Edema monitoring system and method utilizing an implantable medical device

• US 20060224079A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Washchuk, Bohdan O.
• Application Number:
  US11/096,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224079A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4869 Determining body composition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4878 Evaluating oedema
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36521 the parameter being derived from measurement of an electrical impedance

Abstract

An edema monitoring system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and a personal edema monitor. The IMD measures an intra-thoracic impedance and transmits intra-thoracic impedance data and other biological data to the personal edema monitor, which generates a user interface based on patient inputs relating to activities and health assessments, the measured intra-thoracic impedance data and the other biological data.

Claims

1. An edema monitoring system comprising:

an implantable medical device to measure an intra-thoracic impedance and to transmit intra-thoracic impedance data; and

a personal edema monitor to receive the intra-thoracic impedance data and patient inputs and to generate a user interface based on the measured intra-thoracic impedance data and the patient inputs.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the personal edema monitor is a hand-held device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface displays a representation of patient health, based on the measured intra-thoracic impedance, to the patient.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface provides instructions for entry of patient inputs representing an assessment of patient quality of life.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface guides entry of patient inputs relating to activities that have an effect on edema.

6. A method of monitoring edema, the method comprising:

measuring an intra-thoracic impedance with an implantable medical device;

transmitting intra-thoracic impedance data from the implantable medical device to a personal edema monitor; and

generating an output based on the intra-thoracic impedance data on a user interface of the personal edema monitor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein generating an output comprises displaying a numerical impedance.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein generating an output comprises displaying a visual representation of the relative dryness of the thoracic cavity.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein generating an output comprises displaying a visual representation of the relative wetness of the thoracic cavity.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the output is related to an amount of fluid in a thoracic cavity.

11. The method of claim 6 and further comprising:

receiving biological data from the implantable medical device; and

determining the output as a function of the intra-thoracic impedance data and the biological data.

12. The method of claim 6 and further comprising:

receiving patient input representing information affecting edema; and

determining the output as a function of the intra-thoracic impedance data and the patient input.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

displaying selectable options on the user interface of the personal edema monitor;

receiving an input related to the selectable options; and

providing an output based on the intra-thoracic impedance data and the input.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the input represents an assessment of quality of life.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the input represents information regarding a recent event.

16. A personal edema monitor comprising:

means for receiving data from an IMD relating to an impedance measurement of an intra-thoracic cavity;

means for storing the data;

means for receiving inputs relating to patient health and activities; and

means for processing the data and generating a user interface that displays an output based on the data and the inputs.

17. The personal edema monitor of claim 16, wherein the means for receiving data is a bidirectional radio-frequency communication system.

18. The personal edema monitor of claim 16, wherein the inputs represent an assessment of quality of life.

19. The personal edema monitor of claim 16, wherein the inputs represent information regarding physical activity.

20. The personal edema monitor of claim 16, wherein the inputs represent an assessment of food and beverage intake.