Photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor
First Claim
1. A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus, comprising:
- a photonic catheter;
a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace a heart via said photonic catheter; and
a photonic electrocardiographic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via said photonic catheter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus for use during an MRI procedure includes a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace an MRI patient'"'"'s heart via a photonic catheter, an electrocardiagraphic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via the photonic catheter, an oxygen monitor adapted to sense cardiac blood oxygen content via the photonic catheter, and a warning system for warning of a danger condition wherein one or more of the following occurs: 1) the patient fails to receive proper pacemaker stimulation; 2) the patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac electrical activity; or 3) the patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac mechanical activity. The warning system may include a display for providing a visual indication of outputs from the pacemaker, the electrocardiagraphic monitor and the oxygen monitor. The apparatus is fully compatible with MRI diagnostic procedures. It preferably includes a wearable housing having a control panel with three flashing lights providing the display. The first light flashes when a pulse is delivered by the photonic pacemaker. A second flashing light occurs about a tenth of a second after the first flashing light when the first cardio-monitor senses R wave activity in the heart. The third light operates when the second cardio-monitor senses oxygenated blood and thus mechanical activity of the heart. Thus, there will be a sequence of three flashing lights indicating that a pacing signal is being applied to the heart and the heart is responding with an electrocardiographic R wave and with a pulsatile blood flow. This will enable an attending physician to, at a glance, see many of the vital functions of the heart so as to better monitor the patient'"'"'s response to the MRI procedure.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus, comprising:
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a photonic catheter;
a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace a heart via said photonic catheter; and
a photonic electrocardiographic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via said photonic catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus for MRI diagnostic use, comprising:
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a photonic catheter;
a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace a heart via said photonic catheter;
a photonic electrocardiographic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via said photonic catheter;
a photonic oxygen monitor adapted to sense cardiac blood oxygen content via said photonic catheter;
said photonic oxygen monitor comprising one of a Clark electrode or a pulse oximeter;
a non-implantable control housing;
a warning system for warning of a condition wherein one or more of the following occurs;
said patient fails to receive proper pacemaker stimulation;
said patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac electrical activity;
orsaid patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac mechanical activity;
said warning system including a display located on said control housing for providing a visual indication of outputs from said pacemaker, said electrocardiographic monitor and said oxygen monitor;
said display comprising a first visual indicator for providing an indication of said pacemaker generating a pulse, a second visual indicator for providing an indication of said electrocardiagraphic monitor sensing cardiac electrical activity, and a third visual indicator for providing an indication of said oxygen monitor sensing cardiac blood oxygen content;
said photonic catheter comprising optical conductors respectively associated with said pacemaker, said electrocardiagraphic monitor and said oxygen monitor;
a hermetic housing at a distal end of said photonic catheter;
said hermetic housing containing an opto-electrical converter associated with said pacemaker, an EKG amplifier and electro-optical converter associated with said electrocardiagraphic monitor, and an amplifier and electro-optical converter associated with said oxygen monitor; and
pacemaker feedback circuitry for adjusting said photonic pacemaker according to an output of said electrocardiographic monitor.
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12. A method for pacing and monitoring a patient undergoing an MRI procedure, comprising the steps of:
positioning a patient for an MRI procedure after said patient has been implanted with a photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus, comprising;
a photonic catheter;
a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace a heart via said photonic catheter;
a photonic electrocardiographic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via said photonic catheter;
a photonic oxygen monitor adapted to sense cardiac blood oxygen content via said photonic catheter;
a non-implantable control housing; and
a warning system for warning of a condition wherein one or more of the following occurs;
said patient fails to receive proper pacemaker stimulation;
said patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac electrical activity;
orsaid patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac mechanical activity;
commencing an MRI procedure on said patient;
monitoring said warning system while performing said MRI procedure; and
taking responsive action in the event that said warning system warns of said condition.
Specification