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US5230336A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for impedance based automatic pulse duration adjustment for defibrillation shock delivery

Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-16
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2011-08-16
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Abstract

Abstract An antitachycardia device, either implanted or external, which delivers a fixed pulse width truncated exponential waveform defibrillation shock and automatically adjusts the pulse duration based upon the impedance measured or calculated following a delivered shock. The apparatus operates by measuring or calculating the high voltage system impedance, selecting a pulse width for that impedance value and using a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width for the next defibrillation shock.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eric Fain
  • 👤 Benjamin Pless
  • 👤 Michael Hardage

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 23:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3925; A61N1/3937; A61N1/395

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart using a current pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (e) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart using a current pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (e) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 92 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (c) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (d) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 92 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (c) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (d) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) averaging the selected pulse width and a previously-used pulse width; and (d) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the average pulse width.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) averaging the selected pulse width and a previously-used pulse width; and (d) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the average pulse width.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart, the shock having a preselected pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (e) averaging the preselected pulse width and the selected pulse width; and (f) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart, the shock having a preselected pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (e) averaging the preselected pulse width and the selected pulse width; and (f) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein said averaging step comprises the step of calculating a weighted average.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 99 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (d) determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; (e) adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; and (f) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 99 words
A method of delivering a selected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the method comprising: (a) determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (d) determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; (e) adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; and (f) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 114 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the method comprising: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock having the preselected pulse width; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (e) determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in termination the arrhythmia; (f) adjusting the selected pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; and (g) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 114 words
A method of delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the method comprising: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivering a defibrillation shock having the preselected pulse width; (c) determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (e) determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in termination the arrhythmia; (f) adjusting the selected pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; and (g) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 78 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (c) means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 78 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (c) means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 120 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) comparison means connected to the impedance determining means for comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (c) selection means connected to the comparison means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (d) means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 120 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) comparison means connected to the impedance determining means for comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (c) selection means connected to the comparison means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (d) means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 162 words
Apparatus for delivering a predetermined pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for measuring the impedance of the heart; (d) comparison means connected to the impedance measuring means for comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (e) selection means connected to the comparison means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 162 words
Apparatus for delivering a predetermined pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width for a subsequent shock based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for measuring the impedance of the heart; (d) comparison means connected to the impedance measuring means for comparing the impedance of the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; and (e) selection means connected to the comparison means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart only if the impedance of the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 94 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging a previous pulse width and the selected pulse width; and (d) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 94 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; (c) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging a previous pulse width and the selected pulse width; and (d) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the averaging means is adapted to generate a weighted average.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 130 words
Apparatus for delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (e) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging the current pulse width and the selected pulse width; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 130 words
Apparatus for delivering a preselected pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; and (e) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging the current pulse width and the selected pulse width; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein the averaging means generates a weighted average.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 148 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the selection means and to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (c) delivery means connected to the selection means and to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (d) diagnostic means connected to the heart for determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; and (e) means connected to the delivery means for adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 148 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart based on the impedance of the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (b) selection means connected to the selection means and to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (c) delivery means connected to the selection means and to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width; (d) diagnostic means connected to the heart for determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; and (e) means connected to the delivery means for adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; the diagnostic means including means for determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; and (e) means connected to the delivery means for adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for delivering an adjustable pulse width defibrillation shock to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a current pulse width; (c) means connected to the heart for determining the impedance of the heart; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width corresponding to the impedance of the heart; the diagnostic means including means for determining whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful in terminating the arrhythmia; and (e) means connected to the delivery means for adjusting the pulse width differently based upon whether or not the defibrillation shock was successful; whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the adjusted pulse width.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 90 words
A method of delivering a sequence of defibrillation shocks to a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a first defibrillation shock to the heart via a high voltage system, said first shock having a fixed pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the high voltage system; (d) selecting a pulse width for a subsequent defibrillation shock as a function of the determined impedance of the high voltage system; and (e) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the selected pulse width.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 90 words
A method of delivering a sequence of defibrillation shocks to a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) diagnosing an arrhythmia of the heart; (b) delivering a first defibrillation shock to the heart via a high voltage system, said first shock having a fixed pulse width value; (c) determining the impedance of the high voltage system; (d) selecting a pulse width for a subsequent defibrillation shock as a function of the determined impedance of the high voltage system; and (e) delivering a subsequent defibrillation shock having the selected pulse width.
Claim 32
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of delivering a defibrillation shock to a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) determining the impedance of the heart and a shock delivery system coupled to the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width for said shock as a function of the impedance of the heart and shock delivery system; and (c) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width based on said selected pulse width.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 68 words
A method of delivering a defibrillation shock to a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) determining the impedance of the heart and a shock delivery system coupled to the heart; (b) selecting a pulse width for said shock as a function of the impedance of the heart and shock delivery system; and (c) delivering a defibrillation shock having a pulse width based on said selected pulse width.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 18 and further including the step of averaging the selected pulse width with a previously-used pulse width to provide the pulse width for delivery of the defibrillation shock.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 85 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock to a patient's heart based on the impedance of a high voltage system and the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for determining the impedance of the high voltage system and heart; (b) means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width based on the impedance of the heart; and (c) means connected to the heart for delivering through the high voltage system a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 85 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock to a patient's heart based on the impedance of a high voltage system and the heart, the apparatus comprising: (a) means for determining the impedance of the high voltage system and heart; (b) means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a pulse width based on the impedance of the heart; and (c) means connected to the heart for delivering through the high voltage system a defibrillation shock having a pulse width derived from the selected pulse width.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock to a heart comprising: (a) a high voltage system for delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart having a selected pulse width; (b) means for determining the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart; (c) means connected to the impedance determining means for comparing the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (d) selection means connected to the comparing measn for selecting a pulse width based on the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart only if the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart meets the predetermined criteria.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 124 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock to a heart comprising: (a) a high voltage system for delivering a defibrillation shock to the heart having a selected pulse width; (b) means for determining the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart; (c) means connected to the impedance determining means for comparing the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart with a predetermined criteria to determine whether the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart meets the predetermined criteria; (d) selection means connected to the comparing measn for selecting a pulse width based on the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart only if the impedance of the high voltage system and the heart meets the predetermined criteria.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 149 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock having a preselected pulse width to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart and a high voltage system following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means including the high voltage system connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a first pulse width; (c) means for determining the impedance of the heart and the high voltage system; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a second pulse width based on the impedance of the heart and the high voltage system; and (e) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging the first pulse width and the second pulse width; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 149 words
Apparatus for delivering a defibrillation shock having a preselected pulse width to a heart and automatically adjusting the pulse width based upon the impedance of the heart and a high voltage system following a delivered defibrillation shock, the apparatus comprising: (a) diagnostic means connected to the heart for diagnosing an arrhythmia; (b) delivery means including the high voltage system connected to the heart for delivering a defibrillation shock having a first pulse width; (c) means for determining the impedance of the heart and the high voltage system; (d) selection means connected to the impedance determining means for selecting a second pulse width based on the impedance of the heart and the high voltage system; and (e) averaging means connected to the selection means for averaging the first pulse width and the second pulse width; (f) whereby the delivery means delivers a subsequent defibrillation shock having the average pulse width.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3706313A Cited
GB2070282A Cited
US4574810A Cited
EP0315368A1 Cited
EP0437104A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

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