System and method for remote pacing threshold assessment

• US 20060224205A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kleckner, Karen J., Yerich, Charles G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/371 Capture, i.e. successful stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

A cardiac rhythm management system includes an implantable medical device capable of delivering cardiac therapy and sensing an EGM. The implantable medical device undergoes threshold testing and transmits testing data to a computer via a remote monitor.

Claims

1. A cardiac rhythm management system comprising:

an implantable medical device capable of delivering cardiac therapy and sensing EGM signals and producing EGM waveform data, the IMD being programmed to perform threshold testing related to the cardiac therapy, during which test data including EGM waveform data is obtained;

a remote monitor for communicating with the implantable medical device by telemetry for receiving the test data; and

a computer operatively connected to the remote monitor, wherein the computer receives the test data from the remote monitor;

wherein the computer is operatively connected to the remote monitor through a phone or Internet connection.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote monitor records the test data received from the implantable medical device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable medical device is selected from the group consisting of:

a pacemaker, a defibrillator, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and an implantable heart function monitor having pacing capabilities.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote monitor initiates threshold testing of the implantable medical device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer initiates threshold testing of the implantable medical device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein threshold testing of the implantable medical device occurs prior to remote interrogation by the remote monitor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the test data is displayed by the computer on a substantially real-time basis during threshold testing.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the test data is stored by the computer in a patient registry database.

2. (canceled)

10. A system for remote cardiac pacing threshold assessment, the system comprising:

means for providing cardiac pacing to a heart;

means for sensing EGM signals from the heart and producing EGM waveform data;

means for remotely interrogating the means for providing cardiac pacing and the means for sensing an EGM; and

means for responding to a signal to initiate remote cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing, wherein, during testing, the remote monitor receives testing data including the EGM waveform data produced by the means for sensing EGM signals.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein bi-ventricular pacing is provided by the means for providing cardiac pacing while cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing is conducted.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote monitor provides the signal to initiate cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing.

13. The system of claim 10 and further comprising a computer operatively connected through a phone or Internet connection to the means for remotely interrogating.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer provides the signal to initiate testing of the means for providing cardiac pacing.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing data is displayed by the computer on a substantially real-time basis during testing.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing data is stored in a patient registry database.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein, during testing, the means for providing cardiac pacing to a heart varies at least one characteristic of pacing pulses provided to the heart.

18. The system of claim 10 and further comprising means for detecting loss of capture during testing based upon analysis of testing data, wherein testing data includes the EGM waveform data.

19. A method of remote cardiac pacing threshold assessment, the method comprising:

initiating cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing of an implantable medical device;

sensing an EGM of a heart during cardiac pacing threshold assessment testing; and

transmitting a signal from the implantable medical device, wherein the signal includes the EGM sensed during a testing time period and annotation.

20. The method of claim 19 and further comprising providing cardiac pacing to the heart during the testing time period.