US5690681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus using vagal stimulation for control of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation
Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
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Filing: 1996-03-29
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Granted: 1997-11-25
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Expires: 2016-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A closed-loop variable frequency vagal stimulation apparatus for control of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a stimulator applied to the left vagus nerve and a proportional controller programmed to automatically and continuously adjust the vagal stimulation frequency proportionally as a function of the difference between actual and desired ventricular excitation rates. In a second embodiment the apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator and a controller which automatically adjusts the vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the difference between ventricular excitation rate and arterial pulse rate in order to eliminate or minimize pulse deficit.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie A. Geddes
- 👤 Tarek Elabbady
- 👤 William E. Schoenlein
- 👤 Matthew Waninger
- 👤 Joe D. Bourland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/3606; A61N1/36114; A61N1/362; A61N1/3621; A61N1/3622; A61N1/365; A61N1/36514; A61N1/36521; A61N1/36585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for automatically controlling ventricular rate by vagal stimulation to minimize pulse deficit during atrial fibrillation, comprising: stimulating means for stimulating a vagal nerve at a variable stimulation frequency; means for detecting a ventricular excitation rate; means for detecting an arterial pulse rate; processing means for comparing said ventricular excitation rate and said arterial pulse rate and automatically adjusting said vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the difference between said ventricular excitation rate and said arterial pulse rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for automatically controlling ventricular rate by vagal stimulation to minimize pulse deficit during atrial fibrillation, comprising: stimulating means for stimulating a vagal nerve at a variable stimulation frequency; means for detecting a ventricular excitation rate; means for detecting an arterial pulse rate; processing means for comparing said ventricular excitation rate and said arterial pulse rate and automatically adjusting said vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the difference between said ventricular excitation rate and said arterial pulse rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing means includes means for adjusting the vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the ratio of said ventricular excitation rate to said arterial pulse rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said processing means increases said vagal stimulation frequency at predetermined intervals until said pulse deficit is substantially eliminated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for enabling generation of stimulating pulses only in the presence of atrial fibrillation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3, in which the predetermined interval is in the range of approximately one to ten minutes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-24 | 2001-05-26 | 2001-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-24 | 2005-05-26 | 2005-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-24 | 2009-05-26 | 2009-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |