Algorithm for the automatic determination of optimal pacing intervals

US7711423B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John E. Burnes · Andover, US
• David Igel · Lino Lakes, US
• John C. Rueter · Shoreview, US
• Yong K. Cho · Maple Grove, US
• Luc R. Mongeon · Minneapolis, US
• Harold E. Stone · White Bear Lake, US
• Jodi Zilinski · Brookfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 24, 2005
• Grant date: May 4, 2010
• Expiry date: May 26, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36521
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Impedance, e.g. sub-threshold impedance, is measured across the heart at selected cardiac cycle times as a measure of chamber expansion or contraction. One embodiment measures impedance over a long AV interval to obtain the minimum impedance, indicative of maximum ventricular expansion, in order to set the AV interval. Another embodiment measures impedance change over a cycle and varies the AV pace interval in a binary search to converge on the AV interval causing maximum impedance change indicative of maximum ventricular output. Another method varies the right ventricle to left ventricle (VV) interval to converge on an impedance maximum indicative of minimum cardiac volume at end systole. Another embodiment varies the VV interval to maximize impedance change. Other methods vary the AA interval to maximize impedance change over the entire cardiac cycle or during the atrial cycle.