Two-Phase Implantable Pulse Generator for Antitachycardia Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable medical devices for antitachycardia therapies face challenges such as high energy consumption, organ damage due to high voltages, limited efficacy due to fixed electrode placement, and restricted voltage levels, which hinder effective and energy-efficient treatment.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device with a two-phase stimulation approach, where a first stimulation phase uses lower energy and amplitude, and a second phase initiates with higher energy if the first phase is unsuccessful, allowing for energy-saving and organ-protective therapy by charging the energy storage element before and after the first stimulation and terminating the first phase based on predefined criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high energy shocks are used for antitachycardia therapy, then therapy efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy efficacyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The therapy is divided into two distinct phases: a first stimulation phase using lower energy from the energy storage element, and a second stimulation phase using higher energy if the first phase is unsuccessful. This segmentation allows the device to use minimal energy for potentially effective therapy while reserving high energy options for when truly needed, thus resolving the contradiction between therapy efficacy and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If high voltage stimulation is applied, then therapy efficacy is improved, but organ damage risk increases due to electroporation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy efficacyVSAvoidorgan damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary low-energy stimulation in the first phase to attempt therapy before committing to high-voltage stimulation. This preliminary action allows the system to test whether lower, safer voltages are sufficient, thereby reducing the risk of organ damage from electroporation while still maintaining the option for high-voltage therapy if initially required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stimulation parameters (voltage amplitude, energy level) are dynamically changed between two phases. The first phase uses reduced voltage parameters to minimize tissue damage risk, while the second phase transitions to higher voltage parameters only if the first phase fails, thus adapting the parameter set to balance efficacy and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If ATP (antitachycardia pacing) is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the field of activity is very local and location cannot be changed due to electrode fixation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidfield of activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the advantages of both ATP and high-energy shock therapy into a unified two-phase system. The first phase uses ATP-like low-energy stimulation to conserve battery power, while the second phase incorporates high-energy capability to expand the field of activity and change therapeutic effect, thus combining energy efficiency with therapeutic versatility in a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables energy-efficient and effective antitachycardia therapy with reduced organ risk, as the second phase can deliver higher energy if needed, improving treatment efficacy and extending device lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

energy from an energy storage element (125)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

the energy storage element (125) is charged at least prior to the generation of the at least one first stimulation (240) and after the generation of the at least one first stimulation (240)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20220047878A1Implantable pulse generator for two-stage therapy

Publication Date: 2022.02.17 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

AI summary

An implantable medical device for generating electrical stimulations, wherein the medical device is embodied to generate and emit, during a first stimulation phase, at least one first stimulation that has a first amplitude by means of energy from an energy storage element, and wherein the medical device is embodied, during a second stimulation phase following the first stimulation phase, to generate and emit at least one second stimulation that has a second amplitude by means of energy from the energy storage element, wherein the energy storage element is charged at least prior to the generation of the at least one first stimulation and after the generation of the at least one first stimulation, and wherein the medical device is embodied not to completely discharge the energy storage element by generating the at least one first stimulation. The invention furthermore relates to a method for controlling such a device.