US4979507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy saving cardiac pacemaker
Assignee: ALT ECKHARD U DR
•
Filing: 1989-05-03
•
Granted: 1990-12-25
•
Expires: 2009-05-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention has as an objective the universal matching of individual patient-pacemaker-implant electrode interface conditions to follow dynamic changes occurring in use, from pacemaker to pacemaker and from patient to patient to control the pacing pulse energy in operation most efficiently to prolong battery life. Information from the implanted stimulation electrode is analyzed to discriminate the energy level of pulses effective and ineffective to stimulate a heartbeat for at least two different stimulation pulse characteristics. This analyzed information is automatically processed in logic circuits to conform with the requirements of particular pacemaker adjustments to develop an optimized energy pacing pulse with adequate safety margin. Programming and logic equipment can be in the pacemaker, but additional energy saving with those calculations takes place when it is external to the pacemaker and bidirectional communication of information takes place with the pacemaker. Periodic automatic programming can take place in implanted pacemaker installations for continuous long term monitoring and control to obtain the optimum battery life and adequate safety standards.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Heinz
- 👤 Heinz P. Theres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, and producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, and producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 1 further comprising, periodically monitoring said threshold characteristic in a patient and dynamically producing said modified pacing pulses to follow changes in the monitored threshold characteristic.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
202 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain, periodically monitoring said threshold characteristic in a patient and dynamically producing said modified pacing pulses to follow changes in the monitored threshold characteristic, and following the changes by varying the width of the pacing pulses in a range above chronaxie.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
202 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain, periodically monitoring said threshold characteristic in a patient and dynamically producing said modified pacing pulses to follow changes in the monitored threshold characteristic, and following the changes by varying the width of the pacing pulses in a range above chronaxie.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
194 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, determining the threshold characteristic by establishing a minimum energy pulse width that produces a heartbeat with stimulus pulses of two different amplitudes defining a hyperbolic curve representative of the threshold characteristic, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, and producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
194 words
The method of controlling a battery operated cardiac pacemaker implant to produce low energy pacing stimulus pulses at an implanted heart stimulus electrode to conserve battery power, comprising in combination the steps of: performing threshold measurements at at least two different stimulus pulse energy levels at the implanted electrode of a particular patient and organizing said stimulus pulses into effective and ineffective energy levels for producing heartbeats, determining from the threshold measurements an individual energy threshold characteristic for the particular pacemaker system and patient under test by calculating from said different energy level measurements a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse in the implanted pacemaker effective to stimulate the heart, determining the threshold characteristic by establishing a minimum energy pulse width that produces a heartbeat with stimulus pulses of two different amplitudes defining a hyperbolic curve representative of the threshold characteristic, adjusting the energy efficient stimulus pulse to the technical capability of the particular pacemaker for operating that pacemaker with a modified optimum energy stimulus pulse exceeding the minimum energy threshold by a predetermined safety margin, and producing in the pacemaker said modified stimulus pulse, thereby operating the pacemaker at reduced battery energy drain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining at least part of the steps by monitoring means external to said pacemaker implant, thereby to reduce battery drain of the implanted pacemaker.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein all the steps are determined automatically and periodically by means of internal means in the implanted pacemaker.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining characteristic pulses with a substantially most energy efficient width and amplitude characteristic for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, and adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the most efficient energy characteristic by a predetermined safety margin.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
82 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining characteristic pulses with a substantially most energy efficient width and amplitude characteristic for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, and adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the most efficient energy characteristic by a predetermined safety margin.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining a threshold characteristic of pulses with a minimum energy for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the minimum energy threshold characteristic by a predetermined safety margin, and determining the threshold characteristic periodically and dynamically for automatic adjustment of the energy of the stimulation pulses in response to changes in the threshold characteristic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining a threshold characteristic of pulses with a minimum energy for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the minimum energy threshold characteristic by a predetermined safety margin, and determining the threshold characteristic periodically and dynamically for automatic adjustment of the energy of the stimulation pulses in response to changes in the threshold characteristic.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining a threshold characteristic of pulses with a minimum energy for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the minimum energy threshold characteristic by a predetermined safety margin, determining the threshold characteristic periodically and dynamically for automatic adjustment of the energy of the stimulation pulses in response to changes in the threshold characteristic, and changing the energy of the stimulation pulses by varying the pulse widths in a range exceeding chronaxie.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
