LEADLESS PACEMAKER SYSTEM

• US 20140121720A1
• Filed: 10/31/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bonner, Matthew D., Greenhut, Saul E., Sheldon, Todd J., Demmer, Wade M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,808,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36507 controlled by gradient or slope of the heart potential
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36578 controlled by mechanical motion of the heart wall, e.g. measured by an accelerometer or microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/368 comprising more than one electrode co-operating with different heart regions A61N1/3622, A61N1/3627 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/124 having a layered structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A device includes a signal generator module, a processing module, and a housing. The signal generator module is configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium. The processing module is configured to detect a ventricular activation event and determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event that preceded the ventricular activation event. The processing module is further configured to schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval and control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time. The housing is configured for implantation within the atrium. The housing encloses the stimulation generator and the processing module.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation entirely within a ventricle of a heart, the ventricular pacing device configured to deliver pacing pulses to the ventricle; and

an atrial pacing device configured for implantation entirely within an atrium of the heart, the atrial pacing device configured to;

detect a ventricular activation event; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the ventricular activation event arises due to one of an intrinsic ventricular depolarization or a paced ventricular event.

2. A system comprising:

a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation within a ventricle of a heart, the ventricular pacing device configured to deliver pacing pulses to the ventricle; and

an atrial pacing device configured for implantation within an atrium of the heart, the atrial pacing device configured to;

detect a ventricular activation event; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected;

wherein the atrial pacing device is configured to deliver pacing pulses at an atrial pacing rate, and wherein the ventricular pacing device is configured to deliver pacing pulses at a ventricular pacing rate that is less than the atrial pacing rate.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the ventricular pacing device is configured to detect intrinsic ventricular depolarizations and inhibit the delivery of a pacing pulse to the ventricle upon detection of an intrinsic ventricular depolarization, wherein the ventricular pacing rate is set such that the ventricular pacing device delivers pacing pulses to the ventricle when atrioventricular (AV) block in the heart prevents intrinsic ventricular depolarizations being precipitated by atrial depolarizations.

5. A system comprising:

a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation within a ventricle of a heart, the ventricular pacing device configured to deliver pacing pulses to the ventricle; and

an atrial pacing device configured for implantation within an atrium of the heart, the atrial pacing device configured to;

detect a ventricular activation event; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected;

wherein the atrial pacing device is configured to;

determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event;

schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval; and

control the delivery of the pacing pulse at the scheduled time.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the atrial pacing device is configured to:

sense ventricular electrical activity; and

detect the ventricular activation event by detecting the ventricular electrical activity.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the ventricular electrical activity is a far-field R-wave.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the atrial pacing device includes a sensor that generates signals that indicate mechanical cardiac characteristics, and wherein the atrial pacing device is configured to detect contraction of the ventricle based on the generated signals.

9. (canceled)

10. A method comprising:

delivering pacing pulses to a ventricle of a heart using a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation entirely within the ventricle;

detecting a ventricular activation event using an atrial pacing device configured for implantation entirely within an atrium of the heart; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the ventricular activation event arises due to one of an intrinsic ventricular depolarization or a paced ventricular event.

11. A method comprising:

delivering pacing pulses to a ventricle of a heart using a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation within the ventricle;

detecting a ventricular activation event using an atrial pacing device configured for implantation within an atrium of the heart; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected;

delivering pacing pulses at an atrial pacing rate using the atrial pacing device; and

delivering pacing pulses at a ventricular pacing rate that is less than the atrial pacing rate using the ventricular pacing device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising inhibiting the delivery of a pacing pulse to the ventricle upon detection of an intrinsic ventricular depolarization, wherein the ventricular pacing rate is set such that pacing pulses are delivered to the ventricle when atrioventricular (AV) block in the heart prevents intrinsic ventricular depolarizations being precipitated by atrial depolarizations.

14. A method comprising:

delivering pacing pulses to a ventricle of a heart using a ventricular pacing device configured for implantation within the ventricle;

detecting a ventricular activation event using an atrial pacing device configured for implantation within an atrium of the heart; and

deliver pacing pulses to the atrium based on when the ventricular activation event is detected;

delivering pacing pulses at an atrial pacing rate using the atrial pacing device; and

delivering pacing pulses at a ventricular pacing rate that is less than the atrial pacing rate using the ventricular pacing device.

determining a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event;

scheduling a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval; and

controlling the delivery of the pacing pulse at the scheduled time.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

sensing ventricular electrical activity; and

detecting the ventricular activation event by detecting the ventricular electrical activity.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ventricular electrical activity is a far-field R-wave.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

generating signals that indicate mechanical cardiac characteristics; and

detecting contraction of the ventricle based on the generated signals.

18. (canceled)