US3826265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical pulse generator for cardiac pacer
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-05
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A medical electronic pulse generator comprising a source delivering mechanical power at a regulated rate, a motion producing means coupled to the output of the source for cyclically producing a relatively rapid mechanical motion of a duration less than that of each cycle of said pulse generator and having a consistent velocity characteristic, and a transducer means operatively associated with the motion producing means for converting the motion produced thereby to an electrical pulse. The motion producing means includes a first inertial member or element drivenly connected to the source for a portion of each cycle and freely movable during the remainder of each cycle, a second inertial member or element, and an elastic coupling means (e.g. a torsion spring) connected between the inertial members. The inertial members are stopped at predetermined times during each cycle of pulse generation, whereby the kinetic energy of one of the members after generation of a pulse is utilized to store energy in the torsion spring and to position the inertial members for the next cycle. The electrical output pulses are produced at a constant repetition frequency as determined by the mechanical power source and at a constant amplitude as determined by the consistent velocity characteristic of the motion producing means.
Inventors
- 👤 F Giori
- 👤 A Topolski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/378; A61N1/3785; G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A medical electronic pulse generator comprising: a. a source of mechanical power for delivering mechanical power at a regulated rate; b. motion producing means coupled to the output of said source for cyclically producing a relatively rapid mechanical motion of a duration less than that of each cycle of said pulse generator, said motion producing means storing mechanical energy from said source and including means for releasing a portion of the stored energy always at the same location whereby the motion produced thereby has a consistent velocity characteristic; c. transducer means for converting mechanical mOtion into electrical energy and positioned in operative relationship to said motion producing means in a manner such that the motion produced by said motion producing means causes said transducer means to produce an electrical pulse; and d. pulse output means connected to said transducer means and adapted to be operatively coupled to a patient; e. whereby electrical pulses are produced at a constant repetition frequency as determined by said mechanical power source and at a constant amplitude and wave shape as determined by the consistent velocity characteristic of said motion producing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A medical electronic pulse generator comprising: a. a source of mechanical power for delivering mechanical power at a regulated rate; b. motion producing means coupled to the output of said source for cyclically producing a relatively rapid mechanical motion of a duration less than that of each cycle of said pulse generator, said motion producing means storing mechanical energy from said source and including means for releasing a portion of the stored energy always at the same location whereby the motion produced thereby has a consistent velocity characteristic; c. transducer means for converting mechanical mOtion into electrical energy and positioned in operative relationship to said motion producing means in a manner such that the motion produced by said motion producing means causes said transducer means to produce an electrical pulse; and d. pulse output means connected to said transducer means and adapted to be operatively coupled to a patient; e. whereby electrical pulses are produced at a constant repetition frequency as determined by said mechanical power source and at a constant amplitude and wave shape as determined by the consistent velocity characteristic of said motion producing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said motion producing means comprises a movable inertial element carrying an element of magnetic material and means for coupling the output of said mechanical power source to said inertial element for cyclically causing a rapid movement of said inertial element during each cycle of operation of said pulse generator and wherein said transducer means comprises magentic means defining an air gap and positioned relative to said inertial element and said motion producing means whereby said magnetic element is carried rapidly through the air gap to generate an output electrical pulse in response to each rapid movement of said inertial element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said motion producing means comprises: a. an element mounted for cyclic movement in a manner causing said transducer means to produce cyclic electrical pulses; b. energy storage means connected to said element; c. means connected to said energy storage means and coupled to said source of mechanical power for causing movement of said element; and d. means for stopping said element after each movement producing an electrical pulse and for releasing said element for the next movement thereof always at the same location along the path of said element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pulse generator according to claim 3 wherein said stopping means is positioned at a location along the path of said element such that said energy storage means receives and stores the kinetic energy of said element after generation of a pulse as potential energy in said motion producing means whereby only a relatively small fraction of stored energy in said energy storage means is used as mechanical power for generating each output electrical pulse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
