Device and method for the physiological frequency control of a heart pacemaker equipped with a stimulating electrode

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of connecting a reference electrode in parallel with the stimulating electrode and the oxygen level measuring electrode and connected to the heart pacemaker; in the potential measuring step, measuring the potential of the oxygen level measuring electrode relative to the reference electrode between stimulating voltage pulses.

Claim 4

A heart pacemaker device for controlling the physiological frequency of the heart including: (a) a heart pacemaker; (b) an oxygen level measuring electrode coupled to the pacemaker, wherein said oxygen level measuring electrode comprises smooth vitreous carbon; (c) a stimulating electrode coupled to the pacemaker for transmitting stimulating voltage pulses at a variable frequency, wherein said stimulating electrode comprises activated vitreous carbon; (d) a counter electrode coupled to the pacemaker; (e) means for measuring a potential difference present between the oxygen level measuring electrode and the stimulating electrode responsive to the transmission of a stimulating voltage pulse; (f) means for controlling the variable frequency of transmission of stimulating voltage pulses as an inverse function of the sensed potential; and (g) means for generating said voltage pulses.

Claim 5

A heart pacemaker device for controlling the physiological frequency of the heart including: (a) a heart pacemaker; (b) an oxygen level measuring electrode coupled to the pacemaker, wherein said oxygen level measuring electrode comprises smooth vitreous carbon; (c) a stimulating electrode coupled to the pacemaker for transmitting stimulating voltage pulses at a variable frequency, wherein said stimulating electrode comprises activated vitreous carbon; (d) a counter electrode coupled to the pacemaker; (e) means for measuring a potential difference present between the oxygen level measuring electrode and the stimulating electrode responsive to the transmission of a stimulating voltage pulse; (f) means for controlling the variable frequency of transmission of stimulating voltage pulses as an inverse function of the sensed potential; and (g) means for generating said voltage pulses.

Claim 6

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 3 wherein said means for controlling comprises a processing circuit and electronic switch means actuated by the processing circuit for switchably coupling an output of said pacemaker to at least one of said electrodes.

Claim 7

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 4, the electronic switch means comprising a first switch coupling the output of said pacemaker to the stimulating electrode and a second switch for coupling the output of said pacemaker to said oxygen level measuring electrode and wherein said means for controlling is adapted to close both of said switches during the generation of a stimulating pulse.

Claim 8

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 5 wherein said processing circuit comprises a processor controlling the operation of said switches.

Claim 9

A heart pacemaker device for controlling the physiological frequency of the heart including: (a) a heart pacemaker; (b) an oxygen level measuring electrode coupled to the pacemaker, wherein said oxygen level measuring electrode is a smooth vitreous carbon electrode; (c) a stimulating electrode coupled to the pacemaker for transmitting stimulating voltage pulses at a variable frequency, wherein said stimulating electrode is an activated vitreous carbon electrode; (d) an additional electrode coupled to the pacemaker for measuring a reference potential; (e) a counter electrode coupled to the pacemaker; (f) means for measuring a potential difference present between the oxygen level measuring electrode and the additional electrode responsive to the transmission of a stimulating voltage pulse; (g) means for controlling the variable frequency of transmission of stimulating voltage pulses as an inverse function of the measured potential; and (h) means for generating said voltage pulses.

Claim 10

A heart pacemaker device for controlling the physiological frequency of the heart including: (a) a heart pacemaker; (b) an oxygen level measuring electrode coupled to the pacemaker, wherein said oxygen level measuring electrode is a smooth vitreous carbon electrode; (c) a stimulating electrode coupled to the pacemaker for transmitting stimulating voltage pulses at a variable frequency, wherein said stimulating electrode is an activated vitreous carbon electrode; (d) an additional electrode coupled to the pacemaker for measuring a reference potential; (e) a counter electrode coupled to the pacemaker; (f) means for measuring a potential difference present between the oxygen level measuring electrode and the additional electrode responsive to the transmission of a stimulating voltage pulse; (g) means for controlling the variable frequency of transmission of stimulating voltage pulses as an inverse function of the measured potential; and (h) means for generating said voltage pulses.

Claim 11

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 7 wherein said means for controlling comprises a processing circuit and electronic switch means actuated by the processing circuit for switchably coupling an output of said pacemaker to at least one of said electrodes.

Claim 12

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 8, the electronic switch means comprising a first switch coupling the output of said pacemaker to the stimulating electrode and a second switch for coupling the output of said pacemaker to said oxygen level measuring electrode and wherein said means for controlling is adapted to close both of said switches during the generation of a stimulating pulse.

Claim 13

A heart pacemaker device according to claim 9 wherein said processing circuit comprises a processor controlling the operation of said switches.