Single Electrode for Combined Cardiac Resynchronization and Contractility Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac contractility modulation require multiple electrodes and a large connector block, complicating implantation and increasing space requirements.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device with a single electrode featuring a distal bipole configured for left bundle branch area pacing and cardiac contractility modulation, allowing for efficient pacing of the left ventricle and enhanced cardiac output without the need for multiple electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrodes are used for cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac contractility modulation, then the therapeutic functionality is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple electrode functionalities into a single integrated electrode. The electrode includes a distal bipole for left bundle branch area pacing and cardiac contractility modulation, and a proximal bipole for sensing, eliminating the need for separate electrodes and reducing connector block complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single electrode is designed to perform multiple functions: the distal bipole delivers both pacing stimuli and cardiac contractility modulation energy, while the proximal bipole provides sensing capabilities. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the implantable device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple electrodes are used for cardiac resynchronization therapy, then the pacing coverage is improved, but the implantation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacing coverageVSAvoidimplantation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electrode functions into a single electrode with distal and proximal bipoles, reducing the number of separate implantation sites needed while maintaining comprehensive pacing coverage through the integrated electrode design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large connector block is used to accommodate multiple electrodes, then the electrode connectivity is improved, but the device size and implantation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode connectivityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple electrode connectors into a single integrated electrode connector, eliminating the need for a large connector block and reducing the overall device size while maintaining all necessary connectivity functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the large connector block component by integrating all electrode connections into a single electrode, removing the unnecessary complexity and space requirements of multiple separate connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4559507A1Implantable medical device for a combined cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac contractility modulation therapy

Publication Date: 2025.05.28 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to an implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart. The implantable medical device comprises at least one electrode (20, 21) that comprises a distal bipole (203) and is designed and arranged to be implanted within the septum (13) of the heart (1) to be stimulated. During operation, the implantable medical device performs the following step: a) delivering a left bundle branch area pacing stimulation and a cardiac contractility modulation stimulation to the heart (1) to be stimulated, wherein the cardiac contractility modulation stimulation is delivered temporally offset to the left bundle branch area pacing stimulation.