Pacemaker system for preventing ventricular tachycardia
US6370431B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3622
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is provided a pacemaker system which includes intervention for overdriving the patient's natural heart rate in the event of a sensed incipient ventricular arrhythmia condition, and particularly torsades de pointes. The pacemaker continually acquires QT signals and analyzes them for respective properties, updating statistical information relating to the properties. In a preferred embodiment, the pacemaker analyzes QT interval, QT dispersion, time derivative of the QT interval, and/or T-wave amplitude and determines an intervention for pacing therapy based upon changes to these properties. The pacemaker also monitors premature ventricular beats and generates data representative of such occurrences, which data is used alone or in combination with QT data in determining whether intervention is indicated, for adjusting the intervention pacing rate. There is thus provided a systematic approach for monitoring relevant data so as to reliably determine when intervention pacing therapy is needed, and for adjusting the intervention pacing rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.