US3939844A
Expired / Lapsed
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Method and apparatus for stimulating a heart to eliminate rhythmic abnormalities, especially tachycardias
Assignee: Ventritex Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-11
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Granted: 1976-02-24
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Expires: 1994-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for stimulating a heart to eliminate rhythmic abnormalities, especially tachycardias. In accordance with a method of orthorhythmic stimulation, the electric stimulation is applied after a delay period following a natural electrosystole. The electric stimulation comprises a train of pulses, preferably between three and twenty, which straddles the end of the delay period. Such trains of pulses may also alternate with one or more trains of a single pulse. The stimulator comprises a trigger responsive to the natural electrosystole of the heart, a first counter of predetermined frequency and a second counter of adjustable higher frequency serially connected to the first counter for driving a pulse generator generating the trains of pulses.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Pequignot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/346; A61B5/349; A61B5/352; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/3621
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart, comprising monitoring the heart for rhythmic abnormalities, measuring the duration of a first cardiac cycle immediately preceding a second cardiac cycle during which the heart is to be electrically stimulated, determining a delay period as a function of the said first cardiac cycle, generating a train of n consecutive stimulation pulses, n being greater than two, so that the train of n pulses straddles the end of the delay period running from the natural electrosystole at the beginning of said second cardiac cycle, and applying said train of n pulses to the heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart, comprising monitoring the heart for rhythmic abnormalities, measuring the duration of a first cardiac cycle immediately preceding a second cardiac cycle during which the heart is to be electrically stimulated, determining a delay period as a function of the said first cardiac cycle, generating a train of n consecutive stimulation pulses, n being greater than two, so that the train of n pulses straddles the end of the delay period running from the natural electrosystole at the beginning of said second cardiac cycle, and applying said train of n pulses to the heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising alternating at least one said train of n successive stimulation pulses with at least one train of a single electric stimulation pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the pulses of a given train is variable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the pulses of a given train of pulses is variable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the pulses of a given train of pulses is variable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the pulses of a given train are identical and of constant frequency.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart, comprising monitoring the heart for rhythmic abnormalities, measuring the duration of a first cardiac cycle immediately preceding a second cardiac cycle during which the heart is to be electrically stimulated, determining a delay period as a function of the first cardiac cycle, generating a train of more than two consecutive rectangular stimulation pulses each having a duration of about one millisecond and an amplitude in the order of 0.5 to 6.0 volts, the train of n pulses straddling the end of the delay period running from the natural electrosystole at the beginning of said second cardiac cycle, and applying said train of n pulses to the heart.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of electrically stimulating a heart, comprising monitoring the heart for rhythmic abnormalities, measuring the duration of a first cardiac cycle immediately preceding a second cardiac cycle during which the heart is to be electrically stimulated, determining a delay period as a function of the first cardiac cycle, generating a train of more than two consecutive rectangular stimulation pulses each having a duration of about one millisecond and an amplitude in the order of 0.5 to 6.0 volts, the train of n pulses straddling the end of the delay period running from the natural electrosystole at the beginning of said second cardiac cycle, and applying said train of n pulses to the heart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, the pulses of said train being separated from one another by free intervals between 2 and 10 milliseconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for electric stimulating of a heart muscle, comprising a probe wire for monitoring the electric activity of the heart muscle, a trigger operatively connected to the probe wire, a first clock signal counter having a predetermined frequency F, a second clock counter having an adjustable frequency F" greater than F driven by the first clock counter, a pulse generator driven by the second clock counter, and a stimulation conductor connected to the pulse generator adapted to be applied to the patient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for electric stimulating of a heart muscle, comprising a probe wire for monitoring the electric activity of the heart muscle, a trigger operatively connected to the probe wire, a first clock signal counter having a predetermined frequency F, a second clock counter having an adjustable frequency F" greater than F driven by the first clock counter, a pulse generator driven by the second clock counter, and a stimulation conductor connected to the pulse generator adapted to be applied to the patient.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein there are two second clock counters having adjustable frequencies F' and F" resepectively greater than the frequency F of the first clock counter, said second clock counters being arranged in parallel, a selection switch being provided for selecting one of said second clock counters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an AND gate connected between the second clock counters and the pulse generator, a comparator connected to a trigger and a display device, the outlet of said comparator being connected to an input of the AND gate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3693627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-23 | 1979-08-25 | 1980-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-23 | 1983-08-25 | 1984-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-23 | 1987-08-25 | 1988-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |