Leadless Pacemaker Multimode Communication Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable medical devices, such as leadless cardiac pacemakers, face challenges in reliable and efficient communication with other devices due to limitations in existing communication modes, which can affect their ability to monitor and deliver therapy effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a leadless cardiac pacemaker configured to switch between conducted and inductive communication modes based on predetermined conditions, such as posture or communication errors, using multiple inductive coils and a controller to optimize communication reliability and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conducted communication is used for power saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates when conducted communication fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between conducted and inductive communication modes based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors conducted communication performance and automatically transitions to inductive communication when errors are detected, ensuring both power efficiency and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary switching to inductive communication mode when conducted communication failures are detected, preventing complete communication loss. This preliminary action ensures that backup communication capability is ready before critical failures occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple inductive coils are used to improve communication coverage, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication function is segmented into multiple independent inductive coils with different orientations. Each coil can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive communication coverage while maintaining modular simplicity in the control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inductive coils serve dual purposes: they provide backup communication capability and enable orientation-independent communication. The same coils used for magnetic field sensing also facilitate inductive communication, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If inductive communication is enabled continuously to ensure reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring of conducted communication performance and switches to inductive communication only when necessary. This periodic check approach ensures reliability by maintaining backup capability while minimizing power consumption by keeping inductive communication dormant during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between communication modes based on detected conditions. When conducted communication errors are detected, the system changes to inductive communication mode; otherwise, it operates in low-power conducted mode, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances communication reliability and speed between implantable medical devices and external or internal devices, ensuring continuous and efficient monitoring and therapy delivery by adapting communication methods according to the device's environment and operational needs.

Implementation Method 1

two or more inductive coils may be secured relative to the housing and may each include a plurality of windings extending about a central axis... the controller may be configured to communicate with one or more remotely located devices using inductive communication via one or more of the two or more inductive coils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10881863B2Leadless cardiac pacemaker with multimode communication

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

Implantable medical devices such as leadless cardiac pacemakers may be configured to communicate using more than one mode of communication. For example, in some cases, an implantable medical device may be configured to communicate via conducted communication in some circumstances and to communicate via inductive communication in other circumstances. In some cases, the implantable medical device may be configured to switch between communication modes in order to improve communication.