Non-Excitatory Heart Failure Stimulation for Acute Cardiac Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for treating acute heart failure, such as myocardial infarction and angina, lack effective non-excitatory electrical therapies that can provide sustained and adjustable stimulation to improve cardiac function.
Innovation Solution
An implantable system with a controller that provides non-excitatory electrical heart failure therapy, utilizing sensors to detect acute events and adjust parameters like pulse amplitude, width, and frequency to enhance cardiac performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical stimulation is used to treat acute heart failure, then cardiac function can be improved, but the risk of excitatory effects and arrhythmias increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling electrical stimulation parameters including pulse amplitude (7.5V), pulse width (5mS), and pulse timing (two bipolar pulses per cardiac cycle). These specific parameter settings ensure non-excitatory effects while maintaining therapeutic benefit for acute heart failure treatment
2Device complexity
If fixed electrical stimulation parameters are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual patient needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling adjustable stimulation parameters that can be modified based on individual patient response and clinical condition. The device allows customization of pulse amplitude, width, and frequency to optimize therapy for each patient while maintaining a relatively simple implantable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing adjustment of electrical stimulation characteristics including amplitude, pulse width, and frequency based on patient-specific factors and therapeutic response, transforming a static device into an adaptable treatment system
3Duration of action of moving object
If prolonged electrical stimulation is provided, then sustained cardiac function improvement is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by delivering electrical stimulation in structured pulses synchronized with the cardiac cycle (two bipolar pulses per cardiac cycle). This periodic delivery pattern provides sustained therapeutic effect while managing energy consumption through rhythm-based timing rather than continuous stimulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves continuity of useful action by providing prolonged stimulation over extended periods (at least 5 hours per day) to maintain sustained cardiac function improvement, balancing therapeutic duration with energy conservation through intermittent rather than constant delivery
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
The system effectively increases cardiac contractility and blood flow by delivering non-excitatory electrical stimuli tailored to individual patient needs, improving heart function and reducing symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
providing an effective amount of non-excitatory electrical heart failure therapy
Data Source
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AI summary
An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing acute non-excitatory electrical heart failure therapy to a patient according to one or more criteria. Exemplary criteria are one or more of suffering from an acute angina episode, a patient after a myocardial infraction episode, a patient after heart surgery, a patient that is already on a Cath-Lab and would be beneficial to see if the treatment could help the patient, patients that suffer from heart failure and optionally already receive chronic non-excitatory electrical heart failure therapy, a patient that requires an improvement in blood flow, patients that show positive results from trial activation of acute non-excitatory electrical heart failure therapy, patients that require assistance in performing daily activities, like exercise, social events, after taking certain drugs, performing intercourse, sleeping and suffer from emotional stress.