US5891178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmer system and associated methods for rapidly evaluating and programming an implanted cardiac device
Assignee: Pacesetter Inc
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Filing: 1997-05-13
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2017-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An improved pacemaker programmer and diagnostic system retrieves information stored within a pacemaker and analyzes the retrieved data in real time. The information stored within the pacemaker can be retrieved by means of a telemetry communication link. The system automatically identifies significant patient events (such as regions of increased heart rate, or loss of atrial or ventricular capture) and displays the significant events to the monitoring physician so that the physician is not required to scroll through the retrieved data to identify significant events. Furthermore, the system automatically suggests modifications to pacemaker parameters based upon certain retrieved data. The physician need only confirm the changes in order to modify the parameters within the pacemaker, so that the modification of pacemaker parameters is reduced to a "one step" process. The system also includes features for allowing the physician to interactively adjust program parameters while viewing the results of parameter changes in real-time.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian M. Mann
- 👤 Melinda Endaya
- 👤 Paul A. Levine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37235; A61N1/37247; G; G16; G16H; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/371; A61N1/3712; A61N1/3714; G16H15/00; G16H50/00; G16H50/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of automatically evaluating the operation at an implanted cardiac stimulation device, said method comprising the steps of: interrogating said cardiac stimulation device and retrieving information stored therein; automatically analyzing said retrieved information in real-time and identifying a portion of said retrieved information as a predetermined event; enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician; formatting said analyzed information into a format suitable for display; and automatically displaying the portion of said retrieved information which is identified as said predetermined event.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of automatically evaluating the operation at an implanted cardiac stimulation device, said method comprising the steps of: interrogating said cardiac stimulation device and retrieving information stored therein; automatically analyzing said retrieved information in real-time and identifying a portion of said retrieved information as a predetermined event; enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician; formatting said analyzed information into a format suitable for display; and automatically displaying the portion of said retrieved information which is identified as said predetermined event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the retrieved information comprises a recorded snap-shot of real-time cardiac activity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined event is a loss of atrial capture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined event is a loss of ventricular capture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said predetermined event is a sudden change of heart rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of enabling real-time interactive modifications comprises the steps of: enabling modifications of program parameters; and displaying the results of such modifications in real-time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of enabling real-time interactive modifications comprises the steps of: enabling modifications of test sequences; and displaying the results of such modifications in real-time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the formatting step comprises the step of: formatting said analyzed information into three primary sub-screens, including a first sub-screen for displaying real-time cardiac signals, a second sub-screen for controlling the modification of stored information, and a third sub-screen for displaying data being modified in the foreground interrogation mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of enabling real-time interactive modifications comprises the steps of: enabling modifications of diagnostic data; and displaying the results of such modifications in real-time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of automatically analyzing in real-time comprises the steps of: providing a background interrogation mode to automatically retrieve the stored information; and providing a foreground interrogation mode to allow the physician to immediately perform interactive adjustments of the stored information, the foreground interrogation mode having a higher priority such that the background interrogation process is temporarily halted, and wherein the results of such adjustments are analyzed in real-time and then displayed when the foreground interrogation mode ends.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of facilitating the rapid evaluation and programming of an implanted cardiac stimulation device, said device operating based upon programmable parameters, said method comprising the steps of: interrogating said stimulation device and retrieving information stored therein; automatically analyzing said retrieved information in real-time and recommending a modification to be made to said at least one of said parameters; automatically displaying said recommended parameter modification on a display screen in real-time; and enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician in response to the step of displaying said recommended parameter modification.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of facilitating the rapid evaluation and programming of an implanted cardiac stimulation device, said device operating based upon programmable parameters, said method comprising the steps of: interrogating said stimulation device and retrieving information stored therein; automatically analyzing said retrieved information in real-time and recommending a modification to be made to said at least one of said parameters; automatically displaying said recommended parameter modification on a display screen in real-time; and enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician in response to the step of displaying said recommended parameter modification.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of enabling real-time interactive modifications comprises the step of: enabling the clinician to confirm said recommended parameter modification.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said method further comprises the step of changing said programmable parameter when said suggested parameter modification is confirmed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 13, wherein said programmable parameter changed is capture threshold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
A diagnostic system for use with an implantable medical device, said diagnostic system comprising: a telemetry system configured to establish a communication channel between said medical device and said diagnostic system; a processor, coupled to the telemetry system, which is programmed to interrogate said medical device via said communications channel to retrieve information stored in said medical device, said processor further programmed to analyze said retrieved information, to enable real-time modification of said retrieved information by the physician, and then to format said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; and a display, coupled to said processor, configured to display said information in said format.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
