Leadless Pacemaker Communication via IC-ECG Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable leadless pacemakers face challenges in duplex communication due to their small size and limited battery capacity, leading to potential signal collisions and increased complexity when multiple devices share a single communication channel, which complicates design and reduces service life.
Innovation Solution
A communication method utilizing intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) signals to determine pacing events, allowing implantable leadless pacemakers to open receive windows and broadcast information only after ensuring no other device is transmitting, thereby preventing signal collisions and optimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple implantable leadless pacemakers communicate using different frequency bands to prevent signal collisions, then signal collision prevention is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication functions into a single frequency band by implementing a listen-before-talk mechanism. Multiple pacemakers share the same communication channel through time-division multiplexing, where each device checks for signal presence before transmitting and adjusts its transmission timing accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple frequency bands while preventing signal collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission parameter from frequency division to time division. Instead of using different frequency bands simultaneously, pacemakers transmit on the same frequency at different times determined by detecting the presence of other signals, thereby preventing collisions through temporal parameter adjustment rather than spectral parameter differentiation
2Adaptability or versatility
If implantable leadless pacemakers use duplex communication with external units, then communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases due to limited battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic communication cycles where pacemakers alternately transmit and receive data in structured time slots. During each cycle, devices take turns communicating with external units and with each other, allowing the system to maintain full duplex communication capability while minimizing power consumption by keeping transmitters dormant during receive phases and only activating when data exchange is required
3Ease of manufacture
If implantable leadless pacemakers are miniaturized to reduce implantation complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but communication range and signal strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary listen-before-talk mechanism that mediates between multiple pacemakers and the communication channel. This intermediary protocol allows miniaturized pacemakers with limited transmission power to communicate reliably by detecting channel occupancy and scheduling transmissions to avoid interference, effectively extending the functional communication range without increasing physical device size or transmission power
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 method enables collision-free communication among multiple devices over a single channel, extending the service life of implantable leadless pacemakers without increasing complexity or requiring hardware modifications, while maintaining efficient data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
based on an acquired intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) signal, obtaining, by the implantable leadless pacemaker, a pacing event corresponding to the IC-ECG signal
Implementation Method 2
All conventional implantable cardiac pacemakers are capable of duplex communications with the outside world, typically through wireless telemetry, for example, using electromagnetic induction coils
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention allows communication among multiple devices in an implantable leadless pacing system by providing communication methods, an implantable leadless pacing system, an electronic device and a storage medium. The communication methods implemented on an implantable leadless pacemaker includes: based on an acquired intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) signal, obtaining, by the implantable leadless pacemaker, a pacing event corresponding to the IC-ECG signal, and if the pacing event is a pacing event corresponding to the implantable leadless pacemaker, opening a first receive window for the implantable leadless pacemaker, waiting until broadcast information of any other device is not received within an opening duration of the latest first receive window and after completion of the pacing event, broadcasting first broadcast information by the implantable leadless pacemaker. This communication method can avoid any signal collision when used for communication among multiple devices in an implantable leadless pacing system over a single communication channel.