US4827934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sensing margin detectors for implantable electromedical devices
Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-27
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Granted: 1989-05-09
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Expires: 2007-10-27
Abstract
Abstract Circuitry for quantitatively determining the level of processed heart signals relative to actual sensing sensitivity level (threshold) in an implantable pacemaker. The measurement is useful for adjusting the settable threshold, polarity, filtering or amplification parameter settings for safe operation and noise rejection of the pacemaker.
Inventors
- 👤 Christer Ekwall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/3706; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An implantable electromedical device for developing predetermined control signals in response to sensed physiological reactions comprising: signal processing means coupled to receive signals corresponding to electrophysiological activity and to develop processed signals in response thereto, the signal processing means including a sensing detector for developing output signals corresponding to said processed signals; means coupled to the sensing detector for establishing a threshold of response for said sensing detector, wherein the time duration of said output signal from said sensing detector corresponds to the time interval during which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; sensing margin means for determining a sensing margin as the level of said processed signals relative to said threshold; and means for indicating the degree of difference between the processed signals and said threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An implantable electromedical device for developing predetermined control signals in response to sensed physiological reactions comprising: signal processing means coupled to receive signals corresponding to electrophysiological activity and to develop processed signals in response thereto, the signal processing means including a sensing detector for developing output signals corresponding to said processed signals; means coupled to the sensing detector for establishing a threshold of response for said sensing detector, wherein the time duration of said output signal from said sensing detector corresponds to the time interval during which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; sensing margin means for determining a sensing margin as the level of said processed signals relative to said threshold; and means for indicating the degree of difference between the processed signals and said threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the indicating means includes a counter responsive to signals from the sensing margin means for developing a terminal count which provides a digital measurement of sensing margin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 2 further including comparing means for providing a comparison output signal from the comparison of a processed signal with a predetermined reference voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3 further including means for activating said counter from said comparison output signal for a time interval corresponding to the time that the processed signal exceeds said reference voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said signal processing means includes a combination of resistive and capacitive means for reducing the level of the processed signal over a predetermined decay interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 3 further including variable delay means coupled to the comparing means to develop a control signal in response to the comparison output signal which is delayed therefrom by a predetermined time period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said variable delay means comprise a pulse generator having an adjustable delay interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said pulse generator comprises a programmable monostable multivibrator having a delay interval which is selectable within a predetermined range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the signal processing means further include sample and hold circuitry for selectively storing a processed signal for an interval determined by said control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said sample and hold circuitry comprises a capacitor and a selectively interruptable switch means coupled to receive said processed signals, said capacitor being effected to maintain the level of an applied process signal upon the interruption of said switch means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 10 further including a second comparing means coupled to said capacitor, and means for applying a voltage signal to said second comparing means which corresponds to the duration of the active signal output of said first comparing means, said second comparing means being effective to develop an output signal representing the difference between the voltage across said capacitor and said applied voltage signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 11 further including means for applying the output signal from said second comparing means to terminate the counting in said counter at a level signifying measured sensing margin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 12 further including means for applying the terminated count of said counter as an output measurement of sensing margin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 further including a programmable amplifier coupled in a series processing path for detected heart signals; and means for adjusting the gain of said programmable amplifier as determined by said sensing margin means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises an implantable cardiac pacemaker and the received signals correspond to heart activity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the indication means can be used to adjustably increase or decrease the sensitivity threshold level of said cardiac pacemaker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein the time duration of said output signal corresponds to the time interval during which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein said sensing margin means includes means for measuring the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein the time duration of said output signal corresponds to the time interval during which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein said sensing margin means includes means for measuring the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said sensing margin means include means for measuring the duration of said output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
126 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals, wherein said signal processing means includes a combination of resistors and capacitors in a charge decay circuit; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein said sensing margin means includes means for measuring the time during which the voltage of said charge decay circuit exceeds said threshold level.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals, wherein said signal processing means includes a combination of resistors and capacitors in a charge decay circuit; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level, wherein said sensing margin means includes means for measuring the time during which the voltage of said charge decay circuit exceeds said threshold level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
114 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals, wherein said signal processing means includes sample and hold circuit means coupled to hold a processed signal for a time interval proportional to the amplitude of said processed signal; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
114 words
An implantable device for controlling heart function comprising: sensing means for detecting signals corresponding to heart activity; signal processing means for developing processed signals corresponding to detected heart activity signals, wherein said signal processing means includes sample and hold circuit means coupled to hold a processed signal for a time interval proportional to the amplitude of said processed signal; means for applying a predetermined threshold level to said processed signals in order to develop an output signal only in the event that a processed signal exceeds said threshold level; and sensing margin means responsive to said output signal for providing a measure of the extent by which a processed signal exceeds said threshold level.
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