US5540728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pacemaker with vasovagal snycope detection
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1994-09-20
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2014-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus of cardiac pacing, in which pacing at an increased rate is provided in response to a detected rapid drop in detected heart rate, to a stable rate below a defined threshold rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Shelton
- 👤 Kenneth M. Riff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A cardiac pacer comprising: means for detecting depolarizations of a heart; pulse generating means for delivering cardiac pacing pulses at a first pacing rate; means for defining a threshold heart rate; drop detecting means for detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate to a stable heart rate below said threshold heart rate; and means responsive to a said detected rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate, to said stable rate, for causing said pulse generator means to deliver pacing pulses at a second pacing rate higher than said first pacing rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cardiac pacer comprising: means for detecting depolarizations of a heart; pulse generating means for delivering cardiac pacing pulses at a first pacing rate; means for defining a threshold heart rate; drop detecting means for detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate to a stable heart rate below said threshold heart rate; and means responsive to a said detected rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate, to said stable rate, for causing said pulse generator means to deliver pacing pulses at a second pacing rate higher than said first pacing rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cardiac pacer according to claim 1 wherein drop detecting means comprises means for detecting a stable heart rate in response to a series of heartbeats comprising a predetermined number of heartbeats below said threshold rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cardiac pacer according to claim 2 wherein drop detecting means comprises means for detecting a stable heart rate in response to a series of a predetermined number of sequential heartbeats below said threshold rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cardiac pacer according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said drop detecting means comprises means for detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart rate in response to a drop in spontaneous heart rate of greater than a defined drop size, over a limited time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A cardiac pacer according to claim 4 further comprising means for defining a limited number of number of heart beats and wherein said drop detecting means comprises means for detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart rate comprises in response to a drop in spontaneous heart rate of greater than said defined drop size, over a series of said limited number of heart beats.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of cardiac pacing comprising: detecting depolarizations of a heart; delivering cardiac pacing pulses at a first pacing rate; defining a threshold heart rate; detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate to a stable rate below said threshold heart rate; and responsive to a said detected rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate, to said stable rate, delivering pacing pulses at a second pacing rate higher than said first pacing rate.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of cardiac pacing comprising: detecting depolarizations of a heart; delivering cardiac pacing pulses at a first pacing rate; defining a threshold heart rate; detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate to a stable rate below said threshold heart rate; and responsive to a said detected rapid drop in spontaneous heart depolarization rate, to said stable rate, delivering pacing pulses at a second pacing rate higher than said first pacing rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said drop detecting step comprises detecting a stable heart rate in response to a series of heartbeats including a predetermined number of heartbeats below said threshold rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said drop detecting step comprises detecting a stable heart rate in response to a series of a predetermined number of sequential heartbeats below said threshold rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said drop detecting step further comprises detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart rate in response to a drop in spontaneous heart rate of greater than a defined drop size, over a limited time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said drop detecting step comprises detecting a rapid drop in spontaneous heart rate in response to a drop in spontaneous heart rate of greater than said defined drop size, over a series of a limited number of heart beats.
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) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |