Remote MRI Programming for Implantable Cardiac Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for programming cardiac rhythm management devices during MRI procedures are inefficient and require highly trained professionals, leading to challenges in quickly modifying device settings and ensuring patient safety.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for remotely programming cardiac rhythm management devices with MRI settings using an external storage medium, allowing healthcare professionals to set and store MRI prescriptions that can be retrieved by less trained technicians at the MRI clinic, using a programmer device with a simplified user interface and inductive communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MRI settings are programmed during the MRI procedure, then device settings can be modified, but the process is time-consuming and requires highly trained professionals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidprogramming time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows MRI settings to be programmed in advance before the MRI procedure. A healthcare professional can create and store a complete MRI prescription package containing all necessary device settings, which is then automatically retrieved and applied during the MRI procedure, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site programming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a server and storage database that stores pre-programmed MRI prescription packages. This intermediary allows the settings to be prepared in advance by a professional, stored centrally, and automatically retrieved during the procedure, separating the programming task from the procedure execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If complex programming interfaces are used, then precise device control is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming simplicityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of the complete MRI prescription package (including all device settings, parameters, and instructions) and stores it in a centralized database. This allows the complex programming to be done once in advance, and the simplified retrieval and application process to occur during the procedure without requiring complex interfaces at the point of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex programming task from the MRI procedure execution. The detailed device settings, parameters, and programming instructions are separated into a pre-prepared prescription package that can be stored and retrieved independently, allowing the MRI procedure to proceed with simple automatic application of settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables efficient and simplified programming of cardiac rhythm management devices by allowing healthcare professionals to set and store MRI settings remotely, ensuring patient safety and reducing the need for highly trained professionals.

Implementation Method 1

using a programmer device with a simplified user interface and inductive communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4049713B1System and method for the remote programming of MRI settings of an implantable medical device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC
  • EP4049713B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4049713B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4049713B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A system and method are described herein including an implantable medical device (IMD) (110) configured to be programmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) settings for use during an MRI scan, wherein the IMD stores identity data that uniquely identifies the IMD or a patient (112) having the IMD. The system includes an external storage media (132) configured to receive MRI settings associated with the IMD and configured to store the MRI settings associated with the IMD. The system also includes a programmer (140) configured to retrieve identity data from IMD, retrieve MRI settings associated with the IMD from the external storage media and program the IMD using the MRI settings.