The method of extending the battery life of a battery operated implanted pacemaker producing stimulation pulses at an implanted electrode comprising the steps of determining a threshold characteristic of pulses with a minimum energy for stimulating the heart in a particular patient with a particular pacemaker and implanted pacing electrode, adjusting the implanted pacemaker to produce stimulation pulses with a width and amplitude at an energy level exceeding the minimum energy threshold characteristic by a predetermined safety margin, determining the threshold characteristic periodically and dynamically for automatic adjustment of the energy of the stimulation pulses in response to changes in the threshold characteristic, and changing the energy of the stimulation pulses by varying the pulse widths in a range exceeding chronaxie.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing a substantially most energy efficient stimulation pulse characteristic for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level for stimulation by a predetermined safety level, and pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to produce the established energy efficient stimulation pulses as pacemaker pacing pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing a substantially most energy efficient stimulation pulse characteristic for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level for stimulation by a predetermined safety level, and pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to produce the established energy efficient stimulation pulses as pacemaker pacing pulses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing an optimum stimulation pulse energy for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level by a predetermined safety level, pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to the optimum stimulation pulse energy for producing pacemaker pacing pulses, and means for adjusting the pacing pulse energy by varying the width of the pulses in a range exceeding chronaxie.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing an optimum stimulation pulse energy for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level by a predetermined safety level, pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to the optimum stimulation pulse energy for producing pacemaker pacing pulses, and means for adjusting the pacing pulse energy by varying the width of the pulses in a range exceeding chronaxie.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
149 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing an optimum stimulation pulse energy for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level by a predetermined safety level, pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to the optimum stimulation pulse energy for producing pacemaker pacing pulses, and means responsive to two pulses of varying width to determine points on a threshold characteristic curve identifying an algorithm for controlling the pacing pulse energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
149 words
A battery operated cardiac pacemaker system for producing pacing pulses at an implanted stimulation electrode at an energy level attaining extended pacemaker battery life, comprising in combination, monitoring means for determining a stimulation threshold characteristic by analyzing effective and ineffective stimulation pulses for a particular implanted pacemaker and implanted stimulation electrode, logic means for determining the operating conditions of the particular implanted pacemaker for producing stimulation pulses of variable energy content, calculating means for establishing an optimum stimulation pulse energy for the particular implanted pacemaker and electrode at a pulse energy level exceeding the minimum effective pulse energy level by a predetermined safety level, pacing pulse energy control means for automatically responding to the optimum stimulation pulse energy for producing pacemaker pacing pulses, and means responsive to two pulses of varying width to determine points on a threshold characteristic curve identifying an algorithm for controlling the pacing pulse energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pacemaker system of claim 10 further comprising periodically actuated means for monitoring the threshold characteristic and dynamically adjusting the pulse energy in response to the monitored threshold characteristic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The pacemaker system of claim 10 further comprising said monitoring means external to an implanted pulse producing pacemaker including telemetering means for adjusting the pacing pulses to conform with the monitored threshold characteristic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
An improved low energy implanted battery operated pacemaker system comprising in combination means for monitoring in-situ a particular implanted pacemaker and stimulus electrode to determine a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse characteristic effective to stimulate the heart and means for adjusting the pacemaker responsive to said energy efficient stimulus pulse to produce pacing pulses of such characteristic at an energy level exceeding the threshold by a predetermined safety margin to thereby establish an improved battery life.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
An improved low energy implanted battery operated pacemaker system comprising in combination means for monitoring in-situ a particular implanted pacemaker and stimulus electrode to determine a substantially most energy efficient stimulus pulse characteristic effective to stimulate the heart and means for adjusting the pacemaker responsive to said energy efficient stimulus pulse to produce pacing pulses of such characteristic at an energy level exceeding the threshold by a predetermined safety margin to thereby establish an improved battery life.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
110 words
A control system for an energy efficient battery operated pacemaker implanted in a particular patient, comprising in combination, programming means external to said implanted pacemaker, bidirectional communication means between the programming means and the pacemaker, analyzing means to discriminate between pacing pulses ineffective and effective to stimulate the heart, logic means to determine automatically in response to the analyzing means an optimum energy efficient setting of pacing pulse width and amplitude for the implanted pacemaker-electrode system in said particular patient, and adjusting means operable by said programming means to adjust in the implanted pacemaker the pacing pulse width and amplitude to said optimum setting to achieve long life battery operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
110 words
A control system for an energy efficient battery operated pacemaker implanted in a particular patient, comprising in combination, programming means external to said implanted pacemaker, bidirectional communication means between the programming means and the pacemaker, analyzing means to discriminate between pacing pulses ineffective and effective to stimulate the heart, logic means to determine automatically in response to the analyzing means an optimum energy efficient setting of pacing pulse width and amplitude for the implanted pacemaker-electrode system in said particular patient, and adjusting means operable by said programming means to adjust in the implanted pacemaker the pacing pulse width and amplitude to said optimum setting to achieve long life battery operation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the optimum setting consists of a minimum energy setting adapted to the technical capacity of the implanted pacemaker increased by a predetermined safety margin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the external programming means comprises display indicating means for providing pacemaker implant derived data communicated over said communicating means for visual display of such data to a supervising operator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3717152A
Cited
US3517663A
Cited
US3669120A
Cited
US3713449A
Cited
US3777762A
Cited
US3757792A
Cited
US3949758A
Cited
US4340063A
Cited
US4571589A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |