Pulse detection method and apparatus using patient impedance
First Claim
1. A method of determining the presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient, comprising:
- (a) obtaining data derived from an impedance-sensing signal that has been communicated from the patient;
(b) analyzing the obtained impedance signal data for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse, wherein analyzing the impedance signal data includes comparing the impedance signal data to a previously-identified impedance signal data pattern known to predict the presence of a cardiac pulse; and
(c) determining whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient based on the feature in the impedance signal data.
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Abstract
The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating fluctuations in an electrical signal that represents a measurement of the patient'"'"'s transthoracic impedance. Impedance signal data obtained from the patient is analyzed for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse. Whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient is determined based on the feature in the impedance signal data. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data may also be obtained in time coordination with the impedance signal data. Various applications for the pulse detection of the invention include detection of PEA and prompting PEA-specific therapy, prompting defibrillation therapy and/or CPR, and prompting rescue breathing depending on detection of respiration.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of determining the presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient, comprising:
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(a) obtaining data derived from an impedance-sensing signal that has been communicated from the patient; (b) analyzing the obtained impedance signal data for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse, wherein analyzing the impedance signal data includes comparing the impedance signal data to a previously-identified impedance signal data pattern known to predict the presence of a cardiac pulse; and (c) determining whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient based on the feature in the impedance signal data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A medical device, comprising:
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(a) electrodes adapted for placement on a patient to sense an impedance-sensing signal that has been communicated from the patient; (b) a conversion circuit in communication with the electrodes for converting the sensed impedance-sensing signal into digital impedance signal data; and (c) a processing unit in communication with the conversion circuit for processing the impedance signal data, wherein the processing unit is configured to (i) analyze the impedance signal data for a feature indicative of the presence of a cardiac pulse by comparing the impedance signal date to a previously-identified impedance signal data pattern known to predict the presence of a cardiac pulse, and (ii) determine whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient based on the feature in the impedance signal data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification