Patent · US Expired

Therapy-selection methods for implantable heart monitors

US7440799B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
32References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 19, 2004
Grant dateOct 21, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 27, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/39622
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Miniature heart-monitoring devices, such as defibrillators and cardioverters, are implanted in humans to detect and correct abnormal heart rhythms Microprocessors and stored instructions, or algorithms within these devices govern how they interpret and react to abnormal heart rhythms. Algorithms that are too simple lead to unnecessary shocking of the heart, while those that are too complex consume considerable battery power. Accordingly, the inventor devised a relatively simple yet accurate algorithm for determining appropriate therapy options. One version of the algorithm computes three statistics—a range statistic, a minimum interval statistic, and a dispersion index—from a set of depolarization intervals. A scalar interval dispersion assessment, based on the three statistics, is then compared to a threshold to identify a rhythm as a flutter or fibrillation.

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