Apparatus and methods of delivering an enhanced refractory period stimulation therapy
US8478406B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36514
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Refractory period stimulation (RPS) disclosed herein includes apparatus and methods to enhance cardiac performance by delivering monophasic stimulation pulses during the refractory period. The disclosure describes several system level improvements to RPS that include one or more of the following: (i) Delivery of RPS therapy pulses at multiple sites in an automatically alternating way to avoid increasing demand at any one location for prolonged periods of time. (ii) Delivery of RPS therapy pulses at multiple sites to determine one or more optimal electrode configurations for chronic RPS therapy delivery. (iii) Use of separate electrode(s) for sensing ventricular activity to properly time and adjust the application of RPS thereby avoiding limitations associated with electrode polarization that occurs due to the amount of energy delivered during the RPS. (iv) Use of a relatively long active recharge pulse at the RPS stimulation electrodes to remove the undesirable effects of polarization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.