US6282447B1
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US
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Cardiac stimulator with rate-adaptive PVARP
Assignee: Intermedics Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-19
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Granted: 2001-08-28
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Expires: 2019-08-19
Abstract
Abstract It has been determined that certain cardiac stimulators may operate in a manner in which the ventricular pace refractory period (VPRP) may be greater than the post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP). Various exemplary techniques may be used to improve the ability of cardiac stimulators to lengthen the PVARP. In accordance with one technique, the VPRP is adjusted with the pacing rate so that as the pacing rate becomes slower the VPRP increases. The VPRP is compared with the PVARP. The PVARP remains constant until the VPRP becomes greater than the PVARP. Then, the PVARP is adjusted to make it greater than or equal to the VPRP. In accordance with another technique, the VPRP and the PVARP are adjusted with the pacing rate, with the PVARP remaining greater than or equal to the VPRP.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Jason Cook
- 👤 Randolph K. Armstrong
- 👤 Joseph W. Vandegriff
- 👤 Denise R. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/365; A61N1/368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the PVARP remains at an initial value until the VRP equals or exceeds the PVARP.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the VRP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the VRP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the control circuit delays electrical stimulation delivered by the sensing circuit until after the PVARP.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the VRP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the VRP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the control circuit delays electrical stimulation delivered by the sensing circuit until after the PVARP.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit executing an algorithm for controlling the sensing circuit, the algorithm: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to sense a condition of a heart and adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to the heart; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit, the control circuit executing an algorithm for controlling the sensing circuit, the algorithm: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the PVARP remains at an initial value until the VRP equals or exceeds the PVARP.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted correlative to the VRP.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 20 , the algorithm: comparing the VRP with the PVARP; and if the comparison indicates that VRP is greater than the PVARP, extending the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the VRP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the VRP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the control circuit delays electrical stimulation delivered by the sensing circuit until after the PVARP.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to deliver a signal correlative to a ventricular pace event; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit to receive the signal delivered by the sensing circuit, the control circuit executing an algorithm for controlling the cardiac stimulator, the algorithm: starting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) in response to the ventricular pace event; starting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) in response to the ventricular pace event; adjusting the VRP correlative to a pacing rate; comparing the PVARP to the VRP; and if the PVARP is less than the VRP, adjusting the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: a sensing circuit adapted to deliver a signal correlative to a ventricular pace event; and a control circuit coupled to the sensing circuit to receive the signal delivered by the sensing circuit, the control circuit executing an algorithm for controlling the cardiac stimulator, the algorithm: starting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) in response to the ventricular pace event; starting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) in response to the ventricular pace event; adjusting the VRP correlative to a pacing rate; comparing the PVARP to the VRP; and if the PVARP is less than the VRP, adjusting the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the VRP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted linearly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the VRP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the PVARP is adjusted non-linearly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: means for determining a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator; means for adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and means for adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: means for determining a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator; means for adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and means for adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the VRP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the VRP linearly.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the VRP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the VRP non-linearly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the PVARP linearly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the PVARP non-linearly.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for comparing the VRP to the PVARP; and means for adjusting the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: means for determining a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator; means for adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and means for adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cardiac stimulator comprising: means for determining a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator; means for adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and means for adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the VRP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the VRP linearly.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the VRP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the VRP non-linearly.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the PVARP linearly.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the PVARP non-linearly.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cardiac stimulator, as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the PVARP adjusting means comprises: means for adjusting the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tangible medium comprising a computer algorithm, the computer algorithm performing the acts of: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) of a cardiac stimulator correlative to a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator, and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) of the cardiac stimulator to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tangible medium comprising a computer algorithm, the computer algorithm performing the acts of: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) of a cardiac stimulator correlative to a pacing rate of the cardiac stimulator, and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) of the cardiac stimulator to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the acts of: starting the PVARP in response to a ventricular pace event; and starting the VPRP in response to the ventricular pace event.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the acts of: comparing the PVARP to the VRP; and if the PVARP is less than the VRP, adjusting the PVARP to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: linearly adjusting the VRP.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: non-linearly adjusting the VRP.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: linearly adjusting the PVARP.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: non-linearly adjusting the PVARP.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: adjusting the PVARP correlative to the pacing rate.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tangible medium, as set forth in claim 44 , wherein the algorithm performs the act of: adjusting the PVARP correlative to the VRP.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of operating a cardiac stimulator comprising the acts of: determining a pacing rate; adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of operating a cardiac stimulator comprising the acts of: determining a pacing rate; adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to the pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) correlative to the VRP.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of operating a cardiac stimulator comprising the acts of: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (VARP) to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of operating a cardiac stimulator comprising the acts of: adjusting a ventricular refractory period (VRP) correlative to a pacing rate; and adjusting a post-ventricular atrial refractory period (VARP) to be greater than or equal to the VRP.
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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) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |