System and method of determining skeletal muscle contraction by serial lead impedance measurements
US6406421B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/3303
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is provided a system and method for continually monitoring the occurrence of contraction during stimulation of skeletal muscle which is employed in a cardiac assist-type system. During delivery of a periodic burst, or train of stimulus pulses, the impedance of the muscle between the electrodes through which the pulses are delivered is monitored, and evaluated to determine whether or not stimulation has been achieved. In a particular embodiment, the impedance and impedance derivative values are accumulated throughout the burst, and assessed to determine whether the impedance change corresponded to a full muscle contraction. In the event of failure to stimulate the muscle to contraction, the system can automatically adjust the pulse output parameters to achieve reliable contraction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.