US4290429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery monitoring circuit in a cardiac pacemaker
Assignee: Biotronik SE and Co KG
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Filing: 1980-03-31
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Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 2000-03-31
Abstract
Abstract In a monitoring circuit for monitoring the state of the battery of a card pacemaker, which pacemaker includes an energy storage element normally connected to be charged by the battery and to constitute an energy source for the pacemaker components, the circuit including a voltage detector connected to emit a signal when a parameter representative of the battery state passes a threshold value, the circuit further includes: first switching member for disconnecting the battery from the energy storage element during periodically recurring time periods of given duration; a fixed load having an impedance which is large compared to the internal resistance of the battery and connected to apply to the voltage detector a voltage representative of the current flowing through the fixed load; an element for connecting the load across the battery during each time period for causing the load to be supplied with a current having a value at least indirectly defining the parameter representative of the battery state; and a storage member connected to provide an indication of the emission of such signal by the voltage detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard Blaser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16542; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/3706; A61N1/3708; A61N1/372; A61N1/378; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a monitoring circuit for monitoring the state of the battery of a cardiac pacemaker, which pacemaker includes an energy storage element normally connected to be charged by the battery and to constitute an energy source for the pacemaker components, the circuit including a voltage detector connected to emit a signal when a parameter representative of the battery state passes a threshold value, the improvement comprising: first switching means for disconnecting the battery from the energy storage element during periodically recurring time periods of given duration; means defining a fixed load having an impedance which is large compared to the internal resistance of the battery and connected to apply to said voltage detector a voltage representative of the current flowing through said fixed load; means for connecting said load across the battery during each said time period for causing said load to be supplied with a current having a value at least indirectly defining the parameter representative of the battery state; and storage means connected to provide an indication of the emission of such signal by said voltage detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a monitoring circuit for monitoring the state of the battery of a cardiac pacemaker, which pacemaker includes an energy storage element normally connected to be charged by the battery and to constitute an energy source for the pacemaker components, the circuit including a voltage detector connected to emit a signal when a parameter representative of the battery state passes a threshold value, the improvement comprising: first switching means for disconnecting the battery from the energy storage element during periodically recurring time periods of given duration; means defining a fixed load having an impedance which is large compared to the internal resistance of the battery and connected to apply to said voltage detector a voltage representative of the current flowing through said fixed load; means for connecting said load across the battery during each said time period for causing said load to be supplied with a current having a value at least indirectly defining the parameter representative of the battery state; and storage means connected to provide an indication of the emission of such signal by said voltage detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the impedance of said fixed load has a value selected for causing the value of the current therethrough during each said time period to be less than that corresponding to the parameter threshold value when the battery reaches a state at which at least one of the following conditions exists: its open-circuit voltage is less than a minimum acceptable value for an internal resistance value equal to that of a fresh battery; and its internal resistance is greater than a maximum acceptable value for an open-circuit voltage value equal to that of a fresh battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said fixed load comprises a capacitor and said means for connecting said load comprise second switch means connected for causing said capacitor to be charged by the current through said fixed load during a fixed time interval within each said time period and to apply a voltage proportional to its charge to said voltage detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said storage means comprise a flipflop connected to be set at the beginning of each said time period and to be reset when said voltage detector emits a signal during said time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 3 or 4 wherein each said fixed time interval coincides with a respective said time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein each said time period is controlled by a respective stimulation pulse produced by the pacemaker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein the pacemaker includes a clock pulse generator for actuating stimulation pulses and said circuit is connected to have said time periods initiated by clock pulses from the clock pulse generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-21 | 1985-03-23 | 1985-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-21 | 1989-03-23 | 1989-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-21 | 1993-03-23 | 1993-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |