensional) ECG monitoring to multi-lead (multi-dimensional) monitoring by recording two or more different ECG leads simultaneously. This dimensional expansion provides redundant signal paths, enabling the controller to cross-validate signals and determine control parameters with higher precision and reliability despite potential issues in individual leads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple ECG leads are recorded to improve reliability, then the measurement precision and robustness improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol parameter determination precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal sensor system that can record multiple ECG leads using a single integrated sensor array. The same sensor infrastructure serves multiple functions by capturing signals from different leads simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sensor systems for each lead and thus managing device complexity while maintaining multi-lead monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the quality and reliability of signals from multiple ECG leads. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically selects which leads to trust for determining control parameters, adjusting the monitoring strategy in real-time to maintain high measurement precision while optimizing device complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If real-time control parameter determination is implemented, then the productivity and responsiveness improve, but the computational requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol parameter determination speedVSAvoidcontroller processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary signal processing and feature extraction on the multi-lead ECG signals before final control parameter determination. By pre-processing the signals to identify characteristic patterns and prepare data structures in advance, the controller reduces the computational burden during real-time decision-making, thereby maintaining high productivity without excessive processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only the most relevant signal features and leads necessary for accurate control parameter determination, rather than analyzing all possible signal characteristics. This selective approach maintains real-time responsiveness while reducing unnecessary computational complexity, achieving the right balance between productivity and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3749382B1Determining control parameters for cardiac augmentation devices
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ADJUCOR
  • EP3749382B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749382B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3749382B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cardiac augmentation device including an actuator configured to apply pressure to a heart to augment a pumping function of the heart, a sensor system configured to record two or more different ECG leads at the augmented heart. The cardiac augmentation device additionally includes a controller configured to determine one or more control parameters for the cardiac augmentation device using one or more of the two or more ECG leads and control operation of the actuator based on the determined one or more control parameters.