Simultaneous Recharge Circuit for Multi-Electrode Cardiac Pacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of programmable parameter settings in implantable medical devices (IMDs) complicates the optimization of multi-site pacing therapy, leading to challenges in sensing cardiac activity and recharge energy management, which can result in misidentification of paced cardiac depolarizations as intrinsic activity and signal artifacts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a stimulus circuit, recharge circuit, and switch circuit that enables simultaneous charge balancing of multiple electrode combinations, allowing for improved multi-site pacing therapy by reducing the time required for charge balancing and minimizing artifacts in sensing windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential charge balancing is used for multiple electrode combinations, then each electrode can be recharged individually, but the total recharge time increases and sensing time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charge balancing operations of multiple electrode combinations into a single simultaneous operation. The control circuit is configured to enable simultaneous delivery of pacing recharge energy to second electrodes of multiple electrode combinations, eliminating the sequential waiting period and maximizing sensing time availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary charge balancing by delivering recharge energy during the pacing delivery phase itself. The recharge capacitors are charged during pacing delivery and then simultaneously discharge to multiple second electrodes, preparing the system in advance and eliminating dedicated recharge time.
2Reliability
If sensing windows are enabled during recharge operations, then continuous cardiac activity detection is maintained, but recharge energy causes signal artifacts that can be misidentified as intrinsic cardiac activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the recharge period by configuring sensing time windows to be disabled during simultaneous charge balancing operations. This separation prevents recharge energy artifacts from contaminating the sensing signal, while maintaining continuous sensing capability during pacing delivery and inter-pacing intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sensing enabled/disabled cycles that synchronize with the pacing and charge balancing rhythm. Sensing windows are enabled during pacing delivery and inter-pacing intervals, and disabled during simultaneous recharge operations, creating a periodic pattern that eliminates artifacts while maintaining detection continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex programmable parameter settings are implemented for multi-site pacing, then therapy optimization capability is improved, but device programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit automatically manages the complex coordination of multi-site pacing and simultaneous charge balancing operations without requiring manual programming of timing parameters. The system self-adjusts the recharge timing and sensing window configuration based on the selected electrode combinations, eliminating the need for caregivers to program complex interactive limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit provides universal management of multiple electrode combinations with a single unified control mechanism. The same control circuit that manages pacing delivery also automatically configures simultaneous charge balancing and sensing window timing for any selected electrode combination, providing adaptability without proportionate increases in programming complexity.
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 approach increases the time available for sensing cardiac activity while avoiding misinterpretation of recharge energy as intrinsic cardiac activity, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of multi-site pacing therapy without adding complexity to device operating parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The recharge circuit includes one or more recharge capacitors electrically coupled to the second electrode of the electrode combinations
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a stimulus circuit, a recharge circuit, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The stimulus circuit provides electrical cardiac pacing stimulation to multiple combinations of a plurality of electrodes, and the electrical stimulation is selectively applied at the first electrode of the electrode combinations. The recharge circuit includes a recharge capacitor electrically coupled to the second electrode of the electrode combinations, and the switch circuit selectively enables electrode combinations for electrical coupling to the stimulus circuit and the recharge circuit. The control circuit includes a pacing activation sub-circuit that selectively initiates delivery of the electrical stimulation using multiple electrode combinations, and enables simultaneous delivery of pacing recharge energy from the recharge capacitor to the second electrode of multiple electrode combinations.