System for detecting, diagnosing, and treating cardiovascular disease

• US 7,717,854 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Cedars Sinai Health System)
• Original Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Cedars Sinai Health System)
• Inventors: Eigler, Neal L., Whiting, James S., Mann, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US11/746,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 600/485, 600508-509, 607 1- 2, 607/17
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method of treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient is provided. The method includes the steps of generating a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the left atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart, and delivering an electrical stimulus to a location in the heart. The electrical stimulus is delivered based at least in part on the sensor signal. The method also includes the steps of generating a processor output indicative of a treatment to a signaling device. The processor output is based at least in part on the sensor signal. At least two treatment signals are provided to the medical patient. The treatment signals are distinguishable from one another by the patient, and are indicative of a therapeutic treatment. The treatment signals are based at least in part on the processor output.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a cardiac condition of a medical patient, comprising:

providing a lead to a patient'"'"'s heart, the lead comprising first and second pressure sensors;

positioning the lead such that the first pressure sensor is in communication with a left atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart and such that the second pressure sensor is in communication with a right atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart;

sensing a first pressure in the left atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart with the first pressure sensor;

sensing a second pressure in the right atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart with the second pressure sensor; and

monitoring a cardiac condition of the patient based upon the first and second sensed pressures.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing a lead comprises advancing the lead from the right atrium, through the atrial septal wall, and into the left atrium of the medical patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said monitoring a cardiac condition comprises distinguishing between different causes of congestive heart failure.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating first and second signals based upon said sensing first and second pressures, respectively, and storing data related to said first and second signals in a memory.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating an indication of the cardiac condition to the patient.

6. A method of detecting a cardiac condition of a medical patient, comprising:

sensing a first pressure in a left atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart;

sensing a second pressure in a right atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart;

determining a pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure; and

monitoring a cardiac condition of the patient based upon the pressure differential.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising communicating said differential pressure to a processor.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said cardiac condition comprises congestive heart failure.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing a pressure sensor comprising a first and second pressure sensing membranes;

positioning the first pressure sensing membrane in communication with the left atrium; and

positioning the second pressure sensing membrane in communication with the right atrium.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising communicating an indication of the cardiac condition to the patient.

11. A system for monitoring a cardiac condition of a medical patient, comprising:

a first pressure sensor, configured to provide a first signal indicative of fluid pressure within a left atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart;

a second pressure sensor, configured to provide a second signal indicative of fluid pressure within a right atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart; and

a processor, configured to receive the first and second signals and to determine a pressure differential between the first and second signals, wherein the pressure differential is indicative of the pressure difference between the fluid pressures within the left and right atria of the patient'"'"'s heart, and wherein the processor is further configured to determine a cardiac condition of the patient based upon the pressure differential.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the cardiac condition comprises congestive heart failure.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a lead in communication with said first and second pressure sensors, and said processor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said first pressure sensor is positioned at a distal end of said lead.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said second pressure sensor is between said first pressure sensor and said processor.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said second pressure sensor is positioned on an exterior of said lead.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more additional sensors configured to provide one or more additional sensor signals to said processor.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a communications module configured to communicate the first and second signals to said processor.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a power storage device.