METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SYNCHRONIZED STIMULUS AND COUPLED STIMULATION FROM AN IMPLANTED HEART STIMULATOR HAVING A CONSTANT RHYTHM

• US 3,683,934 A
• Filed: 09/21/1970
• Issued: 08/15/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bohdan A. Bukowiecki, Mariusz J. Stopczyk
• Original Assignee: Bohdan A. Bukowiecki, Mariusz J. Stopczyk
• Inventors: Bukowiecki, Bohdan A., Stopczyk, Mariusz J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/074,007
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419P,421,422
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371

Abstract

An apparatus which provides an electromagnetic field in synchronization with the occurrence of a detected heart function potential is located outside of a patient'"'"''"'"'s body in which a heart stimulator having a constant rhythm frequency generator has been implanted. The implanted generator is magnetically coupled within the electromagnetic field so as to be responsive to the occurrence thereof. An electrical heart stimulus in synchronization with the detected potential is thereby enforced from the implanted generator in response to the occurrence of the field. Coupled stimulation is provided by the apparatus by routing the detected signal along an additional branch path which includes a delay line. The delayed signal provides a second electromagnetic field a preselected delayed time after the provision of the synchronized field whereby a synchronized heart stimulus and a second, coupled heart stimulus are provided in response to a single detected heart function potential.

Claims

1. A method of providing an electrical stimulus for a heart from an implanted heart stimulator having a constant rhythm frequency generator, said stimulus being in synchronization with an occurrence of a heart function potential, comprising the steps of providing a first electromagnetic field to said generator in response to the occurrence of said heart function potential from said heart, and enforcing an occurrence of said synchronized heart stimulus from said generator in response to the occurrence of said first electromagnetic field.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said providing step includes the steps of detecting the occurrence of said heart function potential, and triggering a generation of said first electromagnetic field in response to said detected heart function potential.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said providing step includes the step of providing a refractory period during the occurrence of said synchronized heart stimulus and a resultant heart response thereto.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said enforcing step includes the step of magnetically coupling said generator within said first electromagnetic field.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said providing step includes the step of providing a second electromagnetic field to said generator in response to the occurrence of said heart function potential from said heart.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said providing step further includes the step of providing said second electromagnetic field a preselected interval aftEr the provision of said first electromagnetic field.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said enforcing step includes the step of enforcing an occurrence of a second electrical heart stimulus from said generator in response to the occurrence of said second electromagnetic field.

8. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said enforcing step includes the step of magnetically coupling said generator within said first and second electromagnetic fields.

9. An apparatus for providing an electrical stimulus for a heart from an implanted stimulator having a constant rhythm frequency generator, said stimulus being in synchronization with an occurrence of a heart function potential of said heart, comprising means for providing a first electromagnetic field to said generator in response to the occurrence of said heart function potential from said heart, said generator including means responsive to said first electromagnetic field for enforcing an occurrence of said synchronized heart stimulus.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means includes means between said first electromagnetic field providing means and said generator means for magnetically coupling said generator within said first electromagnetic field.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means includes means for detecting the occurrence of said heart function potential, and means for triggering a generation of said first electromagnetic field in response to said detected heart function potential.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means further includes means for providing a refractory period during the occurrence of said synchronized heart stimulus and a resultant heart response thereto.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means further includes a capacitive charging means and a means for discharging said charging means, said discharge means including electromagnetic means, said triggering means being operatively associated with said discharge means for causing the operation of said electromagnetic means in synchronization with said detected heart function potential.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means includes means for providing a second electromagnetic field to said generator in response to the occurrence of said heart function potential from said heart, said generator responsive means further including means responsive to said second electromagnetic field for enforcing an occurrence of a second heart stimulus.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means includes means for detecting the occurrence of said heart function potential, and means for triggering a generation of said first and second electromagnetic fields in response to said detected heart function potential, said second electromagnetic field providing means including delay means operatively connected between said detecting means and said triggering means for delaying the generation of said second electromagnetic field due to said triggering means for a preselected interval after the generation of said first electromagnetic field due to said triggering means, said synchronized heart stimulus and said second heart stimulus providing coupled stimulation for said heart.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said first electromagnetic field providing means includes means between said first electromagnetic field providing means and said generator means for magnetically coupling said generator within said first and second electromagnetic fields whereby coupled stimulation is provided for said heart.