Method and apparatus for image enhanced external counterpulsation
An image enhanced external counterpulsation system may be used to monitor a continuous real-time ultrasound image of the patient's heart during ECP therapy.
1 . A therapeutic and diagnostic device comprising:
an examination table for supporting a patient undergoing ECP therapy;
one or more inflation cuffs for ECP therapy;
an ECP driver with at least one hose for inflating and deflating at least one of the one or more inflation cuffs;
an ultrasound driver and transducer for obtaining ultrasound data from a patient undergoing ECP therapy; and
a control system for simultaneously controlling the ECP driver and the ultrasound driver to obtain ultrasound data of a patient undergoing external counterpulsation therapy.
2 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:
an electrode array suitable for collecting ECG data; and
an ECG module for capturing electrocardiograph data from the electrode array.
3 . The device of claim 1 further comprising:
a micromanometer for measuring one or more circulatory system parameters; and
a tonometry module for collecting one or more circulatory system parameters.
4 . The device of claim 2 further comprising:
a micromanometer for measuring one or more circulatory system parameters; and
a tonometry module for collecting one or more circulatory system parameters.
5 . The device of claim 1 wherein the one or more inflation cuffs comprise calf, thigh and buttocks inflation cuffs.
6 . The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound driver and transducer operate in Doppler mode.
7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound driver and transducer operate in M-mode.
8 . The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound driver and transducer operate in B-mode.
9 . The device of claim 1 wherein the ultrasound driver and transducer perform strain rate imaging.
10 . The device of claim 1 further comprising one or more storage elements for storing ultrasound data.
11 . The device of claim 2 further comprising one or more storage elements for storing ultrasound and ECG data.
12 . The device of claim 4 further comprising one or more storage elements for storing ultrasound, ECG and tonometry data.
13 . A method for optimizing ECP therapy comprising the steps:
securing a patient in one or more inflation cuffs;
connecting an ECP driver to at least one of the one or more inflation cuffs;
operating the ECP driver on a first setting to sequentially inflate and deflate the at least one of the one or more inflation cuffs;
examining the patient using ultrasound during the operation of the ECP driver to collect ultrasound data reflecting the effect of ECP on the patient; and
adjusting the ECP driver according to the ultrasound data.
14 . The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:
storing the ultrasound data for later analysis.
15 . A method for performing stress ultrasound comprising the steps:
locating a patient on an ECP therapy table;
securing; a patient in calf inflation cuffs, thigh inflation cuffs and buttocks inflation cuffs;
connecting an ECP driver to calf, thigh and buttocks inflation cuffs using one or more pneumatic hoses;
operating the ECP driver to sequentially inflate and deflate the calf, thigh and buttocks inflation cuffs;
examining the patient using Doppler ultrasound during the operation of the ECP driver to collect ultrasound data;
presenting the ultrasound data on one or more displays; and
storing the ultrasound data in a memory for later review and analysis.