Method and apparatus for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy

• US 20060247692A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Yang, Zhongping, Hine, Douglas S., Hjelle, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• 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 1/36557 controlled by chemical substances in blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may include one or more of the following steps: (a) conducting a baseline measurement of a physical parameter of a patient before initiating CRT, (b) performing an implantation process including implanting a pacing device and pacing leads in the patient, the pacing device and pacing leads for providing the CRT, (c) initiating CRT on the patient, (d) measuring the physical parameter of the patient after initiation of the CRT, (e) comparing the measured physical parameter after initiation of the CRT to the baseline measure of the physical parameter to analyze the patient'"'"'s response to the CRT, (f) adjusting the CRT during the implantation process to try and improve the patient'"'"'s response to the CRT, and (g) repositioning at least one of the patient leads during the implantation process to try and improve the patient'"'"'s response to the CRT.

Claims

10-1. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter includes the hemodynamics of the patient'"'"'s heart.

12. A method for optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), the method comprising:

conducting a baseline measurement of a physical parameter of a patient before initiating CRT;

performing an implantation process including implanting a pacing device and pacing leads in the patient, the pacing device and pacing leads for providing the CRT;

initiating CRT on the patient;

measuring the physical parameter of the patient after initiation of the CRT;

repositioning at least one of the patient leads during the implantation process;

measuring the physical parameter of the patient after repositioning at least one of the patient leads;

comparing the physical parameter measured after initiation of the CRT and after repositioning at least one of the patient leads to the baseline measurement to determine the preferred location of the last one of the patient leads.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one of the patient leads is a lead that stimulates a left ventricle of the patient'"'"'s heart.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the physical parameter is the concentration level of a blood biochemical.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the blood biochemical is B-type Neurouretic Peptide (BNP).

16. A lead delivery catheter for implanting patient cardiac leads, the guide catheter comprising:

a lead delivery port at a proximal end of the catheter;

a lead outlet port at a distal end of the catheter; and

a means for measuring a B-type Neurouretic Peptide (BNP) concentration level in the patient'"'"'s blood located proximate the distal end of the catheter.

17. The lead delivery catheter of claim 16, wherein the means for measuring includes a blood sampling port.

18. The lead delivery catheter of claim 17, wherein the blood sampling port connects via a tube to a port proximate the proximal end of the lead delivery catheter.

19. The lead delivery catheter of claim 16, wherein the means for measuring includes a biochemical sensor that measures BNP.

20. The lead delivery catheter of claim 16, further including a means for measuring blood pressure levels in the patient'"'"'s blood located proximate the distal end of the catheter.