Advancements in Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Device Design to Increase Patient Comfort

Abstract

ICDs have the potential to cause physical discomfort for the patient and are typically implanted on top of the pectoral muscle and under subcutaneous tissue. High skin pressures and skin strains in the implant site, or pocket, have been theorized to be an indicator of discomfort, or in extreme cases, skin erosion. A reduction in skin pressures can be assumed to be consistent with an increase in overall patient comfort for subcutaneous implants, ref [1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. Pocket size is governed by each physician’s implant technique and overall device shape.