Pulmonary Artery Pressure Signals And Methods of Using

• US 20080243007A1
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Stahmann, Jeffrey E., Chavan, Abhi V., Liao, Wangcai
• Application Number:
  US11/692,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20080243007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0823 Detecting or evaluating cough events
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are related to methods and systems for using a pulmonary artery pressure signal to detect and/or monitor physiological parameters, physiological status, and aspects of disorders and diseases, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for detecting pulmonary symptoms of a disorder. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for detecting a pathological change to a tissue, structure, or fluid volume in or around the lung. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for detecting a disorder affecting airflow. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Claims

1. A method for detecting pulmonary symptoms of a disorder comprising:

chronically implanting a pulmonary artery pressure sensor;

obtaining a pulmonary artery pressure signal from the pulmonary artery pressure sensor; and

monitoring the pulmonary artery pressure signal to identify a change in the signal over a baseline value.

2. The method of claim 1, the disorder associated with pathological pulmonary structural changes.

3. The method of claim 1, the change including an increase in the pulmonary artery pressure signal exceeding a threshold amount.

4. The method of claim 1, the change including a decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure signal exceeding a threshold amount.

5. The method of claim 1, the change persisting for a period of time exceeding a threshold amount.

6. The method of claim 5, the threshold amount greater than about one minute.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the pulmonary artery pressure signal into a respiration signal.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring the respiration signal for changes in respiration rate.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising monitoring the respiration signal for changes in tidal volume.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the respiration signal for changes consistent with a condition selected from the group consisting of pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion, pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM), indicative of combined obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma.

11. A method for detecting a pathological change to a tissue, structure, or fluid volume in or around the lung, the method comprising:

establishing a baseline pulmonary artery pressure signal with a pressure sensor; and

monitoring the pulmonary artery pressure signal to identify a change in the pulmonary artery pressure signal compared to the baseline signal.

12. A method for detecting a disorder affecting airflow comprising:

chronically implanting a pulmonary artery pressure sensor;

obtaining a pulmonary artery pressure signal from the pressure sensor; and

monitoring the pulmonary artery pressure signal to identify a respiration pattern consistent with the disorder.

13. The method of claim 12, the disorder selected from the group consisting of snoring, apnea, Cheyne-Stokes syndrome, hypopnea, hyperpnea, tachypnea, and dyspnea.

14. The method of claim 12, the disorder comprising a central sleep apnea.

15. The method of claim 12, the disorder comprising an obstructive sleep apnea.

16. The method of claim 12, the respiration pattern characterized by a plurality of apneas.

17. The method of claim 12, the respiration pattern characterized by a plurality of hypopneas.

18. The method of claim 12, the respiration pattern characterized by a plurality of hyperpneas.

19. The method of claim 12, the respiration pattern characterized by a five or more obstructed breathing events per hour, the obstructed breathing event selected from the group consisting of an apnea and a hypopnea.

20. The method of claim 12, the respiration pattern characterized by a plurality of cyclical rising and falling changes in tidal volume.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising inserting the pressure sensor into a pulmonary artery of a patient.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein processing the signal to obtain the pulmonary function parameter includes the step of converting the pulmonary artery pressure signal into a respiration signal.

23. The method of claim 12, further comprising delivering closed loop therapy in response to identified respiration patterns.

24. The method of claim 23, the therapy selected from the group consisting of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and diaphragm stimulation.

25. The method of claim 23, the therapy comprising continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), wherein air pressure of the therapy is increased if apnea or hypopnea is identified.

26. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting pacing parameters of a cardiac rhythm management device in response to identified respiration patterns.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising increasing the pacing rate of a cardiac rhythm management device in response to identified respiration patterns.