Systems and methods for diagnosing an implantable device

• US 7,991,472 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Robert E. Jr., Wang, Hanbiao, Dai, Bonian, Levine, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/247,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20100087891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 607 27- 29, 607/62, 607/63
• US Class Current: 607/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3706 Pacemaker parameters stimulation threshold A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/371 Capture, i.e. successful stimulation

Abstract

A method for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads may include: monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads; detecting a change in one of the parameters; evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and diagnosing a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation. A system for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads may include an implantable pacing device and a processor. The processor may be configured to: monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads; detect a change in one of the parameters; evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and diagnose a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads, the plurality of parameters including a conduction timing interval between leads;

detecting a change in the conduction timing interval between leads;

evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and

diagnosing a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a notification of the problem to an external device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters further includes at least one of a signal amplitude(s), morphology of a signal, capture threshold and impedance.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein diagnosing the problem with the implantable cardiac device comprises identifying dislodgement of one of the implanted leads.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising providing a notification of the dislodgement to an external device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein diagnosing the problem with the implantable cardiac device comprises identifying a mechanical problem other than dislodgement of one of the implanted leads.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mechanical problem other than dislodgement of one of the implanted leads comprises one of an insulation breach of a lead and a conductor coil fracture of a lead.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a notification of the insulation breach or the conductor coil fracture to an external device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein diagnosing the problem with the implantable cardiac device comprises differentiating dislodgement of one of the implanted leads from a different mechanical problem.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein diagnosing the problem with the implantable cardiac device comprises accessing a matrix of parameter changes, parameter evaluation values, and diagnoses associated with combinations of the parameter changes and parameter evaluation values.

11. A system for diagnosing an implantable cardiac device including a plurality of implanted leads, the system comprising:

an implantable pacing device; and

a processor configured to;

monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the plurality of implanted leads, the plurality of parameters including a conduction timing interval between leads;

detect a change in the conduction timing interval between leads;

evaluating at least one of the other parameters upon detection of the change; and

diagnose a problem with the implantable cardiac device based on the detected change and the evaluation.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising communication circuitry coupled to the processor and configured to provide a notification of the problem to an external device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to monitor and evaluate at least one of a signal amplitude(s), morphology of a signal, capture threshold and impedance.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to identify dislodgement of one of the implanted leads.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising communication circuitry coupled to the processor and configured to provide a notification of the dislodgement to an external device.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to identify a mechanical problem other than dislodgement of one of the implanted leads.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to identify at least one of an insulation breach of a lead and a conductor coil fracture of a lead.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising communication circuitry coupled to the processor and configured to provide a notification of the insulation breach and/or the conductor coil fracture to an external device.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to differentiate dislodgement of one of the implanted leads from a different mechanical problem.

20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a storage element coupled to the processor, the storage element storing a matrix of parameter changes, parameter evaluation values, and diagnoses associated with combinations of the parameter changes and parameter evaluation values, wherein the processor is configured to diagnose the problem with the implantable cardiac device by accessing the matrix.