217 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1 wherein said motion producing means comprises: a. a housing; b. a first inertial element mounted for movement in said housing; c. coupling means for coupling said first inertial element to said power source in a manner whereby said first inertial element is drivenly connected to said source for a portion of each cycle of movement of said first element and is freely movable during the remainder of each cycle thereof; d. a second inertial element mounted for movement in said housing in a manner causing said transducer means to produce an electrical pulse; e. elastic coupling means connected at each end thereof to a corresponding one of said first and second inertial elements; and f. means for stopping said first and second inertial elements at predetermined times during each cycle of operation generating a pulse, whereby the kinetic energy of said second element after generation of the pulse is transmitted to said elastic coupling means and stored therein until said first element becomes freely movable whereupon said elastic coupling means moves said first element, said second element is moved therewith into position for the next cycle, and the kinetic energy of said first element is transmitted to said elastic coupling means and stored therein for use in the next cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical power source provides a rotary output and wherein said motion producing means comprises: a. a housing; b. a first wheel rotatably mounted in said housing; c. coupling means for coupling said First wheel to said power source in a manner whereby said first wheel is drivenly connected to said source for a portion of each cycle of rotation of said source and is freely movable during the remainder of each cycle thereof; d. a second wheel rotatably mounted in said housing and positioned in a manner such that movement of said second wheel causes said transducer means to produce an electrical pulse; e. torsion spring means connected at each end thereof to a corresponding one of said first and second wheels; and f. means for alternately releasing said second wheel for movement causing said transducer means to produce a pulse and for retaining said first wheel during each cycle of operation generating a pulse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A pulse generator according to claim 6, wherein said motion producing means further comprises means for stopping said first and second wheels at predetermined times during each cycle of rotation of said power source whereby the kinetic energy of said second wheel after generation of a pulse is utilized to store energy in said spring means and to position said first wheel for a next cycle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A pulse generator according to claim 7 wherein said stopping means comprises: a. first means responsive to torque applied in one direction of rotation of said second wheel for releasably holding said second wheel responsive to torque in said one direction of rotation of said second wheel, said first means being positioned 180* ahead of the location of said transducer means with respect to rotation of said second wheel in said one direction; b. second means for engaging said second wheel at a point in the rotational movement thereof, said second means allowing rotation of said second wheel in said one direction but blocking rotation in the opposite direction, said second means being positioned at least about 90* and less than 180* beyond the location of said transducer means with respect to rotation of said second wheel in said one direction; and c. ratchet means limiting rotation in one direction on said first wheel during the portion of each cycle when said first wheel is freely movable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A pulse generator according to claim 6 wherein said coupling means comprises: a. a first gear coupled to the output of said mechanical power source so as to be rotated thereby, said gear being without teeth along a portion of the circumference thereof; and b. a second gear connected to said first wheel and positioned in meshing relationship with said first gear, said second gear having a larger number of teeth than said first gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pulse generator according to claim 9 wherein said first gear is without teeth along less than half the circumference thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1 further including means for converting fluctuating pressure which exists naturally in tissue adjacent a beating heart into mechanical movements for driving said mechanical power source, said converting means comprising: a. first transducer means adapted to be implanted in tissue adjacent the heart for converting tissue movements into fluid motion and pressure fluctuations; b. second transducer means mechanically coupled to the input of said mechanical power source for converting fluid motion and pressure fluctuation into mechanical movements; and c. means connected to said first and second transducers for placing said tranducers in fluid communication.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said motion producing means is operative to provide high power over a short duty cycle and said mechanical power source is operative to provide low power over a long duty cycle whereby the intermittent mechanical power level available during the generation of said electrical pulse is many times greater than the continuous mechanical power level delivered by said source to said motion producing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A pulse generator according to claim 1, wherein said motion producIng means includes an element which is moved when said motion producing means releases said mechanical energy from said source, the movement of said element causing said transducer means to produce said pulse, and wherein said means for releasing a portion of the stored energy causes said element to be moved with said consistent velocity characteristic.
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) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |