Abstract Pulse-width controlled heartbeat stimulating apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrical power supply and a pulser for generating stimulation pulses on terminals connected to a patient''s heart. An integral control is provided for automatically varying the width of the stimulation pulses as a function of the power supply (energy source) value to maintain the energy output above a predetermined level. The present invention can be used with many types of heart simulating devices including extra-corporeal pacers, but is particularly useful when utilized with non-accessible or implanted pacers. In an illustrative embodiment, a circuit is provided for indicating the approximate amount of remaining power supply life and for controlling energy supplied to the heart with each stimulation pulse to greater than a minimum required value regardless of energy source variation.
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus comprising terminal means for connection to the heart of a patient, pulsE generator means for providing stimulation pulses of at least predetermined energy on said terminal means, and integral pulse control means for automatically maintaining said pulses at approximately said predetermined energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus comprising terminal means for connection to the heart of a patient, pulsE generator means for providing stimulation pulses of at least predetermined energy on said terminal means, and integral pulse control means for automatically maintaining said pulses at approximately said predetermined energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 1 and including an energy source and wherein said integral pulse control means includes pulse width varying means for automatically maintaining said pulses at approximately said predetermined energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 2 and wherein said integral control means further comprises monitoring means for monitoring the energy level of said energy source of said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 3 further including means for sensing the beating action of said heart, means responsive to the operation of said sensing means sensing a heartbeat within a predetermined time from a previous heartbeat for inhibiting said pulse generator from generating only the next otherwise generated pulse and responsive to the operation of said sensing means not sensing a heartbeat within said predetermined time from said previous heartbeat for causing said pulse generator to generate only the next otherwise generated pulse at said predetermined time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said energy source comprises at least one battery and wherein said apparatus is arranged to be implanted within said patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 5 and wherein said pulse width varying means further provides an indication of the remaining useful life of said battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 3 and wherein said energy source comprises at least one battery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
Heartbeat stimulating apparatus as recited in claim 1 further including means for sensing the beating action of said heart, means responsive to the operation of said sensing means sensing a heartbeat within a predetermined time from a previous heartbeat for inhibiting said pulse generator from generating only the next otherwise generated pulse and responsive to the operation of said sensing means not sensing a heartbreak within said predetermined time from said previous heartbeat for causing said pulse generation to generate only the next otherwise generated pulse at said predetermined time.