Pulmonary Artery Electrode Selection for Cardiac Contractility Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for acute heart failure, such as inotropic agents, increase heart contractility but cause significant side effects like cardiac arrhythmias and increased oxygen consumption, necessitating a need for selective and localized treatment methods that minimize systemic effects.

Innovation Solution

The use of catheters with electrode arrays positioned in the pulmonary arteries to deliver electrical neuromodulation to the autonomic nervous system, allowing for targeted modulation of heart contractility and relaxation without significant increases in heart rate or oxygen consumption, using sensors to adjust electrical parameters based on heart activity properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If inotropic agents are used to increase heart contractility, then myocardial contractility is improved, but oxygen consumption and risk of cardiac arrhythmias increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart contractilityVSAvoidoxygen consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the treatment approach by using separate electrode arrays positioned at different anatomical locations (right ventricle apex, right ventricular outflow tract, and pulmonary artery) to independently modulate different aspects of cardiac function. This allows selective enhancement of contractility through targeted neuromodulation of specific nerve fibers without the systemic effects of pharmacological inotropics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical neuromodulation as an intermediary mechanism between the treatment device and the desired physiological effect. By applying electrical fields to modulate autonomic nerve fibers (sympathetic and parasympathetic), the system achieves inotropic effects without directly administering inotropic agents, thereby avoiding their harmful metabolic side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If inotropic agents are used to improve hemodynamics, then cardiac function is enhanced, but mortality risk increases due to cardiac arrhythmias

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemodynamic controlVSAvoidcardiac arrhythmias

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning electrode arrays at specific anatomical locations to deliver localized electrical fields that modulate nerve activity only in targeted regions. The right ventricular electrode array modulates right ventricular contractility locally, while the pulmonary artery electrode array selectively influences autonomic nerve fibers, achieving localized therapeutic effects without systemic arrhythmogenic risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the stimulation system adjusts electrical pulse parameters (amplitude, duration, frequency) based on sensed cardiac electrical activity and hemodynamic responses. This closed-loop control ensures optimal therapeutic effect while automatically preventing excessive stimulation that could trigger arrhythmias, thereby improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Strength

If traditional inotropic treatments are applied systemically, then heart contractility increases, but unwanted systemic effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheart contractilityVSAvoidsystemic side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cardiac neuromodulation into segmented zones using multiple electrode arrays positioned at distinct anatomical locations. Each array targets specific nerve fiber distributions and myocardial regions, enabling independent control of contractility enhancement in different cardiac segments without systemic pharmacological distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of inotropic agents with an electrical field-based neuromodulation system. By using electrical fields to modulate autonomic nerve activity and myocardial contractility, the system achieves the desired mechanical effect (increased contractility) without introducing chemical substances that cause systemic side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12569686B2Chronically implantable systems and methods for affecting cardiac contractility and/or relaxation

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 CARDIONOMIX INC

AI summary

A method of selecting a combination of electrodes for use in neurostimulation includes testing combinations of electrodes in an electrode array to identify an atrial capture. The atrial capture is indicated by at least one effect on an atrium. The method includes excluding electrodes with the atrial capture to result in remaining electrodes of the electrode array, testing combinations of the remaining electrodes of the electrode array for effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation, and selecting a combination of electrodes from the remaining electrodes. The selected combination has both a desired effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation and does not have an undesired side effect.