Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In a programmable medical device having program acceptance means responsive to an externally applied programming signal consisting of at least a minimum number of detectable pulses, and program memory means for providing device operating conditions in accordance with said programming signal, the improvement comprising: pulse counter means for counting said programming pulses and providing a check signal indicating that the proper number of programming pulses have been received to constitute a programming instruction; means responsive to said check signal for enabling said program acceptance means to store the programming signal in said program memory means; and timing means responsive to said pulse counter means having a non-initial count therein for resetting said pulse counter means to an initial count a certain time after said pulse counter means first reaches said non-initial count unless said check signal first occurs, said certain time being greater than the time required to apply said programming signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a programmable medical device having program acceptance means responsive to an externally applied programming signal consisting of at least a minimum number of detectable pulses, and program memory means for providing device operating conditions in accordance with said programming signal, the improvement comprising: pulse counter means for counting said programming pulses and providing a check signal indicating that the proper number of programming pulses have been received to constitute a programming instruction; means responsive to said check signal for enabling said program acceptance means to store the programming signal in said program memory means; and timing means responsive to said pulse counter means having a non-initial count therein for resetting said pulse counter means to an initial count a certain time after said pulse counter means first reaches said non-initial count unless said check signal first occurs, said certain time being greater than the time required to apply said programming signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said medical device comprises means for periodically treating the human body and wherein said certain time is related to a certain number of periodic treatments of the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said timing means includes a timing counter which is maintained reset as long as said pulse counter means is at said initial count and which is incremented in response to each periodic treatment of the body whenever said pulse counter means is at a non-initial count, said timing means providing a reset signal to reset said pulse counter means when said timing counter reaches a certain count.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention according to claim 3: wherein said medical device provides cardiac stimulating pulses and further includes means for sensing the occurrence of a natural heartbeat; and wherein said timing counter is also incremented in response to the occurrence of a natural heartbeat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention according to claim 4 further comprising check means which includes gate means responsive to the count of said pulse counter means for providing a further reset signal to said timing counter maintaining said timing counter reset whenever said pulse counter means is at said initial count and for allowing said timing counter to be incremented whenever said pulse counter means is at said non-initial count.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said timing means includes reset means responsive to said timing counter reaching a certain count for providing said reset signal to reset said pulse counter means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said timing means includes reset means responsive to said timing counter reaching a certain count for providing said reset signal to reset said pulse counter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said timing means includes reset means responsive to said timing counter reaching a certain count for providing said reset signal to reset said pulse counter means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention according to claim 3 further comprising check means which includes gate means responsive to the count of said pulse counter means for providing a further reset signal to said timing counter maintaining said timing counter reset whenever said pulse counter means is at said initial count and for allowing said timing counter to be incremented whenever said pulse counter means is at said non-initial count.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said timing means includes reset means responsive to said timing counter reaching a certain count for providing said reset signal to reset said pulse counter means.