Patent ID: 9044537
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining status of an implanted catheter, the method comprising: acquiring raw pressure data from a pressure sensor of an implantable infusion device, wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with a lumen of the catheter configured to be coupled to the infusion device, wherein the catheter has a delivery region intended to be positioned in a fluid-filled target location of a patient, the delivery region being in communication with the lumen; filtering the raw pressure data to remove the DC component, leaving the AC component within a relevant physiological frequency range; rectifying the AC component to produce a rectified pressure signal; calculating a mean magnitude of the rectified signal; determining whether the mean magnitude is below a predetermined threshold, wherein if the mean magnitude is below the threshold, the catheter is determined to be in a state other than a normal state; and determining whether a sampling frequency period of time has elapsed, wherein the acquiring, filtering, rectifying and calculating steps are commenced if the sampling frequency period of time has elapsed, and wherein the acquiring, filtering, rectifying and calculating steps are not commenced until the sampling frequency period of time has elapsed, wherein the sampling frequency is between 3 and 96 times per day.