IMPLANTABLE WIRELESS SENSOR FOR IN VIVO PRESSURE MEASUREMENT AND CONTINUOUS OUTPUT DETERMINATION

摘要

A method and apparatus for determining cardiac parameters within the body of a patient includes a wireless sensor positioned in the patient's pulmonary artery. An external RF telemetry device communicates wirelessly with the sensor and interrogates the sensor to determine changes in pressure in the pulmonary artery over time. The peak pressure difference is determined. Then, assuming zero blood flow velocity at the time of valve opening and at the time of valve closing, a velocity-time function is determined. The velocity-time function is used to determine a velocity-time integral. The velocity-time integral is then used to determine cardiac stroke volume. The cardiac stroke volume is multiplied times the heartbeat rate to determine cardiac output. The cardiac output can be monitored over time to determine continuous cardiac output.