Patent ID: 8652048

Claim:
An implant for predicting decompensation of the heart of a patient, the implant including: a. a first acoustic transducer configured to emit an acoustic signal having a first signal portion having a first frequency; b. a second acoustic transducer configured to: (1) receive and re-emit, or (2) receive and reflect, the acoustic signal emitted by the first acoustic transducer, such that the first acoustic transducer can receive the acoustic signal; and c. a signal processing unit: (1) in communication with at least one of the acoustic transducers, and (2) configured to: (a) determine an attenuation value representing the attenuation of the acoustic signal, the attenuation value being determined as a function of a duration of the acoustic signal received at the first acoustic transducer as compared to a duration of the acoustic signal emitted by the first acoustic transducer and (b) generate a prediction signal from the attenuation value, the prediction signal being indicative of decompensation of the heart.