EP0338363A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Configuration programming of an implantable pacemaker
Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An implantable pacemaker having a unipolar/bipolar lead interchangeability includes lead impedance measuring capability for automatically measuring lead impedance, initiated by the occurrence of predetermined events, such as whenever a programming change is made, whenever capture fails to occur in response to an implied stimulation pulse, whenever the leads are changed, and whenever a significant change of lead impedance is otherwise detected. If a proper impedance measurement is not sensed for a programmed configuration, additional impedance measurements for other possible configurations are made in an ordered sequence in order to determine if an improper lead has been installed or if a lead conductor has broken. If an operable configuration is found, signified by a measurement of impedance as expected, the pacemaker continues operation in that configuration, thereby assuring that capture can continue to occur until such time as the problem which has been detected can be corrected.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner Hafelfinger
- 👤 Jason A. Sholder
- 👤 Murray P. King
- 👤 James L. Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/371; A61N1/3706; G; G06; G06F; G06F2218/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A system for maintaining pacemaker operation comprising: sensing means for sensing an operable lead configuration connected to an implantable pacemaker; and configuration switching means for automatically switching the programmed configuration of the pacemaker to a configuration that is compatible with the operable lead configuration sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
49 words
A system for maintaining pacemaker operation comprising: sensing means for sensing an operable lead configuration connected to an implantable pacemaker; and configuration switching means for automatically switching the programmed configuration of the pacemaker to a configuration that is compatible with the operable lead configuration sensed by said sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
161 words
In an implantable pacemaker wherein the operating configuration may be selectively programmed to be either unipolar or bipolar, a system for ensuring pacemaker operation despite incorrect programming or broken conductor leads, said system comprising: means for measuring lead impedance between a first lead conductor and a second return conductor, said first and second conductors being defined by the selected programmed configuration of said pacemaker; means for determining whether the value measured by said impedance measuring means is within a preselected range; means responsive to said determining means for redefining said first and second conductors according to a preselected sequence whenever an impedance measurement falls outside of said preselected range; means for repeating the lead impedance measurement using the redefined first and second conductors; and means for switching the programmed configuration of the pacemaker to match a configuration defined by the redefined first and second conductors whenever an impedance measurement of the redefined first and second conductors falls within said preselected range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
In an implantable pacemaker wherein the operating configuration may be selectively programmed to be either unipolar or bipolar, a system for ensuring pacemaker operation despite incorrect programming or broken conductor leads, said system comprising: means for measuring lead impedance between a first lead conductor and a second return conductor, said first and second conductors being defined by the selected programmed configuration of said pacemaker; means for determining whether the value measured by said impedance measuring means is within a preselected range; means responsive to said determining means for redefining said first and second conductors according to a preselected sequence whenever an impedance measurement falls outside of said preselected range; means for repeating the lead impedance measurement using the redefined first and second conductors; and means for switching the programmed configuration of the pacemaker to match a configuration defined by the redefined first and second conductors whenever an impedance measurement of the redefined first and second conductors falls within said preselected range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said first and second conductors correspond to a predetermined pair of a group comprising tip, ring and case conductors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said preselected sequence comprises tip-to-ring, tip-to-case, and ring-to-case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said pair comprises tip and case conductors and wherein said preselected sequence comprises tip-to-case and ring-to-case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 2 further including means for sensing a significant change of lead impedance during normal pacemaker operation and means for initiating said measurement of lead impedance upon detection of said significant change of lead impedance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 6 further including means for initiating said measurement of lead impedance upon the occurrence of a change of leads coupled to the pacemaker.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 7 further including means for initiating said measurement of lead impedance upon a change in the programmed configuration of said pacemaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 8 further including means for initiating said measurement of lead impedance upon detection of a lack of capture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said determining means comprises a comparator coupled to receive measurement signals from said lead impedance measuring means for comparing said signals with a predetermined reference impedance value corresponding to a programmed configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
An implantable pacemaker system having the capability of operating in single chamber or dual chamber mode and unipolar or bipolar configuration comprising: a pacer stimulation and sense stage for generating stimulating signals and for sensing heart activity; a configuration switch for coupling the stimulation and sense stage to implantable pacemaker leads in accordance with a selected configuration; a microprocessor for controlling the stimulation and sense stage and the configuration switch means; programming means for controlling the microprocessor to provide a predetermined operation of the pacemaker; lead impedance measurement means selectively operable to measure coupled pacemaker leads in a predetermined mode; means for initiating the measurement of lead impedance upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; and means for comparing the results of lead impedance measurement with a selected reference to determine if a change of lead configuration is warranted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
An implantable pacemaker system having the capability of operating in single chamber or dual chamber mode and unipolar or bipolar configuration comprising: a pacer stimulation and sense stage for generating stimulating signals and for sensing heart activity; a configuration switch for coupling the stimulation and sense stage to implantable pacemaker leads in accordance with a selected configuration; a microprocessor for controlling the stimulation and sense stage and the configuration switch means; programming means for controlling the microprocessor to provide a predetermined operation of the pacemaker; lead impedance measurement means selectively operable to measure coupled pacemaker leads in a predetermined mode; means for initiating the measurement of lead impedance upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; and means for comparing the results of lead impedance measurement with a selected reference to determine if a change of lead configuration is warranted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 11 further including test mode control means for controlling the impedance measurement means to measure impedance between a selected pair of leads coupled to the pacemaker.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said test mode control means is effective to cause the impedance measuring means to measure selectively between tip-and-ring, tip-and-case, and ring-and-case pairs of conductors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 11 further including an impedance change sensor coupled to sense lead impedance during operation of the pacemaker and means for initiating said impedance measurement upon the detection of a significant change of impedance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14 further including means for initiating lead impedance measurement upon a change in the programmed configuration of pacemaker operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 15 further including means for initiating lead impedance measurement upon any change in the connection of leads to the pacemaker.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16 further including means for initiating said measurement of lead impedance upon detection of a lack of capture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 further including means for initiating measurement of lead impedance upon the occurrence of any one of a group of selected conditions of pacemaker operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said conditions comprise a change in programming of lead configuration, a change in the connection of leads to the pacemaker, detection of lack of capture, and a change in the lead impedance sensed during operation of the pacemaker.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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