Abstract: A system and related method for identifying a trigger event to a patient health-related exacerbation. The system includes at least one sensor configured to collect data related to the patient health-related exacerbation, an analyzer configured to validate the collected data, a patient interface device configured to receive patient inputs to at least one question, and an identifier device configured to receive the patient inputs and collected data and identify the trigger event. The system may also include an expert system configured to receive the patient inputs and the validated collected data and identify a primary patient disease, and a reporting device configured to generate reports related to the identified primary patient disease, patient inputs, and sensed patient conditions.

Abstract: A method of optimizing cardiac resynchronization therapy delay over a patient's full range of activity for use in operating an implantable cardiac pacing device and such a device are disclosed. The method includes measuring selected conduction time between selected sites in the heart for a plurality of beats and logging the values on a periodic repeating programmable basis to produce cumulative data and constructing a current template of conduction time in relation to one or more other sensed parameters of interest over a desired range of patient activity levels. The current template is used to derive suggested optimum pacing timing.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: A system or method including a device configured to measure at least one pharmacological effect of a drug on a patient. The measured pharmacological effect is compared to an expected pharmacodynamic model. The system can allow for real-time monitoring of positive and side-effects of drugs as well as drug resistance to optimize individual therapy. The system can also enable patient compliance monitoring.

Abstract: A plurality of chronic sensors are used to facilitate diagnosis and medical decision making for an individual patient. An expert system evaluates the sensor data, combines the sensor data with stored probability data and provides an output signal for notification or medical intervention.

Abstract: A system receives signals indicative of cardiopulmonary conditions sensed by a plurality of sensors and provides for monitoring and automated differential diagnosis of the cardiopulmonary conditions based on the signals. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is detected based on one or more signals sensed by implantable sensors. If the cardiogenic pulmonary edema is not detected, obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive pulmonary disease are each detected based on a forced vital capacity (FVC) parameter and a forced expiratory volume (FEV) parameter measured from a respiratory signal sensed by an implantable or non-implantable sensor. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device senses signals indicative of the cardiopulmonary conditions, and an external system detects the cardiopulmonary conditions based on these signals by executing an automatic detection algorithm.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of implantable sensors, a processor, and a response circuit. Each sensor produces an electrical sensor signal related to physiologic cardiovascular events of a subject. The processor includes an event sequence detector to permit real-time detection of a time-wise sequential cascade of physiologic cardiovascular events related to myocardial ischemia of a subject and a decision module. The time-wise cascade includes at least first, second, and third physiologic cardiovascular events. The decision module declares whether an ischemic event occurred using at least one rule applied to a temporal relationship of the first, second, and third physiologic cardiovascular events. The response circuit provides a specified response if the ischemic event is declared.

Abstract: An ambulatory repeater for use in automated patient care is presented. A local memory store includes a cryptographic key, sensitive information, and physiological measures. The cryptographic key is uniquely assigned to the implantable medical device prior to implant of the implantable medical device into a patient. The sensitive information is preencrypted under the cryptographic key and physiological measures are measured by the implantable medical device. An authentication module is in receipt of the cryptographic key. A permissions module confirms authorization of an external data processing device against the cryptographic key. A decryption module decrypts the sensitive information with the cryptographic key into decrypted information. A processor is operatively coupled to the local memory store. A communications module exchanges the decrypted information and the physiological measures with the external data processing device over a wireless interface contingent upon the authorization confirmation.

Abstract: An external data processing device to interface with an ambulatory repeater and method thereof is presented. An external data processing device is interfaced in far field telemetric communication with an ambulatory repeater. The external data processing device receives sensitive information preencrypted prior to implant under a cryptographic key uniquely assigned to an implantable medical device over a secure connection from the ambulatory repeater. Physiological measures retrieved from the implantable medical device by the ambulatory repeater are received by the external data processing device over a non-secure connection.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is configured and programmed to assess a patient's cardiopulmonary function by evaluating the patient's heart rate response. Such evaluation may be performed by computing a heart rate response slope, defined as the ratio of an incremental change in intrinsic heart rate to an incremental change in measured activity level. The heart rate response slope may then be compared with a normal range to assess the patient's functional status.

