Photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor

• Main Author: Greatbatch, Wilson
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.06.2003

A photonic pacemaker-cardiac monitor apparatus for use during an MRI procedure includes a photonic pacemaker adapted to pace an MRI patient's heart via a photonic catheter, an electrocardiagraphic monitor adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity via the photonic catheter, an oxygen monitor adapted to sense cardiac blood oxygen content via the photonic catheter, and a warning system for warning of a danger condition wherein one or more of the following occurs: 1) the patient fails to receive proper pacemaker stimulation; 2) the patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac electrical activity; or 3) the patient fails to exhibit proper cardiac mechanical activity. The warning system may include a display for providing a visual indication of outputs from the pacemaker, the electrocardiagraphic monitor and the oxygen monitor. The apparatus is fully compatible with MRI diagnostic procedures. It preferably includes a wearable housing having a control panel with three flashing lights providing the display. The first light flashes when a pulse is delivered by the photonic pacemaker. A second flashing light occurs about a tenth of a second after the first flashing light when the first cardio-monitor senses R wave activity in the heart. The third light operates when the second cardio-monitor senses oxygenated blood and thus mechanical activity of the heart. Thus, there will be a sequence of three flashing lights indicating that a pacing signal is being applied to the heart and the heart is responding with an electrocardiographic R wave and with a pulsatile blood flow. This will enable an attending physician to, at a glance, see many of the vital functions of the heart so as to better monitor the patient's response to the MRI procedure.