METHOD, APPARATUS AND PROTOCOL FOR SCREENING APPROPRIATE PATIENT CANDIDATES AND FOR CARDIAC RESYCHRONIZATION THERAPY (CRT), DETERMINING CARDIAC FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE TO ADJUSTMENTS OF VENTRICULAR PACING DEVICES AND FOLLOW-UP OF CRT PATIENT OUTCOMES

• US 20090005831A1
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Floyd M. Casaday, Herbert D. Clauhs, Keith E. Loiselle, Lon P. Wilson
• Original Assignee: Floyd M. Casaday, Herbert D. Clauhs, Keith E. Loiselle, Lon P. Wilson
• Inventors: Casaday, Floyd M., Loiselle, Keith E., Clauhs, Herbert D., Wilson, Lon P.
• Application Number:
  US12/130,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20090005831A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy

Abstract

An apparatus, a method and a protocol for optimizing an implanted device in a candidate. The apparatus comprises a first sensor configured to sense a tracing signal, a transducer configured to capture an image of a region of interest, where the image is captured in synchronism with the tracing signal, and a determiner configured to determine a cardiac functional value based on the image and the tracing signal. A parameter of the implanted device is adjusted based on the cardiac functional value.

Claims

1. An apparatus for optimizing an implanted device in a candidate, the apparatus comprising:

a first sensor configured to sense a tracing signal;

a transducer configured to capture an image of a region of interest, where the image is captured in synchronism with the tracing signal; and

a determiner configured to determine a cardiac functional value based on the image and the tracing signal,

wherein a parameter of the implanted device is adjusted based on the cardiac functional value.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second transducer configured to capture a second image of the region of interest, where the second image is captured in synchronism with the tracing signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a third transducer configured to capture a third image of the region of interest, where the third image is captured in synchronism with the tracing signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a support member configured to moveably support the transducer and the second transducer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transducer and the second transducer are moveable based on the region of interest.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile candidate support; and

a mobile transducer array support,

wherein the mobile candidate support and the mobile transducer array support are lockably engageable.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mobile candidate support platform comprises an adjustable candidate support member.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the adjustable candidate support member is configurable in a seat position, a supine position, a recumbent position, or a vertical position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a physical resistance device configured to provide a resistive force.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the physical resistance device comprises at least one foot pedal.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a broad-range post configured to provide substantially precise movement of the support member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a narrow-range post configured to provide substantially precise movement of the support member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the narrow-range post comprises a hinged bracket.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the broad-range post comprises a motorized post.

15. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mobile candidate support and the mobile transducer array support are lockable by at least one locking pin.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tracing signal comprises an electrocardiogram tracing update signal.

17. A method for evaluating an implanted device in a candidate, the method comprising:

sensing a tracing signal;

capturing an image of a region of interest in synchronism with the tracing signal;

determining a cardiac functional value based on the tracing signal and the image; and

adjusting a parameter of the implanted device based on the cardiac functional value.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

capturing a second image of the region of interest in synchronism with the tracing signal.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

capturing a third image of the region of interest in synchronism with the tracing signal.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

moveably supporting a first transducer and a second transducer to capture said image and said second image.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

moving the first transducer and the second transducer based on the region of interest.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

moving a candidate support platform to position a candidate proximate the first transducer and the second transducer.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a resistive force to a candidate to cause an elevated heart rate.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said moveably supporting comprises:

providing substantially precise large scale movement of a support member; and

providing substantially precise small scale movement of the support member.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the small scale movement comprises moving a hinged bracket.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the large scale movement comprises controlling a motorized post.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining whether cardiac synchronization is improved based on the cardiac functional value.

28. A computer readable medium comprising a program for evaluating an implanted device in a candidate, the medium comprising:

a sensing code segment that, when executed by a computer, causes sensing a tracing signal;

an image capturing code segment that, when executed by the computer, causes capturing an image of a region of interest in synchronism with the tracing signal;

a cardiac functional value determining code segment that, when executed by the computer, causes determining a cardiac functional value based on the tracing signal and the image;

a parameter adjusting code segment that, when executed by the computer, causes adjusting a parameter of the implanted device based on the cardiac functional value; and

an improvement determining code segment that, when executed by the computer, causes determining whether a cardiac synchronization improvement is greater than or equal to a baseline based on the cardiac functional value.