Patent · US Expired

System for maintaining capture in an implantable pulse generator

US5417718A · kind A · utility

51Cited by
20References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1994
Grant dateMay 23, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/3716
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An autocapture system within an implantable pulse generator automatically maintains the energy of a stimulation pulse at a level just above that which is needed to effectuate capture. The electrical post-stimulus signal of the heart following delivery of a stimulation pulse is compared to a polarization template, determined during a capture verification test. A prescribed difference between the polarization template and the post-stimulus signal indicates capture has occurred. Otherwise, loss of capture is presumed, and a loss-of-capture routine is invoked that increases the energy a prescribed amount to obtain capture. Periodically, and/or at programmed intervals or events, the capture verification test is performed. During the capture verification test, the pulse generator determines a polarization template for a particular stimulation energy and for each of a plurality of sensitivity or threshold settings. A determination is also made as to which sensitivity settings yield capture. An autocapture routine extends the capture verification test data to a wide range of stimulation energies. An autothreshold routine automatically sets the energy of the stimulation pulse a specified le…

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