Temperature Sensor for Coronary Sinus Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The difficulty in implanting leads within the left side of the heart, particularly in locating and inserting the lead or guiding mechanism into the coronary sinus, due to its small size, anatomical challenges, and lack of clear guidance during procedures, leading to variability in implantation time and potential failure in locating the sinus.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing sensors, such as temperature, pressure, or optical sensors, coupled with a lead or guidance device to navigate and confirm the correct placement within the coronary sinus, providing real-time data for precise guidance and confirmation through a navigation control display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fluoroscopy is used to guide lead implantation, then anatomical features can be visualized, but soft tissue guidance is lacking and coronary sinus location is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead implantation guidanceVSAvoidsoft tissue visualization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary tool between the practitioner and the coronary sinus. The sensor detects temperature variations in the blood flow to provide indirect information about coronary sinus location, compensating for fluoroscopy's inability to visualize soft tissue structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time temperature feedback from the sensor allows the practitioner to adjust the lead position based on detected temperature patterns. The feedback loop provides continuous information about proximity to the coronary sinus, enabling precise navigation without relying solely on fluoroscopic imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the lead is manually manipulated to locate the coronary sinus, then implantation can be performed, but implantation time varies significantly and success rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoronary sinus location successVSAvoidimplantation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on proximity to the coronary sinus through detectable temperature variations in blood flow. This feedback mechanism significantly reduces the time required to locate the coronary sinus and increases the success rate by providing objective guidance rather than relying on manual manipulation alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical manual manipulation approach is supplemented with a thermal sensing system. Instead of relying solely on physical feel and fluoroscopic guidance, the system uses temperature detection to identify the coronary sinus, replacing the need for extensive manual searching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the coronary sinus is small and occluded, then lead insertion becomes difficult, but alternative approaches increase procedure complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead insertion easeVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor acts as an intermediary that can detect the coronary sinus through occlusions and anatomical variations. The thermal detection capability penetrates through the occluded or difficult-to-reach sinus, providing guidance without requiring complex alternative guidance systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical manipulation required for occluded coronary sinus is replaced with thermal field detection. The temperature sensor can detect blood flow temperature patterns even when the sinus is occluded or difficult to access mechanically, simplifying the insertion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables accurate and efficient navigation and confirmation of lead placement within the coronary sinus, reducing implantation time and variability, and improving the success rate of left-sided lead implantations by providing clear anatomical feedback to the practitioner.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple or thermistor, and detects a temperature variance between the coronary sinus and the remainder of the right atrium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

The sensor is a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple or thermistor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermocouple effect: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

detects a temperature variance between the coronary sinus and the remainder of the right atrium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7756581B2Implantable temperature sensor

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A sensor is disposed within a pin portion of a feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly provides a hermetically sealed enclosure that protects the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor is a temperature sensor and the feedthrough assembly thermally isolates the sensor from the surrounding housing or enclosure.