Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275350 | SYSTEM FOR ANCHORING AN IMPLANTABLE SENSOR IN A VESSEL - A system and a method of disposing a second sensor module overlying a first sensor module system is described. A first assembly including an expandable anchor and a sensor module is at least partially overlapped by a second assembly including an expandable anchor and a sensor module. If necessary or desired, the functions of the second sensor module can replace the functions of the first sensor module. The sensor module may include a blood pressure sensor. | 11-06-2008 |
20080312720 | MULTI-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM - An acoustic energy delivery system for delivering acoustic energy to an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The system includes an IMD having a power source and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a controller and an array of ultrasonic elements electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver acoustic energy to the IMD. Methods of delivering acoustic energy to an IMD are also disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
20090005829 | Measurement of Cardiac Performance Wtih Movement Sensors and Related Methods - Embodiments of the invention are related to implantable devices including movement sensors and related methods for measuring cardiac performance, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable electrical stimulation lead. The electrical stimulation lead can include a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end and a sheath defining a central lumen. The lead body can further include an electrical conductor disposed within the central lumen of the sheath. The stimulation lead can further include a stimulation electrode positioned at the distal end of the lead body, the stimulation electrode in electrical communication with the electrical conductor. The electrical stimulation lead can include an flexion sensor coupled to the lead body, the movement sensor configured to generate a signal in response to movement of the lead body. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of monitoring the condition of a heart failure patient. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating unstable arrhythmia in a patient. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 01-01-2009 |
20090025459 | IMPLANTABLE VISCOSITY MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - An apparatus includes an implantable acoustic viscosity sensor configured to acoustically obtain a viscosity signal indicative of a viscosity of a fluid in contact with the viscosity sensor. A viscosity measurement circuit produces a viscosity measurement from the viscosity signal. | 01-29-2009 |
20090093729 | Devices and Methods for Measurement of Vessel Elasticity and Blood Pressure - Embodiments of the invention are related to devices and methods for measuring arterial elasticity and/or blood pressure, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device having a sensor element that is configured to engage a vessel of a patient. The sensor element is further configured to generate a signal in response to bending of the sensor element, where bending occurs as a result of changes in the pressure within the vessel. The implantable medical device further includes a controller in signal communication with the sensor element, where the controller is configured to store information regarding the signal generated by the sensor element. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 04-09-2009 |
20090198307 | DIRECT INDUCTIVE/ACOUSTIC CONVERTER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Systems and methods for communicating with or powering implantable medical devices using a direct inductive/acoustic telemetry link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes an interrogator device located outside of the patient's body, an implantable medical device including an energy translator circuit adapted to convert inductive or RF signals received from the interrogator device into an acoustic signal for driving an acoustic transducer, and a remote device adapted to sense one or more parameters within the body. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201148 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING WIRELESS SIGNAL TRANSFERS BETWEEN ULTRASOUND-ENABLED MEDICAL DEVICES - Systems and methods for wireless signal transfers between ultrasound-enabled medical devices are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a source device equipped with multiple transducer elements configured to transmit an acoustic wave, a target device including an acoustic transducer for receiving the acoustic wave from the source device, and a controller configured to determine adjustments to one or more transmission parameters of the source device for increasing the signal coherence of the acoustic wave at the target device. | 08-13-2009 |
20090281396 | System and Method for Detection of Pulmonary Embolism - Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism. | 11-12-2009 |
20100049269 | MULTI-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM - An acoustic energy delivery system for delivering acoustic energy to an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The system includes an IMD having a power source and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a controller and an array of ultrasonic elements electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver acoustic energy to the IMD. Methods of delivering acoustic energy to an IMD are also disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100056931 | CARDIAC OUTPUT ESTIMATION USING PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURE - A system and method sense a pressure signal in a pulmonary artery and compute a stroke volume and cardiac output. A pressure signal is received from an implantable pressure sensor disposed in a pulmonary artery. The pressure signal includes a systolic period and a diastolic period for determining a heart rate (HR) and a heart cycle. An iteratively-updating model can relate pressure signal and HR to a stroke volume (SV) and a cardiac output (CO). The model extracts a mean pulse pressure (MPP) from the PAP signal and receives a patient-specific vascular resistance model parameter and a patient-specific arterial compliance model parameter. CO can be calculated using the HR, the PAP signal, and the model. The vascular resistance model parameter and the arterial compliance model parameter are iteratively updated using the output of the model. | 03-04-2010 |
20100106028 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECHARGING IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative method of recharging an implanted medical device includes delivering a charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device, activating a charging element coupled to the charging device and transmitting charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device, and charging the implanted medical device using the transmitted charging energy from the charging device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100152608 | CHRONICALLY IMPLANTED ABDOMINAL PRESSURE SENSOR FOR CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTIONS - An implantable system for ambulatory monitoring of a high-risk heart failure patient includes a first pressure sensor implantable within an abdomen of the patient for sensing and generating an output representative of a baseline intra-abdominal pressure value of the patient and for chronically sensing and generating an output representative of an intra-abdominal pressure value of the patient at periodic intervals. At least one second implantable sensor is provided for sensing and generating an output representative of a second physiological parameter of the patient. Additionally, the system includes a processor for correlating the output of the first pressure sensor and the second physiologic sensor, and for comparing differences between the baseline intra-abdominal pressure value and subsequent intra-abdominal pressure values. The processor can reside in another implantable device or in an external device/system. | 06-17-2010 |
