Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for detecting pacer mediated tachycardia which comprises the steps of: sensing electrical input signals from the atrium; sensing electrical signals from the ventricle; providing a stimulating pulse to the ventricle, at a first predetermined time after an electrical signal from the atrium is sensed, if no electrical signal from the ventricle is sensed within said first predetermined time; selecting a threshold rate for the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium; detecting whether said threshold rate is exceeded for a selected number of electrical signals from the atrium; if said threshold rate is exceeded for said selected number of electrical signals from the atrium, then increasing said first predetermined time by a second predetermined time; then determining whether the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time; and if the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time, then indicating that pacer mediated tachycardia has occurred.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A system for detecting pacer mediated tachycardia which comprises the steps of: sensing electrical input signals from the atrium; sensing electrical signals from the ventricle; providing a stimulating pulse to the ventricle, at a first predetermined time after an electrical signal from the atrium is sensed, if no electrical signal from the ventricle is sensed within said first predetermined time; selecting a threshold rate for the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium; detecting whether said threshold rate is exceeded for a selected number of electrical signals from the atrium; if said threshold rate is exceeded for said selected number of electrical signals from the atrium, then increasing said first predetermined time by a second predetermined time; then determining whether the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time; and if the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time, then indicating that pacer mediated tachycardia has occurred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as described in claim 1, including the step of determining if a stimulating pulse has been provided to the ventricle prior to the step of increasing said first predetermined time by said second predetermined time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as described in claim 2, wherein if the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time, then providing an extended refractory period after sensing an electrical signal from the atrium to a time that is substantially beyond the ventricular stimulating pulse to mask the detection of a retrograde electrical signal in the atrium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as described in claim 2, wherein if the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium has increased by said second predetermined time, then providing a stimulating pulse to the atrium within a selected short time after the detection of the retrograde electrical signal in the atrium to cause the depolarization of the reentry path and inhibit retrograde conducting following the next stimulating pulse to the ventricle.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for detecting pacer mediated tachycardia, which comprises the steps of: sensing electrical signals from the atrium; sensing electrical signals from the ventricle; providing a stimulating pulse to the ventricle, at a first predetermined time after an electrical signal from the atrium is sensed, if no electrical signal from the ventricle is sensed within said first predetermined time; selecting a threshold rate for the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium; detecting whether said threshold rate is exceeded for a selected number of electrical signals from the atrium; if said threshold rate is exceeded for the selected number of electrical signals from the atrium, then determining if a stimulating pulse has been provided to the ventricle; if a stimulating pulse has been provided to the ventricle, then increasing said first predetermined time by a minimum desired time interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium minus the actual sensed time interval between electrical signals from the atrium; then detecting whether said rate is less than threshold for a subsequent heartbeat; and if said rate is less than threshold for a subsequent heartbeat, then pacer mediated tachycardia has occurred.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for detecting pacer mediated tachycardia, which comprises the steps of: sensing electrical signals from the atrium; sensing electrical signals from the ventricle; providing a stimulating pulse to the ventricle, at a first predetermined time after an electrical signal from the atrium is sensed, if no electrical signal from the ventricle is sensed within said first predetermined time; selecting a threshold rate for the interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium; detecting whether said threshold rate is exceeded for a selected number of electrical signals from the atrium; if said threshold rate is exceeded for the selected number of electrical signals from the atrium, then determining if a stimulating pulse has been provided to the ventricle; if a stimulating pulse has been provided to the ventricle, then increasing said first predetermined time by a minimum desired time interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium minus the actual sensed time interval between electrical signals from the atrium; then detecting whether said rate is less than threshold for a subsequent heartbeat; and if said rate is less than threshold for a subsequent heartbeat, then pacer mediated tachycardia has occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as described in claim 5, wherein if said rate is not less than threshold for a subsequent heartbeat, then reestablishing said first predetermined time interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as described in claim 5, wherein said first predetermined time comprises the AV delay and said minimum desired time interval between sensed electrical signals from the atrium comprises a minimum desired PP interval.