Optical blood flow measurement apparatus and method and implantable defibrillator incorporating same
US5601611A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3956
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cardiac blood flow sensor includes a light source and a photodetector within a housing. The light source projects a beam through a fiber optic line having a first end optically connected to the housing and a distal tip positioned within the patient's heart. Light intermittently reflected off the moving blood cells is transmitted back through the optic line to the detector, which generates a varying signal proportional to the reflected light, and thus proportional to the blood flow rate within the heart. The flow sensor may be contained in a common housing with a defibrillator that is implanted in a patient. The sensor may remain inactive until a potentially unhealthy heart beat rate is detected, upon which the light source is activated. The defibrillator may be activated only if the flow sensor has detected a blood flow rate below a predetermined level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.