US5411524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for synchronization of atrial defibrillation pulses
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1993-11-02
•
Granted: 1995-05-02
•
Expires: 2013-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting and treating atrial fibrillation. In response to detecting atrial fibrillation, the device derives an escape interval based on one or more preceding intervals between ventricular depolarizations. The escape interval is initiated in response to a ventricular depolarization, and in response to the expiration of the escape interval, an atrial cardioversion pulse is delivered. In one embodiment of the invention, the cardioverting pulse is delivered immediately upon expiration of the derived escape interval. In a second embodiment of the invention, a ventricular pacing pulse is delivered on expiration of the escape interval, with an atrial cardioversion pulse following after a short delay.
Inventors
- 👤 Mehra Rahul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3956; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/3621; A61N1/3622; A61N1/395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; means for deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; means for deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to determine an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; means for defining a single escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a said sensed ventricular depolarization; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said single escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said single escape interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to determine an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; means for defining a single escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a said sensed ventricular depolarization; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said single escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said single escape interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said triggering means comprises means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
164 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and means for delivering a pacing pulse to said patient's ventricle on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval, and wherein said triggering means comprises means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of a delay interval following expiration of said escape interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and means for delivering a pacing pulse to said patient's ventricle on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval, and wherein said triggering means comprises means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of a delay interval following expiration of said escape interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator according to claim 4, further comprising capture detection means for determining whether said delivered pacing pulse caused a depolarization of said patient's ventricle and wherein said triggering means comprises means responsive to said capture detection means for preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said pacing pulse does not cause a ventricular depolarization.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and wherein said deriving means comprises means for determining whether said derived escape interval is less than a minimum interval, and means for preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said derived interval is less than said minimum interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
An atrial cardioverter or defibrillator, comprising: means for detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; means for delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium; and synchronization means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse, said synchronization means comprising: means for sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; means for measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; means for deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and means for triggering delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and wherein said deriving means comprises means for determining whether said derived escape interval is less than a minimum interval, and means for preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said derived interval is less than said minimum interval.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations to derive an interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate; deriving an escape interval less than said interval indicative of intrinsic heart rate, initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 3 or claim 8, wherein said delivering step comprises delivering said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and delivering a pacing pulse to said patient's ventricle on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval, and wherein said step of delivering said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse comprises delivering said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of a delay interval following expiration of said escape interval.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and delivering a pacing pulse to said patient's ventricle on expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval, and wherein said step of delivering said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse comprises delivering said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse on expiration of a delay interval following expiration of said escape interval.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of determining whether said delivered pacing pulse caused a depolarization of said patient's ventricle and the step of preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said pacing pulse does not cause a ventricular depolarization.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and wherein said deriving step comprises determining whether said derived escape interval is less than a minimum interval, and further comprising the step of preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said derived interval is less than said minimum interval.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of atrial cardioversion or defibrillation, comprising: detecting a tachyarrhythmia in a patient's atrium; sensing depolarizations of said patient's ventricle; measuring intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; deriving an escape interval initiated on a sensed ventricular depolarization, based upon measured intervals between sensed ventricular depolarizations; and delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse to said patient's atrium in response to expiration of said escape interval, in the absence of sensed ventricular depolarizations during said escape interval; and wherein said deriving step comprises determining whether said derived escape interval is less than a minimum interval, and further comprising the step of preventing delivery of said cardioversion or defibrillation pulse if said derived interval is less than said minimum interval.
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) | 1998-05-01 | 1998-10-31 | 1999-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-01 | 2002-10-31 | 2003-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-01 | 2006-10-31 | 2007-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |