US5207219A
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Atrial defibrillator and method for providing interval timing prior to cardioversion
Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-23
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2012-10-23
Abstract
Abstract An atrial defibrillator (30) provides cardioverting electrical energy to the atria (16, 18) of a human heart (10) in need of cardioversion. The atrial defibrillator includes a first detector (50) for detecting ventricular activations of the heart, a second detector (54) for detecting atrial activity of the heart, and an atrial fibrillation detector (70) responsive to the second detector for determining when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion. The atrial defibrillator also includes a cardioverting stage (72, 74, 76) for applying the cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than a preselected minimum time interval. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Adams
- 👤 Clifton A. Alferness
- 👤 Kenneth R. Infinger
- 👤 Joseph M. Bocek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/38; A61N1/39; A61N1/3956; A61N1/395; A61N1/3987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An implantable atrial defibrillator for providing cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart in need of cardioversion, said atrial defibrillator comprising: first detecting means for detecting ventricular activations of the heart; second detecting means for detecting atrial activity of the heart; atrial fibrillation detecting means responsive to said second detecting means for determining when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion; and cardioverting means for applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An implantable atrial defibrillator for providing cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart in need of cardioversion, said atrial defibrillator comprising: first detecting means for detecting ventricular activations of the heart; second detecting means for detecting atrial activity of the heart; atrial fibrillation detecting means responsive to said second detecting means for determining when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion; and cardioverting means for applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 1 further including means for determining said minimum time interval responsive to the ventricular activations of the heart detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 1 further including timing means responsive to said first detecting means for timing the time between said immediately successive ventricular activations of the heart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An atria defibrillator as defined in claim 1 wherein said immediately successive ventricular activations include a first ventricular activation and an immediately following second ventricular activation and wherein said cardioverting means applies said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart substantially coincident with said second ventricular activation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 1 wherein said cardioverting means applies said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when said time between said immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than said preselected minimum time interval and less than a preselected maximum time interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 5 further including means for determining said minimum and maximum time intervals responsive to the ventricular activations of the heart detected by said first detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 5 further including timing means responsive to said first detecting means for timing the time between said immediately successive ventricular activations of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An atrial defibrillator as defined in claim 5 wherein said immediately successive ventricular activations include a first ventricular activation and an immediately following second ventricular activation and wherein said cardioverting means applies said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart substantially coincident with said second ventricular activation.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of applying cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart in need of cardioversion, said method including the steps of: detecting ventricular activations of the heart; detecting atrial activity of the heart; determining, responsive to said detected atrial activity of the heart, when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion; and applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of applying cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart in need of cardioversion, said method including the steps of: detecting ventricular activations of the heart; detecting atrial activity of the heart; determining, responsive to said detected atrial activity of the heart, when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion; and applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein said immediately successive ventricular activations include a first ventricular activation and an immediately following second ventricular activation, and wherein said applying step includes applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart substantially coincident with said second ventricular activation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein said applying step further includes applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the atria of the heart are in need of cardioversion and when said time between said immediately successive ventricular activations is greater than said preselected minimum time interval and less than a preselected maximum time interval.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 11 wherein said immediately successive ventricular activations include a first ventricular activation and an immediately following second ventricular activation, and wherein said applying step includes applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart substantially coincident with said second ventricular activation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
An atrial defibrillator for providing cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart, said atrial defibrillator comprising: detecting means for detecting ventricular activations of the heart; and cardioverting means for applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations detected by said detecting means is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
An atrial defibrillator for providing cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of a human heart, said atrial defibrillator comprising: detecting means for detecting ventricular activations of the heart; and cardioverting means for applying said cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart when the time between immediately successive ventricular activations detected by said detecting means is greater than a preselected minimum time interval.
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) | 1996-05-03 | 1996-11-02 | 1997-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-11-02 | 2001-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-03 | 2004-11-02 | 2005-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |