Cardioverting device with stored energy selecting means and discharge initiating means, and related method
First Claim
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1. In a cardioverting device, comprising:
- storage means for storing energy to convert an abnormal cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm,delivery electrode means for discharging the stored energy into the heart of a wearer of the device, andswitch means for controlling the discharge of the stored energy into the heart of the wearer;
said device further comprising;
charging means for deliverying to said storage means said energy to convert said abnormal cardiac rhythm,determining means for determining when the stored energy has reached a predetermined magnitude for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm, andinitiating means for initiating the discharge of converting energy into the heart of the wearer after the stored energy has reached said predetermined magnitude;
the improvement wherein said device is an implantable externally programmable cardioverting device, and includes receiving means for receiving commands from external to the skin of the wearer of the device, said programming commands designating a predetermined magnitude of stored energy for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm, said device also including selecting means responsive to said programming commands received by said receiving means for selecting said predetermined magnitude, from among a plurality of selectable magnitudes, of stored energy, for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm.
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Abstract
An externally controlled implantable electronic device for delivering a cardioverting pulse of energy to the atrium of an ailing heart. In one embodiment, the device is particularly suited for use when the patient visits the office of his physician, and contemplates the transmission of both information and powering energy through the skin of the patient. In another embodiment, the device can be readily operated at home, by the patient, and without the intervention of the physician. Here, the source of energy is permanently implanted.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. In a cardioverting device, comprising:
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storage means for storing energy to convert an abnormal cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm, delivery electrode means for discharging the stored energy into the heart of a wearer of the device, and switch means for controlling the discharge of the stored energy into the heart of the wearer; said device further comprising; charging means for deliverying to said storage means said energy to convert said abnormal cardiac rhythm, determining means for determining when the stored energy has reached a predetermined magnitude for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm, and initiating means for initiating the discharge of converting energy into the heart of the wearer after the stored energy has reached said predetermined magnitude; the improvement wherein said device is an implantable externally programmable cardioverting device, and includes receiving means for receiving commands from external to the skin of the wearer of the device, said programming commands designating a predetermined magnitude of stored energy for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm, said device also including selecting means responsive to said programming commands received by said receiving means for selecting said predetermined magnitude, from among a plurality of selectable magnitudes, of stored energy, for converting said abnormal cardiac rhythm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for electrically cardioverting a heart, the method comprising the steps of:
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implanting an electronic package beneath the skin of a wearer, said electronic package including a storage element for storing electrical energy to convert an abnormal cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm, delivery electrodes for discharging said stored energy into the heart of the wearer, a receiver for receiving commands from external to the skin of the wearer, and discharge control means responsive to said commands received by said receiver means for initiating the discharge of said stored energy into the heart of the wearer; sensing an abnormal cardiac rhythm while the wearer is conscious, wherein cardioversion is required; and delivering, upon such sensing, a command from external to the skin of the wearer to the receiver, said implanted electronic package being responsive thereto for electrically cardioverting the heart by discharging said stored energy through said delivery electrodes into the heart of the wearer. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method for electrically cardioverting a heart, the method comprising the steps of:
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implanting an electronic package beneath the skin of a wearer, said electronic package including a storage element for storing electrical energy to convert an abnormal cardiac rhythm to normal sinus rhythm, delivery electrodes for discharging said stored energy into the heart of the wearer, a receiver for receiving control information from external to the skin of the wearer, said control information designating a selected magnitude of energy to be discharged through said delivery electrodes into the heart of the wearer, and charge control means responsive to said control information for storing said selected magnitude of stored energy in said storage element; sensing an abnormal cardiac rhythm, wherein cardioversion is required; delivering said control information through the skin of the wearer to cause the storage element to store said selected magnitude of energy; and electrically cardioverting the heart by discharging said selected magnitude of stored energy through said delivery electrodes into the heart of the wearer.
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Specification