University of Minnesota

Cprx Inc.

Robert Patterson

Andres Belalcazar

Keith G Lurie

Todd M Zielinski

Wolfgang Voelckel

Scott McKnite

Karl Lindner

Nemer Samniah

Rebecca Shult

David G Benditt

David Benditt

Fei Yang

Wolfgang Voeckel

In a method of monitoring pulmonary edema in a human being, an electrical current is injected between a first electrode located in or around a heart and a housing of a medical device implanted in a chest region. A voltage potential is measured between a second electrode in a superior vena cava and a third electrode in the superior vena cava, where the voltage potential is created by the electrical current. Pulmonary edema is assessed based on an impedance value calculated from the electrical current and the voltage potential and a stored edema threshold impedance value.

Monitor of heart failure using bioimpedance

An implantable medical device includes a housing for the implantable device that is sized for implantation in a chest region of a patient and includes a housing electrode. A left ventricular lead port is connectable to a proximal end of a lead having first and second insulated conductors that extend from the proximal end of the lead to corresponding first and second electrodes near a distal end of the lead. An electrical impedance measurement circuit is electrically connected to the left ventricular lead port and the housing electrode. The circuit may inject current between the first lead electrode and the housing electrode, and measure a voltage potential, created by the current injection, between the second lead electrode and the housing electrode. The ratio of the measured voltage to injected current may be used for assessing pulmonary edema. The lead electrodes may be located in a left ventricular coronary vein.

Impedance monitoring for detecting pulmonary edema and thoracic congestion

An implantable medical device includes a voltage measurement circuit to measure a potential difference between implanted electrodes in a thorax of a living being, the potential difference resulting from an electrical P-wave cardiac signal. The implantable medical device also includes a processing unit to calculate a vector corresponding to the P-wave cardiac signal, the vector comprising a magnitude and a direction, and derived from measured potential differences and orientations defined by locations of the implanted electrodes. The implantable medical device further includes a monitoring unit to track a rotation of the vector corresponding to the P-wave cardiac signal. In various implementations, the monitoring unit may use the rotation to detect an inter-atrial block condition.

Implantable medical device with inter-atrial block monitoring

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a physiological monitoring device which is configured to record signals that reflect blood flow and/or blood pressure, and which may also record ECG signals. In one embodiment, a portable monitoring device comprises a plurality of impedance electrodes configured to be coupled to a patient's body and to generate an AC current with an electrical field to detect local electrical impedance of a portion of the patient's body encompassed by the electrical field, the local electrical impedance being a surrogate measure of local blood flow of the portion of the patient's body. At least a portion of the portable monitoring device is configured to be insertable subcutaneously into the patient's body.

Portable device for monitoring electrocardiographic signals and indices of blood flow

A method and apparatus for measuring impedance for pathology assessment in a living being using convergent bioelectric lead fields is disclosed, including injecting a current between first and second electrodes implanted in a body of a living being, where the first and second electrodes define a first electric lead field oriented between the first and second electrodes. A potential difference is measured between third and fourth electrodes implanted in the body, where the potential difference results from the current injected between the first and second electrodes. The third and fourth electrodes define a second electric lead field oriented between the third and fourth electrodes. The first and second electric lead fields converge near an assessment site within the body, but are substantially separated otherwise. An impedance value is calculated based on the potential difference and the current injection, and is used to assess a pathology near the assessment site.

Pathology assessment with impedance measurements using convergent bioelectric lead fields

Changes in fluid volume in a thoracic region, such as the lung, are detected by internally injecting a current through the region, detecting an induced voltage on the skin of the patient, and calculating an impedance value. A method for performing such a measurement includes injecting an electrical current between first and second internal electrodes that are implanted in the body and that are positioned such that a portion of the injected current flows through at least a portion of the region. The method also includes measuring a voltage between first and second external electrodes attached to an external surface of the skin of the body. The measured voltage is induced by the injected current. The method also includes calculating an impedance by taking the ratio of the measured voltage and the injected current, wherein the calculated impedance is related to the volume of fluid in the region.

Monitoring thoracic fluid changes

The invention provides exemplary devices and methods electrically stimulating the phrenic nerve. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed posterior and anterior in the region of the cervical vertebrae. Electrical current having a multi-phasic waveform is periodically applied to the electrodes to stimulate the phrenic nerve, thereby causing the diaphragm to contract.

Stimulatory device and methods to electrically stimulate the phrenic nerve

Provided are exemplary devices and methods for electrically stimulating the phrenic nerve. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed posterior and anterior in the region of the cervical vertebrae. Electrical current having a multi-phasic waveform is periodically applied to the electrodes to stimulate the phrenic nerve, thereby causing the diaphragm to contract.

The invention provides exemplary devices and methods for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In one exemplary method, a patient's chest is actively compressed during a compression phase. At least some of the respiratory muscles are stimulated to contract during a decompression phase to cause an increase in the magnitude and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during the decompression phase. In this way, the amount of venous blood flow into the heart and lungs is enhanced.

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Robert Patterson