Refined infection monitoring

• US 7,682,355 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gerber, Martin T., Rondoni, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall; Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US11/737,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 604/891.1, 604/65, 604/890.1, 604/31, 604502-505, 604/66, 604/67, 600/300, 600/549, 607/6
• US Class Current: 604/891.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for monitoring infection in proximity to an implanted medical device includes monitoring an indicator of infection in proximity to the device and determining whether a value associated the indicator of infection crosses a first threshold indicative of infection. The method further includes detecting an event associated with the device. The event is capable of affecting the indicator of infection. The method also includes determining whether the value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a second threshold indicative of infection if the event is detected. The method may further include issuing an alert if (i) the first threshold is crossed and the event is not detected, or (ii) the second threshold is crossed and the event is detected.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring an infection in proximity to an implanted medical device, comprising:

monitoring, via the implantable medical device, an indicator of infection in proximity to the device;

determining whether a value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a first threshold indicative of infection;

determining if an event associated with the device that is capable of affecting the indicator of infection has occurred, wherein determining whether the event associated with the device has occurred, comprises detecting a recharging event;

determining whether the value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a second threshold indicative of infection if the event has occurred; and

issuing an alert if;

(i) the first threshold is crossed and the event has not occurred, or

(ii) the second threshold is crossed and the event has occurred.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the indicator of infection comprises monitoring temperature.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second threshold includes a higher temperature parameter than the first threshold.

4. A computer readable medium containing instructions that when implemented cause an implantable medical device to (i) monitor an indicator of infection in proximity to the device;

(ii) determine whether a value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a first threshold indicative of infection;

(iii) determine if an event associated with the device has occurred, the event capable of affecting the indicator of infection, wherein the event is a recharging event;

(iv) determine whether the value associated with the indicator of infection crossed a second threshold indicative of infection if the event has occurred; and

(v) provide an alert either if the first threshold is crossed and the event has not occurred or if the second threshold is crossed and the event has occurred.

5. An implantable medical device comprising:

electronics capable of executing computer readable instructions and capable of detecting an event associated with the device, the event capable of affecting an indicator of infection;

a sensor operably coupled to the electronics, the sensor capable of detecting the indicator of infection;

an alarm capable of providing a sensory cue; and

a computer readable medium containing instructions that when implemented by the electronics cause the device to (i) determine whether a value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a first threshold indicative of infection, wherein the event is a recharging event;

(ii) determine whether the value associated with the indicator of infection crosses a second threshold indicative of infection if the event is detected; and

(iii) activate the alarm either if the first threshold is crossed and the event is not detected or if the second threshold is crossed and the event is detected.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.