Leadless Pacemaker Pressure Sensing via Piezoelectric Diaphragm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices lack effective pressure sensing capabilities to monitor cardiac activity and deliver precise pacing therapy in response to pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) equipped with a housing, electrodes, a diaphragm responsive to external pressure, and a piezoelectric membrane that generates an electrical voltage in response to pressure changes, allowing for the delivery of pacing therapy dependent on the pressure sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If implantable medical devices are equipped with pressure sensing capabilities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressure sensing function with the existing implantable medical device housing by integrating a piezoelectric membrane into the housing structure. This merging approach allows the device to gain pressure sensing capability without adding a separate, complex sensing system, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diaphragm as an intermediary element between the external pressure environment and the piezoelectric membrane. The diaphragm transmits pressure changes to the membrane while providing mechanical coupling and protection, enabling accurate pressure sensing without requiring direct exposure of the sensitive piezoelectric elements to the external environment
2Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric membrane is integrated into the device housing, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin piezoelectric membrane as the pressure sensing element, which can be manufactured using established thin-film deposition techniques. The membrane's thin nature allows it to respond sensitively to pressure changes while being compatible with standard semiconductor manufacturing processes, thereby achieving high measurement precision without excessively stringent manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the piezoelectric effect, where mechanical stress applied to the membrane generates an electrical signal. By changing the physical parameter of applying pressure to the membrane and measuring the resulting electrical response, the system achieves precise pressure measurement through a well-understood physical phenomenon that can be manufactured with standard precision
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
The LCP effectively senses cardiac activity and delivers pacing therapy that is synchronized with pressure changes, enhancing the management of cardiac conditions by providing precise and responsive therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric membrane having a first pressure sensor electrode and a second pressure sensor electrode, the piezoelectric membrane may be configured to generate an electrical voltage between the first pressure sensor electrode and the second pressure sensor electrode in response to a pressure change applied to the diaphragm
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device (IMD) is configured with a pressure sensor. The IMD includes a housing and a diaphragm that is exposed to the environment outside of the housing. The diaphragm is configured to transmit a pressure from the environment outside of the housing to a piezoelectric membrane. In response, the piezoelectric membrane generates a voltage and/or a current, which is representative of a pressure change applied to the housing diaphragm. In some cases, only changes in pressure over time are used, not absolute or gauge pressures.