Implantable responsive system for sensing and treating acute myocardial infarction
First Claim
1. An automatic detection and responsive medication release system implanted within a human subject for the treatment of myocardial infarction, the system comprising:
- a sensor having an output electrical signal, the sensor being adapted to detect a signal from within the human body that is indicative of the onset of myocardial infarction; and
a medication release device that contains electrical circuitry means that is electrically connected to the sensor, the electrical circuit means being adapted to provide a triggering signal when the output electrical signal from the sensor indicates the occurrence of a myocardial infarction, the medication release device also having at least one medication reservoir for storing a medication and also having a medication releasing means for causing that medication to be released into the bloodstream of the human subject when the triggering signal from the electrical circuitry means indicates that a myocardial infarction is occurring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a completely implantable system that can detect the occurrence of a myocardial infarction, i.e., a heart attack, and automatically inject a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent into the bloodstream to promptly dissolve the thrombus that caused the myocardial infarction and prevent the formation of additional thrombi. It is well known that a myocardial infarction can be detected from a patient'"'"'s electrocardiogram by noting an ST segment voltage deviation as compared to the voltage of the patient'"'"'s TP or PQ segments. Upon detection of a myocardial infarction, an ST segment deviation electronic detection circuit within the implanted device can produce an output signal that can cause a thrombolytic and/or anti-thrombogenic agent contained within an implanted, pressurized reservoir to immediately and automatically release medications into the patient'"'"'s bloodstream. A patient warning system is provided by an audio alarm or an electrical tickle within the human body indicating that a myocardial infarction has been detected. The implanted system can also send a radio message to an externally located receiver that automatically dials an emergency rescue team to take the patient to a hospital for continuing treatment of his myocardial infarction. An implantable defibrillator or pacemaker that includes the capability for informing the patient that myocardial infarction has been detected is also disclosed. Still further, this invention could also be used without a defibrillator or pacemaker but as an implanted system (without medications) whose only function would be the detection and warning of myocardial infarction at the earliest possible time.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. An automatic detection and responsive medication release system implanted within a human subject for the treatment of myocardial infarction, the system comprising:
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a sensor having an output electrical signal, the sensor being adapted to detect a signal from within the human body that is indicative of the onset of myocardial infarction; and a medication release device that contains electrical circuitry means that is electrically connected to the sensor, the electrical circuit means being adapted to provide a triggering signal when the output electrical signal from the sensor indicates the occurrence of a myocardial infarction, the medication release device also having at least one medication reservoir for storing a medication and also having a medication releasing means for causing that medication to be released into the bloodstream of the human subject when the triggering signal from the electrical circuitry means indicates that a myocardial infarction is occurring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A system for indicating to a human subject that he is having a myocardial infarction, the system comprising:
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an implantable sensor for detecting the occurrence of a myocardial infarction; and an alarm means for informing the human subject that a myocardial infarction has been detected, the alarm means comprising an implanted radio transmitter that is adapted to send a radio signal that includes an alarm signal denoting the occurrence of a myocardial infarction to external receiving equipment, the external receiving equipment including an audio alarm to inform the patient that a myocardial infarction has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification