Methods and Apparatus for Manually Suspending Intrathoracic Impedance Fluid Status Measurements

• US 20080103530A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wang, Li, Sarkar, Shantanu, Rhodes, Melissa M., Dirnberger, Denise, Hettrick, Douglas A., Vitense, Holly S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,948,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

The capability to suspend a patient alert relating to a monitored physiologic parameters addresses a need to selectively shut off a patient-alert signal or signals during the time a patient is being treated for an excursion in the parameter. Of course, in general a signal call attention to a patient'"'"'s a potentially deleterious status or condition for which they should seek medical attention. Once a chronically-implanted monitoring device has detected or provided information about the parameter relative to a desired value, trend, or range and a clinician has been notified and intervened the alert signal is temporarily disabled for a predetermined period. That is, once the notification occurs and alert has served its purpose, the alert mechanism is selectively deactivated while the patient ostensibly begins to gradually correct the monitored physiologic parameter under a caregiver'"'"'s direction and control. After which time, the alert will reactivate.

Claims

1. A method of selectively deactivating a notification function in an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:

monitoring a physiologic parameter of a patient;

determining when the physiologic parameter one of exceeds a threshold and departs from a desired range;

energizing a notification function to the patient;

receiving corrective or palliative therapy from a clinician; and

deactivating the notification function for a preset period of time.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the physiologic parameter comprises one of an intra-thoracic fluid parameter and a blood pressure parameter.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the notification function provides one of an audible sound and a tactile sensation to the patient.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying the physiologic parameter and an indication of the status of the notification function on an external device programming unit.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

continuing to monitor the physiologic parameter of the patient.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the notification function includes wirelessly broadcasting a notification to an external receiver.

7. An apparatus for selectively deactivating a notification function in an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:

means for monitoring a physiologic parameter of a patient;

means for determining when the physiologic parameter one of exceeds a threshold and departs from a desired range;

means for energizing a notification function to the patient; and

means for deactivating the notification function for a preset period of time subsequent to the patient receiving one of a corrective and a palliative therapy under guidance of a clinician.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the physiologic parameter comprises one of an intra-thoracic fluid parameter and a blood pressure parameter.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notification function provides one of an audible sound and a tactile sensation to the patient.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for displaying the physiologic parameter and an indication of the status of the notification function on an external device programming unit.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for continuing to monitor the physiologic parameter of the patient.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notification function includes wirelessly broadcasting a notification to an external receiver.

13. A computer readable medium for storing executable instructions for carrying out a method of selectively deactivating a notification function in an implantable medical device (IMD), comprising:

instructions for monitoring a physiologic parameter of a patient;

instructions for determining when the physiologic parameter one of exceeds a threshold and departs from a desired range;

instructions for energizing a notification function to the patient; and

instructions for deactivating the notification function for a preset period of time subsequent to the patient receiving one of a corrective and a palliative therapy under guidance of a clinician.

14. A medium according to claim 13, wherein the physiologic parameter comprises one of an intra-thoracic fluid parameter and a blood pressure parameter.

15. A medium according to claim 13, wherein the notification function provides one of an audible sound and a tactile sensation to the patient.

16. A medium according to claim 13, further comprising instructions for displaying the physiologic parameter and an indication of the status of the notification function on an external device programming unit.

17. A medium according to claim 13, further comprising instructions for continuing to monitor the physiologic parameter of the patient.

18. A medium according to claim 13, wherein the notification function includes wirelessly broadcasting a notification to an external receiver.