MULTI-PARAMETER INFECTION MONITORING

• US 20080262323A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gerber, Martin T., Rondoni, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]

Abstract

Methods for monitoring an infection in proximity to an implantable medical device include monitoring a first indicator of infection in proximity to a medical device implanted in a patient; monitoring a second patient parameter; and determining whether the combination of the first indicator and the second parameter are indicative of infection in proximity to the implanted device. If a determination is made that the combination of the first indicator and the second parameter are indicative of infection, an alert may be issued.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a first indicator of infection in proximity to a medical device implanted in a patient;

monitoring a second patient parameter that provides information regarding whether the first indicator is indicative of infection, wherein the second patient parameter is not an indicator of infection; and

determining whether the combination of the first indicator and the second parameter are indicative of infection in proximity to the implanted device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the combination of the first indicator and second parameter are indicative of infection in proximity to the implanted device comprises:

determining whether a first value associated with the first indicator crosses a first threshold; and

determining whether a second value associated with the second patient parameter crosses a second threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising issuing an alert if the combination of the first indicator and the second parameter are indicative of infection in proximity to the implanted device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alert is issued if the first value crosses the first threshold and the second value does not cross the second threshold.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein monitoring the second patient parameter comprises monitoring a parameter related to patient activity.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein monitoring a parameter related to patient activity comprises monitoring heart rate.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein monitoring the first indicator of infection comprises monitoring temperature.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the alert is issued if the first value crosses the first threshold and the second value crosses the second threshold.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a value associated with the first indicator of infection crosses a threshold, wherein monitoring the second patient parameter commences when the value associated with the first indicator of infection crosses the threshold.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the second patient parameter comprises monitoring the second parameter in discrete time intervals.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining whether a value associated with the first indicator of infection crosses a threshold, wherein the frequency with which the second parameter is monitored is increased if the value associated with the first indicator crosses the threshold.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions in causing the device to determine whether the first indicator and second parameter are indicative of infections, the instructions cause the device to:

determine whether a first value associated with the first indicator crosses a first threshold; and

determine whether a second value associated with the second patient parameter crosses a second threshold.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions that when implemented cause the implantable medical device to:

determine whether a first value associated with the first indicator crosses a first threshold; and

increase the frequency of monitoring of the second patient parameter if the first valve crosses the first threshold.

18. An implantable medical device comprising:

the computer-readable media of claim 15;

electronics capable of executing instructions of the computer readable medium;

a first sensor capable of detecting the first indicator of infection and providing the electronics with information regarding the first indicator; and

a second sensor capable of detecting the second patient parameter and providing the electronics with information regarding the second parameter.

19. An implantable medical device comprising:

the computer-readable media of claim 16;

electronics capable of executing instructions of the computer readable medium;

a first sensor capable of detecting the first indicator of infection and providing the electronics with information regarding the first indicator; and

a second sensor capable of detecting the second patient parameter and providing the electronics with information regarding the second parameter.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

14. A computer readable medium comprising instructions that when implemented cause an implantable medical device to:

monitor a first indicator of infection in proximity to the medical device implanted in a patient;

monitor a second patient parameter that provides information regarding whether the first indicator is indicative of infection, wherein the second patient parameter is not an indicator of infection; and

determine whether the combination of the first indicator and the second parameter are indicative if infection in proximity to the implanted device.

17. An implantable medical device comprising:

the computer-readable media of claim 14;

electronics capable of executing instructions of the computer readable medium;

a first sensor capable of detecting the first indicator of infection and providing the electronics with information regarding the first indicator; and

a second sensor capable of detecting the second patient parameter and providing the electronics with information regarding the second parameter.

20. An implantable medical device comprising:

means for monitoring a first indication of infection in proximity to the medical device implanted in a patient;

means for monitoring a second patient parameter that provides information regarding whether the first indicator is indicative of infection, wherein the second patient parameter is not an indicator of infection;

means for determining whether the combination of the first indicator and second parameter are indicative of infection; and

means for issuing an alert if the combination of the first indicator and second parameter are indicative of infection.