METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING RESPIRATORY ACTIVITIES USING SENSOR IN LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A system for use in a body having a diaphragm and a lymphatic vessel, the system comprising:
- a lymphatic sensor assembly configured to be implanted in the lymphatic vessel, the lymphatic sensor assembly including;
a lymphatic sensor configured to sense a lymphatic sensor signal indicative of respiratory activities; and
a lymphatic sensor base connected to the lymphatic sensor and configured to allow the lymphatic sensor assembly to be implanted in the lymphatic vessel; and
a sensor signal processor communicatively coupled to the lymphatic sensor, the sensor signal processor including;
a sensor signal input configured to receive the lymphatic sensor signal;
a respiration monitor coupled to the sensor signal input and configured to produce a respiratory signal indicative of the respiratory activities by processing the lymphatic sensor signal; and
a respiratory parameter generator coupled to the respiration monitor and configured to produce one or more respiratory parameters using the respiratory signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A respiratory monitoring system includes an implantable lymphatic sensor configured to be placed in a lymphatic vessel, such as the thoracic duct or a vessel branching from the thoracic duct, near the diaphragm. The implantable lymphatic sensor senses a signal indicative of respiratory activities. Examples of the signal include a diaphragmatic activity signal indicative of movement of the diaphragm and a transthoracic impedance signal indicative of pulmonary volume. In one embodiment, the respiratory monitoring system is incorporated into a cardiac rhythm management system that controls cardiac therapy delivery using the signal sensed by the implantable lymphatic sensor.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for use in a body having a diaphragm and a lymphatic vessel, the system comprising:
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a lymphatic sensor assembly configured to be implanted in the lymphatic vessel, the lymphatic sensor assembly including; a lymphatic sensor configured to sense a lymphatic sensor signal indicative of respiratory activities; and a lymphatic sensor base connected to the lymphatic sensor and configured to allow the lymphatic sensor assembly to be implanted in the lymphatic vessel; and a sensor signal processor communicatively coupled to the lymphatic sensor, the sensor signal processor including; a sensor signal input configured to receive the lymphatic sensor signal; a respiration monitor coupled to the sensor signal input and configured to produce a respiratory signal indicative of the respiratory activities by processing the lymphatic sensor signal; and a respiratory parameter generator coupled to the respiration monitor and configured to produce one or more respiratory parameters using the respiratory signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for monitoring respiratory activities in a body having a diaphragm and a lymphatic vessel, the method comprising:
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sensing a lymphatic sensor signal using a lymphatic sensor implanted in the lymphatic vessel, the lymphatic sensor signal indicative of respiratory activities; producing a respiratory signal indicative of the respiratory activities using the lymphatic sensor signal; and producing one or more respiratory parameters using the respiratory signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification