Segmented Receiver and Electrode for Wireless Cardiac Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wired cardiac pacemaker and defibrillator systems face inefficiencies due to the distance between the subcutaneously implanted controller-transmitter and receiver-stimulator devices, affecting energy transfer and battery life, and require optimal placement for both stimulation and energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A wireless cardiac stimulation system where the receiver and stimulating electrode are separately implantable at different heart locations connected by a local lead, minimizing the distance for efficient energy transfer and allowing optimal placement for both energy reception and stimulus delivery, thereby extending battery life and reducing the risk of dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the receiver and stimulating electrode are integrated in a single device, then the surgical implantation is simplified, but the energy transfer efficiency decreases due to the required distance for optimal stimulation location
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver-stimulator device is divided into two separate components: a receiver device and a stimulating electrode. The receiver device is implanted subcutaneously in the pectoral region for optimal wireless energy reception, while the stimulating electrode is implanted at the posterolateral left ventricular wall for optimal cardiac stimulation. These two components are connected by a lead, allowing each to be positioned at its optimal location independently, thereby resolving the contradiction between surgical simplicity and energy transfer efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the distance between the controller-transmitter and receiver-stimulator is reduced, then the energy transfer efficiency improves, but the optimal stimulation location and battery life are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the receiver-stimulator into separate receiver and electrode components connected by a lead, the system allows the receiver to be positioned close to the controller-transmitter for efficient wireless energy reception, while the stimulating electrode reaches the optimal cardiac stimulation site. This segmentation enables simultaneous optimization of both energy transfer efficiency and battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
A lead serves as an intermediary connection between the receiver device and the stimulating electrode. This lead allows electrical energy to be transmitted from the receiver (positioned for optimal wireless reception) to the stimulating electrode (positioned for optimal cardiac stimulation), enabling the system to achieve both efficient energy transfer and effective cardiac stimulation with extended battery life.
3Device complexity
If a single lead connects the controller-transmitter to the heart, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection and safety against dislodgment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single lead system is segmented into two separate leads: one connecting the controller-transmitter to the receiver device, and another connecting the receiver device to the stimulating electrode. This segmentation creates redundant connections that improve system reliability, as dislodgment of one component does not necessarily compromise the entire system, while the overall complexity remains manageable.
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
This configuration enhances energy transfer efficiency, prolongs battery life, and reduces the risk of embolization by allowing the receiver and stimulating electrode to be placed optimally, with the local lead serving as a safety tether.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasonic transducers and circuitry in the R-S convert the transmitted ultrasonic energy into electrical energy capable of stimulating the cardiac tissue
Implementation Method 2
This system employs ultrasonic energy transfer from a subcutaneously implantable controller-transmitter device (C-T)
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless cardiac stimulation device is disclosed comprising a controller-transmitter, a receiver, and a stimulating electrode, wherein the stimulating electrode and the receiver are separately implantable at cardiac tissue locations of the heart and are connected by a local lead. Having separately implantable receiver and stimulating electrodes improves the efficiency of ultrasound mediated wireless stimulation by allowing the receiver to be placed optimally for reception efficiency, thereby resulting in longer battery life, and by allowing the stimulating electrode to be placed optimally for stimulus delivery. Another advantage is a reduced risk of embolization, since the receiver and stimulating electrode ensemble is attached at two locations of the heart wall, with the connecting local leads serving as a safety tether should either the receiver or the stimulating electrode become dislodged.