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US5487753A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rate-responsive pacemaker with anaerobic threshold adaptation and method

Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
•
Filing: 1995-03-16
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2015-03-16
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Abstract

Abstract A rate responsive pacemaker measures a metabolic demand parameter of a patient. The metabolic demand parameter is converted to a corresponding metabolic indicated rate which determines the pulse rate of the pacer. The converting is based on a profile dependent on the predicted anaerobic threshold level of the patient, as well as his or her age and physical fitness.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dean J. MacCarter
  • 👤 Don Hopper
  • 👤 Daniel Cooper
  • 👤 Roger Hassell

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 15:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/368; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36521

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
A rate responsive pacemaker comprising: sensing means for sensing a metabolic demand parameter of a patient; converting means for converting said metabolic demand parameter into a pulse rate, said converting means receiving said metabolic demand parameter and determining in response thereto a pulse rate in accordance with a preselected function, said function being based on the anaerobic threshold level of said patient; and pulse generating means for generating heart pulses corresponding to said pulse rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 75 words
A rate responsive pacemaker comprising: sensing means for sensing a metabolic demand parameter of a patient; converting means for converting said metabolic demand parameter into a pulse rate, said converting means receiving said metabolic demand parameter and determining in response thereto a pulse rate in accordance with a preselected function, said function being based on the anaerobic threshold level of said patient; and pulse generating means for generating heart pulses corresponding to said pulse rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said metabolic demand parameter is related to minute volume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said converting means converts said metabolic demand parameter along one of first and second lines, said first and second lines being joined at a point related to said anaerobic threshold level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The pacemaker of claim 3 wherein said first and second lines have slopes dependent on the physical fitness of said patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 29 words
The pacemaker of claim 4 wherein said first and second slopes are defined by a slope ratio, said slope ratio being dependent on the physical fitness of said patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The pacemaker of claim 1 wherein said anaerobic threshold is related to a maximum nominal rate of said patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 115 words
A rate responsive pacemaker for generating heart pulses for a patient, said pacemaker comprising: sensing means for sensing the minute volume of a patient, said minute volume being related to an instantaneous level of physical activity of said patient; means for selecting minimum and maximum heart rates for said patient; means for setting an anaerobic threshold level for said patient based on said heart rates; profile generating means for generating a profile based on said anaerobic threshold level and the physical fitness of said patient; converting means for converting said minute volume into a corresponding metabolic indicated rate using said profile; and pulse generating means for generating pulses in response to said metabolic indicated rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 115 words
A rate responsive pacemaker for generating heart pulses for a patient, said pacemaker comprising: sensing means for sensing the minute volume of a patient, said minute volume being related to an instantaneous level of physical activity of said patient; means for selecting minimum and maximum heart rates for said patient; means for setting an anaerobic threshold level for said patient based on said heart rates; profile generating means for generating a profile based on said anaerobic threshold level and the physical fitness of said patient; converting means for converting said minute volume into a corresponding metabolic indicated rate using said profile; and pulse generating means for generating pulses in response to said metabolic indicated rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said selecting means is further provided for selecting said physical fitness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 wherein said profile includes a first and a second line segment, each line segment having a corresponding slope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
The pacemaker of claim 9 wherein said line segments are joined at said anaerobic threshold level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The pacemaker of claim 9 wherein said slopes have a slope ratio based on said physical fitness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 19 words
The pacemaker of claim 11 wherein said slope ratio is further selected based on the age of said patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The pacemaker of claim 7 further comprising determining means for determining if said anaerobic threshold level is in a preselected range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The pacemaker of claim 13 wherein said preselected range is defined by said maximum and minimum heart rates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The pacemaker of claim 13 further comprising additional profile mapping means for mapping said minute volume.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 21 words
The pacemaker of claim 15 wherein said additional mapping means is activated when said anaerobic threshold is outside said preselected range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
The pacemaker of claim 16 wherein said selecting means is further provided for selectively activating said additional mapping means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
The pacemaker of claim 15 wherein said additional mapping means linearly maps said minute volume using a rate response factor.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 72 words
A method of pacing a patient's heart, said patient having an anaerobic threshold heart rate level, said method comprising: measuring a metabolic demand parameter of said patient, said metabolic demand parameter depending on the instantaneous level of activity of said patient; converting said metabolic parameter into a metabolic indicated rate using a profile, said profile being dependent on said anaerobic threshold level; and generating heart pulses responsive to said metabolic indicated rate.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 72 words
A method of pacing a patient's heart, said patient having an anaerobic threshold heart rate level, said method comprising: measuring a metabolic demand parameter of said patient, said metabolic demand parameter depending on the instantaneous level of activity of said patient; converting said metabolic parameter into a metabolic indicated rate using a profile, said profile being dependent on said anaerobic threshold level; and generating heart pulses responsive to said metabolic indicated rate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of determining said anaerobic threshold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said anaerobic threshold is determined using said patient's age.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said profile is dependent on the physical fitness of said patient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said profile is defined by two line segments.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said line segments are joined at said anaerobic threshold level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said line segments have respective slopes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said slopes are defined by a predetermined slope ratio.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said slope ratio is dependent on said physical fitness and patient age.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4901725A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-01-29 1999-07-31 2000-01-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-01-29 2003-07-31 2004-01-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-01-29 2007-07-31 2008-01-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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