Process and device for regulating the stimulation frequency of heart pacemakers

US4399820A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Alexander Wirtzfeld · Arnstorf, DE
• Roland Heinze · Munich, DE
• Thomas Bock · Mont de Marsan, FR
• Hans-Dieter Liess · Schkeuditz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 1982
• Grant date: Aug 23, 1983
• Expiry date: Feb 5, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/1459
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process and a device for regulating the stimulation frequency of heart pacemakers are disclosed. The process comprises generating with the aid of light emitted by a light-emitting element, reflected by the blood of a patient, and received by a light-receiving element, a current flow which causes, in a measuring probe, an increasing of the current flow at a constant probe voltage or a damping of the probe voltage at constant current flow. Thereafter, one of the possible changing values is measured and the change, with time, is evaluated as a measured quantity proportional to the change, with time, of the blood oxygen saturation, and, as a function of the measured quantity, the stimulation frequency of the heart pacemaker is regulated in such a manner that the greatest possible blood oxygen saturation is always achieved with the lowest stimulation frequency. The device for practicing the invention comprises a measuring probe containing at least one combination of only two active optoelectronic elements, one light-emitting element and one light-receiving element; a control circuit electrically connected to the measuring probe; a stimulation catheter in which the measuring probe is i…