US 12,446,782 B2
Devices and methods for assessing pulmonary congestion using optical sensing
Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Ramsey, MN (US); and Keith R. Maile, New Brighton, MN (US)
Assigned to Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed by Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/866,023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/223,207, filed on Jul. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0014499 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/0086 (2013.01) [A61B 5/08 (2013.01); A61B 5/4878 (2013.01); A61B 5/6867 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0238 (2013.01); A61B 2562/164 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pulmonary congestion monitoring device comprising:
an implantable housing defining an interior volume, the implantable housing comprising:
control circuitry disposed within the interior volume;
a first optical emitter coupled to the implantable housing and in electrical communication with the control circuitry, wherein the first optical emitter is configured to emit light at a first wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is a near-infrared wavelength or an ultraviolet wavelength; and
a first optical detector coupled to the implantable housing and in electrical communication with the control circuitry, wherein the first optical detector is configured to detect incident light;
wherein the first optical emitter and the first optical detector are separated by a distance of 1 centimeter (cm) to 10 cm;
wherein the pulmonary congestion monitoring device is configured so that the light from the first optical emitter propagates through at least one of a lung tissue and an airway tissue;
wherein the control circuitry is configured to use the detected incident light to determine a congestion status of the lung tissue; and
wherein the pulmonary congestion monitoring device is configured to be implanted in a subcutaneous tissue of a patient.