Pericardial Electrode Cardiac Compression for Synchronized ECG Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct cardiac compression devices face challenges in reliably acquiring electrocardiogram signals without irritating the epicardial surface and ensuring consistent synchronization with the cardiac cycle, while minimizing tissue adhesion and myocardial conduction disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates pericardial electrodes facing outward from the flexible outer layer to detect electrocardiogram signals, using a flexible outer layer with inflatable active chambers and a self-expandable wireframe for synchronized cardiac compression, minimizing contact with the epicardial surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If epicardial electrodes are used to detect electrocardiogram signals, then signal acquisition is achieved, but tissue irritation and myocardial conduction disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional electrode placement approach by moving electrodes from the epicardial surface (inward-facing) to the pericardial surface (outward-facing). This reversal allows electrocardiogram signal detection while eliminating direct contact with and irritation to the epicardial tissue, thereby resolving the contradiction between signal acquisition and tissue protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pericardial space serves as an intermediary medium between the electrode and the heart muscle. By placing electrodes on the pericardial surface, the pericardial fluid and tissue act as a mediator that transmits electrical signals while protecting the epicardial surface from direct electrode contact, thus enabling signal detection without tissue irritation.
2Productivity
If direct cardiac compression is applied to support heart function, then cardiac output is improved, but synchronization with cardiac cycle becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where outward-facing pericardial electrodes continuously detect electrocardiogram signals, and the detected R-wave triggers synchronized compression cycles. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable synchronization between mechanical compression and the cardiac cycle, resolving the contradiction between improving cardiac output and maintaining reliable timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the heart's own electrical signals, detected by the pericardial electrodes, to automatically trigger and synchronize compression cycles. The system is self-regulating, using the intrinsic cardiac electrical activity as the timing reference, thereby ensuring reliable synchronization without external intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inflatable chambers are used for cardiac compression, then device flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is divided into multiple independent inflatable chambers that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different heart sizes and shapes while using simpler, modular inflation mechanisms for each chamber, thereby achieving flexibility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances reliable electrocardiogram signal acquisition, ensures consistent synchronization with the cardiac cycle, reduces tissue adhesion and myocardial conduction disruptions, and minimizes complications associated with blood-contacting devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first pericardial electrode facing outward therefrom, the first pericardial electrode is configured to detect an electrocardiogram of the living heart
Implementation Method 2
at least one inflatable active chamber inside the flexible outer layer and facing the living heart, a port operably connected with the at least one inflatable active chamber and configured to facilitate inflation and deflation of the at least one inflatable active chamber by an actuator to cause periodic direct compression of the living heart
Data Source
AI summary
A direct cardiac compression device includes a flexible outer layer configured to fit about at least a portion of a living heart and contains at least a first pericardial electrode facing outward therefrom. The pericardial electrode is configured to detect an electrocardiogram of the living heart. The device further includes at least one inflatable active chamber inside the flexible outer layer facing the living heart, and a port operably connected with the at least one inflatable active chamber and configured to facilitate inflation and deflation of the at least one active chamber by an actuator to cause periodic direct compression of the living heart. The actuator may be controlled to inflate and deflate the at least one active chamber using the electrocardiogram signal collected from the first pericardial electrode.