Leadless Pacemaker MI Detection via Accelerometer Template Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as pacemakers, lack the capability to effectively detect myocardial infarctions (MIs) in real-time, which can lead to delayed intervention and serious consequences.
Innovation Solution
A leadless cardiac pacemaker equipped with an accelerometer and a controller that senses baseline and test accelerometer signals, compares them to determine if an MI has occurred, and transmits alerts externally for timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current pacemaker devices are used, then basic pacing function is provided, but myocardial infarction detection capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The pacemaker device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: basic cardiac pacing and myocardial infarction detection. The accelerometer sensor and template comparison algorithm enable the device to detect heart wall motion changes indicative of MI, while maintaining its primary pacing function. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding MI detection capability without completely redesigning the device.
Solution Approach 2:
An accelerometer sensor is introduced as an intermediary component to detect mechanical vibrations and motion of the heart wall. This sensor mediates between the physical physiological changes during MI and the electronic processing system, enabling indirect detection of myocardial infarction through motion analysis rather than requiring direct electrical measurement.
2Loss of time
If real-time MI detection is implemented, then early intervention is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a baseline template of normal heart wall motion during an initial monitoring period. This pre-established template is stored in memory and used for rapid comparison with subsequent accelerometer readings, enabling real-time MI detection without requiring complex real-time analysis algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy or representation of normal heart motion patterns in the form of an accelerometer template. This template copy captures the essential characteristics of normal cardiac motion and can be rapidly compared against new measurements using simple correlation algorithms, reducing computational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If accelerometer-based MI detection is added, then detection precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a leadless pacemaker design with a compact, implantable form factor. The accelerometer sensor and associated electronics are integrated into a small, flexible device housing that can be implanted within the heart. This thin-film, integrated approach allows the addition of motion sensing capability without significantly increasing the overall device volume.
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
Enables early detection of myocardial infarctions, allowing for prompt medical action and potentially reducing the severity of heart damage.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a baseline accelerometer signal generated via an accelerometer of the leadless cardiac pacemaker that reflects movement of the patient's heart
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for determining occurrences of myocardial infarctions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of sensing for an occurrence of a myocardial infarction may include sensing a baseline accelerometer signal during a baseline, determining a baseline template based on one or more characteristics of the baseline accelerometer signal, and storing the baseline template in a memory. The method may further include sensing an accelerometer signal during a test period subsequent to the baseline, determining a test template based on one or more characteristics of the accelerometer signal during the test period, and comparing the baseline template with the test template, and based on the comparison, determining if a myocardial infarction occurred in the patient's heart. If it is determined that a myocardial infarction occurred in the patient's heart, the method may further include displaying an indication on a display that a myocardial infarction occurred.