Implantable medical device using temperature sensor to determine infection status of patient

A method comprising:

• determining, via a temperature sensing device of an implantable medical device (IMD) configured to be implanted in a patient, a first plurality of temperature values over time;
• smoothing the first plurality of temperature values determined over time to create a first smoothened temperature signal representing changes in the first plurality of temperature values over a first time period;
• smoothing the first plurality of temperature values determined over time to create a second smoothened temperature signal representing changes in the first plurality of temperature values over the first time period, the second smoothened temperature signal being different than the first smoothened temperature signal;
• applying an infection detection model to the first smoothened temperature signal and the second smoothened temperature signal to determine an infection indication value, wherein applying the infection detection model comprises comparing the first smoothened temperature signal to the second smoothened temperature signal, and increase an infection indication value each time when the second smoothened temperature signal comprises a value that is greater than a corresponding value of the first smoothened temperature signal;
• comparing the infection indication value to a threshold;
• determining, based at least in part on the infection indication value satisfying the threshold, an infection status of the patient;
• generating at least one of an alert or instructions for medical intervention for output that is based at least in part on the infection status of the patient;
• and
• transmitting the alert or instructions for medical intervention to an external device for use by the patient, a caregiver, or a clinician.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to at least:

• determine, via a temperature sensing device of an implantable medical device (IMD) configured to be implanted in a patient, a first plurality of temperature values over time;
• smooth the first plurality of temperature values determined over time to create a first smoothened temperature signal representing changes in the first plurality of temperature values over a first time period;
• smooth the first plurality of temperature values determined over time to create a second smoothened temperature signal representing changes in the first plurality of temperature values over the first time period, the second smoothened temperature signal being different than the first smoothened temperature signal;
• apply an infection detection model to the first smoothened temperature signal and the second smoothened temperature signal to determine an infection indication value, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to apply the infection detection model by comparing the first smoothened temperature signal to the second smoothened temperature signal, and increasing the infection indication value each time when the second smoothened temperature signal comprises a value that is greater than a corresponding value of the first smoothened temperature signal;
• compare the infection indication value to a threshold;
• determine, based at least in part on the infection indication value satisfying the threshold, an infection status of the patient;
• generate at least one of an alert or instructions for medical intervention for output that is based at least in part on the infection status of the patient;
• and
• transmit the alert or instructions for medical intervention to an external device for use by the patient, a caregiver, or a clinician.