Method and Apparatus for Control of Pacemakers
First Claim
1. A method for cardiac pacing, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing in electrical communication with a patient a pacemaker device having a variable pace rate control, the pacemaker capable of at least receiving an external signal that sets or modifies the pace rate,b) providing a patient interface unit (PIU) capable of transmitting an external signal to the pacemaker to control the pace rate.c) selecting a pace rate,d) transmitting the pace rate selected from the PIU,e) receiving the transmitted signal at the pacemaker,f) changing the pace rate to that represented by the received signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cardiac pacemaker device is in signal communication with a patient interface unit (PIU). The patient has the option of controlling various functions of the pacemaker via the PIU. In one embodiment, the pacemaker has an automatic means to detect a need for a change in pace rate, as well as initiate the calculated change. However, before or when initially increasing the pace rate the pacemaker device transmits an alert signal to the PIU. As the PIU alerts the patient that it believes they are engaging in exercise requiring a faster pacing rate, the patient can recognize a false signal and has the opportunity to transmit an override signal back to the pacemaker device (via the PIU), canceling the intended increase in pace. In other embodiments, the patient can use the PIU to notify the pacemaker that they are about to exercise, and optionally allow the pacemaker to work in automated mode or override the automated mode within reasonable limits to set a pacing rate commensurate with their physical activity.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for cardiac pacing, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing in electrical communication with a patient a pacemaker device having a variable pace rate control, the pacemaker capable of at least receiving an external signal that sets or modifies the pace rate, b) providing a patient interface unit (PIU) capable of transmitting an external signal to the pacemaker to control the pace rate. c) selecting a pace rate, d) transmitting the pace rate selected from the PIU, e) receiving the transmitted signal at the pacemaker, f) changing the pace rate to that represented by the received signal.
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2. A method for cardiac pacing, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing in electrical communication with a patient, a pacemaker device having a variable pace rate control that is responsive to an automated diagnostic analysis of at least one sensor to determine if the patient is undergoing non-sedentary activity, b) providing a patient interface device capable of at least one of receiving information on the status of the automated diagnostic analysis of the pacemaker and transmitting control signals that modify the function of the pacemaker to either override or permit the control thereof by the automated diagnostic analysis c) communicating at least one of the status of the automated diagnostic analysis of the at least one sensor of the pacemaker and control signals between the pacemaker and the patient interface device. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlled and rate responsive cardiac pacing, the system comprising:
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a) a pacemaker device that includes, i) at least one pacing lead in electrical communication with the heart muscle to apply a heart pacing pulse, ii) at least one sensor to determine if the patient is undergoing non-sedentary activity, iii) a first transceiver, iv) a computation unit in signal communication with the at least one sensor to determine the patient'"'"'s apparent need for a change in pace rate, and further in signal communication with the first transceiver whereby the first transceiver is capable of the transmitting information about the actual or an incipient change in pace rate and receiving at least an external signal, v) at least one power source to power one or more of the pacing lead, sensor, transceiver and computation unit, said at least one power source output being responsive to the computation unit to deliver a periodic pacing discharge at the pacing lead unless interrupted by an external signal received from the transceiver, b) a patient interface unit having; i) a second transceiver in signal communication with the first transceiver, ii) a human interface device in signal communication with the second transceiver to transmit to the patient the actual or incipient pace rate of the pacemaker, iii) whereby the patient interface unit is responsive to the patient to cause the second transceiver to send an external signal to the first transceiver, and further whereby the external signal that modulates the function of the pacemaker. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification