Programmable automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator and pacemaker system
US4989602A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3987
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A non-programmable automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD) capable of providing programmable thresholds for triggering high energy stimulation pulse(s) from the AICD is coupled to an implantable programmable pacemaker which preferably includes bradycardia support and/or tachycardia support using low enery output pulses. When the low energy antitachycardia pulse(s) from the pacemaker fail to terminate a tachycardia, or whenever other various thresholds, as sensed by programmable sensing circuits of the pacemaker, are exceeded, the high enery pulses from the AICD may be selectively invoked by an AICD trigger circuit included within the pacemaker. Coupling between the AICD and pacemaker is by either a direct electrical connection, or by an indirect connection, such as through the use of narrow pulse sequences generated by the pacemaker which are of insufficient energy to invoke a cardiac response but are of sufficient energy to be sensed by the AICD sensing circuits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.