Temporary Pacing Lead Retention System for Patient Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temporary cardiac pacing leads are bulky and obstructive, limiting patient mobility and requiring hospital confinement, especially after procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), necessitating a more patient-friendly and efficient retention of pacing signals.

Innovation Solution

The use of miniature pacing signal generators and retention elements such as patches, adhesive patches, bands, wrists, and straps, which are configured to minimize strain between the portion of the temporary pacing signal generator and/or the proximal ends of temporary pacing signal generators, which are configured to minimize strain between the portion of the temporary pacing signal generator and/or the proximal ends of temporary pacing signal generators, which are configured to minimize strain between the portion of the temporary pacing signal generators, which are configured to minimize strain between the portion of the temporary pacing signal generators, which are configured to minimize strain between the portion of the temporary pacing signal generators, which are configured to reduce hospital stays by allowing patients to leave the hospital with a minimally obstructive pacing system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional bulky pacing signal generators are used, then effective pacing support is provided, but patient mobility is restricted and hospital confinement is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient mobilityVSAvoidpacing signal generator size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs temporary pacing leads with disposable or short-term reusable components that can be quickly deployed and removed, eliminating the need for permanent implantation and reducing the size of required equipment. The temporary nature allows for compact, portable signal generators rather than large implanted devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention elements utilize flexible adhesive patches and thin film structures that conform to the patient's body surface, providing secure attachment without bulky components. These flexible retention mechanisms allow natural patient movement while maintaining lead positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Duration of action of moving object

If temporary pacing leads are retained for extended periods, then effective cardiac support is maintained, but strain at the access site increases causing patient discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporary pacing lead retention periodVSAvoidstrain at access site
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces retention elements as intermediary components between the pacing lead and the patient's body. These retention patches distribute the mechanical load away from the vulnerable access site, allowing extended wear without increasing strain at the insertion point. The retention elements act as a buffer that absorbs movement stresses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying solely on the access site for lead retention, the patent distributes retention forces across multiple dimensions by using adhesive patches on the skin surface. This transforms the retention mechanism from a single-point anchor to a distributed surface attachment, reducing localized strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If patients remain in the hospital for extended recovery, then continuous monitoring is provided, but hospital time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous monitoringVSAvoidhospital stay duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retention elements are designed to be self-adhering and self-retaining without requiring continuous medical intervention or monitoring infrastructure. Once applied, they maintain lead positioning and allow patients to manage their own care during the recovery period, enabling discharge from the hospital while maintaining reliable pacing support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4048370B1Devices for retention of temporary pacing leads
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
  • EP4048370B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4048370B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4048370B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A temporary pacing lead device comprises: an elongate body having a distal portion and a proximal end; an electrode array at the distal portion configured to deliver a pacing signal to target tissue; a displacement member attached to a first side of the distal portion; at least one anchoring element deployable from a second opposite side; and an interface at the proximal end of the elongate body. The interface is configured to couple to a pacing signal generator and/or a control handle to actuate the displacement member and/or anchoring element. The pacing generator can be a miniature pacing signal generator and/or a standard pacemaker device, and the interface can switch between providing the pacing signal from either of the two sources. The miniature pacing signal generator can include a protective element for the control and/or actuation elements at the proximal end.