Segmented Implantable Cardiac Device for Coronary Sinus Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac arrhythmia treatment devices face challenges in effectively delivering electrical stimulation therapy to the right atrium and left ventricle of the heart, particularly in terms of precise placement and stability within the coronary sinus and atrium, which can impact the efficacy of therapies such as bradycardia, cardiac resynchronization, and anti-tachycardia pacing.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical device with a housing having a proximal and distal end, featuring a set of electrodes connected to the housing and a controller for sensing cardiac signals and delivering electrical stimulation, is designed to be partially disposed within the coronary sinus and right atrium, utilizing fixation elements and flexible connectors for secure placement, and includes a docking hub for maneuvering and positioning within the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device is placed within the coronary sinus and right atrium, then the delivery of electrical stimulation therapy to the left ventricle and right atrium is improved, but the placement stability and positioning precision are worsened due to the complex anatomical structure and movement of heart chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The device housing is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion configured to be disposed within the coronary sinus and a second portion configured to be disposed within the right atrium. These portions are connected by a flexible connector section, allowing each portion to be independently positioned in its target location while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation enables precise placement in complex anatomical structures by treating different placement challenges separately.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible connector section connects the first housing portion (for coronary sinus placement) to the second housing portion (for right atrium placement). This flexible connector allows the device to accommodate heart chamber movements and anatomical variations while maintaining stable electrical contact, resolving the contradiction between placement precision and therapeutic reliability in dynamic cardiac environments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixation elements are used to secure the device, then the placement stability is improved, but the stress on heart tissue and potential for tissue damage are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Fixation elements are distributed across different portions of the device housing rather than concentrated in one location. The first housing portion has fixation elements for coronary sinus anchoring, while the second housing portion has separate fixation elements for right atrium anchoring. This distribution of fixation load reduces stress concentration on any single tissue site while maintaining overall device stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector section between the two housing portions acts as a mechanical buffer that absorbs and distributes fixation forces. When fixation elements anchor the device in both the coronary sinus and right atrium, the flexible connector allows independent movement of each portion, preventing rigid force transmission that would concentrate stress on heart tissue.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is designed to fit within both coronary sinus and right atrium, then the versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple discrete sections and connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first portion for coronary sinus placement and a second portion for right atrium placement, connected by a flexible connector. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to two different anatomical locations with potentially different size and shape requirements, while the modular structure manages complexity by treating each portion as a separate functional unit with dedicated fixation and sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device housing is designed with universal adaptability to function in two distinct cardiac locations: the coronary sinus and the right atrium. Each housing portion contains electrodes and sensing elements configured for its specific location, allowing the single device to provide comprehensive cardiac monitoring and therapy delivery across multiple chambers without requiring separate devices for each location.
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 enables precise and stable delivery of electrical stimulation therapy to the heart's chambers, improving treatment outcomes for cardiac arrhythmias by ensuring effective placement and minimizing stress on the heart tissue, thus enhancing the efficacy of therapies like bradycardia, cardiac resynchronization, and anti-tachycardia pacing.
Implementation Method 1
deliver electrical stimulation pulses via the first set of one or more electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device (IMD) may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a set of one or more electrodes connected to but spaced apart from the housing. The IMD may further include a controller disposed within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to sense cardiac electrical signals, and deliver electrical stimulation pulses via the first set of one or more electrodes. In some embodiments, a first portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a coronary sinus of a patient's heart and a second portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a right atrium of the patient's heart.