US3638656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring and stimulating the activity of the heart
Assignee: Fred Liechti AG
•
Filing: 1969-08-14
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1989-08-14
Abstract
Abstract The intensity of the stimulation pulses from the output stage is increased step-by-step to an adjustable maximum value by a regulating stage. The latter is fed pulses derived from the activity of the heart. When these pulses are absent or late, the value of a shunt combination of resistances is increased in steps until an adjustable maximum value is reached, as determined by a potentiometer connected in parallel with these resistances and also connected to the control electrode of a component in the output stage.
Inventors
- 👤 Theo Grandjean
- 👤 Juan Ulrich Zumstein
- 👤 Alfred Liechti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36564
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of monitoring and stimulating the activity of the heart, comprising the steps of generating pulses at a standard pulse rate, conducting stimulation pulses to the heart, converting the movements of the heart into electrical signals, and automatically increasing the intensity of the stimulation pulses to an adjustable maximum value when these electrical signals do not appear during one period of a standard pulse rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of monitoring and stimulating the activity of the heart, comprising the steps of generating pulses at a standard pulse rate, conducting stimulation pulses to the heart, converting the movements of the heart into electrical signals, and automatically increasing the intensity of the stimulation pulses to an adjustable maximum value when these electrical signals do not appear during one period of a standard pulse rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical signals converted from the movements of the heart are derived from the intracardiac pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of indicating the number of stimulation pulses.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for monitoring and stimulating the activity of the heart comprising an input amplifier for amplifying electrical signals derived from the activity of the heart, a pulse generator in circuit with said input amplifier fOr producing pulses at a standard rate, an output stage in circuit with said pulse generator for generating stimulation pulses, and a regulating stage connected to said output stage including means for automatically increasing the intensity of the stimulation pulses that follow a stimulation pulse that is too weak to produce said signals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for monitoring and stimulating the activity of the heart comprising an input amplifier for amplifying electrical signals derived from the activity of the heart, a pulse generator in circuit with said input amplifier fOr producing pulses at a standard rate, an output stage in circuit with said pulse generator for generating stimulation pulses, and a regulating stage connected to said output stage including means for automatically increasing the intensity of the stimulation pulses that follow a stimulation pulse that is too weak to produce said signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The device as defined in claim 4, wherein said output stage includes means for delivering widened stimulation pulses to said regulating stage, said means of said regulating stage comprising a first input connected to said output stage receiving therefrom and having means responding to a trailing edge of said widened stimulation pulses, a second input in circuit with said input amplifier for receiving pulses from said input amplifier, a gate cutoff whenever said second input receives pulses, a third input connected to said pulse generator for receiving from said pulse generator pulses at the standard rate, said gate being connected in circuit with said third input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as defined in claim 5, further including means for differentiating the widened pulses connected with said first input, said differentiating means being in circuit with said regulating stage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device as defined in claim 5, wherein said means of said regulating stage further comprises a plurality of resistances, a plurality of switching transistor means in circuit with said gate for connecting and disconnecting, in response to signals passed by said gate, said plurality of resistances in various combinations between two points of said regulating stage, so as to increase in steps the intensity of the stimulation pulses, and a potentiometer for regulating the intensity of the stimulation pulses connected between said two points.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as claimed in claim 7, including a cutoff circuit for suspending the step-by-step action of said regulating stage when the adjustable maximum value of the stimulation pulses is reached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 4, further including a counter for indicating the number of stimulation pulses generated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |