METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM MONITORING

• US 20070282382A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Shuros, Allan C., Kane, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,526,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• 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 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for physiological monitoring of the lymphatic system. An implantable device is configured with a lymphatic sensor disposed in a lymphatic vessel for sensing pressure, flow, and/or the concentration of particular markers within the vessel. The device may be further configured to deliver appropriate therapy in accordance with the lymphatic monitoring.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A method, comprising:

implanting a housing containing monitoring circuitry;

implanting a lead electrically connected to the monitoring circuitry into a lymphatic vessel, the lead having a lymphatic sensor incorporated therein for sensing a physiological parameter related to lymphatic function;

processing sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor via the monitoring circuitry.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a pressure sensor.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a flow sensor.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a chemo-sensor for generating a voltage proportional to the concentration of a particular chemical species in the lymphatic fluid.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting an alarm message via a telemetry transceiver if a value sensed by the lymphatic sensor reaches a specified limit value.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising delivering therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising initiating or increasing the delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising adjusting one or more cardiac resynchronization parameters upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.