US3885572A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick discharge circuit for pacer nuclear power supply
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A quick discharge circuit for a pacer''s nuclear power supply. A pacer capable of implantation within the body of a patient and capable of being powered by at least one nuclear battery is disclosed. Voltage from a single nuclear battery is increased by a factor of about 25 to 30 in order to provide a voltage level adequate to power pacer circuitry. A restartable DC-DC converter is used for this purpose. But if the converter malfunctions the load voltage must be reduced below a certain level for the converter to be automatically restarted. The present invention relates to means for reducing the time from converter malfunction to resumption of converter operation in order to reduce the corresponding inoperative pacer time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Chieh Yang Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:15
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/378
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An implantable pacer for stimulating the heart of a patient, said pacer comprising terminal means for connection to said patient''s heart, pulse generating means for generating heart stimulating pulses on said terminal means, voltage source means for providing a first voltage level, means for converting said first voltage level to a second voltage level, means utilizing said second voltage level for energizing said pulse generating means, said energizing means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means to said second voltage level, circuit means for providing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and said second levels, and quick discharge means for rapidly discharging said capacitor means to below said third voltage level when said converting means malfunctions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An implantable pacer for stimulating the heart of a patient, said pacer comprising terminal means for connection to said patient''s heart, pulse generating means for generating heart stimulating pulses on said terminal means, voltage source means for providing a first voltage level, means for converting said first voltage level to a second voltage level, means utilizing said second voltage level for energizing said pulse generating means, said energizing means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means to said second voltage level, circuit means for providing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and said second levels, and quick discharge means for rapidly discharging said capacitor means to below said third voltage level when said converting means malfunctions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 and wherein said voltage source means comprises at least one nuclear battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 and wherein said second voltage level is higher than said first voltage level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pacer as recited in claim 1 and wherein said quick discharge means comprises means for sensing voltage on said capacitor means, and means for establishing high, medium, and low voltage ranges and for providing a rapid discharge rate during said medium voltage range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A pacer as recited in claim 4 wherein said capacitive means has positive and negative terminals and wherein said range establishing means comprises field-effect transistor means having source, drain, and gate terminals, means for extending said sensed voltage to said source terminal, means for conductively connecting said drain terminal to said positive terminal and for conductively connecting said gate terminal to said negative terminal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for powEring an implantable heart pacer with an implantable power supply, said supply including output capacitor means, said method comprising the steps of: a. generating a first voltage level; b. converting said first level to a second voltage level; c. charging said capacitor means towards said second level; d. utilizing said second level for energizing said pacer; e. establishing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and second levels; f. sensing the functioning of said supply by sensing voltage on said capacitor means; g. establishing high, medium, and low voltage ranges; h. controlling rate of discharge of said capacitor means during said medium voltage range to have a rapid discharge rate when said supply malfunctions; and i. determining voltage on said capacitor means being less than said third level for quickly and automatically restoring proper functioning of said supply.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for powEring an implantable heart pacer with an implantable power supply, said supply including output capacitor means, said method comprising the steps of: a. generating a first voltage level; b. converting said first level to a second voltage level; c. charging said capacitor means towards said second level; d. utilizing said second level for energizing said pacer; e. establishing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and second levels; f. sensing the functioning of said supply by sensing voltage on said capacitor means; g. establishing high, medium, and low voltage ranges; h. controlling rate of discharge of said capacitor means during said medium voltage range to have a rapid discharge rate when said supply malfunctions; and i. determining voltage on said capacitor means being less than said third level for quickly and automatically restoring proper functioning of said supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A quick discharge circuit for use with a nuclear battery powered implantable heart pacer, said pacer comprising terminal means for connection to said patient''s heart, pulse generating means for generating heart stimulating pulses on said terminal means, voltage source means for providing a first voltage level, means for converting said first voltage level to a second voltage level, means utilizing said second voltage level for energizing said pulse generating means, said energizing means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means to said second voltage level, circuit means for providing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and said second levels, and wherein said quick discharge circuit comprises means for rapidly discharging said capacitor means to below said third voltage level when said converting means malfunctions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
A quick discharge circuit for use with a nuclear battery powered implantable heart pacer, said pacer comprising terminal means for connection to said patient''s heart, pulse generating means for generating heart stimulating pulses on said terminal means, voltage source means for providing a first voltage level, means for converting said first voltage level to a second voltage level, means utilizing said second voltage level for energizing said pulse generating means, said energizing means including capacitor means, means for charging said capacitor means to said second voltage level, circuit means for providing a third voltage level below the lower of said first and said second levels, and wherein said quick discharge circuit comprises means for rapidly discharging said capacitor means to below said third voltage level when said converting means malfunctions.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |