METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM MONITORING

• US 20090228059A1
• Filed: 04/27/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Allan C. Shuros, Michael J Kane
• Original Assignee: Allan C. Shuros, Michael J Kane
• Inventors: Shuros, Allan C., Kane, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/430,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228059A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for physiological monitoring of the lymphatic system. An implantable device is configured with a lymphatic sensor disposed in a lymphatic vessel for sensing pressure, flow, and/or the concentration of particular markers within the vessel. The device may be further configured to deliver appropriate therapy in accordance with the lymphatic monitoring.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

monitoring and therapy circuitry contained within an implantable housing;

a lead electrically connected to the monitoring circuitry that is adapted for implantation into a lymphatic vessel, the lead having a lymphatic sensor incorporated therein for sensing a physiological parameter related to lymphatic function;

a controller interfaced to the therapy circuitry and interfaced to the monitoring circuitry for processing sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor;

wherein the controller is programmed to modify the delivery of therapy when edema is detected from the lymphatic sensor signals.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a pressure sensor.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a flow sensor.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a chemo-sensor for generating a voltage proportional to the concentration of a particular chemical species in the lymphatic fluid.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a telemetry transceiver interfaced to the controller for enabling wireless communication with the controller.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the controller is programmed to transmit an alarm message via the telemetry transceiver if a value sensed by the lymphatic sensor reaches a specified limit value.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the therapy circuitry comprises:

cardiac pacing circuitry, including pulse generation circuitry and cardiac sensing circuitry;

one or more leads with pacing/sensing electrodes electrically connected to the cardiac pacing circuitry; and

,

wherein the controller is programmed to deliver bradycardia pacing therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the therapy circuitry comprises:

pulse generation circuitry;

one or more leads with electrodes electrically connected to the pulse generation circuitry for delivering neural stimulation; and

,

wherein the controller is programmed to deliver neural stimulation therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the therapy circuitry comprises:

a drug delivery device actuated by the therapy circuitry; and

,

wherein the controller is programmed to deliver medication based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the therapy circuitry comprises:

cardiac pacing circuitry, including pulse generation circuitry and cardiac sensing circuitry;

one or more leads with pacing/sensing electrodes electrically connected to the cardiac pacing circuitry; and

,

wherein the controller is programmed to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the controller is programmed to initiate, or increase, the delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the controller is programmed to adjust one or more cardiac resynchronization parameters upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.