A diagnostic system for use with an implantable medical device, said diagnostic system comprising: a telemetry system configured to establish a communication channel between said medical device and said diagnostic system; a processor, coupled to the telemetry system, which is programmed to interrogate said medical device via said communications channel to retrieve information stored in said medical device, said processor further programmed to analyze said retrieved information, to enable real-time modification of said retrieved information by the physician, and then to format said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; and a display, coupled to said processor, configured to display said information in said format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, further comprising a memory for storing software routines which run on said processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said processor is programmed to identify a failure to depolarize a cardiac chamber as the predetermined event.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said processor is programmed to identify a loss of capture as the predetermined event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said processor is programmed to identify a sudden change of heart rate as the predetermined event.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said processor is programmed to identify a failure of the medical device to sense a cardiac event as the predetermined event.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said display comprises a touchscreen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein said medical device comprises a pacemaker.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
93 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 15, wherein the processor comprises: a first software device handler configured to control a background interrogation mode to automatically retrieve the stored information; and a second software device handler configured to control a foreground interrogation mode to allow the physician to immediately perform interactive adjustments of the stored information, the foreground interrogation mode having a higher priority such that the background interrogation process is temporarily halted, and wherein the results of such adjustments are analyzed in real-time and then displayed when the foreground interrogation mode ends.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 23, wherein the display comprises: a first sub-screen for displaying real-time data; a second sub-screen for controlling the modification of stored information; and a third sub-screen for displaying data being modified in the foreground interrogation mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
121 words
A diagnostic system for use with an implantable medical device, said medical device operating based upon a set of programmable parameters, said diagnostic system comprising: a communication system configured to establish a wireless communication channel between said medical device and said diagnostic system; a processor programmed to interrogate said medical device to retrieve information stored in said medical device, said processor further programmed to analyze said retrieved information, to automatically suggest modifications to said medical device parameters based upon said retrieved information, to enable real-time modification by the physician of said suggested modifications, and then to format said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; a display, coupled to said processor, configured to display said formatted information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
121 words
A diagnostic system for use with an implantable medical device, said medical device operating based upon a set of programmable parameters, said diagnostic system comprising: a communication system configured to establish a wireless communication channel between said medical device and said diagnostic system; a processor programmed to interrogate said medical device to retrieve information stored in said medical device, said processor further programmed to analyze said retrieved information, to automatically suggest modifications to said medical device parameters based upon said retrieved information, to enable real-time modification by the physician of said suggested modifications, and then to format said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; a display, coupled to said processor, configured to display said formatted information.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 25, further comprising a memory for storing software routines which run on said processor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 25, wherein said processor is programmed to determine a pulse voltage level to be administered to a chamber of a patient's heart by said medical device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 25, wherein said processor is programmed to determine an A-V delay.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 26, wherein said display comprises a touchscreen.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic system as defined in claim 25, wherein said medical device comprises a pacemaker.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, said apparatus comprising: communication means for providing a communication channel to said medical device; means for interrogating said medical device, for retrieving information stored in said medical device, and for formatting said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time display; means for displaying said formatted information; and means for analyzing said retrieved information in real-time to identify a predetermined event within said retrieved information, and for enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
83 words
An apparatus for use with an implantable medical device, said apparatus comprising: communication means for providing a communication channel to said medical device; means for interrogating said medical device, for retrieving information stored in said medical device, and for formatting said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time display; means for displaying said formatted information; and means for analyzing said retrieved information in real-time to identify a predetermined event within said retrieved information, and for enabling real-time interactive modifications by the physician.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the control means comprises: means for providing a first interrogation mode to automatically retrieve the stored information including diagnostic data and parametric data; and means for providing a second interrogation mode to allow the physician to immediately perform interactive adjustments of the stored information, the second interrogation mode having a higher priority than the first mode such that the first interrogation mode is temporarily halted whenever the second interrogation mode is initiated, and wherein the results of such adjustments are analyzed in real-time and then displayed when the second interrogation mode ends.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the displaying means comprises: means for formatting said analyzed information into three primary sub-screens including a first sub-screen for displaying real-time signals, a second sub-screen for controlling the modification of stored information, and a third sub-screen for displaying data being modified in the second interrogation mode.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for use with an implantable medical device having parameters, said apparatus comprising: communication means which provide a communication channel to said medical device; means for interrogating said medical device, for retrieving information stored in said medical device, for analyzing said retrieved information, for automatically suggesting modifications to said medical device parameters based upon said analysis, for enabling real-time modifications by the physician of said suggested modifications, and for formatting said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; means for displaying said formatted information.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for use with an implantable medical device having parameters, said apparatus comprising: communication means which provide a communication channel to said medical device; means for interrogating said medical device, for retrieving information stored in said medical device, for analyzing said retrieved information, for automatically suggesting modifications to said medical device parameters based upon said analysis, for enabling real-time modifications by the physician of said suggested modifications, and for formatting said retrieved information into a format suitable for real-time interaction and display; means for displaying said formatted information.
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) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |