Phasic Conducted Communication Pulses for Implantable Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conducted communication schemes for implantable medical devices often stimulate body tissue undesirably, necessitating an improved method that minimizes tissue stimulation while effectively conveying information.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of phasic conducted communication pulses, which involve a series of electrical pulses with specific amplitude and duration characteristics, including biphasic, triphasic, and quadphasic configurations, to convey information without capturing the heart, thereby reducing tissue stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional conducted communication schemes are used, then communication between medical devices is achieved, but body tissue is undesirably stimulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtissue stimulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using phasic communication pulses with multiple phases (biphasic, triphasic, or quadphasic) where each phase has a specific polarity and duration. The pulses are delivered in a periodic sequence with alternating polarities, which enables reliable communication while the balanced phase structure prevents net tissue stimulation by canceling out depolarizing and repolarizing effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by precisely controlling the amplitude, duration, and polarity of each phase of the communication pulses. The controller adjusts these parameters dynamically to maintain communication effectiveness while staying below the threshold for tissue capture, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable communication and tissue safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If electrical communication pulses are delivered to convey information, then data transmission is achieved, but tissue capture or stimulation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmissionVSAvoidtissue capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication pulse into multiple distinct phases (e.g., first phase with positive polarity, second phase with negative polarity, third phase with positive polarity). Each phase carries a portion of the communication information and has controlled duration and amplitude, allowing the system to transmit data while distributing the electrical stress to avoid tissue capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The periodic delivery of multi-phase pulses with alternating polarities enables information transmission through controlled variations in pulse characteristics. The regular periodic structure ensures reliable data conveyance while the balanced phase design prevents cumulative tissue stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 phasic communication pulses effectively transmit data between medical devices while maintaining a safety margin to prevent unwanted tissue stimulation, enhancing the reliability and safety of communication within implantable medical device systems.

Implementation Method 1

conducted communication is used, which relies on electrical communication signals or pulses that 'conducted' through the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10933245B2Conducted communication in a medical device system

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

AI summary

An implantable medical device for implantation into a patient may include a housing, a pulse generation circuit disposed at least partially within the housing, a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to the pulse generation circuit, the plurality of electrodes being exposed external to the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the pulse generation circuit. The controller may be configured to command the pulse generation circuit to deliver a phasic conducted communication pulse via at least two of the plurality of electrodes. Additionally, the phasic conducted communication pulse may comprise a first phase having a first polarity followed by a second phase having an opposite second polarity, wherein the second phase may have a duration of less than 60 microseconds, and wherein the first phase having may have a duration of between five percent and eighty percent of the duration of the second phase.