Abstract: A system and method determines the posture of a body. The system is first calibrated by attaching it to, or implanted it into, a body, placing the body in particular postures, and generating spectral signatures for each of those postures. Thereafter, the system generates spectral signatures for particular instants in time, correlates these instant signatures with the stored signatures, from which the posture of the body at that instant in time is determined.

Abstract: A method and system for setting the operating parameters of a cardiac rhythm management device in which a plurality of parameter optimization algorithms are available. A measured feature of an electrophysiological signal such as QRS width has been shown to be useful in selecting among certain parameter optimization algorithms. In one embodiment, one or more resynchronization pacing parameters are set based on one or both of the feature extracted from an electrogram signal and the value of a resynchronization pacing parameter which tends to minimize the intrinsic atrial rate.

Abstract: A system receives signals indicative of cardiopulmonary conditions sensed by a plurality of sensors and provides for monitoring and automated differential diagnosis of the cardiopulmonary conditions based on the signals. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is detected based on one or more signals sensed by implantable sensors. If the cardiogenic pulmonary edema is not detected, obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive pulmonary disease are each detected based on a forced vital capacity (FVC) parameter and a forced expiratory volume (FEV) parameter measured from a respiratory signal sensed by an implantable or non-implantable sensor. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device senses signals indicative of the cardiopulmonary conditions, and an external system detects the cardiopulmonary conditions based on these signals by executing an automatic detection algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating cardiac performance relative to performance of an intrathoracic pressure maneuver is described. Blood pressure is indirectly sensed by directly collecting intracardiac impedance measures through an implantable medical device. Cardiac functional changes to the blood pressure are evaluated in response to performance of an intrathoracic pressure maneuver.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing cardiac performance through transcardiac impedance monitoring is described. Intracardiac impedance measures are directly collected through an implantable medical device. The intracardiac impedance measures are correlated to cardiac dimensional measures relative to performance of an intrathoracic pressure maneuver. The cardiac dimensional measures are grouped into at least one measures set corresponding to a temporal phase of the intrathoracic pressure maneuver. The at least one cardiac dimensional measures set is evaluated against a cardiac dimensional trend for the corresponding intrathoracic pressure maneuver temporal phase to represent cardiac performance.

Abstract: A plurality of chronic sensors are used to facilitate diagnosis and medical decision making for an individual patient. An expert system evaluates the sensor data, combines the sensor data with stored probability data and provides an output signal for notification or medical intervention.

Abstract: A system receives signals indicative of cardiopulmonary conditions sensed by a plurality of sensors and provides for monitoring and automated differential diagnosis of the cardiopulmonary conditions based on the signals. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema is detected based on one or more signals sensed by implantable sensors. If the cardiogenic pulmonary edema is not detected, obstructive pulmonary disease and restrictive pulmonary disease are each detected based on a forced vital capacity (FVC) parameter and a forced expiratory volume (FEV) parameter measured from a respiratory signal sensed by an implantable or non-implantable sensor. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device senses signals indicative of the cardiopulmonary conditions, and an external system detects the cardiopulmonary conditions based on these signals by executing an automatic detection algorithm.

Abstract: A plurality of chronic sensors are used to facilitate diagnosis and medical decision making for an individual patient. An expert system evaluates the sensor data, combines the sensor data with stored probability data and provides an output signal for notification or medical intervention.

Abstract: A method for assessing cardiac function suitable for incorporation into an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. By measuring daily exertion levels in accordance with the invention, an assessment of cardiac function can be made that has been found to correlate well with conventional clinical classifications. The invention also provides for assessing cardiac function in conjunction with different pacing schemes designed to treat heart failure and using the assessment to select the best such scheme for the patient.