US5330505A
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US
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System for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1992-05-08
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2012-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A system for treating the malfunctioning heart of a patient includes means which derive at least one electrical signal from the patient's heart and means which derive at least two physiologic signals from or related to the patient's circulatory system. The physiologic signals, or functions thereof, are weighted and algebraically summed in a central processing unit, which may be a programmable microprocessor, having a RAM and a ROM, receives and responds to the at least one electrical signal and to the at least two physiologic signals. Output means, which may include a heart assist pump, pacers, drug delivery devices and cardioverting/-defibrillating apparatuses, controlled by the central processing unit provides corrective measure(s) to the patient. Heart-rate zone signals and the algebraic sum, at any given time effect selection of a particular treatment modality, if needed. Adjustable or variable baselines, against which a representation of the current, short-term magnitude of the selected physiologic parameter or parameters are provided. The variable baseline(s) is (are) a representation of the selected physiologic parameter(s) determined over a long term of greater duration than the short term over which the current magnitude(s) of the parameter(s) is (are) measured. The system may be used to carry out a method according to a corresponding series of steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd J. Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient, a plurality of sensors for sensing respective parameters reflecting condition of a patient, means responsive to outputs from at least two of said sensors of at least two of said parameters reflecting condition of a patient for producing respective signal representations of the parameters, means for weighing the respective signal representations, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient, a plurality of sensors for sensing respective parameters reflecting condition of a patient, means responsive to outputs from at least two of said sensors of at least two of said parameters reflecting condition of a patient for producing respective signal representations of the parameters, means for weighing the respective signal representations, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the respective sensors comprise a first sensor for sensing mixed venous O 2 saturation and a second sensor for sensing activity level of a patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the first sensor is positionable in the right ventricle of a heart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the first sensor is positionable in the right atrium of a heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said second sensor comprises an accelerometer positionable to respond to motion of a patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two sensors comprises a temperature sensor positionable within an interior portion of the body of a patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two sensors comprises a temperature sensor positionable to sense temperature of blood within an interior portion of the body of a patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two sensors comprises a pH sensor operatively positionable to sense pH of blood at a site within the circulatory system of a patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two sensors is a pressure sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means for producing signal representations includes means responsive to output from the pressure sensor for producing a signal representation of right ventricle pulse pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means for producing signal representations includes means responsive to output from the pressure sensor for producing a signal representation of right ventricular systolic pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means for producing signal representations includes means responsive to output from the pressure sensor for producing a signal representation of right atrial pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said means for producing signal representations includes means responsive to output from the pressure sensor for producing a signal representation of rapid change in arterial pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least two sensors comprise a first sensor for sensing mixed venous O 2 saturation and a second sensor for sensing a temperature of a patient.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said second sensor is a temperature sensor positionable within an interior body portion of a patient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said second sensor is a temperature sensor positionable to sense temperature of blood of a patient.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient; means for producing respective signal representations of at least two parameters reflecting condition of a patient, said means for producing respective signal representations including means for providing a baseline signal for at least one of the at least two parameters; means for developing a short term signal of the at least one parameter and means for comparing the short term signal of the at least one parameter with the baseline signal to develop a difference signal as a function of the at least one parameter; means for weighing the difference signal function of the at least one parameter and remaining respective signal representations of at least the other parameter, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to the patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient; means for producing respective signal representations of at least two parameters reflecting condition of a patient, said means for producing respective signal representations including means for providing a baseline signal for at least one of the at least two parameters; means for developing a short term signal of the at least one parameter and means for comparing the short term signal of the at least one parameter with the baseline signal to develop a difference signal as a function of the at least one parameter; means for weighing the difference signal function of the at least one parameter and remaining respective signal representations of at least the other parameter, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to the patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said means for providing a baseline signal comprise means for providing a varying long term baseline signal for at least one of the parameters against which the short term signal is compared to develop the difference signal function of the at least one parameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said means for providing a baseline signal comprises means for providing a varying long term baseline signal for at least one of the parameters against which the short term signal is compared to develop a ratio thereof as the function of the at least parameter.