Gastric activity notification

• US 20050096514A1
• Filed: 11/01/2003
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Starkebaum, Warren L.
• Application Number:
  US10/698,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096514A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6871 Stomach

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to methods and devices for monitoring one or more physiological parameters that reflect the activity of the stomach of a patient, and generating a communication notifying the patient as a function of the sensed parameters. Upon receiving notification, the patient may modify his activity by discontinuing eating, for example, or by self-administering medication.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring stomach activity of a patient comprising:

sensing a physiological parameter of the patient that changes as a function of activity of a stomach of the patient; and

generating a communication to the patient as a function of the sensed physiological parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter includes at least one of a blood glucose concentration, an insulin concentration, a body temperature, a distention of the stomach, a stomach acid concentration, a gastric electrical activity and a transabdominal impedance.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a characteristic of the physiological parameter; and

generating a communication to the patient as a function of the measurement.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the characteristic of the physiological parameter comprises at least one of a rate of change of the physiological parameter, an amplitude of the physiological parameter, a duration of the physiological parameter, an intensity of the physiological parameter and a concentration of the physiological parameter.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the characteristic of the physiological parameter is a first characteristic of a first physiological parameter, the method further comprising measuring a second characteristic of a second physiological parameter as a function of the first characteristic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the communication comprises transmitting a wireless communication to an external module.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the communication comprises activating an implanted alert module.

8. A system comprising:

a sensor to sense a physiological parameter of a patient that changes as a function of activity of a stomach of the patient; and

a processor to generate a communication to the patient as a function of the sensed physiological parameter.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a communication module to wirelessly transmit the communication to an external module.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising an implanted alert module to notify the patient of the communication.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a chemical sensor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the chemical sensor senses at least one of blood glucose concentration, insulin concentration and stomach acid concentration.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a mechanical sensor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the mechanical sensor senses at least one of motion of the stomach and distention of the stomach.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises an electrical sensor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the electrical sensor senses at least one gastric electrical activity and transabdominal impedance.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is implantable in the patient.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to measure a characteristic of the physiological parameter and to compare the characteristic to a threshold.

20. A system comprising:

sensing means to sense a physiological parameter of a patient that changes as a function of activity of a stomach of the patient;

processing means to generate a communication as a function of the sensed physiological parameter; and

communication means to notify the patient of the communication.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the processing means is further configured to measure a characteristic of the physiological parameter.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a memory means to data associated with the sensed physiological parameter and the measured characteristic.

23. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to:

sense a physiological parameter of a patient that changes as a function of activity of a stomach of the patient; and

generate a communication to the patient as a function of the sensed physiological parameter.

24. The medium of claim 23, the instructions further causing the processor to:

measure a characteristic of the physiological parameter; and

generate a communication to the patient as a function of the measurement.