Subcutaneous mechano-electrocardiogram (MECG) sensor for complementary cardiac diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Implantable Medical Devices

Background:

• Simultaneous monitoring of cardiac electrical and mechanical activity is crucial for diagnosing heart disorders.
• Current methods, like electrocardiogram (ECG) and medical imaging, monitor these characteristics separately.
• A need exists for integrated devices for comprehensive cardiac assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fully implantable mechano-electrocardiogram (MECG) sensor capable of measuring both mechanocardiogram (MCG) and ECG signals concurrently.
• To evaluate the sensor's ability to provide continuous and comprehensive monitoring of cardiac electrical and mechanical functions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of permeable electrodes on a low-modulus porous nanofiber mat for tissue adhesion.
• Utilizing a strain-insensitive electrode for ECG and a strain-sensitive electrode for MCG.
• Subcutaneous implantation of the MECG device in rats and administration of phenylephrine to assess signal responses.

Main Results:

• The MECG sensor successfully acquired simultaneous MCG and ECG signals.
• MCG amplitude correlated with blood pressure changes after phenylephrine injection.
• ECG peak interval showed a stronger relationship with heart rate variations.

Conclusions:

• The developed MECG sensor is clinically meaningful for integrated cardiac monitoring.
• This technology enables continuous and comprehensive assessment of both electrical and mechanical heart characteristics.
• The device holds potential for improved diagnosis and management of cardiac disorders.