Apparatus and method for detecting lung sounds using an implanted device
First Claim
1. An implantable system comprising:
- an implantable housing;
a plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors adapted to be positioned in a spaced-apart configuration with each implantable sensor at a different location adjacent to a pulmonary system and further adapted to output signals indicative of lung-sounds, at least one of the plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors located external of the implantable housing;
at least one wireless transmitter in communication with at least one of the plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors and configured to wirelessly transmit the lung sound-signals output by the at least one implantable sound-detecting sensor; and
a controller adapted to monitor the lung-sound signals.
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Abstract
Adventitious lung sounds indicative of lung congestion are detected using an implantable sensor. The sensor is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a pulmonary system and to output signals indicative of lung sounds in response to pulmonary system activity. A controller receives the signals and processes the signals to detect the presence of adventitious lung sounds. A respiratory cycle sensor operating in conjunction with the lung-sound sensor enables classification of an adventitious lung sound according to its time occurrence within the respiratory cycle. Posture sensing in conjunction with lung-sound sensing provides valuable additional information as to the severity of the lung congestion.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An implantable system comprising:
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an implantable housing; a plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors adapted to be positioned in a spaced-apart configuration with each implantable sensor at a different location adjacent to a pulmonary system and further adapted to output signals indicative of lung-sounds, at least one of the plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors located external of the implantable housing; at least one wireless transmitter in communication with at least one of the plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors and configured to wirelessly transmit the lung sound-signals output by the at least one implantable sound-detecting sensor; and a controller adapted to monitor the lung-sound signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting lung sounds, comprising:
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obtaining lung-sound signals indicative of lung-sounds from a plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors respectively positioned at different spaced-apart locations adjacent to a pulmonary system, at least one of the implantable sound-detecting sensors located external of an implantable housing; transmitting the lung-sound signals from each of the plurality of implantable sensors using circuitry within the implantable housing; receiving the wirelessly transmitted lung-sound signals; and analyzing the received lung-sound signals to detect respiratory events. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A lung-sound analyzing system, comprising:
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means for obtaining a plurality of lung-sound signals indicative of lung-sounds sensed from a plurality of implantable sound-detecting sensors positioned at spaced-apart locations adjacent to a pulmonary system using an implantable housing and at least one lung-sound sensor external of the implantable housing; means for transmitting the lung-sound signals obtained at each of the plurality of spaced-apart locations using circuitry within the implantable housing; and means for analyzing the plurality of lung-sound signals to detect respiratory events. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification