Patent ID: 7985185
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable heart monitoring apparatus, comprising: at least one intracardiac electrode configured to pick up electric potentials of a myocardium of a heart's ventricle or atrium; at least one sensing stage connected to said at least one intracardiac electrode, wherein said at least one sensing stage is configured to process electric signals that represent a time course of said electric potentials; at least one mechanical action detection stage configured to generate a geometry signal that reflects mechanical action of a heart chamber, said geometry signal having a time course that reflects a change of a heart chamber's geometry wherein said at least one mechanical action detection stage comprises an impedance measuring stage within said implantable heart monitoring apparatus that is connected to said at least one intracardiac electrode and configured to determine a time course of an intracardiac impedance or conductance signal that reflects an intracardiac impedance or conductance detected with said at least one intracardiac electrode, wherein said intracardiac impedance or conductance signal is utilized as said geometry signal; an evaluation unit coupled with said at least one sensing stage and to said at least one mechanical action detection stage, said evaluation unit configured to determine said evaluation unit further configured to repeat said determination of said measured time delay between two fiducial points to thus determine a plurality of measured time delays generate an output signal that indicates a state of heart failure based on said time course of said electric potentials versus said time course of said geometry signal.