Patent ID: 7704211
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for use by an implantable medical device for assessing fluid level in a patient's lungs, comprising: detecting a first Cheyne-Stokes respiration cycle; obtaining a first transition value for a respiration-dependent blood parameter during the first Cheyne-Stokes respiration cycle, wherein the first transition value is representative of a change in blood gas levels within the patient during the first Cheyne-Stokes respiration cycle; obtaining a first tidal volume of the lungs value during the corresponding first Cheyne-Stokes respiration cycle; deriving a first fluid index for the first Cheyne-Stokes respiration cycle from the first transition value and the first tidal volume of the lungs value; and assessing fluid level in the lungs of the patient during Cheyne-Stokes respiration based on the first fluid index.