Automatic stimulus artifact reduction for accurate analysis of the heart's stimulated response

US5172690A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Tibor A. Nappholz · Englewood, US
• Fred L. Vance · Parker, US
• John W. Camerlo · Littleton, US
• Bruce M. Steinhaus · Parker, US
• Stephen M. Quist · Denver, US
• Ken Koestner · Englewood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 1990
• Grant date: Dec 22, 1992
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/3704
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus adapted to be implanted in a patient for electrically stimulating the heart and analyzing the heart's stimulated response, and a method of operating the apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus operates to reduce the stimulation polarization artifact that normally accompanies such stimulation, allowing accurate measurement of stimulated cardiac potentials. The apparatus is useful in such devices as cardiac pacemakers, tachycardia reversion devices, and defibrillators. Optimizing features are provided to allow the apparatus to function properly in noisy environments and with suboptimal leads. In addition, provision is included to make the apparatus capable of performing self-diagnosis for determining when accurate sensing is not possible.