US5040533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable cardiovascular treatment device container for sensing a physiological parameter
Assignee: Cook Research Inc
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Filing: 1989-12-29
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2009-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An implantable container for housing a cardiovascular treatment device is disclosed with a window positioned in an external wall thereof for sensing a physiological parameter for the treatment device. The window is formed of an insulating material such as glass, a semiconductor material, or a membrane for sensing any one of a plurality of various physiological parameters. In one embodiment, the window material is glass on which a pair of electroptic devices are positioned on the interior surface thereof for emitting and receiving optical signals for sensing the physiological parameter. In another embodiment, the window comprises glass with a plurality of electrodes externally positioned thereon for measuring, for example, the electrical properties of the physiological parameter. In yet another embodiment of the window, the window material comprises a semiconductor material having a plurality of layers formed therein to form an ion selective field effect transistor for measuring concentrations of various fluids coming in contact therewith. In another embodiment, the semiconductor material forms a thermistor for sensing thermal properties of the physiological parameter. In yet another embodiment, the window comprises a membrane through which mechanical vibrations or pressures of surrounding tissue or fluids are sensed.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal E. Fearnot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A cardiac pacemaker for variably controlling a stimulation rate of a heart according to a measure of a physiological parameter, comprising: a sensor unit responsive to said physiological parameter and capable of producing a first signal indicative of the measure of said physiological parameter; a stimulator unit responsive to a rate control signal and capable of stimulating said heart; a control unit responsive to said first signal and capable of generating said rate control signal according to a predetermined algorithm relating the stimulation rate to the measure of said physiological parameter; and a container housing at least said sensor unit and said control unit, said container having an external wall including a window positioned therein, said sensor unit being positioned about said window for sensing said physiological parameter in cooperation with said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A cardiac pacemaker for variably controlling a stimulation rate of a heart according to a measure of a physiological parameter, comprising: a sensor unit responsive to said physiological parameter and capable of producing a first signal indicative of the measure of said physiological parameter; a stimulator unit responsive to a rate control signal and capable of stimulating said heart; a control unit responsive to said first signal and capable of generating said rate control signal according to a predetermined algorithm relating the stimulation rate to the measure of said physiological parameter; and a container housing at least said sensor unit and said control unit, said container having an external wall including a window positioned therein, said sensor unit being positioned about said window for sensing said physiological parameter in cooperation with said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said sensor unit includes a photodetector capable of receiving through said window a first optical signal indicative of the measure of said physiological parameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The pacemaker of claim 2 wherein said sensor unit further includes a photoemitter capable of emitting through said window a second optical signal for indicating the measure of said physiological parameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said sensor unit comprises an electrode positioned about said window and capable of indicating a measure of said physiological parameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said window comprises a semiconductor material forming said sensor unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said window comprises a membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
A cardiac pacemaker for variably controlling the stimulation rate of a heart according to a level of a physiological parameter, comprising: sensor means for sensing a physiological parameter, said parameter being related by an algorithm to the heart rate in a normally functioning heart, said sensor means including output means for producing an output signal indicative of the level of said sensed physiological parameter; control means responsive to said output signal for implementing said algorithm; stimulator means connected to said control means and responsive thereto for variably controlling the stimulation rate of said heart; container means for housing at least said sensor means and said control means in a sealed environment, said container means having an external wall including window means positioned therein for sensing said physiological parameter in cooperation with said sensor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
A cardiac pacemaker for variably controlling the stimulation rate of a heart according to a level of a physiological parameter, comprising: sensor means for sensing a physiological parameter, said parameter being related by an algorithm to the heart rate in a normally functioning heart, said sensor means including output means for producing an output signal indicative of the level of said sensed physiological parameter; control means responsive to said output signal for implementing said algorithm; stimulator means connected to said control means and responsive thereto for variably controlling the stimulation rate of said heart; container means for housing at least said sensor means and said control means in a sealed environment, said container means having an external wall including window means positioned therein for sensing said physiological parameter in cooperation with said sensor means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said container means further includes means for positioning said sensor means proximate to said window means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means includes a transparent material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means includes electrode means for sensing an electric property of said physiological parameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means includes membrane means for sensing the level of said physiological parameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means comprises semiconductor means for sensing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means includes thermally conductive means for sensing a thermal property of said physiological parameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said window means includes electrically conductive means for sensing an ion concentration of said physiological parameter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
An implantable cardiovascular treatment device container for sensing a physiological parameter, comprising an external enclosure having an external wall and capable of housing a cardiovascular treatment device circuit, and said external wall including a window positioned therein, said window being capable of sensing said physiological parameter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
An implantable cardiovascular treatment device container for sensing a physiological parameter, comprising an external enclosure having an external wall and capable of housing a cardiovascular treatment device circuit, and said external wall including a window positioned therein, said window being capable of sensing said physiological parameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 15 wherein said window includes an electrical conductor for sensing said parameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container of claim 15 wherein said window includes a semiconductor material capable of sensing said physiological parameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The container of claim 15 wherein said window includes a membrane capable of sensing said physiological parameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The container of claim 15 further comprising a photodetector positioned on said window capable of receiving a first optical signal indicative of said physiological parameter and wherein said window includes a transparent material capable of passing said optical signal therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container of claim 19 further comprising a photoemitter capable of emitting through said transparent material a second optical signal means for sensing said physiological parameter.
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) | 1994-08-19 | 1995-02-18 | 1995-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-19 | 1999-02-18 | 1999-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-19 | 2003-02-18 | 2003-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |