Pacemaker Lead Implantation Tool with Rotating Electrical Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pacemaker lead implantation techniques face challenges with maintaining constant electrical connection during the insertion of anchoring structures, leading to cumbersome procedures and delayed detection of over-insertion, which can cause unnecessary tissue damage and prolong the implantation time.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a body featuring a recess and electrical contacts that allows for constant engagement of pacemaker lead electrodes with an electronics hub, enabling continuous impedance measurement during rotation and insertion of the anchoring structure, thereby maintaining electrical contact and facilitating real-time impedance assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pacemaker lead implantation techniques are used, then the anchoring structure can be inserted into the heart tissue, but electrical connection is lost during insertion making it difficult to detect over-insertion in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The tool acts as an intermediary device that maintains electrical connection between the pacemaker lead electrodes and the electronics hub during anchoring structure insertion. The tool includes electrical contacts that engage with the electrodes and rotate synchronously with the anchoring structure, ensuring continuous impedance measurement capability throughout the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool establishes electrical contact with the pacemaker lead electrodes before the anchoring structure insertion begins. This preliminary action ensures that impedance measurement capability is already in place before insertion starts, allowing for continuous monitoring throughout the entire process rather than requiring reconnection after insertion.
2Strength
If the anchoring structure is inserted deeply to ensure proper securing, then the lead is firmly anchored, but over-insertion causes unnecessary tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback through continuous impedance measurement during anchoring structure insertion. The impedance values provide immediate feedback about the insertion depth and tissue interaction, allowing the operator to stop insertion at the optimal point that provides sufficient anchoring strength without causing over-insertion damage to the heart tissue.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the implantation procedure is performed carefully with frequent checks, then tissue damage is minimized, but the procedure time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The tool enables continuous impedance measurement throughout the entire anchoring structure insertion process without interruption or need to stop for checks. This continuous monitoring provides ongoing information about insertion depth and tissue interaction, eliminating the need for frequent pauses and manual assessments, thus reducing overall procedure time while maintaining tissue safety.
4Ease of operation
If electrical contacts are disconnected to allow rotation during insertion, then the anchoring structure can be properly inserted, but electrical connection is lost and impedance measurement cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The tool merges the rotation function with the electrical contact function by incorporating electrical contacts that are integrated into the rotating components. The electrical contacts rotate synchronously with the anchoring structure, combining mechanical rotation with maintained electrical connection, so that both insertion capability and impedance measurement are preserved simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact. A rotation of the tool about a central axis of the pacemaker lead is configured to rotate the first electrical contact and the first electrode together about the central axis and to slidingly engage the second electrical contact along the second electrode.