Control of body fluid condition using diuretics, based on biological parameters

Abstract

The system for controlling body fluids overcomes the limitations of the prior art by automatically infusing diuretic and/or other drugs into a human patient. In one approach, the rate of infusion of the diuretic is adjusted based on a measured biological parameter of the patient. For example, this biological parameter can be transmitted wirelessly to a portable diuretic infusion device attached to the patient.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 967,025, “Apparatus and method to control body fluid balance,” filed Sep. 1, 2007, (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 979,634, “Controlling body fluid condition using diuretics,” filed Oct. 12, 2007, (c) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 986,974, “Controlling body fluid condition using diuretics,” filed Nov. 9, 2007, and (d) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 988,375, “Controlling body fluid condition using diuretics,” filed Nov. 15, 2007, and (e) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 048,113, “Controlling body fluid condition using diuretics,” filed Apr. 25, 2008. The subject matter of all of the foregoing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including any appendices or attachments, for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]These approaches allow the dose of diuretics to be controlled much more carefully than by patient instructions alone, resulting in many possible advantages. For example, early detection and early treatment of various body fluid related diseases may be possible. This can reduce hospitalizations and death from congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema and fluid overload. In addition, patients can now have continuous infusion of diuretics by using a portable, ambulatory infusion pump. Continuous infusion of diuretics may be more effective than bolus u

Problems solved by technology

Congestive heart failure in particular is a major cause of death and hospitalization.

Despite currently available treatment, mortality and hospitalization from congestive heart failure remains high.

As pump function of the heart deteriorates, body fluid often increases and may lead to complications such as pulmonary edema.

This results in retention and accumulation of body fluid because excessive body fluid is not delivered to the kidneys to be excreted.

This excessive body fluid often manifests as swelling of the legs.

If body fluid continues to expand, a weak heart may be no longer able to handle increased blood volume and finally fails to pump blood forward adequately.

Symptoms of congestive heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of legs, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (not being able to breathe suddenly at night).

People do not breathe well when fluid builds up in the lungs.

However, use of oral diuretics often fails to prevent heart failure exacerbation.

When body fluid builds up in the digestive system, it may cause intestinal edema (swelling).

The body may not be able to absorb diuretics effectively.

Patients may need to take higher dose of diuretics when poor bioavailability occurs.

Second, poor compliance plays a role.

This poor compliance could result in heart failure.

Third, treatment delay plays a role.

These explanations are associated with many cases of heart failure.

However, conventional diuretic sliding scale titration has several significant drawbacks.

First, patients may n

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