Quantifying autonomic tone with thoracic impedance
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- detecting a posture change of a patient;
in response to detecting the posture change, obtaining a plurality of thoracic impedance values of the patient via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of impedance values are obtained during a period of time during which a variation of the plurality of impedance value is a result of the posture change; and
generating a value of at least one autonomic parameter based on the variation of the plurality of thoracic impedance values that are a result of the posture change, the autonomic parameter value indicative of a relative autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of the patient,wherein greater variation of the plurality of impedance values that are a result of the posture change indicates greater ANS health.
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Abstract
The disclosure describes techniques for quantifying the autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of a patient with thoracic impedance measurements. Thoracic impedance may be measured utilizing cardiac electrodes and an implantable medical device housing or other electrodes located on or within the patient. Since greater variability in thoracic impedance may indicate better health of the ANS, monitoring impedance changes in a patient may be used to quantify autonomic tone of the ANS, and ultimately, overall patient health. In some examples, thoracic impedance may be measured in response to a change in patient posture for acute monitoring or at predetermined times over several days, weeks, or months for more chronic monitoring of the patient. An implantable medical device may independently analyze the impedance measurements and transmit an alert to the patient or clinician when impedance changes indicate a change in patient health.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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detecting a posture change of a patient; in response to detecting the posture change, obtaining a plurality of thoracic impedance values of the patient via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of impedance values are obtained during a period of time during which a variation of the plurality of impedance value is a result of the posture change; and generating a value of at least one autonomic parameter based on the variation of the plurality of thoracic impedance values that are a result of the posture change, the autonomic parameter value indicative of a relative autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of the patient, wherein greater variation of the plurality of impedance values that are a result of the posture change indicates greater ANS health. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a posture module configured to detect a posture change of a patient; a plurality of electrodes; a sensing module configured to, in response to detection of the posture change by the posture module, obtain a plurality of thoracic impedance values of the patient via the electrodes, wherein the plurality of impedance values are obtained during a period of time during which a variation of the plurality of impedance value is a result of the posture change; and a processor configured to generate a value of at least one autonomic parameter based on the variation of the plurality of thoracic impedance values that are a result of the posture change, the autonomic parameter value indicative of a relative autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of the patient, wherein greater variation of the plurality of impedance values that are a result of the posture change indicates greater ANS heath. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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means for detecting a posture change of a patient; means for, in response to detecting the posture change, obtaining a plurality of thoracic impedance values of the patient via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of impedance values are obtained during a period of time during which a variation of the plurality of impedance value is a result of the posture change; and means for generating a value of at least one autonomic parameter based on the variation of the plurality of thoracic impedance values that are a result of the posture change, the autonomic parameter value indicative of a relative autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of the patient, wherein greater variation of the plurality of impedance values that are a result of the posture change indicates greater ANS health.
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20. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to:
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detect a posture change of a patient; in response to detecting the posture change, obtain a plurality of thoracic impedance values of the patient via a plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of impedance values are obtained during a period of time during which a variation of the plurality of impedance value is a result of the posture change; and generate a value of at least one autonomic parameter based on the variation of the thoracic impedance values that are a result of the posture change, the autonomic parameter value indicative of a relative autonomic nervous system (ANS) health of the patient, wherein greater variation of the plurality of impedance values that are a result of the posture change indicates greater ANS health.
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Specification