Detection of vasovagal syncope
US7647106B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/686
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
It has been discovered that a change in posture that results in an increase in orthostatic stress, when followed by a withdrawal of sympathetic nervous activity, may indicate a future onset of vasovagal syncope (VVS). The invention is directed to devices and techniques for early detection of an episode of VVS so that therapies may be applied in advance of the episode to prevent the episode from occurring. Detection of a posture transition triggers a device such as an implanted pacemaker to determine an indicator of an autonomic nervous system activity of the patient. As a function of this determination, the device estimates a probability that the patient will experience VVS. When the probability exceeds a threshold, preventative therapy may be applied to address the VVS and to reduce the risk that the patient will faint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.