Method for monitoring physiological cycles of a patient to optimize patient therapy

Abstract

Improved methods for obtaining physiological parameters of a patient in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention can be used to monitor patient status and/or in conjunction with patient therapy. Physiological parameters can be monitored with an implantable device including a first lead and a second lead. Physiological parameters can be measured along at least three distinct vectors defined by the first lead and second lead, the first lead and an electrode located on the device body, and the second lead an the electrode. An output indicative of the physiological parameter can then be provided. Therapy, such as baroreflex therapy, can optionally be optimized based on the physiological measurements.

1 . A method for monitoring physiological cycles of a patient, comprising:
 implanting a monitoring system into the patient, the system including a monitoring device operably connected to a first lead and a second lead, each lead having at least one electrode;   measuring at least one signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient along at least three distinct vectors, a first vector defined by an electrode of the first lead and an electrode of the second lead, a second vector defined by the electrode of the first lead and an electrode integrated into an implantable pulse generator, and a third vector defined by the electrode of the second lead and the electrode integrated into the implantable pulse generator; and   providing an output indicative of the at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter, wherein implanting the monitoring device is performed such that at least one of the first lead or the second lead is positioned on a carotid sinus of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the monitoring device is performed such that the other of the first lead or the second lead is positioned in the heart of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein implanting the monitoring device is performed such that the other of the first lead or the second lead is positioned in the pulmonary artery. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter comprises measures a voltage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing an output includes providing an electrocardiogram waveform of the voltage. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter comprises measuring an impedance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein providing an output includes providing an output representing a respiration cycle of a patient determined from the impedance. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 causing a monitoring system to be manufactured and made available to a user, the monitoring system including a monitoring device operably connected to a first lead and a second lead, each lead having at least one electrode; and   providing instructions to the user, comprising:
 implanting the monitoring system into the patient such that at least one of the first lead or the second lead is positioned on a carotid sinus of the patient; 
 measuring at least one signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient along at least three distinct vectors, a first vector defined by an electrode of the first lead and an electrode of the second lead, a second vector defined by the electrode of the first lead and an electrode integrated into an implantable pulse generator, and a third vector defined by the electrode of the second lead and the electrode integrated into the implantable pulse generator; and 
   providing an output indicative of the at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions for implanting the monitoring system into the patient further comprise implanting the monitoring system such that the other of the first lead or the second lead is positioned in the heart of the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions for implanting the monitoring system into the patient further comprise implanting the monitoring system such that the other of the first lead or the second lead is positioned in the pulmonary artery. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein measuring at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing an output includes providing an electrocardiogram waveform of the voltage. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein measuring the at least one signal indicative of the physiological parameter measures an impedance. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing an output includes providing an output representing a respiration cycle of a patient determined from the impedance.