Patient monitoring, diagnosis, and/or therapy systems and methods

• US 20050115561A1
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Stahmann, Jeffrey E., Hartley, Jesse W., Siejko, Krzysztof Z., Hatlestad, John D., Lee, Kent, Zhu, Qingsheng, Ni, Quan
• Granted Patent: US 7,787,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.240
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• 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 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/285 Endotracheal, oesophageal or gastric probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/363 Detecting tachycardia or bradycardia
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 : Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 : Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 : Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 : Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 : Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 : Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 : Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 : Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 : Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 : Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 : with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/026 : specially adapted for predicting, e.g. for determining an information representative of a flow limitation during a ventilation cycle by using a root square technique or a regression analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 : Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 : Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 : with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 : in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 : in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 : in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 : Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 : Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 : Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 : local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 : using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/04 : Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/10 : Electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/202 : partial carbon oxide pressure, e.g. partial dioxide pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 : partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 : Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 : partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/60 : Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/65 : Impedance, e.g. conductivity, capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3601 : of respiratory organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 : for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 : controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 : controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36535 : controlled by body position or posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36557 : controlled by chemical substances in blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36578 : controlled by mechanical motion of the heart wall, e.g. measured by an accelerometer or microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36585 : controlled by two or more physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36592 : controlled by the heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 : Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

Systems and methods involve an implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function, a patient-external respiratory therapy device, and a communication channel configured to facilitate communication between the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device. The implantable and respiratory therapy devices operate cooperatively via the communication channel to provide one or more of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy. The communication channel may be configured to facilitate communication between an external processing system and at least one of the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device. The processing system is communicatively coupled to at least one of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices via the communication channel to provide one or more of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function;

a patient-external respiratory therapy device; and

a communication channel configured to facilitate communication between the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device, the implantable and respiratory therapy devices operating cooperatively via the communication channel to provide one or more of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication channel is configured to facilitate bi-directional communication between the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices provides at least two of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices provides each of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the respiratory therapy device comprises a positive airway pressure device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the respiratory therapy device comprises a gas therapy device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable device comprises a cardiac rhythm management device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the respiratory therapy device is configured to coordinate one or more of initiation, modification, and termination of a function of the implantable device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable device is configured to coordinate one or more of initiation, modification, and termination of a function of the respiratory therapy device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices comprises one or more sensors configured to detect one or more conditions affecting the patient.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the implantable and respiratory therapy devices are configured to provide one or more of the patient monitoring, diagnosis and therapy based at least in part on the one or more detected conditions.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drug delivery device, the drug delivery device controllable by one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

13. A system, comprising:

an implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function;

a patient-external respiratory therapy device;

a processing system external of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices; and

a communication channel configured to facilitate communication between the processing system and at least one of the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device, the processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices via the communication channel to provide one or more of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication channel is configured to facilitate communication between the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication channel is configured to facilitate bi-directional communication between the processing system and one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is configured to manage patient-related information.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is configured to coordinate one or more of initiation, modification, and termination of a therapy deliverable by one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is configured to coordinate one or more of initiation, modification, and termination of a diagnostic procedure performed by one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is configured to coordinate one or more of initiation, modification, and termination of a monitoring procedure performed by one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices is configured to coordinate a function of the processing system.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is configured to remotely interrogate one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the respiratory therapy device comprises a positive airway pressure device.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the implantable device comprises a cardiac rhythm management device.

24. A method, comprising:

providing a first set of medical procedures associated with a patient-external respiratory therapy device;

providing a second set of medical procedures associated with an implantable device, the implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function; and

coordinating, via communication between the implantable and respiratory therapy devices, one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures, wherein the first and second sets of medical procedures involve at least one of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein communication between the implantable and respiratory therapy devices comprises bi-directional communication between the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the respiratory therapy device comprises a positive airway pressure device.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the implantable device comprises a cardiac rhythm management device.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the respiratory therapy device and the implantable device cooperate to coordinate the one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the respiratory therapy device coordinates the one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the implantable device coordinates the one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures.

31. The method of claim 24, further comprising detecting one or more conditions affecting the patient, wherein coordinating the one or more processes comprises coordinating the one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures based at least in part on the detected conditions.

32. A method, comprising:

providing a first set of medical procedures associated with a patient-external respiratory therapy device;

providing a second set of medical procedures associated with an implantable device, the implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function; and

coordinating one or more processes of the first and second sets of medical procedures using a patient-external processing system, wherein the first and second sets of medical procedures involve at least one of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein coordinating the one or more processes comprises effecting bi-directional communication between the patient-external processing system and one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising managing patient-related information.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the respiratory therapy device comprises a positive airway pressure device.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the implantable device comprises cardiac rhythm management device.

37. A medical system, comprising:

means for controllably delivering a first set of medical procedures associated with a patient-external respiratory therapy device;

means for controllably delivering a second set of medical procedures associated with an implantable device, the implantable device configured to perform at least one cardiac-related function;

means for effecting communication with the implantable device and the respiratory therapy device; and

means for coordinating the first and second sets of medical procedures via the communication effecting means, wherein the first and second sets of medical procedures involve at least one of patient monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the communication effecting means comprises means for effecting communication between the implantable and respiratory therapy devices.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the communication effecting means comprises means for effecting communication between one or both of the implantable and respiratory therapy devices and a patient-external processing system.