Patent · US Expired

Method for combined cardiac pacing and defibrillation

US5048521A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
1References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 1990
Grant dateSep 17, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/3987
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for combined cardiac pacing and defibrillating with an implanted pacer/defibrillator having sensing and pacing leads connected to the atrium and the ventricle. P-waves and R-waves are sensed, and a V-V timer and a V-A timer are reset if an R-wave is sensed. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the ventricle is inhibited. If a P-wave is sensed during the V-A timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the atrium is inhibited. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, arrhythmia therapy is provided if an arrhythmia is determined to be present. If the sensed ventricular rate is greater than a selected tachycardia rate but is less than a selected fibrillation rate, than a determination is made whether the sensed atrial rate is greater than a selected fibrillation rate, and if so, the V-V and V-A timers are reset, but if the sensed atrial rate is not greater than a selected fibrillation rate, then arrhythmia therapy is provided. If an arrhythmia is present, the charging of a capacitor commences but if the arrhythmia ceases, the charging discontinues. If the capacitor is charged and the arrhythmia is still present, then a s…

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