US5320643A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic cardiac capture restoration and threshold-seeking method and apparatus
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-06
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2012-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic capture restoration and threshold-seeking method and apparatus for use with a cardiac pacemaker derives control signals for restoring cardiac capture from a cardiac pressure sensor. The pressure sensor also provides input control signals for a threshold-seeking apparatus. Both pulse width and amplitude thresholds can be changed contemporaneously during both capture restoration and threshold seeking.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn M. Roline
- 👤 Lucy M. Nichols
- 👤 Tommy D. Bennett
- 👤 David L. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/371; A61N1/3712; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36564
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A cardiac pacemaker capable of automatically seeking stimulation signal thresholds to increase power efficiency comprising: capture detection means for detecting capture of a heart; amplitude seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking amplitude thresholds of said stimulation signals; and pulse width seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking pulse width thresholds of said stimulation signals; wherein said pulse width seeking means comprises means for, in response to a loss-of-capture condition detected by said capture detection means, increasing said pulse width to a maximum programmed level for a predetermined timeout period, and for seeking lower pulse width thresholds when capture is maintained after the expiration of said predetermined timeout period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A cardiac pacemaker capable of automatically seeking stimulation signal thresholds to increase power efficiency comprising: capture detection means for detecting capture of a heart; amplitude seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking amplitude thresholds of said stimulation signals; and pulse width seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking pulse width thresholds of said stimulation signals; wherein said pulse width seeking means comprises means for, in response to a loss-of-capture condition detected by said capture detection means, increasing said pulse width to a maximum programmed level for a predetermined timeout period, and for seeking lower pulse width thresholds when capture is maintained after the expiration of said predetermined timeout period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The cardiac pacemaker in claim 1 wherein said amplitude seeking means comprises means for increasing said amplitude to a maximum programmed level during said predetermined timeout period, when capture has not been regained by said pulse width seeking means increasing said pulse width to the maximum programmed level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A cardiac pacemaker capable of automatically seeking stimulation signal thresholds to increase power efficiency comprising: capture detection means for detecting capture of a heart; amplitude seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking amplitude thresholds of said stimulation signals; and pulse width seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking pulse width thresholds of said stimulation signals; wherein said amplitude seeking means comprises means for, in response to a loss-of-capture condition detected by said capture detection means, increasing said amplitude to a maximum programmed level for a predetermined timeout period, and for seeking lower amplitude thresholds when capture is maintained after the expiration of said predetermined timeout period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A cardiac pacemaker capable of automatically seeking stimulation signal thresholds to increase power efficiency comprising: capture detection means for detecting capture of a heart; amplitude seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking amplitude thresholds of said stimulation signals; and pulse width seeking means coupled to said capture detection means for seeking pulse width thresholds of said stimulation signals; wherein said amplitude seeking means comprises means for, in response to a loss-of-capture condition detected by said capture detection means, increasing said amplitude to a maximum programmed level for a predetermined timeout period, and for seeking lower amplitude thresholds when capture is maintained after the expiration of said predetermined timeout period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cardiac pacemaker in claim 3 wherein said pulse width seeking means comprises means for increasing said pulse width to a maximum programmed level during said predetermined timeout period, when capture has not been regained by said amplitude seeking means increasing said pulse width to the maximum programmed level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |