Wearable Sensor Data Controls Implantable Pacemaker Pacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pacemakers lack the ability to dynamically adjust their operation based on external physiological and environmental factors, potentially leading to suboptimal heart pacing rates and inefficient battery usage, and require manual servicing which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where data from wearable device sensors is used to control implantable cardiac devices, such as pacemakers, to adjust pacing rates and operations based on physiological and environmental conditions, including activity levels, altitude, magnetic fields, and genetic markers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pacemakers use fixed pacing rates, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different physiological conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to physiological conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the pacemaker functionality into two parts: a simple implantable pulse generator that delivers pacing signals, and an external wearable device that monitors physiological parameters and communicates pacing rate adjustments to the implantable device. This segmentation allows the implantable device to remain simple while achieving high adaptability through the external device's sensor data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable external device acts as an intermediary between the physiological environment and the implantable pacemaker. It collects physiological data (heart rate, activity level, temperature), processes this information, and transmits appropriate pacing rate commands to the implantable device, thereby enabling adaptability without increasing implantable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pacemakers continuously monitor physiological parameters, then adaptability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive pacing capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the continuous physiological monitoring function from the implantable pacemaker and places it in the external wearable device. The implantable device only performs intermittent pacing and receives rate adjustments from the external device, significantly reducing its energy consumption while maintaining adaptive pacing capability through the external device's continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic communication between the external wearable device and the implantable pacemaker. The external device monitors physiological parameters continuously but communicates pacing rate adjustments periodically based on detected changes, allowing the implantable device to conserve energy by not continuously processing sensor data while still responding to physiological changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If pacemakers are serviced manually in clinics, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient productivityVSAvoidtime lost to clinic visits

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable external device enables self-service monitoring and management of the pacemaker system. It continuously tracks physiological parameters, automatically determines appropriate pacing rates, and communicates with the implantable device without requiring clinic visits. This allows patients to maintain optimal pacing independently, significantly reducing time lost to manual servicing while maintaining system reliability through continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If pacemakers adjust pacing rates dynamically, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic pacing adjustmentVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into an external wearable device that performs complex physiological monitoring and pacing rate determination, and an implantable device that simply delivers pacing signals at the commanded rate. This segmentation enables dynamic pacing adjustment without increasing the complexity of the implantable device, as the complex control logic resides in the external device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10226632B2Methods and systems for controlling implantable medical devices using wearable technology

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments for controlling an implantable cardiac device by one or more processors are described. Data from at least one wearable device sensor is received. The implantable cardiac device is controlled based on the data.