Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for determining atrial lead disclocation and confirming diagnosis of atrial tachyarrhythimias

US5713932A · kind A · utility

93Cited by
13References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 28, 1996
Grant dateFeb 3, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/3931
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a dual chamber cardiac stimulators, e.g. cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator (PCD) system, which relies upon the detection of atrial depolarizations or the stimulation of the atria in the performance of a defined function, a method and apparatus for determining the existence of an atrial pace/sense electrode(s) dislocation from an atrial site to a position inferior to the AV node of the heart thereby affecting a function, e.g. providing a false indication of atrial tachyarrhythmia. The determination of the occurrence of a dislocation of the atrial pace/sense electrode is effected by applying a test pace pulse to the atrial pace/sense electrode; detecting the immediately following ventricular depolarization from a ventricular sense electrode; measuring the interval between the delivered atrial pace pulse and the detected ventricular depolarization; comparing the measured interval to a threshold AV interval; and determining that the atrial pace/sense electrode is in contact with the right atrium if the measured interval is longer than the threshold AV interval. Preferably, the determination is effected by: providing a first signal when the measured AV interva…

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