Noncompetitive pacemaker with programmable unijunction transistors

• US 3,898,995 A
• Filed: 03/25/1974
• Issued: 08/12/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Bernard Dresbach
• Original Assignee: James Bernard Dresbach
• Inventors: Dresbach, James Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/454,608
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419PG,419R,421,422,423 307/252F 331/113S
• 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

A noncompetitive pacemaker connects to an organ which is to be electrically stimulated. A pair of programmable unijunction transistors are employed to detect the presence and absence of natural heartbeats so that the output of the pacemaker is modified each time a natural heartbeat is detected.

Claims

1. A noncompetitive pacemaker including a capacitor for providing stimulation pulses to the heart comprising:

means for charging said capacitor to a potential V;

means for receiving signals corresponding to intracardiac activity;

said receiving means including a first and second electrode;

said first and second electrode being suitable for connection to the heart;

a first path for discharging said capacitor before said capacitor is charged by said charging means to said potential V;

said first path including a first programmable unijunction transistor and a first resistor;

said first programmable unijunction transistor having an anode, a cathode and a gate;

said anode of said first programmable unijunction transistor being connected to said first electrode;

said first resistor and said capacitor forming a series circuit connected between said gate and said cathode of said first programmable transistor; and

a second path for discharging said capacitor when said capacitor is charged by said charging means to said potential V;

said second path including a second programmable unijunction transistor and a second resistor, said second programmable unijunction transistor having an anode, a cathode and a gate;

said cathode of said second programmable unijunction transistor being connected to said first electrode;

said second resistor and said capacitor forming a series circuit connected between said anode and said cathode of said second programmable unijunction transistor;

said gate of said second programmable unijunction transistor being coupled to said potential V;

said second electrode and said first and second paths having a common connection.