US3774619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Source testing cardiac pacer with source-independent rate circuitry and disabling means therefor
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-10
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-01-10
Abstract
Abstract Externally controlled implantable cardiac pacer and heart testing apparatus. Apparatus is disclosed for use with an implantable heart-stimulating device to initiate a test mode for investigating several electro-medical areas including the implanted power source. In one test mode, induced continuous heart stimulation is provided at a stimulation rate dependent upon the level of the power source thus providing an indication of remaining life of the power source. This test mode also provides test-stimuli each of which has its energy reduced by a pre-determined amount to indicate degree of capture-margin available. One of the external controls disclosed causes another test mode in which all heart stimulation ceases and provides a physician with an opportunity to check the patient''s heart and heart rate under non-stimulative conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 H Goldberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/3706
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In an improved implantable electronic heart pacer having a self-contained power source, said pacer including terminal means for connection to the heart of a patient, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at pre-determined rates on said terminal means, the improvement comprising: means for maintaining a heart stimulation rate substantially independent of remaining life of said source; test mode means including manual means for disabling said maintaining means and for making said stimulation rate dependent upon and indicative of remaining life of said source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In an improved implantable electronic heart pacer having a self-contained power source, said pacer including terminal means for connection to the heart of a patient, pulse generator means connected to said source for supplying heart stimulating impulses at pre-determined rates on said terminal means, the improvement comprising: means for maintaining a heart stimulation rate substantially independent of remaining life of said source; test mode means including manual means for disabling said maintaining means and for making said stimulation rate dependent upon and indicative of remaining life of said source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1 and wherein said test-mode means further includes means for providing said impulse rate independent of the beating action of said heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement of claim 1 and wherein said pacer is a demand pacer which includes means for detecting the beating action of said patient''s heart, and means responsive to said detecting means for enabling said pulse generator means to supply said impulses only in the absence of detected heartbeats.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 1 including means for increasing said impulse rate with depletion of said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 1 including means for decreasing said impulse rate with depletion of said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 1 including means for controllably continuously supplying said test mode impulses.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for determining the remaining useful life of an unrechargeable power source used for powering an implantable electronic pacer which is used for providing stimulation to the heart of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: a. manually causing the otherwise battery-independent rate of stimulation to be dependent upon the level of said power source; b. measuring said dependent rate of stimulation; c. comparing the dependent rate of stimulation with a known rate versus source-depletion characteristic; and, d. Determining remaining useful life of said power source from said comparison.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for determining the remaining useful life of an unrechargeable power source used for powering an implantable electronic pacer which is used for providing stimulation to the heart of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: a. manually causing the otherwise battery-independent rate of stimulation to be dependent upon the level of said power source; b. measuring said dependent rate of stimulation; c. comparing the dependent rate of stimulation with a known rate versus source-depletion characteristic; and, d. Determining remaining useful life of said power source from said comparison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |