Abstract Pulse-width controlled heartbeat stimulating apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrical power supply and a pulser for generating stimulation pulses on terminals connected to a patient''s heart. An integral control is provided for automatically varying the width of the stimulation pulses as a function of the power supply (energy source) value to maintain the energy output above a predetermined level. The present invention can be used with many types of heart stimulating devices including extra-corporeal pacers, but is particularly useful when utilized with non-accessible or implanted pacers. In an illustrative embodiment, a circuit is provided for indicating the approximate amount of remaining power supply life and for controlling energy supplied to the heart with each stimulation pulse to greater than a minimum required value regardless of energy source variation.
A monitoring system comprising heartbeat stimulating apparatus for providing electrical puLses for stimulating the heartbeat of a patient, a power supply for supplying voltage to said apparatus, means for sensing decrease of said voltage, and pulse-width control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controllably varying the width of each of said electrical pulses as a function of said voltage decrease and thus providing an indication of said voltage remaining in said supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A monitoring system comprising heartbeat stimulating apparatus for providing electrical puLses for stimulating the heartbeat of a patient, a power supply for supplying voltage to said apparatus, means for sensing decrease of said voltage, and pulse-width control means responsive to the operation of said sensing means for controllably varying the width of each of said electrical pulses as a function of said voltage decrease and thus providing an indication of said voltage remaining in said supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A monitoring system as recited in claim 1 and wherein said pulse-width control means includes means for increasing the width of said each of said electrical pulses to compensate for said voltage decrease of said power supply, and wherein said monitoring system is capable of being implanted within the body of said patient.