Multi-Tier IMD Event Detection via External Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in accurately detecting treatable medical events, such as arrhythmias, due to limitations in data analysis and communication between devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tier detection system where an implantable medical device (IMD) performs an initial analysis of parametric data and attempts to establish a wireless connection with an external device for further verification. If connected, the external device performs a more comprehensive analysis to confirm the presence of a treatable event and provides instructions to the IMD regarding therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the IMD performs comprehensive data analysis independently, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two tiers: the IMD performs initial screening analysis, and the external device performs comprehensive verification analysis. This segmentation allows the IMD to maintain simple processing while achieving high overall detection accuracy through the external device's sophisticated analysis capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The external device acts as an intermediary that receives parametric data from the IMD, performs advanced analysis, and provides verification instructions back to the IMD. This intermediary approach enables the IMD to leverage external computational resources without increasing its own complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the IMD performs sophisticated analysis locally, then detection specificity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external device serves as an energy-rich intermediary that performs computationally intensive sophisticated analysis. The IMD transmits parametric data to this intermediary, which then provides analysis results and therapy instructions, thereby preserving the IMD's limited energy resources while achieving high detection specificity.
3Speed
If the IMD delivers therapy immediately upon detection, then response time improves, but false positive interventions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by the external device before final therapy delivery. The IMD detects potential treatable events and sends data for preliminary analysis, receiving confirmation instructions before committing to therapy delivery. This preliminary action reduces false positives while maintaining rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The external device provides feedback instructions to the IMD regarding whether detected events require therapy delivery. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify detections before acting, reducing false positives while maintaining rapid response through the pre-established communication channel.
4Reliability
If the IMD continuously monitors and analyzes data, then detection reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IMD performs periodic monitoring of parametric data and transmits data to the external device at intervals or upon detecting significant events. This periodic action maintains reliable detection through continuous monitoring while conserving energy by processing and transmitting data only when necessary, rather than performing continuous sophisticated analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for a multi-tier system for delivering therapy to a patient. In one example, a first device senses parametric data for a patient and determines, based on a first analysis of the parametric data, that the patient is experiencing a treatable event. In response, the first device establishes wireless communication with a second device and transmits the parametric data to the second device. The second device verifies, based on a second analysis of the parametric data, whether the patient is experiencing the treatable event. The second device selects, based on the second analysis, an instruction for responding to the treatable event and transmits the instruction for responding to the treatable event to the first device. In some examples, in response to receiving the instruction, the first device aborts delivery of therapy for the treatable event or proceeds with delivering therapy for the treatable event.