Nested Implantable Lead for Multi-Chamber Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical leads face challenges in achieving multi-chamber functionality for physiological sensing and therapy delivery in the heart, particularly in penetrating and securing positions for precise pace mapping and therapy delivery, with existing leads requiring multiple surgical tools and potentially causing complications.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical lead design featuring a connector that enables electrical communication between an outer lead and an inner lead, allowing the inner lead to translate relative to the outer lead for precise positioning, with a conductive pathway that maintains electrical communication through a conductive element and electrical contact, facilitating independent communication with processing circuitry for both leads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single implantable medical lead is used for multi-chamber functionality, then the number of foreign materials introduced is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for inner lead translation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The inner lead is positioned within a lumen defined by the outer lead, allowing one lead to be nested inside another. This nesting configuration enables multi-chamber functionality while reducing the total number of separate leads implanted in the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead is divided into distinct segments: an outer lead with outer lead electrode and an inner lead with inner lead electrode. Each segment can be independently positioned and controlled, allowing precise placement in different heart chambers while maintaining a unified lead structure.
2Measurement precision
If the inner lead is allowed to translate relative to the outer lead, then precise positioning for pace mapping is achieved, but the reliability of electrical connection may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive element acts as an intermediary between the inner lead and outer lead, maintaining electrical connection through the Lumen as the inner lead translates. This intermediary ensures continuous electrical communication despite relative movement between the nested leads.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner lead is designed to be dynamically movable within the outer lead's lumen, allowing translation to precise positions while the conductive element maintains continuous electrical connection throughout the range of motion.
3Reliability
If multiple leads are used for multi-chamber functionality, then reliable electrical connection is maintained, but the surgical complexity and number of surgical tools required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lead functions are merged into a single unified lead structure with nested inner and outer leads. This combination maintains reliable electrical connections for multi-chamber functionality while reducing the surgical procedure to a single implantation event rather than multiple separate lead implantations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single implantable lead is designed to perform multiple functions: the outer lead can access one heart chamber while the inner lead translates to access another chamber. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized leads and surgical tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical lead includes a connector, outer lead, inner lead, electrical contact, and conductive element. The connector is configured to electrically communicate with processing circuitry of a medical device. The inner lead, positioned within a lumen defined by the outer lead, is configured to translate relative to the outer lead. The inner lead includes an inner lead electrode and an inner conductor electrically connected to the inner lead electrode, where the inner conductor is configured to electrically communicate with the connector. The outer lead includes an outer lead electrode and an outer conductor electrically connected to the outer lead electrode. The outer conductor is configured to electrically communicate with the connector.