Pacing methods and devices for treating cardiac arrhythmias and fibrillation
US6484057B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3684
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Pacing systems for the heart employ multi-site contact points about desired localized regions to deliver pacing train stimulation pulses to the myocardium. The stimulation pulses can have an electric strength in the range of about 5-10 times the diastolic pacing threshold. The electrodes can be arranged as a single continuous body line electrode or as a plurality of point electrodes and even as contiguous body electrodes occupying increased portions of the myocardium over conventional pacing electrodes. Configuring the electrodes in spaced apart operational pairs (with simultaneous excitation) may capture increased areas of the myocardium. The pacing stimulation may be used as an alternative to conventional defibrillation treatments (shocks) or to reduce the strength of the defibrillation shock pulse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.