Photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor

• US 20030109901A1
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biophan Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biophan Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Greatbatch, Wilson
• Application Number:
  US10/014,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371

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.

Claims

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.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including a photonic oxygen monitor adapted to sense cardiac blood oxygen content via said photonic catheter.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said oxygen monitor comprises a Clark electrode.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said oxygen monitor comprises a pulse oximeter.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further including 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;

or

said patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac mechanical activity.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said warning system includes a display mounted on a non-implantable control housing of said apparatus.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said display comprises 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.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said photonic catheter comprises optical conductors respectively associated with said pacemaker, said electrocardiagraphic monitor and said oxygen monitor.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes 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.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including pacemaker feedback circuitry for adjusting said photonic pacemaker according to an output of said electrocardiographic monitor.

11. A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus for MRI diagnostic use, 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;

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;

or

said 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.

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;

or

said 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.