Monitoring, preventing, and treating rejection of transplanted organs
US6970741B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/30
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable system control unit (SCU) includes means for measuring tissue impedance or other condition to determine allograft health, in order to predict or detect allograft rejection. The SCU also includes at least two electrodes coupled to means for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient within whom the device is implanted, and may also include a reservoir for holding one or more drugs and a driver means for delivering the drug(s) to the patient. In certain embodiments, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters. Alternatively, this sensory “SCU” sounds an alarm, communicates an alarm to an external device, and/or is responsive to queries regarding sensed information, such as tissue impedance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.