Method and circuit for detecting cardiac rhythm abnormalities by analyzing time differences between unipolar signals from a lead with a multi-electrode tip

US6950696B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ST. JUDE MEDICAL AB · SE

Inventors

• Anders Bjorling · Järfälla, SE
• Sven-Erik Hedberg · Kungsängen, SE
• Ulf Lindegren · Stuvsta-Snättringe, SE
• Anders Lindgren · Vallentuna, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 27, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 27, 2005
• Expiry date: Jun 9, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S128/923
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A circuit and method for detecting cardiac rhythm abnormalities employ unipolar signals respectively obtained from a cardiac lead having a tip at which a number of separate electrodes are disposed, the electrodes being simultaneously in contact with cardiac tissue. The respective unipolar signals which are obtained from the multiple electrodes exhibit a time relationship relative to each other, and this time relationship is analyzed to determine whether a cardiac rhythm abnormality is present or one or more of the unipolar signals is compared to a template which is known to represent a cardiac abnormality. Analysis of the time relation is undertaken by determining the absolute value of a time offset between any two of the unipolar signals, or by correlating any two of the unipolar signals.