Patent ID: 8224421
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A61B,A61N,G01K

Abstract:
1. A cardiac lead monitoring device comprising: a cardiac lead configured for implantation in a human heart; a temperature sensitive element carried by said cardiac lead, said temperature sensitive element having a surface configured for contact with biological matter and emitting a temperature signal after implantation of said cardiac lead representing temperature variation of said biological matter in contact with said surface; and processing circuitry configured to receive said temperature signal and to determine, also after implantation of said cardiac lead, a temperature signal variability in said temperature signal within a selected time interval, said temperature signal variability representing variability of said temperature of said biological matter within said selected time interval, and to compare said temperature signal variability with a threshold value related to temperature changes occurring in blood within the heart during said selected time interval, to obtain a comparison result and to emit a status signal indicative of a status of the cardiac lead after implantation dependent on said comparison, wherein said processing circuit is configured to emit said status signal as indicative of an extent of ingrowth of at least a portion of said cardiac lead into myocardial tissue.