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient; means for producing respective signal representations of at least two parameters reflecting condition of a patient, said means for producing respective signal representations including means for providing a baseline signal for at least one of the parameters, means for developing a short term signal of the at least one parameter and means for comparing the short term signal of the at least one parameter to develop a ratio signal thereof as a function of the at least one parameter; and means for weighing the ratio signal function of the at least one parameter and remaining respective signal representations of the at least other parameters, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to the patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient; means for producing respective signal representations of at least two parameters reflecting condition of a patient, said means for producing respective signal representations including means for providing a baseline signal for at least one of the parameters, means for developing a short term signal of the at least one parameter and means for comparing the short term signal of the at least one parameter to develop a ratio signal thereof as a function of the at least one parameter; and means for weighing the ratio signal function of the at least one parameter and remaining respective signal representations of the at least other parameters, means for processing output from the means for weighing to develop control output for selectively enabling the means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to the patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the control output.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters, and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters, and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprise determining mixed venous O 2 saturation and determining activity level of the patient.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of determining mixed venous O 2 saturation comprises determining mixed venous O 2 saturation in the right ventricle of the heart of a patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the step of determining mixed venous O 2 saturation comprises determining mixed venous O 2 saturation in the right atrium of a patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprises determining the intensity of movement of the patient.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprises determining temperature of an interior portion of the body of a patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprises determining temperature of blood within an interior portion of the body of a patient.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprises determining pH of blood within a patient.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprises determining pressure at a site of the circulatory system of a patient.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of determining pressure comprises determining right ventricular pulse pressure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of determining pressure comprises determining right ventricular systolic pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of determining pressure comprises determining right atrial pressure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of determining pressure comprises determining rapid change in arterial pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the step of determining at least two parameters comprise determining mixed venous blood O 2 saturation and determining temperature of the patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining temperature comprises determining temperature of an interior body portion of the patient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining temperature comprises determining blood temperature of the patient.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 21, including providing a baseline for at least one of the parameters, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the difference between the baseline and short term magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter prior to weighing.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a varying long term baseline of the at least one parameter based on variation of the parameter over a long term, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the difference between the varying baseline and the magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter prior to weighing, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a varying long term baseline of the at least one parameter based on variation of the parameter over a long term, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the difference between the varying baseline and the magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter prior to weighing, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a baseline for at least one of the parameters, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the ratio of the baseline to the short term magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter, weighing the determined ratio and respective ones of the determined other parameter or parameters, algebraically summing the weighted ratio and the other weighted parameter or parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance of the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a baseline for at least one of the parameters, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the ratio of the baseline to the short term magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter, weighing the determined ratio and respective ones of the determined other parameter or parameters, algebraically summing the weighted ratio and the other weighted parameter or parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance of the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a varying long term baseline of the at least one parameter based on variation of the parameter over a long term, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the ratio of the varying baseline to the magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter prior to weighing, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising, determining at least two parameters reflective of condition of a patient, providing a varying long term baseline of the at least one parameter based on variation of the parameter over a long term, determining magnitude of the at least one parameter on a short term basis and determining the ratio of the varying baseline to the magnitude of the parameter as the function of the at least one parameter prior to weighing, weighing the respective determined parameters, algebraically summing the weighted parameters and treating a patient with respective treatment modalities in accordance with the magnitude of the algebraic sum.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient including cardioversion/defibrillation; means for sensing activity level of a patient; means for sensing heart rate of the patient; means, responsive to outputs from said means for sensing activity level and said means for sensing heart rate, for developing respective controlling outputs reflective of condition of the patient for selectively enabling said means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to said patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the controlling outputs.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for treating a malfunctioning heart comprising means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to a patient including cardioversion/defibrillation; means for sensing activity level of a patient; means for sensing heart rate of the patient; means, responsive to outputs from said means for sensing activity level and said means for sensing heart rate, for developing respective controlling outputs reflective of condition of the patient for selectively enabling said means for supplying a plurality of treatment modalities to said patient to effect selection of respective ones of treatment modalities as called for by the controlling outputs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-18 | 1998-01-17 | 1998-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-18 | 2002-01-17 | 2002-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-18 | 2006-01-17 | 2006-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |