Method and apparatus to monitor pulmonary edema
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- monitoring a cardiac parameter over a plurality of cardiac cycles, the cardiac parameter comprising at least one of;
an amplitude of a QRS complex generated by a heart;
an integral of the QRS complex, an integral of a QRST segment; and
monitoring a pulmonary edema status of a patient as a function of the monitored cardiac parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to monitoring fluid retention that may accompany congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema. A medical device, such as an implanted pacemaker or an external defibrillator, senses electrical signals associated with the periodic depolarization and re-polarization of a heart. The device processes the electrical signals to obtain one or more “cardiac parameters,” which reflect pulmonary edema. By monitoring the cardiac parameters, the device monitors pulmonary edema. Cardiac parameters comprise the amplitude of the QRS complex, the integral of the QRS complex, or the integral of the QRST segment and the like. When the device detects fluid buildup, the device may respond by taking remedial action and/or generating an alert.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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monitoring a cardiac parameter over a plurality of cardiac cycles, the cardiac parameter comprising at least one of;
an amplitude of a QRS complex generated by a heart;
an integral of the QRS complex, an integral of a QRST segment; and
monitoring a pulmonary edema status of a patient as a function of the monitored cardiac parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a programmable processor to:
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monitor a cardiac parameter over a plurality of cardiac cycles, the cardiac parameter comprising at least one of an amplitude of a QRS complex generated by a heart, an integral of the QRS complex, and an integral of a QRST segment; and
monitor pulmonary edema in a patient as a function of the monitored cardiac parameter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device comprising:
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a sensor to sense electrical signals from a heart of a patient; and
a processor to receive the electrical signals and to monitor a cardiac parameter over a plurality of cardiac cycles, wherein the cardiac parameter comprises at least one of;
an amplitude of a QRS complex generated by a heart;
an integral of the QRS complex, an integral of a QRST segment and wherein the processor is further configured to monitor pulmonary edema in a body of a patient as a function of the cardiac parameter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system comprising:
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cardiac monitoring means to monitor at least one cardiac parameter over a plurality of cardiac cycles, the cardiac parameter comprising at least one of an amplitude of a QRS complex generated by a heart, an integral of the QRS complex, and an integral of a QRST segment; and
fluid monitoring means to monitor pulmonary edema in a patient as a function of the monitored cardiac parameter. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification