Therapy-selection methods for implantable heart monitors
US6314321A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/39622
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Thousands of patients prone to irregular and sometimes life threatening heart rhythms have miniature heart-monitoring devices, such as defibrillators and cardioverters, implanted in their chests. These devices detect onset of abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply one or more shocks to their hearts. When properly sized and timed, the shocks restore normal heart function without human intervention. A critical part of these devices is the monitoring circuitry, which includes a microprocessor and stored instructions, or algorithms, that govern how the devices interpret and react to electrical signals indicative of abnormal heart rhythms. Often, the algorithms are too simple or too complex. Algorithms that are too simple lead to unnecessary shocking of the heart, while those that are too complex consume considerable battery power. Accordingly, the inventor devised a relatively simple and accurate algorithm for determining appropriate therapy options. One version of the algorithm computes three statistics--a range statistic, a minimum interval statistic, and a dispersion index--from a set of depolarization intervals. This algorithm defines the range statistic as the difference b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.