Wireless Cardiac Electrostimulation Node for Left Ventricular Pacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac rhythm management devices face challenges in effectively pacing the left ventricle due to risks of thrombo-embolism, mechanical dislodgement, and limited efficiency at venous sites, making it difficult to achieve multiple stimulation sites within the left heart chamber without compromising blood supply.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electrostimulation system that uses an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node with an expandable inductive loop antenna, capable of capturing magnetic energy and delivering tissue stimulation without a battery, allowing for pacing at multiple cardiac sites within the heart chamber, including the left ventricle, while minimizing the risk of dislodgement and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a lead system is implanted endocardially in the left ventricle or left atrium, then pacing efficiency is improved, but the risk of mechanical dislodgement and thrombo-embolism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transvenous approach as an intermediary method to achieve left ventricular pacing without direct endocardial lead implantation. By placing the electrode tip in the left ventricle through the venous system (apical vein or coronary sinus), the patent mediates between the need for efficient pacing and the risks of direct endocardial placement, thereby reducing mechanical dislodgement and thrombo-embolism risks while maintaining pacing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lead implantation system with a wireless transvenous electrode assembly. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical lead fixation in the endocardium, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical dislodgement while maintaining the ability to deliver effective pacing stimuli to the left ventricle
2Reliability
If a venous site is used for left-ventricular pacing, then the risk of thrombo-embolism is reduced, but the efficiency of pacing decreases and blood supply to myocardium may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pacing system into multiple independent transvenous electrode assemblies that can be placed at different venous sites (apical vein, coronary sinus, epicardial veins). This segmentation allows selective placement at optimal sites that balance thrombo-embolism risk reduction with adequate pacing efficiency, avoiding the need to use any single venous site that might compromise blood supply
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple leads are used to achieve multiple stimulation sites in the left heart, then pacing coverage is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of lead removal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple independent transvenous electrode assemblies that can be separately inserted and positioned at different venous sites. Each assembly functions as an independent unit, allowing flexible configuration of multiple stimulation sites without the complexity of managing multiple interconnected endocardial leads. The transvenous approach simplifies removal and repositioning compared to endocardial leads
Solution Approach 2:
The transvenous electrode assembly design provides multi-functionality by enabling placement at multiple different venous sites (apical vein, coronary sinus, epicardial veins) with a single device type. This universal approach allows one device design to achieve various pacing configurations and coverage requirements, reducing the need for different lead types and simplifying management
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional inductive antennas with ferrite-core materials are used, then wireless energy transmission is achieved, but compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the inductive antenna core from ferrite-based (high magnetic permeability) to air-core or non-magnetic material (low magnetic permeability, close to 1.0). This parameter change maintains the inductive coupling capability for wireless energy transmission while eliminating the magnetic interference and heating issues that compromise MRI compatibility, allowing the device to be used with MRI equipment
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 efficient pacing at multiple cardiac sites within the left heart chamber, reducing the risk of thrombo-embolism and mechanical dislodgement, and extending the operating time between recharge operations by utilizing a resonant coupling mechanism and air-core loop inductive antenna structures.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable inductive loop antenna, capable of capturing magnetic energy
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a resonant coupling mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit.