IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH PATIENT INPUT MECHANISM

• US 20090228073A1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Scholten, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US12/044,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20090228073A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is subcutaneously implantable to record cardiac data. The ILR includes a patient activation mechanism whereby the patient can input commands to the ILR without using an external device. The patient activation mechanism may be a subcutaneous switch disposed on an outer portion of the ILR or a motion sensor that senses tapping of the device as an input. The patient input will direct the device to store data, telemeter data, or send a message summoning an emergency response. The ILR has distance telemetry capabilities so that a telemetered message is wirelessly transmitted to an external device which then relays the message to a remote location.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:

a housing;

control circuitry disposed within;

at least one electrode disposed on an outer surface of the housing and coupled with the control circuitry for sensing a physiologic parameter;

a memory coupled with control circuitry for selectively recording data from the electrode;

an actuator contained within the housing and configured to provide a post-implant patient data input mechanism through a mechanical actuation to the control circuitry.

2. The IMD of claim 1, wherein a first mechanical actuation signal causes the actuator to generate a first actuation signal that causes the control circuitry to store data in the memory.

3. The IMD of claim 1, further comprising:

a telemetry circuit coupled with the control circuit and configured to provide two-way data communication external to the IMD.

4. The IMD of claim 2, wherein the telemetry circuit is an RF transceiver.

5. The IMD of claim 3, wherein the telemetry circuit has a range of up to about 30 meters.

6. The IMD of claim 3, wherein the actuator is a subcutaneous switch disposed on an exterior of the housing.

7. The IMD of claim 6, wherein actuation of the subcutaneous switch a first predetermined number of times causes the control circuit to store data in the memory.

8. The IMD of claim 7, wherein actuation of the subcutaneous switch a second predetermined number of time causes the control circuit to telemeter data from the memory.

9. The IMD of claim 8, wherein actuation of the subcutaneous switch a third predetermined number of time causes the control circuit to telemeter a message requesting emergency assistance.

10. The IMD of claim 3, wherein actuator is an motion sensor.

11. The IMD of claim 3, wherein the actuator is an accelerometer.

12. The IMD of claim 11, wherein tapping of the accelerometer cases actuation.

13. The IMD of claim 12, wherein actuation of the accelerometer a first predetermined number of times causes the control circuit to store data in the memory.

14. The IMD of claim 13, wherein actuation of accelerometer a second predetermined number of time causes the control circuit to telemeter data from the memory.

15. The IMD of claim 8, wherein actuation of the accelerometer a third predetermined number of time causes the control circuit to telemeter a message requesting emergency assistance.

16. An subcutaneously implantable loop recorder for recording cardiac data comprising:

a housing;

a control circuit disposed within the housing;

at least two electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the housing for sensing the cardiac data;

a memory coupled with the control circuit and configured to selective store the cardiac data;

a telemetry circuit operatively coupled with the control circuit and configured to telemeter data external to the recorder;

a patient actuable mechanical input mechanism disposed within the housing and configured to provide data input to the control circuit post-implant.

17. The loop recorder of claim 16, wherein actuation of the input mechanism a first predetermined number of times causes the control circuit to record a predetermined amount of cardiac data into the memory.

18. The loop recorder of claim 17, wherein actuation of the input mechanism a second predetermined number of times causes the control circuit to telemeter data from the memory.

19. The loop recorder of claim 18, wherein actuation of the input mechanism a third predetermined number of times causes the control circuit to telemeter a message summoning an emergency response.

20. The loop recorder of claim 16, wherein the input mechanism is an accelerometer.