Apparatus and method for monitoring and communicating wellness parameters of ambulatory patients

• US 20060015017A1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiocom LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cardiocom LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cosentino, Louis C., Nubson, Richard C., Cosentino, Judith A., Dorfe, Steven George, Duea, Duane Robert, Duea, Michael John
• Granted Patent: US 7,736,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4146 for controlling caloric intake, e.g. diet control
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 with wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3735 using a digital network
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The monitoring device incorporates transducing devices for converting the desired measured parameters into electrical signals capable of being processed by a local computer or microprocessor system. The device interacts with the ambulatory patient and then, via a modem or other electronic communication device, transmits the measured parameters to a computer located at a remote site. At the remote location. the various indicia of the ambulatory patient'"'"'s condition are monitored and analyzed by the medical professional caregiver. To provide the ambulatory patient with an added level of convenience and ease of use, such monitoring device is contained in a single integrated package.

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A computer-implemented method of detecting an impending decompensation of heart failure in a patient, the method comprising:

receiving data measured by a cardiac rhythm management device implanted in the patient;

obtaining a weight measurement of the patient; and

detecting impending decompensation of acute heart failure, based at least in part upon the weight measurement and the data received from the cardiac rhythm management device.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising posing one or more questions to the patient.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the act of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure is further based upon answers provided by the patient to the one or more posed questions.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the act of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure comprises generating a score based at least in part upon the answers provided by the patient or the weight measurement and comparing the score to a threshold.

65. The method of claim 61, further comprising generating an alert when it is determined that decompensation of heart failure is impending.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising communicating the alert to a health care provider.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein the cardiac rhythm management device is a pacemaker.

68. A computer-implemented method of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure in a patient, the method comprising:

receiving data measured by a cardiac rhythm management device implanted in the patient;

posing one or more questions to the patient;

receiving answers to the one or more questions;

detecting impending decompensation of heart failure, based at least in part upon the answers and the data received from the cardiac rhythm management device.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising obtaining a weight measurement of the patient.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the act of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure is further based upon the weight measurement.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the act of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure comprises generating a score based at least in part upon the answers provided by the patient or the weight measurement and comparing the score to a threshold.

72. The method of claim 68, further comprising generating an alert, upon determining that decompensation of heart failure is impending.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising communicating the alert to a health care provider.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the cardiac rhythm management device is a pacemaker.

75. A computer-implemented method of detecting impending decompensation of heart failure in a patient, the method comprising:

receiving, with a processor device external to the patient, data measured by a cardiac rhythm management device implanted in the patient;

measuring a physiological parameter of the patient;

communicating the physiological parameter to the processor device;

receiving, with the processor device, answers to one or more questions posed to the patient; and

detecting, with the processor device, impending decompensation of heart failure, based at least in part upon a score generated based upon the answers and the physiological parameter.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising communicating the physiological parameter, answers, and data received from the cardiac rhythm management device to a remote computer.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein the score is generated based at least in part upon the data measured by the cardiac rhythm management device, the answers and the physiological parameter.

78. The method of claim 75, further comprising generating an alert, upon determining that decompensation of heart failure is impending.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising communicating the alert to a health care provider.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the cardiac rhythm management device is a pacemaker.