Modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system

• US 20060265018A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Joseph M., Dujmovic, Richard Milon Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,391,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3621 for treating or preventing abnormally high heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions
• 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 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36585 controlled by two or more physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3987 characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, a modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system. In an example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia system includes at least two separate modules that coordinate delivery an antitachyarrhythmia therapy, such as a defibrillation therapy. In another example, a modular antitachyarrhythmia therapy system includes a sensing module, an analysis module, and a therapy module.

Claims

1. A modular implantable device comprising:

implantable first and second circuits;

the first circuit including a sensor to sense a physiologic parameter and a wireless transmitter circuit to send a wireless communication to the second circuit; and

the second circuit being physically separate from the first circuit, the second circuit including a wireless receiver circuit to receive the wireless communication and including an antitachyarrhythmia therapy circuit to deliver a responsive antitachyarrhythmia therapy.

2. The modular implantable device of claim 1, wherein the second circuit includes a controller circuit to analyze the information derived from the physiologic parameter received from the first circuit to determine the antitachyarrhythmia therapy.

3. The modular implantable device of claim 1, wherein the first circuit includes a sense amplification circuit to detect an intrinsic electrical heart signal and wherein the wireless communication includes information derived from the intrinsic electrical heart signal.

4. The modular implantable device of claim 1, wherein the first circuit includes a heart sound sensor to detect a heart sound and wherein the wireless communication includes information derived from the heart sound.

5. The modular implantable device of claim 1, wherein the first circuit includes a respiration sensor to measure respiration and the wireless communication includes information derived from the respiration.

6. The modular implantable device of claim 5, further comprising an implantable third circuit, separate from the first and second circuit, the third circuit including a diaphragm stimulation circuit to deliver a diaphragmatic pacing pulse.

7. The modular implantable device of claim 1, further comprising an implantable third circuit, separate from the first and second circuit, the third circuit including a pacing stimulation circuit to deliver a pacing pulse.

8. The modular implantable device of claim 7, wherein the first circuit provides a blood pressure sensor to detect blood pressure and the wireless communication includes information derived from the blood pressure, and the pacing stimulation circuit is configured to adjust delivery of the pacing pulse in response to the information derived from the blood pressure.

9. The modular implantable device of claim 7, wherein the third circuit is physically located separate from the first circuit but electrically connected to the first circuit.

10. The modular implantable device of claim 1, wherein:

the first circuit includes an atrial sensing circuit to sense an intrinsic electrical atrial signal and the wireless communication includes information derived from the atrial signal,

the modular implantable device further comprises a ventricular sensing circuit to sense an intrinsic electrical ventricular signal and send a wireless communication that includes information derived from the ventricular signal; and

the second circuit includes a controller circuit to analyze the information derived from at least one of the atrial signal and the ventricular signal to determine the antitachyarrhythmia therapy.

11. A modular device comprising:

an implantable first circuit, including a sensor to sense a physiologic parameter, and including a communication or driver circuit to send a communication that includes information derived from the physiologic parameter;

an implantable second circuit, physically separate from the first circuit, including a receiver circuit to receive the communication from the first implantable circuit, a controller circuit to analyze the information derived from the physiologic parameter, and a wireless transmitter circuit to send a wireless therapy instruction; and

an implantable third circuit, physically separate from the second circuit, the third circuit including a wireless receiver to receive the wireless therapy instruction, and including an antitachyarrhythmia therapy circuit to deliver an antitachyarrhythmia therapy.

12. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the first circuit is electrically connected to the second circuit.

13. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the first circuit includes a wireless transmitter to send a wireless communication that includes information derived from the physiologic parameter to the second circuit.

14. The modular device of claim 13, wherein the first circuit includes a sense amplification circuit to sense an intrinsic electrical heart signal and the wireless communication includes information derived from the intrinsic electrical heart signal.

15. The modular device of claim 13, wherein the first circuit is shaped and configured to be implanted in the heart.

16. The modular device of claim 13, wherein the first circuit is shaped and configured to be implanted in a pulmonary vessel.

17. The modular device of claim 13, wherein the first circuit is shaped and configured to be implanted in a peripheral cardiac vessel.

18. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the third circuit is electrically connected to the first circuit.

19. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the second circuit is configured to send the wireless communication as an electrical signal through a human or animal body, wherein the body is used as a conductive medium for the wireless communication.

20. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the second circuit is shaped and configured for subcutaneous implantation to permit replacement of the second circuit without replacing the first circuit or third circuit.

21. The modular device of claim 11, wherein the modular device is configured to sense at least two physiologic parameters concurrently, and further includes a memory circuit configured to record information relating to the at least two physiologic parameters.

22. The modular device of claim 11, further including an implantable memory circuit that is configured to be replaced without replacing the first, second, or third circuit.

23. The modular device of claim 11, in which the sensor is configured to detect at least one chemical and the communication includes information derived from the detection of the chemical.

24. The modular device of claim 11, in which the antitachyarrhythmia therapy includes delivering at least one drug.

25. A modular implantable device comprising:

an implantable first defibrillation circuit module configured to deliver a first defibrillation shock;

an implantable second defibrillation circuit module, physically separate from the first defibrillation circuit module, configured to deliver a second defibrillation shock concurrent with the first defibrillation shock; and

a controller circuit configured to direct coordinated delivery of the first and second defibrillation shocks.

26. The modular implantable device of claim 25, wherein the controller circuit is wirelessly communicatively couple to at least one of the first and second defibrillation circuit modules.

27. The modular implantable device of claim 25, wherein the controller circuit is shaped and configured to be implantable subcutaneously and to be explanted without explanting the first defibrillation circuit and second defibrillation circuit.