Selective Sensing Leads for Virtual Electrode Pinning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical leads and electrodes for sensing and pulsing, particularly in defibrillation, often result in side effects due to high defibrillation energy and inability to effectively reject unwanted signals, leading to inefficiencies and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of implantable medical leads with electrodes composed of materials that differentiate between sensing and pulsing capabilities, utilizing a first material for sensing and a second material for pulsing, which can create virtual electrodes to reduce defibrillation energy and improve signal rejection, thereby enhancing the precision of sensing and pulsing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electrodes are used for both sensing and pulsing, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and signal rejection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into distinct functional regions: a sensing region with first material (e.g., platinum, iridium) optimized for electrical sensing, and a pulsing region with second material (e.g., tantalum, tungsten) optimized for electrical pulsing. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, improving signal rejection capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials with specific local properties are applied to different portions of the electrode. The sensing portion uses materials with properties optimized for detecting electrical signals, while the pulsing portion uses materials optimized for delivering electrical pulses. This local differentiation of material properties enables improved measurement precision without requiring complete redesign of the entire electrode system.
2Reliability
If high defibrillation energy is delivered, then defibrillation effectiveness is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode segments the defibrillation function into controlled pulsing regions using second material, which can be precisely positioned and sized. This allows the defibrillation energy to be delivered through optimized pathways, improving effectiveness while reducing the spread of energy to surrounding tissues, thereby minimizing side effects and tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode combines different materials (first material for sensing, second material for pulsing) in a composite structure. This composite design enables the pulsing region to deliver defibrillation energy with optimized electrical characteristics, achieving reliable defibrillation while the distinct material properties help control energy distribution and reduce harmful effects on surrounding tissues.
3Use of energy by moving object
If virtual electrodes are created to reduce defibrillation energy, then use of energy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode creates virtual electrodes by segmenting the physical electrode into sensing and pulsing regions with different materials. This segmentation generates complex electrical gradients in the tissue that form virtual electrodes, enabling more efficient use of defibrillation energy. The virtual electrodes are created through the spatial arrangement and material properties rather than additional physical components, managing complexity while improving energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Selective sensing implantable medical leads include pulsing and sensing portions and pulsing and not sensing portion. Leads and electrodes may be used in defibrillation and as integrated bipolar defibrillation electrodes. An entire electrode can pass charge while a valve metal or valve metal oxide portion of the electrode prevents the entire electrode from sensing, effectively rejecting unwanted signals. Differential conduction pathways, due to the valve metal and/or oxides thereof, cause the portions of the electrodes to conduct differently when used anodically and cathodically. Complex intracardiac electrical gradient can be formed along with a number of virtual electrodes within the tissue. Reentrant loops can thereby be pinned following defibrillation shock.