Cardiac rhythm management systems and methods using acoustic contractility indicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about right side of a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer located in or about a left side of the heart;
a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide a contractility indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and
a first communication circuit configured for communicating to an external interface the contractility indication.
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Abstract
This document describes systems, devices, and methods that measure a distance between ultrasound or other acoustic transducers to provide a contractility or other therapy efficacy indication. In one example, the indication is communicated to a caregiver for assisting in the caregiver'"'"'s determination of particular therapy settings. In another example, the indication is used in a feedback controller to automatically adjust one or more therapy parameters based at least in part on the indication.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about right side of a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer located in or about a left side of the heart; a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide a contractility indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and a first communication circuit configured for communicating to an external interface the contractility indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer; and a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide an indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and an implantable device, comprising the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces and the controller, the implantable device comprising a first communication circuit configured for communicating to a remote external interface the indication based on the variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer; and a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide an indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and an implantable device, comprising the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces and the controller, the implantable device comprising a power interface to receive power from an external power source to compensate for power consumed by at least one of the first and second transducer interfaces.
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18. A system comprising:
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first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about a right side of a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer located in or about a left side of the heart; means for measuring a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction; means for providing a contractility indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and a first communication circuit configured for communicating to an external interface the contractility indication. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A system comprising:
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first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer; means for measuring a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction; means for providing a contractility indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and an implantable device, comprising the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the means for measuring the distance, and the means for providing the contractility indication, the implantable device further comprising a first communication circuit configured for communicating to a remote external interface the indication based on the variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A system comprising:
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an elongate first catheter, comprising a distal portion sized and shaped to be intravascularly introduced into a right ventricle of a heart, the distal portion of the first catheter comprising an ultrasonic first transducer; an elongate second catheter, comprising a distal portion sized and shaped to be intravascularly introduced into a coronary sinus of the heart, the distal portion of the second catheter comprising an ultrasonic second transducer; and an implantable cardiac rhythm management device, comprising; first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, configured to be respectively coupled to the first and second transducers; a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide a contractility indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and a first communication circuit configured for communicating to an external interface the contractility indication. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A system comprising:
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an elongate first catheter, comprising a distal portion sized and shaped to be intravascularly introduced into a right ventricle of a heart, the distal portion of the first catheter comprising an ultrasonic first transducer; an elongate second catheter, comprising a distal portion sized and shaped to be intravascularly introduced into a coronary sinus of the heart, the distal portion of the second catheter comprising an ultrasonic second transducer; and an implantable cardiac rhythm management device, comprising; first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, configured to be respectively coupled to the first and second transducers; a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide an indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and in which the implantable device further includes a first communication circuit configured for communicating to a remote external interface the indication based on the variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A system comprising:
a hermetically-sealed implantable cardiac rhythm management device housing comprising; first and second acoustic transducer interfaces, the first acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a first acoustic transducer located in or about a heart, the second acoustic transducer interface configured to be coupled to a second acoustic transducer; a controller circuit, coupled to the first and second acoustic transducer interfaces to measure a distance, between the first and second acoustic transducers, that varies during a heart contraction, the controller configured to provide an indication based on a variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; a therapy circuit to deliver therapy to the heart; a memory location, coupled to the controller, to store at least one parameter to control operation of the therapy circuit, the at least one parameter based at least in part on the variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction; and a first communication circuit configured for communicating to a remote external interface an indication of the at least one parameter based at least in part on the variation of the distance during at least one heart contraction. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method comprising:
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transmitting, at a first location in a first side of a pump, an acoustic signal through a portion of the pump; receiving, at a second location in a second side of the pump, the acoustic signal; determining a change in a distance between the first and second locations during at least one pump contraction; and providing a contractility indication that is based at least in part on a degree of the change in the distance between the first and second locations during the at least one pump contraction; and communicating the contractility indication from within a body to a location outside of the body. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method comprising:
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transceiving an ultrasound signal between a first location in a right ventricle and a second location in a coronary sinus; determining a distance between the first and second locations based on a transit time of the ultrasound signal; determining a change in the distance between the first and second locations during at least one pump contraction; and providing a contractility indication that is based at least in part on a degree of the change in the distance between the first and second locations during the at least one pump contraction. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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Specification