Subcutaneous ICD with separate cardiac rhythm sensor

• US 20070179540A1
• Filed: 01/31/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bruns, Hans-Juergen, Stegemann, Berthold
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/29 for permanent or long-term implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/363 Detecting tachycardia or bradycardia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy

Abstract

A cardiac rhythm sensor positioned on or close to the heart senses electrical or mechanical activity and transmits a cardiac rhythm signal wirelessly to a subcutaneous ICD. Arrhythmia detection and delivery of therapy are performed by the SubQ ICD based upon the cardiac rhythm signal received from the sensor.

Claims

1. An ICD system comprising:

a cardiac rhythm sensor for sensing cardiac activity and transmitting wirelessly a cardiac rhythm signal;

a lead carrying a defibrillation electrode; and

a SubQ ICD connected to the lead for providing electrical pulses to the defibrillation electrode upon detection of tachycardia based on the cardiac rhythm signal transmitted by the cardiac rhythm sensor.

2. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor comprises:

a plurality of electrodes for sensing an electrogram signal; and

signal processing circuitry for filtering and amplifying the electrogram signal.

3. The ICD system of claim 2, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor further comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting the electrogram signal.

4. The ICD system of claim 3, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor further comprises:

an antenna connected to the transmitter.

5. The ICD system of claim 3, wherein the signal processing circuitry selectively enables the transmitter based on analysis of the electrogram signal.

6. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor includes a motion sensing device for sensing mechanical activity of a heart.

7. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor is untethered.

8. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor is sized to be implanted with a minimally invasive procedure.

9. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor has a length of less than about 10 mm and a width of less than about 10 mm.

10. The ICD system of claim 1, wherein the cardiac rhythm sensor includes an attachment device for attaching the cardiac rhythm sensor to cardiac tissue.

11. An implantable cardiac rhythm sensor comprising:

a housing sized to permit implantation into contact with cardiac tissue using a minimally invasive implantation procedure;

a cardiac activity sensor carried by the housing;

signal processing circuitry within the housing for processing signals from the cardiac activity sensor to produce a cardiac rhythm signal; and

a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the cardiac rhythm signal.

12. The implantable cardiac rhythm sensor of claim 11, wherein the cardiac activity sensor comprises a plurality of electrodes.

13. The implantable cardiac rhythm sensor of claim 11, wherein the cardiac activity sensor comprises a motion sensing device.

14. The implantable cardiac rhythm sensor of claim 11, wherein the signal processing circuitry selectively enables the transmitter based on analysis of the cardiac rhythm signal.

15. The implantable cardiac rhythm sensor of claim 11, wherein the housing has a length and a width of about 10 mm or less.

16. The implantable cardiac rhythm sensor of claim 11, and further comprising:

an attachment device for securing the housing to cardiac tissue.

17. A system for delivering therapy to a heart, the system comprising:

an untethered implantable medical device sized to permit implantation into contact with cardiac tissue, the device comprising a plurality of electrodes for electrical coupling to the cardiac tissue; and

a therapy delivery device capable of wireless communication with the untethered implantable medical device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the untethered implantable medical device includes circuitry for producing a cardiac rhythm signal based, on electrical activity sensed by the plurality of electrodes, and for transmitting the cardiac rhythm signal to the therapy delivery device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the untethered implantable medical device includes a housing with a maximum dimension of 10 mm or less.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the untethered implantable medical device includes a battery and circuitry connected to the electrodes within the housing.

21. A method of providing therapy for cardiac arrhythmia, the method comprising:

injecting an untethered implantable medical device into contact with cardiac tissue;

wirelessly communicating between the untethered implantable medical device and a separate therapy delivery device when sensed cardiac activity indicates a need for delivery of therapy; and

delivering therapy in response to the wireless communicating.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the implantable medical device includes a plurality of electrodes in contact with cardiac tissue.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the untethered implantable medical device senses cardiac activity and wirelessly transmits a cardiac rhythm signal to the therapy delivery device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the untethered implantable medical device only transmits the cardiac rhythm signal when an analysis of the cardiac rhythm signal indicates presence of a bradycardia or tachycardia condition.