Auxilary central nervous system pre-pulse for shock pain inhibition

• US 20040088009A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Degroot, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US10/284,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

Apparatus and an associated method are provided for detecting a cardiac arrhythmia and delivering cardioversion therapy after first delivering a prepulse inhibition stimulus directly to the central nervous system for inhibiting cardioversion pain perceived by the patient. Circuitry for controlling and delivering a prepulse stimulus may be included in the cardioverting device or in a separate stimulating device that is in communication with the cardioverting device. The prepulse stimulus is delivered directly to the spinal cord via a spinal cord lead at a predetermined time interval prior to cardioversion shock delivery.

Claims

1. A system for delivering a prepulse inhibition stimulus implemented with a medical device comprising:

means for detecting arrhythmia;

means for confirming arrhythmia needing cardioversion shock;

means for delivering a prepulse inhibition stimulus; and

means for delivering a cardioversion shock;

said means for detecting, means for confirming and means for delivering being in cooperative communication to deliver the prepulse inhibition stimulus in temporally spaced interval prior to delivering a cardioversion shock.

2. An implantable medical device having a plurality of electrodes to stimulate cardiac and central nervous tissue to inhibit pain perception comprising:

a cardioversion defibrillation device;

a plurality of leads in operable electrical connection with said device; and

means for coordinating delivery of a prepulse inhibition in temporally spaced interval prior to delivery of a cardioversion shock via one of said plurality of leads.