Implantable blood pressure monitor

Abstract

A method for monitoring blood pressure includes sensing and storing sympathetic nerve activity data of a patient via a recording lead of an implantable medical device. Changes in sympathetic nerve activity from the nerve activity data are determined. Corresponding changes in blood pressure are determined from the changes in sympathetic nerve activity. An alert signal and/or modification of therapy can be provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for monitoring blood pressure of a human patient, the method comprising:
 implanting in the patient a medical device including a processor and a storage module, wherein the medical device is operably coupled to a recording lead;   positioning a distal end of the recording lead adjacent a post-ganglionic nerve ending for a kidney of the patient;   receiving, via the recording lead, sympathetic nerve activity of the patient;   comparing changes in sympathetic nerve activity to a patient-specific threshold value; and   providing an alert signal indicative of a blood pressure status of the patient via the medical device.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein providing an alert signal indicative of a blood pressure status of the patient comprises providing an alert signal to the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein providing an alert signal indicative of a blood pressure status of the patient comprises wirelessly transmitting data to a medical center. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein receiving, via the recording lead, sympathetic nerve activity of the patient further comprises storing the received sympathetic nerve activity as stored nerve activity data in the storage module, and wherein the method further comprises:
 wirelessly transmitting the stored nerve activity data from the medical device to a medical center via an external handheld medical monitor. 
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising wirelessly communicating with the medical device via a telemetry programmer external to the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing neuromodulation therapy to the patient via a therapy lead electrically coupled to a pulse generator of the medical device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein providing neuromodulation therapy to the patient via a therapy lead comprises stimulating target neural tissue via the therapy lead to increase sympathetic nerve activity. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein implanting in the patient a medical device including a processor and a storage module comprises subcutaneously implanting the medical device in the patient. 
     
     
         29 . A medical apparatus, comprising;
 a patient-implantable medical device including a processor and a data storage module; and   a recording lead having a first end operably coupled to the implantable medical device and a second end operable for sensing and transmitting sympathetic nerve activity data when implanted adjacent to a post-ganglionic nerve ending for a kidney of the patient,   wherein the processor is configured to determine changes in blood pressure corresponding to changes in sensed sympathetic nerve activity.   
     
     
         30 . The medical apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the processor is operable to compare nerve activity changes to a patient specific threshold value. 
     
     
         31 . The medical apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the implantable medical device includes a feedback module operable for transmitting an alert signal when a threshold value is exceeded. 
     
     
         32 . The medical apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the alert signal comprises an auditory or vibratory signal directed to the patient. 
     
     
         33 . The medical apparatus of  claim 31  wherein the alert signal comprises a wireless transmission to a remote medical center. 
     
     
         34 . The medical apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the implantable medical device comprises a pulse generator module and a therapy lead electrically coupled to the pulse generator module, and wherein the therapy lead is configured for delivering sympathetic nerve activity neuromodulation from the pulse generator module to target nerves of the patient. 
     
     
         35 . The medical apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a wireless handheld medical monitor external to the patient and configured for wireless data communication with the implantable medical device. 
     
     
         36 . The medical apparatus of  claim 29 , further comprising a telemetry programmer device external to the patient and configured for wireless communication with the implantable medical device.