Implantable medical device employing sonomicrometer output signals for detection and measurement of cardiac mechanical function

Abstract

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) for detection and measurement of cardiac mechanical and electrical function employ a system and method for determining mechanical heart function and measuring mechanical heart performance of upper and lower and left and right heart chambers without intruding into a left heart chamber through use of a dimension sensor. The dimension sensor or sensors comprise at least a first sonomicrometer piezoelectric crystal mounted to a first lead body implanted into or in relation to one heart chamber that operates as an ultrasound transmitter when a drive signal is applied to it and at least one second sonomicrometer crystal mounted to a second lead body implanted into or in relation to a second heart chamber that operates as an ultrasound receiver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.