US3746006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled energy output pacer
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1971-07-15
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A controlled energy output pacer. 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 controlling the stimulation pulses as a function of 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 stimulating 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 above a minimum required value regardless of energy source variation.
Inventors
- 👤 S Thaler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/3706; A61N1/3708; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3975; A61N1/3625; A61N1/372; A61N1/378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An implantable pacer including at least one battery, said pacer comprising terminals for connection to the heart of a patient, a pulse generator connected to said at least one battery and operatively associated with said terminals including a variable RC timing circuit for generating stimulation pulses on said terminals, sensing circuitry operatively arranged to sense decreasing value of said at least one battery, and variable circuit means responsive to operation of said sensing circuitry for varying the time constant of said RC timing circuitry in a manner to make the energy of each of said stimulation pulses approximately equal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
An implantable pacer including at least one battery, said pacer comprising terminals for connection to the heart of a patient, a pulse generator connected to said at least one battery and operatively associated with said terminals including a variable RC timing circuit for generating stimulation pulses on said terminals, sensing circuitry operatively arranged to sense decreasing value of said at least one battery, and variable circuit means responsive to operation of said sensing circuitry for varying the time constant of said RC timing circuitry in a manner to make the energy of each of said stimulation pulses approximately equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 and wherein said sensing circuitry comprises a sensing resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 and wherein said variable circuit means comprises a transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 further including means for sensing 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
136 words
In an improved pacer including a battery, a pulse generator, connected to said battery and terminal for connection to the heart of a patient said generator operatively associated with said terminals, said pacer having means for demand operation and being adapted to be implanted within the body of a patient, the improvement comprising constant capture energy output means for providing a repetitive approximately minimum energy that stimulates the heart of said patient, said means including a sensing resistor for sensing voltage decrease of said battery, a parallel combination of a transistor circuit and a second resistor conductively connected to said sensing resistor, the effective resistance of said parallel combination being controlled by the operation of said sensing resistor, and a timing capacitor arranged in series connection with said parallel combination and controlled by said effective resistance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
In an improved pacer including a battery, a pulse generator, connected to said battery and terminal for connection to the heart of a patient said generator operatively associated with said terminals, said pacer having means for demand operation and being adapted to be implanted within the body of a patient, the improvement comprising constant capture energy output means for providing a repetitive approximately minimum energy that stimulates the heart of said patient, said means including a sensing resistor for sensing voltage decrease of said battery, a parallel combination of a transistor circuit and a second resistor conductively connected to said sensing resistor, the effective resistance of said parallel combination being controlled by the operation of said sensing resistor, and a timing capacitor arranged in series connection with said parallel combination and controlled by said effective resistance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |