Implantable electronic devices for detecting hypoglycaemia using EEG signals

• US 8,849,368 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2009
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hypo-Safe A/S
• Original Assignee: Hypo-Safe A/S
• Inventors: Beck-Nielsen, Henning, Madsen, Rasmus
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANTISKAY, BRIAN MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/812,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20100317955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,097 Days
• Field of Search: 600/373, 600377-378, 600/393, 600544-545, 607115-116
• US Class Current: 600/377
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3439 with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0668 splittable, tear apart

Abstract

Apparatus for capturing EEG signals comprising an implantable signal capture unit (34) connected to a proximal end of at least one implantable electrode (32) is implanted by passing a tubular guide sheath (24,26) along a subcutaneous path from an implantation site, passing the distal end of a said electrode through said guide sheath to bring said signal capture unit to said implantation site, and withdrawing said guide sheath from the electrode while progressively axially splitting the guide sheath to enable its removal. The signal capture unit may have a housing having at least two electrode contacts on its for capturing EEG signals in operative connection with circuitry within said housing for receiving said EEG signals and for wireless transmission thereof for reception at a location exterior to the body of the patient.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in preventing hypoglycaemia comprising an EEG signal based detector which detects the onset of hypoglycaemia on the basis of EEG signals, operatively connected to a generator for generating an alarm signal perceivable by a user of said apparatus upon the detection of the onset of hypoglycaemia, and further operatively connected to a pump for the administration of glucose or glucagon to a patient upon detection of the onset of hypoglycaemia, said pump being operatively connected to a reservoir containing glucose or glucagon for administration, said operative connection between the detector and the pump comprising a processor configured to initiate administration of said glucose or glucagon by said pump following a predetermined time lapse from the generation of a said alarm signal by said alarm signal generator, and comprising an input for a wireless cancellation signal by said user such that input of said wireless cancellation signal by the user prevents or halts actuation of said pump by said processor.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the EEG based detector comprises an implantable signal capture unit operatively connected to at least two EEG sensor electrodes adapted for subcutaneous implantation.