Neural Stimulation Syncope Avoidance via Posture Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neural stimulation therapies do not adequately address the risk of syncope induced by posture changes, as they may override the natural baroreflex response, potentially leading to prolonged blood pressure and heart rate reductions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a posture change detector and a neural stimulator with a syncope avoidance module that temporarily overrides neural stimulation therapy during posture transitions to reduce the risk of syncope, using a combination of activity and posture sensors to monitor and control the delivery of neural stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If neural stimulation therapy is continuously delivered to treat cardiovascular conditions, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but the risk of syncope increases during posture transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidsyncope risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of posture transitions using activity sensors and posture sensors before syncope occurs. When a posture transition is detected, the system preemptively suspends neural stimulation therapy to allow the baroreflex to normalize blood pressure and heart rate, thereby preventing syncope while maintaining therapeutic efficacy during stable periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors patient activity and posture through sensors, creating a feedback loop that detects posture transitions in real-time. This feedback triggers automatic suspension of stimulation therapy when syncope risk is detected, and resumption when stable, dynamically adjusting therapy based on physiological state to balance efficacy and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If neural stimulation therapy is delivered during posture transitions, then continuous treatment is maintained, but blood pressure and heart rate normalization is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous treatmentVSAvoidnormalization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects posture transitions preliminarily through activity and posture sensors before significant hemodynamic changes occur. By suspending stimulation therapy immediately upon detection, the system minimizes the delay in blood pressure and heart rate normalization while maintaining continuous treatment during stable periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic monitoring of activity and posture parameters to detect transitions. Stimulation therapy is delivered periodically during stable states but suspended during transitions, creating a rhythmic pattern of delivery and suspension that optimizes both continuous treatment and rapid normalization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9403007B2Systems and methods to reduce syncope risk during neural stimulation therapy

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Some embodiments, by way of example, provide a system, comprising a posture change detector configured to detect a posture transition indicative of an increased risk of syncope, and a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neural stimulation therapy. The neural stimulator may include a syncope avoidance module configured to respond to a detected posture transition by temporarily overriding the neural stimulation therapy to ameliorate the risk of increased syncope.