Device and method for detection and treatment of syncope

• US 6,078,834 A
• Filed: 02/25/1999
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PH Target, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pharmatarget, Inc.
• Inventors: Benditt, David, Obino, Stanislao F., Lurie, Keith G., Buscemi, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US09/257,566
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 607/25, 607/120, 600/516, 600/509, 600/513, 600/515, 604/19, 604/890.1, 604/891.1
• US Class Current: 607/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36571 controlled by blood flow rate, e.g. blood velocity or cardiac output
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36592 controlled by the heart rate variability

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to an implantable medical device for detection and treatment of syncope comprising an algorithm for determining the presence of syncope based on physiological activity associated with the onset of a syncopal episode, and a means for infusion a drug. Drug infusion therapy may be used along or in combination with pacing. The physiological activities detected and used by the device are selected from the group including changes in heart rate, heart rate variability, QT interval, PR interval, pressure, blood flow, vagal nerve activity, temperature, pH, and AV conduction times, respiration rate, position, motion, and combinations thereof. Drugs which may be used with the invention include pharmaceutical compositions which are capable of both endocardial administration and treatment of syncope, such as compositions comprising beta-blockers.

Claims

1. A method for detection and endocardial treatment of syncope in a patient in need of treatment thereof, comprising the steps of:

sensing physiological activity associated with the onset of syncope;

determining the presence of an onset of syncope; and

infusing a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition for treating syncope directly into the heart in response to said determination, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is selected from the group consisting of beta-adrenergic blocking agents, protain emide, disopyramide, propafenone, ephedrine, midodrine, amiodarone and combinations thereof.