Patent · US Expired

Pacemaker with activity-dependent rate limiting

US4945909A · kind A · utility

150Cited by
10References
38Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 1989
Grant dateAug 7, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/36585
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A pacemaker is disclosed with a pacing rate that is restricted within a range defined by variable upper and lower rate limits that change as a function of the patient's detected level of activity. An indication such as the nonambient temperature of blood is sensed in the right ventricle of the heart to indicate detected activity level. Other activity indications, such as blood oxygen concentration and body motion, either singly or in combination are also disclosed. A control circuit of the pacemaker varies the upper and lower rate limits according to the patient's detected level of activity. The control circuit also varies the atrial and ventricular refractory periods along with the AV delay period in response to detected activity level changes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.