20100249865 | Systems and Methods for Anemia Detection, Monitoring, and Treatment - Methods and systems for implantably determining a patient's anemia status and treating anemia are described. Blood viscosity is compared one or more thresholds to determine a patient's anemia status. Therapy, in the form of electrical stimulation therapy or administration of a pharmaceutical delivered to the patient's kidneys or hypothalamus is controlled based on the anemia status. | 09-30-2010 |
20100317929 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES WITH PIEZOELECTRIC ANCHORING MEMBER - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a housing having an internal cavity and a flexible anchor assembly that is coupled to the housing. The flexible anchor assembly includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and a piezoelectric layer that is disposed between the first and second electrical conductors and that is configured to displace in response to a physiologic force applied to the flexible anchor assembly and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. The implantable medical device includes power circuitry that converts the voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components within the implantable medical device and/or for recharging a rechargeable power supply within the device. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317977 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH INTERNAL PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative power generation module disposable within the interior space of an implantable medical device includes a module body that defines an interior cavity as well as a flexible diaphragm that spans the interior cavity. The flexible diaphragm includes a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to the first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace within the interior cavity and generate a voltage differential between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317978 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE HOUSING MODIFIED FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable sensor for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within a body lumen includes a housing having an exterior wall that has an inner surface and an outer surface and that defines an internal cavity. A portion of the housing includes an electrically conductive material that functions as a first electrical conductor. A flexible piezoelectric layer is disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall and a second electrical conductor is disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. | 12-16-2010 |
20110009746 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PULMONARY EDEMA DETECTION WITH IMPLANTABLE ACOUSTIC DEVICES - A system includes a first implantable acoustic transducer, a second implantable transducer a memory circuit, and a processor. The first implantable acoustic transducer is configured to receive transmitted acoustic energy from a thorax region of a subject and the second implantable acoustic transducer is configured to transmit the acoustic energy to the thorax region. The processor is communicatively coupled to the first acoustic transducer, the second acoustic transducer, and the memory circuit. The processor includes a parameter module configured to measure a parameter of the received acoustic energy, and a trending module configured to trend the measured parameter and to provide an indication of pulmonary edema status of the subject using the parameter trend. | 01-13-2011 |
20110190669 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR A METALLIC CAVITY IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - Implantable medical devices including an ultrasonic transducer and methods of optimizing an ultrasonic transducer of an implantable medical device are disclosed. The implantable medical device can include a housing, an ultrasonic transducer disposed within an interior of the housing, and a limiting structure configured to constrain deformation of the ultrasonic transducer. The limiting structure can include a separate structure coupled to the housing, or can comprise a resonant portion of the housing itself. During operation, the ultrasonic transducer is configured to communicate at a frequency at or near a resonant frequency of the housing. | 08-04-2011 |
20110218594 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A piezoelectric element within an external ultrasonic transducer assembly can be used for wireless communication of data between an implantable device and the external ultrasonic transducer assembly such as using ultrasonic energy coupled to a flexible portion of a housing of the transducer assembly. The flexible portion can be configured to contact skin of a body containing the implantable device. The transducer assembly can be configured to respectively transmit or receive ultrasonic energy using at least partially overlapping respective ranges of resonant frequencies. | 09-08-2011 |
20120190992 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM - Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism. | 07-26-2012 |
20130110192 | MULT-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130144174 | CHRONICALLY IMPLANTED ABDOMINAL PRESSURE SENSOR FOR CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTIONS - An implantable system for ambulatory monitoring of a high-risk heart failure patient includes a first pressure sensor implantable within an abdomen of the patient for sensing and generating an output representative of a baseline intra-abdominal pressure value of the patient and for chronically sensing and generating an output representative of an intra-abdominal pressure value of the patient at periodic intervals. At least one second implantable sensor is provided for sensing and generating an output representative of a second physiological parameter of the patient. Additionally, the system includes a processor for correlating the output of the first pressure sensor and the second physiologic sensor, and for comparing differences between the baseline intra-abdominal pressure value and subsequent intra-abdominal pressure values. The processor can reside in another implantable device or in an external device/system. | 06-06-2013 |
20130331919 | SYSTEM FOR STIMULATING AUTONOMIC TARGETS FROM PULMONARY ARTERY - Various implantable medical device embodiments stimulate an autonomic neural target from within a pulmonary artery, and comprise at least one electrode, a power supply, a neural stimulator connected to the power supply, and an anchor structure. The neural stimulator is configured to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to the neural stimulation target through the at least one electrode. The anchor structure is configured to chronically and securely implant the neural stimulator, the power supply and the at least one electrode within the pulmonary artery. The anchor structure, the neural stimulator, the power supply and the at least one electrode are configured to be implanted through a pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery. In various embodiments, the neural stimulator is configured to be operational to implement a neural stimulation protocol when chronically implanted within the pulmonary artery without a wired connection through the pulmonary valve. | 12-12-2013 |
20140073972 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECHARGING AN IMPLANTED DEVICE BY DELIVERING A SECTION OF A CHARGING DEVICE ADJACENT THE IMPLANTED DEVICE WITHIN A BODY - Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative rechargeable system includes a charging device that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section is configured to be delivered to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device. The charging device includes a charging element configured to transmit charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device. | 03-13-2014 |