Cardiac Pacing Mode Transition Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cardiac pacing therapies can worsen cardiac arrhythmia and other disorders due to inappropriate timing and intensity of pacing, especially during mode changes or intermittent delivery, necessitating safe control of pacing parameters.

Innovation Solution

A cardiac pacing system introduces a transitional period during mode changes, incrementally adjusting pacing parameters from one value to another to prevent abrupt changes, using a pacing control circuit with a memory, transition timer, and transitional parameter adjuster to manage the delivery of pacing pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pacing mode changes are implemented to treat multiple cardiac disorders, then therapeutic versatility is improved, but cardiac arrhythmia risk increases due to abrupt parameter changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacing therapy versatilityVSAvoidcardiac arrhythmia risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by initiating a transitional period before the actual pacing mode change occurs. During this transitional period, pacing parameters are gradually adjusted rather than changed abruptly. The transition timer initiates this period and the transitional parameter adjuster gradually modifies parameters, preparing the cardiac system for the upcoming mode change and reducing arrhythmia risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making pacing parameters adjustable and time-dependent during the transitional period. The transitional parameter adjuster dynamically modifies pacing parameters (such as pulse amplitude, width, or timing) based on the elapsed transitional time, allowing the system to adapt smoothly from one pacing mode to another rather than maintaining fixed parameter values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If pacing parameters are adjusted incrementally during transition, then cardiac safety is improved, but transition time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac safetyVSAvoidtransition period duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that pacing therapy continues throughout the transitional period rather than being interrupted. The transitional parameter adjuster continuously modifies parameters during the transition, and the pacing output circuit maintains pulse delivery, ensuring uninterrupted therapeutic action while safely adapting parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies parameter changes by systematically varying pacing parameters (amplitude, width, timing intervals) during the transitional period. The transitional parameter adjuster modifies these parameters in controlled increments based on the transitional time, allowing the heart to adapt to new pacing conditions while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness throughout the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8983600B2Method and apparatus for safety control during cardiac pacing mode transition

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

A cardiac pacing system introduces a transitional period when pacing mode changes, such as when pacing starts and stops, or when one or more pacing parameter values change substantially. For each pacing parameter that changes substantially when the pacing mode changes, its value is adjusted incrementally over the transitional period to protect the heart from potentially harmful conditions associated with an abrupt change in the value of that pacing parameter.