Implantable Device Posture-Induced Ejection Time Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing patient conditions using posture-induced changes in heart-related physiological parameters are limited in accurately detecting fluid overload and heart failure, as they fail to effectively analyze changes in ejection time and heart rate postural changes, particularly in patients with conditions like hypervolemia and heart failure.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device with sensing and control modules that monitor and analyze posture-induced changes in left and right ventricular ejection time, heart rate, and other parameters, comparing these changes to baseline values and previous trends to assess patient conditions and potentially deliver cardiac therapy or alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current methods are used to assess patient conditions, then general monitoring is provided, but accurate detection of fluid overload and heart failure is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of fluid overload and heart failureVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis method
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the assessment into distinct components: posture detection, ejection time measurement, heart rate monitoring, and trend analysis. By dividing the complex assessment into manageable segments, the system achieves accurate detection of fluid overload and heart failure while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing baseline values for ejection time and heart rate during normal conditions. These baselines are stored and used for future comparisons, enabling accurate detection of pathological changes without requiring complex real-time analysis algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If posture-induced changes in ejection time and heart rate are analyzed, then accurate assessment of patient conditions is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of patient condition assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of monitoring and analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring ejection time and heart rate changes in response to posture changes, comparing these changes against baseline values, and using the results to assess patient condition. This feedback mechanism improves reliability while keeping device complexity manageable through automated comparison algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-service by automatically detecting posture changes, measuring physiological parameters, comparing values to baselines, and generating assessments without requiring external intervention. This automation improves reliability while the integrated design prevents excessive complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If baseline comparison and trend analysis are performed, then timely intervention is enabled, but the loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeliness of interventionVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing baseline values and storing them for rapid comparison. When new measurements are taken, the system immediately compares them against pre-stored baselines without requiring complex real-time computation, thus enabling timely intervention while minimizing data processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual analysis systems with electronic data processing and automated comparison algorithms. This substitution reduces the time required for data processing while maintaining or improving the reliability of assessments, enabling timely clinical intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device provides accurate assessments of patient conditions by analyzing posture-induced changes in ejection time and heart rate, enabling timely intervention and therapy adjustments, thereby improving the management of fluid overload and heart failure.

Implementation Method 1

a patient changing posture from a lying position to a more upright position may affect the patient's venous return due to gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2632325B1Posture-induced changes to physiological parameters
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP2632325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2632325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2632325B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and devices for analyzing posture-induced changes to physiological parameters of a patient (e.g., ejection time, heart rate, etc.) to provide an assessment of one or more conditions of the patient.