Remote detection of physiological parameter using an implantable medical device

• US 9,867,987 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2016
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ternes, David J., Baker, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US15/196,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20160303377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36053 adapted for vagal stimulation A61N1/36114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36139 with automatic adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37288 Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system embodiment comprises a neural stimulator having a housing with an electrode on the housing and having a neural stimulation lead with an electrode on the neural stimulation lead. The neural stimulator is configured to deliver a neural stimulation therapy through the neural stimulation lead and remotely sense a heart rate using the electrode on the neural stimulation lead and the electrode on the housing of the neural stimulator.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a neural stimulator having a housing with an electrode on the housing and having a neural stimulation lead with an electrode on the neural stimulation lead, the neural stimulator configured to deliver a neural stimulation therapy through the neural stimulation lead and remotely sense a heart rate using the electrode on the neural stimulation lead and the electrode on the housing of the neural stimulator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to apply or withhold neural stimulation in response to the remotely sensed heart rate, or to trigger a therapy titration based on the remotely sensed heart rate.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to make a diagnostic prediction based on the remotely sensed heart rate.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to treat epilepsy or depression, or pain or obesity, or neuropsychiatric disorders.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the neural stimulator is configured to trigger the therapy titration, including delivering the highest tolerable neural stimulation therapy without increasing the heart rate or an AV delay.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the neural stimulator is configured to trigger the therapy titration, including delivering the highest tolerable neural stimulation therapy that increases the heart rate or an AV delay.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to sense an arrhythmia.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to sense a change in heart rate.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to monitor a cardiac activity including an average heart rate over periods of time during an implementation of a neural stimulation therapy.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the neural stimulator is further configured to monitor a cardiac activity including a trending heart rate.

15. The method of claim 2 further comprising delivering the highest tolerable neural stimulation therapy without increasing the heart rate or an AV delay.

16. The method of claim 2 further comprising delivering the highest tolerable neural stimulation therapy that increases the heart rate or an AV delay.

11. A method comprising:

providing a neural stimulator having a housing with an electrode on the housing and having a neural stimulation lead with an electrode on the neural stimulation lead;

delivering a neural stimulation therapy through the neural stimulation lead;

remotely sensing a heart rate using the electrode on the neural stimulation lead and the electrode on the housing of the neural stimulator.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising applying or withholding neural stimulation in response to the remotely sensed heart rate, or triggering a therapy titration based on the remotely sensed heart rate.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising making a diagnostic prediction based on the remotely sensed heart rate.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising treating epilepsy.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising sensing an arrhythmia.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising monitoring a cardiac activity including an average heart rate over periods of time during an implementation of a neural stimulation therapy.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising monitoring a cardiac activity including a trending heart rate.

20. A system comprising:

means for providing a neural stimulator having a housing with an electrode on the housing and having a neural stimulation lead with an electrode on the neural stimulation lead;

means for delivering a neural stimulation therapy through the neural stimulation lead;

means for remotely sensing a heart rate using the electrode on the neural stimulation lead and the electrode on the housing of the neural stimulator.