Apparatus for and method of programming the minimum energy threshold for pacing pulses to be applied to a patient's heart

Patent 4250884 Issued on February 17, 1981. Estimated Expiration Date:

November 6, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3717152

3777762

Automatic threshold following cardiac pacer
Patent #: 3949758
Issued on: 04/13/1976
Inventor: Jirak

Implantable digital cardiac pacer having externally selectible operating parameters and "one shot" digital pulse generator for use therein
Patent #: 4049004
Issued on: 09/20/1977
Inventor: Walters

Cardiac electrode/pacer system analyzer Patent #: 4141367
Issued on: 02/27/1979
Inventor: Ferreira

Inventors

Assignee

Medtronic, Inc.

Application

No. 05/958066 filed on 11/06/1978

US Classes:

607/30, Remotely changing, (e.g., programming, pacer) parameters or operation607/28Measuring pacing, threshold, capture margin, or contact impedance

Examiners

Primary: Kamm, William E.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Class

A61N 1/372 (20060101)

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for programming a threshold mode of operation into a pacing generator whereby the minimum level of energy of the stimulating pulse as generated by the pacing generator is determined. First, the original level of energy of the stimulating pulses is determined when this mode is commenced. The original energy level and in particular the pulse width is decremented by a predetermined incremental amount, and an encoded signal indicative of the new reduced pulse width is transmitted to the pacing generator, whereby the pacing generator applies the pulses of the reduced pulse width to the patient's heart. Further, there is included means for counting the number of pulses of reduced pulse width and after the application of a given number of pulses by the pacing generator to the patient's heart, the programming apparatus programs a new energy level decremented from the previously programmed value to be then transmitted to the pacing generator.