Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for using atrial discrimination algorithms to determine optimal pacing therapy and therapy timing

US6978177B1 · kind B1 · utility

72Cited by
46References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 2000
Grant dateDec 20, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/3622
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system and method which employs atrial discrimination algorithms to distinguish between different atrial arrhythmias occurring in a patient for selecting an optimal pacing therapy corresponding to the type of arrhythmia identified. The invention may be implemented in a bradycardia pacemaker or other implantable cardiac device. In response to the detection of an atrial rate above the atrial tracking rate, discrimination criteria are applied to a detected atrial activity signal to distinguish between different types of supraventricular tachycardia, such as fast atrial flutter and other atrial flutter at a relatively slower rate, which may be occurring in the patient. The discrimination criteria may be, for example, rate-based or morphology based. The pacer is controlled to provide pacing therapy to a heart in a manner corresponding to the type of supraventricular tachycardia identified. For example, antitachycardia pacing may be provided to the heart in response to the detection of a relatively lower rate supraventricular tachycardia/other atrial flutter, whereas another pacing control, e.g., ventricular pacing, such as ventricular rate regulation or Rate Smoothing, may be applied …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.