Determining a position for an implantable medical device

• US 10,143,847 B1
• Filed: 07/20/2017
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Edmonson, Jonathan D., Hoffman, Matthew J., Jiang, Wei, Zhao, Yanzhu, Peelukhana, Srikara V., Gan, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Tejani, Ankit D
• Application Number:
  US15/655,043
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0028 Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/70 for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

In some examples, this disclosure describes a method for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient. In some examples, the method includes storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance, receiving patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of the patient, receiving second IMD position data, performing analysis by at least one of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data, performing real-time computer simulations, or a combination of comparing and performing simulations, and outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient, the method comprising:

storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance;

receiving patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of the patient;

receiving second IMD position data indicating a position of the second IMD within the patient and an orientation of the second IMD within the patient;

performing analysis by at least one of;

comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data,

performing real-time computer simulations, or

using a combination of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data or performing the real-time computer simulations; and

outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient parameter data includes at least one of a height of the patient or a weight of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient parameter data includes a chest circumference of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient parameter data includes at least one of a gender of the patient or an age of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the second IMD position data comprises:

receiving an image of the second IMD within the patient; and

determining the position of the second IMD within the patient based on the image of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received from the second IMD by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received by the second IMD from an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the position for the first IMD to be implanted with the patient based on a type of the first IMD and a configuration of the first IMD, wherein outputting the indication is further based on determining the position for the first IMD.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the model data includes a database associating IMD locations, patient parameter data, and TCC communication performance.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the second IMD position data comprises receiving input data from a clinician, wherein the input data includes the position of the second IMD entered on a graphical representation of a human body.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of an electrocardiogram signal received by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the indication comprises:

generating a graphical representation of at least part of a body;

generating, based on the position for the first IMD, a graphical representation of a region for the first IMD; and

causing a display device to display the graphical representation of the region for the first IMD in relation to the graphical representation of the at least part of the body.

13. A method for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient, the method comprising:

receiving an image of the second IMD within the patient;

determining a position of the second IMD within the patient and an orientation of the second IMD within the patient based on the image;

storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance;

receiving patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of the patient;

performing analysis by at least one of;

comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data,

performing real-time computer simulations, or

using a combination of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data or performing the real-time computer simulations; and

outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the patient parameter data includes at least one of a height of the patient or a weight of the patient.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the patient parameter data includes a chest circumference of the patient.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the patient parameter data includes at least one of a gender of the patient or an age of the patient.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received from the second IMD by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received by the second IMD from an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining the position for the first IMD based on a type of the first IMD and a configuration of the first IMD, wherein outputting the indication is further based on determining the position for the first IMD.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the model data includes a database associating IMD locations, patient parameter data, and TCC communication performance.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a quantitative measurement of an electrocardiogram signal received by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the indication comprises:

generating a graphical representation of at least part of a body;

generating, based on the position for the first IMD, a graphical representation of a region for the first IMD; and

causing a display device to display the graphical representation of the region for the first IMD in relation to the graphical representation of the at least part of the body.

23. A medical device system for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient, the medical device system comprising:

a user interface; and

processing circuitry configured to;

store model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance;

receive patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of the patient;

receive second IMD position data indicating a position of the second IMD within the patient and an orientation of the second IMD within the patient; and

perform analysis by at least one of;

comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data,

performing real-time computer simulations, or

using a combination of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data or performing the real-time computer simulations; and

output, via the user interface, an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.

24. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the patient parameter data including at least one of a height of the patient or a weight of the patient.

25. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the patient parameter data including a chest circumference of the patient.

26. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the patient parameter data including at least one of a gender of the patient or an age of the patient.

27. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:

receive the second IMD position data including an image of the second IMD within the patient; and

determine the position of the second IMD within the patient based on the image of the patient.

28. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received from the second IMD by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

29. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received by the second IMD from an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

30. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to:

determine the position for the first IMD to be implanted with the patient based on a type of the first IMD and a configuration of the first IMD; and

output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on determining the position for the first IMD based on a type of the first IMD and a configuration of the first IMD.

31. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to store model data including a database associating IMD locations, patient parameter data, and TCC communication performance.

32. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to receive the second IMD position including input data from a clinician, wherein the input data includes the position of the second IMD entered on a graphical representation of a human body displayed on the user interface.

33. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of an electrocardiogram signal received by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

34. The medical device system of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

generate a graphical representation of at least part of a body; and

generate, based on the position for the first IMD, a graphical representation of a region for the first IMD,

wherein the processing circuitry is configured to output the indication comprises causing the user interface to display the graphical representation of the region for the first IMD in relation to the graphical representation of the at least part of the body.

35. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing at least one programmable processor of a computing device to identify a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient by at least:

storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance;

receiving patient parameter data indicating one or more anatomical or physiological parameters of a patient;

receiving second IMD position data indicating a position of a second IMD within the patient and an orientation of the second IMD within the patient;

performing analysis by at least one of;

comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data,

performing real-time computer simulations, or

using a combination of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data or performing the real-time computer simulations; and

outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the patient parameter data includes at least one of a height of the patient, a weight of the patient, a chest circumference of the patient, a gender of the patient, or an age of the patient.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the instructions cause the at least one programmable processor to receive the second IMD position data by at least:

receiving an image or of the second IMD within the patient; and

determining the position of the second IMD within the patient based on the image of the patient.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the instructions cause the at least one programmable processor to output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received from the second IMD by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein outputting the indication comprises outputting to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of a signal received by the second IMD from an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the instructions cause the at least one programmable processor to receive the second IMD position data by at least receiving input data from a clinician, wherein the input data includes the position of the second IMD entered on a graphical representation of a human body.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the instructions cause the at least one programmable processor to output to the user the indication based on the analysis and further based on a strength of an electrocardiogram signal received by an array of electrodes positioned on the patient.

42. A method for identifying a position within a patient for a first implantable medical device (IMD) to be implanted to facilitate tissue conductive communication (TCC) between the first IMD and a second IMD implanted within the patient, the method comprising:

storing model data that associates patient parameter data and second IMD position data with first IMD positions based on TCC communication performance;

receiving patient parameter data including a height of the patient, a weight of the patient, and a chest circumference of the patient;

receiving an image of the second IMD within the patient;

determining a position of the second IMD within the patient and an orientation of the second IMD within the patient based on the image;

performing analysis by at least one of;

comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data,

performing real-time computer simulations, or

using a combination of comparing the model data to the patient parameter data and the second IMD position data or performing the real-time computer simulations; and

outputting to a user an indication of the position for the first IMD to be implanted within the patient based on the analysis.