State-Based P-Wave Detection for Far-Field Cardiac Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CRT techniques face challenges in accurately detecting P-waves due to low amplitude and frequency content of subcutaneous or substernal sensing, which can lead to improper timing of ventricular pacing, particularly when relying on far-field signals.

Innovation Solution

Implementing state-based sequencing and heuristics-driven training to detect P-waves using state-transition probabilities and morphological values, leveraging contextual information for precise P-wave detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If subcutaneous or substernal sensing is used for P-wave detection, then the device can be implanted with minimal invasive procedures, but the P-wave amplitude and frequency content become low making detection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveimplantabilityVSAvoidP-wave detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting the R-wave first and then using state-transition probabilities to predict and detect the subsequent P-wave. This sequential approach allows the system to compensate for the low amplitude P-waves by using contextual information from the cardiac cycle timing and morphology patterns established after R-wave detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detected R-wave and subsequent cardiac cycle monitoring to refine P-wave detection. By continuously monitoring the cardiac signal and comparing morphological values against stored criteria for state transitions, the system adjusts and refines its P-wave detection accuracy based on the actual cardiac cycle characteristics observed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If traditional P-wave detection methods are used, then the detection process is simple, but the timing of ventricular pacing becomes improper when relying on far-field signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection process simplicityVSAvoidpacing timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters used for P-wave detection by incorporating state-transition probabilities and morphological values derived from the cardiac cycle model. Instead of relying solely on traditional amplitude-based P-wave detection, the system uses temporal and morphological parameters to identify P-waves, thereby improving pacing timing accuracy while maintaining reasonable detection process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If state-based sequencing with state-transition probabilities is implemented, then P-wave detection accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveP-wave detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cardiac cycle into distinct states (P-wave state, R-wave state, etc.) and uses state-transition probabilities to navigate between these states. This segmentation approach organizes the complex detection process into manageable phases, improving P-wave detection accuracy while keeping the system architecture structured and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3697496B1State-based atrial event detection
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP3697496B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3697496B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3697496B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An implantable medical device includes a memory storing criteria for transitioning between states of a cardiac cycle model, the states including a P-wave state. The device also includes sensing circuitry that senses a cardiac signal that varies as a function of a cardiac cycle of a patient, and also includes processing circuitry coupled to the sensing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect an R-wave in the sensed cardiac signal, to determine an elapsed time since the detection of the R-wave, to determine one or more morphological values of a post-R-wave segment of the cardiac signal to compare the elapsed time and the one or more morphological values to the stored criteria for transitioning between the plurality of states of the cardiac cycle model, and to detect a P-wave in the sensed cardiac signal in response to a transition to the P-wave state of the cardiac cycle model.