Implantable heart stimulator with microinstability testing for electrode contact with tissue
US6823215B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/3712
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable heart stimulator has a control and detection circuit which operates a pulse generator which emits stimulation pulses which are delivered to cardiac tissue via at least one electrode lead adapted for insertion in the heart of a patient. The electrode lead has an electrode surface which is intended to be in contact with heart tissue. The control and detection circuit performs a microinstability test by causing the pulse generator to emit a predetermined number of stimulation pulses, each having the same stimulation energy. The control and detection circuit determines a microinstability test value, representing a measure of the contact between the electrode surface and the heart tissue, as a ratio of a number of stimulation pulses, within said predetermined number of stimulation pulses, for which capture is detected, and the predetermined number of stimulation pulses.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.