Methods for measurement of arterial blood flow

• US 5,409,009 A
• Filed: 03/18/1994
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Walter H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US08/215,070
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 128/661.08, 128/661.09, 128/661.10, 128/662.01, 128/662.06, 128/734, 607/4, 607/5, 607/6, 607/23, 607/24
• US Class Current: 600/454
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36528 the parameter being measured by means of ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36571 controlled by blood flow rate, e.g. blood velocity or cardiac output

Abstract

A sensor for measurement of one or more parameters of arterial blood flow, located on a transvenously inserted lead. The sensor may be inserted into a vein that is anatomically adjacent to the artery in which blood flow parameters are to be monitored, rather than into the artery itself. The sensor may take the form of a set of spaced electrodes for impedance plethysmography, a piezoelectric pulse sensor or a pulse Doppler sensor for detecting arterial blood flow. By measuring arterial blood flow from an adjacent vein, problems associated with insertion of the sensor into the arterial system may be avoided. The sensor may be used to control the characteristics of an implantable device, such as an implantable pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, an implantable drug dispenser or a rate responsive pacemaker.

Claims

1. A method of measuring a parameter of arterial blood flow, comprising:

positioning at least two electrodes on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery in which it is desired to measure said parameter and measuring variations in impedance between said electrodes due to flow of blood through said artery.

2. A method of measuring a parameter of arterial blood flow, comprising:

positioning a pressure transducer on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery in which it is desired to measure said parameter and employing said pressure transducer to measure changes in pressure due to blood flow through said artery.

3. A method for regulating the rate of a cardiac pacemaker comprising:

positioning at least two electrodes on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery and measuring variations in impedance between said electrodes due to flow of blood through said artery.

4. A method for regulating the rate of a cardiac pacemaker comprising:

positioning a pressure transducer on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery and employing said pressure transducer to measure changes in pressure due to blood flow through said artery.

5. A method of controlling the therapy delivered by an implantable anti-tachycardia device comprising:

positioning at least two electrodes on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery and measuring variations in impedance between said electrodes due to flow of blood through said artery.

6. A method of controlling the therapy delivered by an implantable anti-tachycardia device comprising:

positioning a pressure transducer on a transvenous lead body within a vein adjacent to an artery and employing said pressure transducer to measure changes in pressure due to blood flow through said artery.