Prosthetic Aortic Valve Pacing With Inductive Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
New-onset cardiac conduction disturbances, particularly left bundle branch block (LBBB), are common complications following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to the deployment of prosthetic aortic valves.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic aortic valve system with integrated electrodes and a non-wireless electrical communication system, including a prosthetic-valve coil, is designed to apply pacing signals and detect cardiac parameters without active electronic components, using inductive coupling with a non-implantable control circuitry and energy-transmission coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prosthetic aortic valve is implanted using transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), then valve replacement is achieved, but new-onset cardiac conduction disturbances particularly left bundle branch block occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a pacing system that can be activated before or immediately after valve deployment to prevent conduction disturbances. The pacing leads are positioned in advance on the valve frame, and pacing therapy can be initiated prophylactically to maintain proper cardiac conduction during the critical period following valve implantation, thereby preventing LBBB before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a pacing system as a mediator between the prosthetic valve and the cardiac conduction system. The pacing leads and generator act as intermediary components that compensate for the disruptive effect of valve implantation on cardiac conduction, providing electrical stimulation to maintain proper heart rhythm and prevent conduction disturbances.
2Reliability
If pacing leads are mechanically coupled to the valve frame, then stable electrical contact is achieved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the pacing leads directly with the valve frame structure. The leads are mechanically coupled to the frame, combining two separate components (pacing system and valve) into a unified assembly. This integration ensures stable electrical contact while reducing the number of separate implantation procedures and components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the valve frame to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the valve itself and simultaneously serves as a mounting structure for the pacing leads. The frame becomes a multi-functional component that fulfills both mechanical and electrical functions, reducing overall system complexity despite the added pacing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the prosthetic valve includes active electronic components, then pacing functionality is integrated, but the valve prosthesis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the pacing system into distinct modular components: pacing leads that couple to the valve frame, a generator that can be implanted separately, and the valve prosthesis itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by distributing complexity across separate implantable elements rather than consolidating everything into the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a separate pacing generator as a mediator component that communicates with the valve-mounted leads through wireless or wired communication. This intermediary generator handles the complex electronic control and power management functions, allowing the valve itself to remain relatively simple while still providing integrated pacing functionality.
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 system effectively applies pacing signals and adjusts parameters to mitigate cardiac conduction disturbances, ensuring proper heart function post-implantation by wirelessly transferring energy through inductive coupling, thus reducing complications like LBBB.
Implementation Method 1
by wirelessly transferring energy from the energy-transmission coil to the prosthetic-valve coil by inductive coupling
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A valve prosthesis system includes a prosthetic aortic valve (120) and a non-implantable unit. The prosthetic aortic valve (120) includes a plurality of prosthetic leaflets (32); a frame (30); a cathode (54) and an anode (57), which are mechanically coupled to the frame (30); and a prosthetic-valve coil (36), which is in non-wireless electrical communication with the cathode (54) and the anode (57). The prosthetic aortic valve (120) does not include any active electronic components. The non-implantable unit includes an energy-transmission coil; sensing skin ECG electrodes (106); and non-implantable control circuitry, which drives the cathode (54) and the anode (57) to apply a pacing signal to a heart, detect at least one cardiac parameter using the sensing skin ECG electrodes (106), and, at least partially responsively to the detected cardiac parameter, to set parameters of the pacing signal, by wirelessly transferring energy from the energy-transmission coil to the prosthetic-valve coil (36) by inductive coupling.