US3837348A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Externally-controlled implantable cardiac-pacer capture margin testing apparatus and method
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-10
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-01-10
Abstract
Abstract Externally controlled implantable cardiac pacer and heart testing apparatus. Apparatus is disclosed for use with an implantable heart-stimulating device to initiate a test mode for investigating several electro-medical areas including the implanted power source. In one test mode, induced continuous heart stimulation is provided at a stimulation rate dependent upon the level of the power source thus providing an indication of remaining life of the power source. This test mode also provides test-stimuli each of which has its energy reduced by a pre-determined amount to indicate degree of capture-margin available. One of the external controls disclosed causes another test mode in which all heart stimulation ceases and provides a physician with an opportunity to check the patient''s heart and heart rate under non-stimulative conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 S Thaler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/371; A61N1/3712
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In an improved implantable electronic demand heart pacer for providing stimulation to the heart of a patient, said pacer including terminal means for connection to said heart, a power source for energizing circuitry of said pacer, means for detecting the beating action of said patient''s heart, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at a predetermined amplitude on said terminal means, said pulse generator means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means from said source toward a first voltage level corresponding to said predetermined amplitude and means for discharging said capacitor means through said heart, and means responsive to said detecting means detecting a heartbeat within a predetermined interval from the most previous heartbeat for preventing operation of said discharging means and responsive to said detecting means not detecting a heartbeat within said interval for causing said discharging means to supply one of said impulses at the end of said interval, the improvement comprising: means for determining capture-margin including means for disabling the operation of said detecting means, a controllable D.C. voltage divider including means for discretely reducing the voltage of said capacitor means from said first voltage level to a lower voltage level thereby providing reducedamplitude stimulation impulses, said voltage divider comprising at least two resistors connected across said voltage source, and means connecting the division point of said voltage divider to said capacitor, means for determining if said heart is caused to beat by said reduced amplitude impulses, and noninvasive, non-automatic, control means controlling the operation of said controllable voltage divider.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In an improved implantable electronic demand heart pacer for providing stimulation to the heart of a patient, said pacer including terminal means for connection to said heart, a power source for energizing circuitry of said pacer, means for detecting the beating action of said patient''s heart, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at a predetermined amplitude on said terminal means, said pulse generator means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means from said source toward a first voltage level corresponding to said predetermined amplitude and means for discharging said capacitor means through said heart, and means responsive to said detecting means detecting a heartbeat within a predetermined interval from the most previous heartbeat for preventing operation of said discharging means and responsive to said detecting means not detecting a heartbeat within said interval for causing said discharging means to supply one of said impulses at the end of said interval, the improvement comprising: means for determining capture-margin including means for disabling the operation of said detecting means, a controllable D.C. voltage divider including means for discretely reducing the voltage of said capacitor means from said first voltage level to a lower voltage level thereby providing reducedamplitude stimulation impulses, said voltage divider comprising at least two resistors connected across said voltage source, and means connecting the division point of said voltage divider to said capacitor, means for determining if said heart is caused to beat by said reduced amplitude impulses, and noninvasive, non-automatic, control means controlling the operation of said controllable voltage divider.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for determining capture-margin of an implantable demand heart pacer that provides stimulation to the heart of a patient, said pacer including terminal means for connection to said heart, a power source for energizing circuitry of said pacer, means for detecting the beating action of said patient''s heart, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at a predetermined amplitude on said terminal means, said pulse generator means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means from said source toward a first voltage level corresponding to said predetermined amplitude and means for discharging said capacitor means through said heart, and means responsive to said detecting means detecting a heartbeat within a predetermined interval from the most previous heartbeat for preventing operation of said discharging means and responsive to said detecting means not detecting a heartbeAt within said interval for causing said discharging means to supply one of said impulses at the end of said interval, said method comprising the steps of: a. disabling the operation of said detecting means; b. providing said stimulation impulses to said heart at a fixed rate; c. reducing the voltage on said capacitor means from said first voltage level to a lower voltage level by resistively dividing the power output of said power source and connecting the reduced power output to said capacitor means to provide reduced-amplitude stimulation impulses; d. determining if said heart is caused to beat by said reduced-amplitude impulses; and, e. manually and non-invasively controlled said reduced-amplitude stimulation impulses.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for determining capture-margin of an implantable demand heart pacer that provides stimulation to the heart of a patient, said pacer including terminal means for connection to said heart, a power source for energizing circuitry of said pacer, means for detecting the beating action of said patient''s heart, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at a predetermined amplitude on said terminal means, said pulse generator means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means from said source toward a first voltage level corresponding to said predetermined amplitude and means for discharging said capacitor means through said heart, and means responsive to said detecting means detecting a heartbeat within a predetermined interval from the most previous heartbeat for preventing operation of said discharging means and responsive to said detecting means not detecting a heartbeAt within said interval for causing said discharging means to supply one of said impulses at the end of said interval, said method comprising the steps of: a. disabling the operation of said detecting means; b. providing said stimulation impulses to said heart at a fixed rate; c. reducing the voltage on said capacitor means from said first voltage level to a lower voltage level by resistively dividing the power output of said power source and connecting the reduced power output to said capacitor means to provide reduced-amplitude stimulation impulses; d. determining if said heart is caused to beat by said reduced-amplitude impulses; and, e. manually and non-invasively controlled said reduced-amplitude stimulation impulses.
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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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |