RATE CONTROLLER AND CHECKER FOR PULSE GENERATOR MEANS

• US 3,718,909 A
• Filed: 06/18/1970
• Issued: 02/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch
• Original Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch
• Inventors: Greatbatch, Wilson
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/047,198
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419P,421,422 331/177,179 340/167A 325/38,43,66,391,392 307/234 328/112 329/106
• US Class Current: 367/199
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling

Abstract

A remotely-operated control for and electrical pulse generating means, such as a cardiac pacer including timing means controlling the generation of pulses and signal responsive means for resetting the timing means in response to a ventricular electrical signal. A remote, portable transmitter selectively generates a plurality, preferably about three, radio frequency signals having different envelope durations, the signal of longest duration being a continuous or carrier wave signal. Coupled to the pulse generator or pacer is a circuit responsive to the radio frequency signals which rectifies, detects and filters them to produce corresponding command signals. Two of the command signals corresponding to the relatively shorter r.f. signals can be applied to the pacer oscillator in a manner increasing or decreasing the rate of pulse generation. The command corresponding to the continuous r.f. signal can be utilized to temporarily inhibit operation of the pacer signal responsive means to check the viability of this function. In addition, this command signal can be applied to a switching means to reduce the capacitance in the timing means to in turn reduce the width of the pacer output pulse for testing the patient'"'"''"'"'s response to reduced energy pulses. In addition, this same command signal can be applied to a semi-conductor switching means for reducing the gain of the amplifier in the ventricular signal responsive means for testing the sensitivity thereof.

Claims

1. A remotely-operated control for an electrical pulse generating means of the type including an oscillator portion providing output pulses at a free-running rate and control means operatively connected to said oscillator portion for causing generation of output pulses at a different rate, said remotelyoperated control comprising:

a. a remote transmitter for selectively generating a plurality of radio frequency signals having different envelope durations, said transmitter including means for producing said radio frequency signals comprising two pulsating signals of relatively short envelope duration with one pulsating signal having a shorter envelope duration that the other pulsating signal and a continuous signal of longest envelope duration;

b. means coupled to said pulse generating means and responsive to said radio frequency signals for producing corresponding command signals;

c. said signal responsive means including means for applying one of said command signals corresponding to one of said pulsating signals to said oscillator portion, said one command signal being a trigger signal having a duration increasing the rate of output pulse generation of said oscillator portion relative to said free-running rate;

d. said signal responsive means further including means for applying a second one of said command signals corresponding to the other of said pulsating signals to said oscillator portion, said second one of said command signals being a delay signal of duration for decreasing the rate of output pulse generation of said oscillator portion relative to said free-running rate; and

e. said signal responsive means further including means for applying the third of said command signals corresponding to said continuous signal to said control means, said third of said command signals being an inhibit signal and rendering said control means inoperative for the duration of said signal so that the rate of output pulse generation is at said freerunning rate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal responsive means comprises:

a. antenna means for receiving said signals;

b. detecting means including first and second signal transmission paths, said first path allowing transmission of the pulsating signal having the shorter envelope duration and said second path allowing transmission of the other pulsating signal and the continuous signal having the longest envelope duration; and

c. filtering means and time delay means in each of said paths.

3. A remotely-operated control for an electrical pulse generator of the type including an oscillator for providing output pulses and capacitive timing means connected to said oscillator for controlling the generation of said pulses, said remotely-operated control comprising:

a. a remote transmitter for selectively generating a plurality of radio frequency signals having different envelope durations, the signal of longest envelope duration being a continuous, carrier wave signal;

b. signal responsive means coupled to said pulse generator for producing corresponding command signals in response to reception of said radio frequency signals;

c. semiconductor switching means connected in controlling relation to said timing means for modifying said timing means in a manner reducing the width of output pulses from said generator;

d. said signal responsive means including means for applying the command signal generated in response to said continuous radio frequency signal in controlling relation to said semiconductor switching means;

e. said semiconductor switching means being connected in parallel with a portion of the capacitance in said timing means, whereby said capacitance is reduced in response to said continuous radio frequency signal; and

f. said signal responsive means including further means for applying a command signal generated in response to another radio Frequency signal in controlling relation to said oscillator to change the rate of output pulses from said oscillator.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pulse generator further includes control means including an amplifier having an output circuit with resistance included therein and connected to said timing means for causing generation of output pulses at a different rate and wherein said remotely-operated control further comprises:

a. another semiconductor switching means connected in controlling relation to said amplifier for reducing the gain of said amplifier; and

b. said signal responsive means further including means for applying the command signal generated in response to said continuous radio frequency signal in controlling relation to said another switching means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said another semiconductor switching means is connected in parallel with a portion of the resistance in the output circuit of said amplifier whereby the amplifier gain is degeneratively decreased in response to said continuous radio frequency signal.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said another signal generated by said transmitter is pulsating and wherein said further means of said signal responsive means applies the command signal generated in response to the pulsating signal to said pulse generator oscillator for increasing the rate of output pulse generation.