Patent · US Expired

Detection of pleural effusion using transthoracic impedance

US7340296B2 · kind B2 · utility

212Cited by
144References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 2005
Grant dateMar 4, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/36535
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

This patent document discusses systems, devices, and methods for increasing a sensitivity or specificity of thoracic fluid detection in a subject and differentiating between pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. In one example, a thoracic impedance measurement circuit senses a thoracic impedance signal. In another example, a processor receives the thoracic impedance signal and determines whether such thoracic impedance signal is “significant.” A significant thoracic impedance signal indicates the presence of thoracic fluid and may be recognized by comparing the thoracic impedance signal (or variation thereof) to a thoracic impedance threshold. When a significant thoracic impedance signal is recognized, the processor is adapted to detect one or both of: a pleural effusion indication and a pulmonary edema indication using one or a combination of: physiologic information, patient symptom information, and posture information. In another example, the thoracic impedance threshold is adjusted using such physiologic, patient symptom, or posture information.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.