Therapy system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
- at least one input side sensor;
at least one output side therapy applicator;
a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration on data; and
at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory;
wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, andwherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein the system output signal additionally has a time reference signal which contains a predictor of the probable moment in time of the occurrence of the therapy-liable event or the therapy outcome.
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Abstract
A medical therapy system has logic and/or signal processing stages between sensors on the input side and therapy applicators on the output side. A signal parameter is determined from the input signals using the logic/processing stages, and/or an indicator signal is determined from the input signals using a logic/processing module consisting of several logic/processing stages. The indicator signal is a measure of the probability of a future event requiring therapy, or a measure of the success of the therapy.
22 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration on data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, and wherein the system output signal additionally has a time reference signal which contains a predictor of the probable moment in time of the occurrence of the therapy-liable event or the therapy outcome. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of treating a heart with electrical pulses from a therapy system having an input side sensor, and output side therapy applicator, a data memory, and at least one processor between the sensor and applicator and in signal communication with the data memory, the processor having the capability to ascertain a control signal from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, a time-dependent indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, the method comprising the steps of:
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ascertaining a system output signal from input signals and stored data, which are put into the processor, the system output signal representing a signal selected from the group consisting of;
the therapy applicator control signal, the time-dependent indicator, and the predictor signal;forming a signal/data set having at least one of a reference time statement and a validity time range statement which characterizes one of a moment in time at which the signal/data set was received and a time validity range at which the signal/data set is valid, wherein the beginning and end of the validity range do not need to be fixed, and wherein the signal/data set contains at least one of output signals from the sensor, indicator signals, patient condition signals, therapy application signals, system description signals, input signals to the processor, output signals from the processor, and system configuration data; transmitting data set by telemetry means to a remote data processing station in order of time references associated with the signal/data sets by at least one of the following operations; reducing memory required by signal compression of signal/datasets according to the age of the signal/data set; checking die signal/data sets for inconsistencies, and one of correcting and erasing the inconsistencies; investigating dynamic stability of the system to detect unusual data/signal sets; investigating operability of the system by switching the generation of the therapy signals over to a backup system if a deviation between the predicted and the actual therapy outcome is detected, and stopping the previously active system; comparing at least part or the signal data sets that are associated with a predictor of the therapy-liable event or therapy outcome with at least part of the signal/data sets that are associated with an actual therapy-liable event or therapy outcome, wherein when a predetermined deviation between the two is detected, a predetermined change in at least one system condition parameter is made; and converting one of a frequency spectrum of the signal/data set into time-dependent signals and time-dependent signals of the signal data set into a frequency spectrum. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A medical therapy system for treatment orate heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement or either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein the system output signal is a predictor signal which includes a probability evaluation parameter for the probability of the occurrence of the therapy-liable event or the therapy outcome.
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20. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling to operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein at least a first and a second linking/processing stage, wherein at least one signal value from the first linking/processing stage is fed as an input signal to the second linking/processing stage, whose output signal forms the system output signal, and wherein the second linking/processing stage output signal forms the input signal of a third linking/processing stage, which produces an output signal that supplies a therapy applicator crude signal, and wherein the therapy applicator crude signal forms an input signal of a fourth linking/processing stage which supplies as its output signal a therapy applicator signal, wherein the fourth linking/processing stage includes geometry evaluation of at least one of the therapy application means, a time, and a frequency correction of the therapy applicator crude signal.
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21. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and, the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein at least one of the signals from or between the at least one input side sensor, the individual linking/processing stages, the memory, and the therapy applicator forms a signal/data set having at least one of a reference time statement and a validity time range statement which characterizes one of a moment in time at which the signal/data set was received an a time validity range at which the signal/data set is valid, wherein the beginning or the end of the validity range does not need to be fixed so that the signal/data set can be suitably taken into consideration or allocated in the subsequent processing operation, and wherein associated with the signal/data set is an alpha-numeric identification which serves to identify and select the corresponding signal/data set. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data a stored in the data memory, control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein at least one of the signals from or between the at least one input side sensor, the individual linking/processing stages, the memory, and the therapy applicator forms a signal/data set having at least one of a reference time statement and a validity time range statement which characterizes one of a moment in time at which the signal/data set was received an a time validity range at which the signal data set is valid, wherein the beginning or the end of the validity range does not need to be fixed so tat the signal/data set can be suitably taken into consideration or allocated in the subsequent processing operation, and the therapy system further comprising; at least one linking/processing module comprising a plurality of linking/processing stages; wherein a plurality of linking/processing stages or linking/processing modules, independently of or in coordination with linking/processing stages that are responsive to output signals of the sensor means, execute at least one of the following operations by data transmission using telemetry means to a remotely disposed data processing station in order of the time references associated with the signal/data sets; compressing the memory needed for the signal/data sets by reducing data associated with the signal/data sets by replacing more complex data structures with simpler structures by increasing age of the reference times associated with the signals/data using an additional processing and linking stage for compacting patient condition data by combining a plurality of signal data sets of patient condition data associated with various moments in time or periods of time to give patient condition data associated with a greater period of time, said compression effect being proportionally greater, the further back the moments in time or periods of time are in relation to the current system time, checking of the signal/data sets for possible inconsistencies, and correction of inconsistent data/signals or erasure thereof, implementing investigations in respect of dynamic stability of the system in the case of possible unusual data/signal conditions, implementing investigations in regard to operability of the system by switching over the generation of the therapy signals using one of an additionally provided backup and a conventional system in the event of a remaining deviation between predicted and occurred therapy outcome and stoppage of the previously active system, comparison of at least a part of the signal/data set which is associated with a predictor of the probably imminent, therapy-liable event or the therapy outcome, with the at least a part of the signal/data set associated with the therapy-liable event or the therapy outcome which actually occurred, and in the event of a predetermined deviation being exceeded, a change in at least one predetermined system condition parameter by a predetermined amount, and conversion of the frequency spectrum into time-dependent signals and vice versa of a signal data set. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side sensor; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein at least one of the signals from or between the at least one input side sensor, the individual linking/processing stages, the memory, and to therapy applicator forms a signal/data set having at least one of a reference time statement and a validity time range statement which characterizes one of a moment in time at which the signal/data set was received an a time validity range at which the signal/data set is valid, wherein the beginning or the end of the validity range does not need to be fixed so that the signal/data set can be suitably taken into consideration or allocated in the subsequent processing operation, and wherein one of external processing and calculation of the system output as effected by the signal/data sets of a collection of similar signals with comparable signal/data contents and/or a patient model which is stored as data in the data memory.
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34. A medical therapy system for treatment of the heart with electrical pulses, comprising:
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at least one input side senior; at least one output side therapy applicator; a data memory for storing patient, system condition and system configuration data; and at least one linking/processing stage for processing indicator and predictor input signals connected between the at least one input-side sensor and the at least one output-side therapy applicator and in signal communication with the data memory; wherein time-dependent sensor input signals are received by the at least one linking/processing stage, and wherein the system has the capability to ascertain, from the sensor input signals and the data stored in the data memory, a control signal for controlling the operation of the therapy applicator, an indicator signal which represents a measurement of either a therapy-liable event or a therapy outcome, and a predictor signal which represents a probability of either a future therapy-liable event or a future therapy outcome, and wherein a system output signal is ascertained, the system output signal being selected from the group consisting of;
the control signal, the indicator signal, and the predictor signal, andwherein predictive processing for handling possibly occurring signal/data conditions is precautionarily effected according to at least one of the procedures selected from the group consisting of;
interrupting the processing and discarding the acquired data/signals if prerequisites under which the predictive processing was effected no longer apply.
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Specification