Method and device for lymphatic system monitoring

• US 7,526,337 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Shuros, Allan C., Kane, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTON, AMANDA K
• Application Number:
  US11/422,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20070282382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 607/6, 607/18, 607/22, 600/300, 600/301
• US Class Current: 607/17
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585

Abstract

A device and method are disclosed for physiological monitoring of the lymphatic system. An implantable device is configured with a lymphatic sensor disposed in a lymphatic vessel for sensing pressure, flow, and/or the concentration of particular markers within the vessel. The device may be further configured to deliver appropriate therapy in accordance with the lymphatic monitoring.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

implanting a cardiac pacing device that includes lymphatic monitoring circuitry;

implanting a lead electrically connected to the lymphatic monitoring circuitry into a lymphatic vessel, the lead having a lymphatic sensor incorporated therein for sensing a physiological parameter related to lymphatic function;

processing sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor via the monitoring circuitry to detect the presence of edema; and

,

modifying delivery of cardiac pacing therapy when edema is detected from the lymphatic sensor signals.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a pressure sensor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a flow sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the lymphatic sensor is a chemo-sensor for generating a voltage proportional to the concentration of a particular chemical species.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting an alarm message via a telemetry transceiver if a value sensed by the lymphatic sensor reaches a specified limit value.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy based upon sensing signals generated by the lymphatic sensor.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising initiating or increasing the delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising adjusting one or more cardiac resynchronization parameters upon sensing a lymphatic flow or pressure value indicative of edema.