US5040536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intravascular pressure posture detector
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1990-01-31
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2010-01-31
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for detecting changes in the posture of a patient. Two pressure sensors are chronically implanted at different places in the cardiovascular system. One may be positioned in the right heart, for example, and the other placed in the inferior vena cava. The positioning is selected for ease of chronic implantation. However, the positions chosen must be such that the differences in pressure with changes in posture are differentially measurable. The differences in pressure changes sensed at the two positions enable electronic circuitry to determine changes in posture of the patient. These changes in posture may be used to indicate associated physiological changes such as increased or decreased demand on the cardiovascular system or changes in other homeostatic functions. Compensation for this changing cardiovascular or other homeostatic functions may be partially met through increasing or decreasing the escape interval of a demand cardiac pacemaker or by altering the drug delivery regimen of an implantable drug dispenser.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M. Riff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/0215; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36542; A61N1/36564; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0242; A61B2560/0247; A61B2560/0261; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6867; A61B5/6869; A61B5/6876; A61N1/36535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A cardiac pacemaker including means for generating stimulus pulses at a pacing rate, wherein the improvement comprises: means for measuring a pressure differential between two differing points within the cardiovascular system of a patient such that one of said points is above the other of said points when said patient is in an upright posture; and means responsive to the measurement of said pressure differential for varying said pacing rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A cardiac pacemaker including means for generating stimulus pulses at a pacing rate, wherein the improvement comprises: means for measuring a pressure differential between two differing points within the cardiovascular system of a patient such that one of said points is above the other of said points when said patient is in an upright posture; and means responsive to the measurement of said pressure differential for varying said pacing rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said means for measuring said pressure differential comprises first and second pressure sensors each adapted to be located adjacent one of said two differing points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A medical electrical stimulator, comprising: pulse generator means for generating stimulus pulses for application to a patient's body at a predetermined rate; means for measuring a pressure differential between first and second locations within the cardiovascular system of a patient, said first location above said second location when said patient is in an upright posture; and means responsive to the measurement of said pressure differential for varying said predetermined rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A medical electrical stimulator, comprising: pulse generator means for generating stimulus pulses for application to a patient's body at a predetermined rate; means for measuring a pressure differential between first and second locations within the cardiovascular system of a patient, said first location above said second location when said patient is in an upright posture; and means responsive to the measurement of said pressure differential for varying said predetermined rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stimulator according to claim 3, wherein said pulse generator comprises means for delivering cardiac pacing pulses to the heart of said patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stimulator according to claim 4 further comprising electrical lead means on which said pressure differential measuring means is located, said electrical lead means coupling said pressure differential measuring means to said varying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A stimulator according to claim 5 wherein said electrical lead means comprises first and second electrical leads and wherein said pressure differential measuring means comprises first and second pressure sensors, each of said pressure sensors mounted on a different one of said first and second electrical leads.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stimulator according to claim 5 wherein said means for measuring a pressure differential comprises a single pressure sensor mounted to said electrical lead means.
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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) | 1994-08-19 | 1995-02-18 | 1995-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-19 | 1999-02-18 | 1999-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-19 | 2003-02-18 | 2003-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |