Telemetry-synchronized physiological monitoring and therapy delivery systems

Abstract

A physiological monitoring or therapy delivery system includes autonomous, wirelessly linked, implantable devices located at different areas to sense physiologic signals and deliver therapy. At least one of the implantable devices can trigger synchronized action (e.g. data capture or therapy delivery) by other implantable devices via a telemetry link.

1 . A method of obtaining synchronized physiologic data, the method comprising:
 sensing physiologic data with a plurality of implantable physiologic measurement devices;   detecting an event at one of the physiologic measurement devices based upon physiologic data sensed by that device; and   wirelessly communicating with another one of the implantable physiologic measurement devices to trigger synchronized physiologic data capture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physiologic measurement devices comprise an implantable ECG monitor and an implantable EEG monitor. 
     
     
         3 . A method comprising:
 sensing a physiologic parameter of a patient at a first location with a first implantable medical device;   wirelessly transmitting a trigger signal from the first implantable medical device;   receiving the trigger signal at a second implantable medical device; and   performing a time synchronized action at the second implantable medical device in response to the trigger signal.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second implantable medical device senses a physiologic parameter at a second location in response to the trigger signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the second implantable medical device stores physiologic data together with a clock value representing a time of receipt of the trigger signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second implantable medical device delivers therapy to the patient in response to the trigger signal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  and further comprising:
 transmitting a signal from an external device to the first implantable device to cause the first implantable device to transmit the trigger signal. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  and further comprising:
 relaying the trigger signal from the first implantable medical device to the second implantable medical device through an external relay unit.