Device for determining the pacing modality of an artificial cardiac pacemaker

• US 4,503,858 A
• Filed: 06/15/1983
• Issued: 03/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Rueter, John C., Markowitz, Harold T., Syring, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/504,699
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 PT, 128/697
• US Class Current: 607/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371

Abstract

A pacing system analyzer as connected to an implantable cardiac pacer and if an atrial pacing pulse is detected only, the analyzer sends a simulated P-wave to the pacer and determines the response of the simulated P-wave to determine if the pacing mode is AAI, AAT, or AOO. In the event a ventricular output pulse only is detected by the analyzer, a simulated R-wave is sent to the pacer and if the pacer responds either by a triggered ventricular pulse or by not changing its response, the analyzer determines that the pacer is in a VVT or VOO mode. On the other hand, if the pacer is inhibited a subsequent simulated P-wave is sent to it and the response of this P-wave determines whether or not the pacer is in a VVI or VDD mode. In the event that both atrial and ventricular pacing pulses are detected by the analyzer, the simulated R-wave is first sent to the pacer and an unchanged response determines that the pacer is in a DOO mode. On the other hand, if the pacer is inhibited so that ventricular pulses are not produced, then a simulated P-wave is sent to it. The response of the pacer to the simulated P-wave determines whether it is in a DVI or DDD mode.

Claims

1. A pacing system analyzer for determining the mode of an implantable cardiac pacemaker comprising means coupled to said cardiac pacer for sensing when an atrial pacing pulse has been emitted, means for transmitting a simulated atrial P-wave signal to said cardiac pacer, response determining means for indicating the cardiac pacer as in an AOO mode if no change occurs, for indicating that it is in an AAI mode if said cardiac pacer is inhibited producing further atrial pulses and for indicating that said pacer is in an AAT mode if said simulated P-wave causes the triggering of an additional atrial output pulse.

2. A pacing system analyzer for determining the mode of an implantable cardiac pacer comprising means coupled to said pacer for determining when a ventricular pulse is emitted by said pacer, first transmission means for transmitting a simulated ventricle R-wave to said pacer. First response determining means for determining the response of said pacer to said simulated R-wave and for indicating that the pacer is in a VOO mode if there is no change in response to said R-wave, for indicating that the pacer is in a VVT mode if the pacer responds by emitting further ventricular pacing pulse and for transmitting a simulated atrial P-wave to said pacer if said first response means determines that said pacer is in a ventricular inhibited mode in which the ventricular output pulse is inhibited in response to said simulated R-wave, second response means responsive to the transmission of said simulated P-wave which determines that said caridac pacer is in a VVI mode if the cardiac pacer does not change its ventricle pulsing rate in response to said P-wave and which determines that the pacer is in a VDD mode if the second response means determines that a ventricular pacing pulse has been triggered by response to said simulated P-wave.

3. The pacing system analyzer for analyzing the pacing mode of a cardiac pacer comprising means for sensing the generation of both atrial and ventricular pacing pulses by said cardiac pacer, means for sensing a simulated R-wave to said cardiac pacer when both said atrial and ventricle pulses have been detected, first response means for determining the response of said cardiac pacer to said simulated R-wave for determining that the pacer is in a DOO mode when said pacer does not change its atrial and ventricular pacing rates in response to said R-wave and for determining when said cardiac pacer is inhibited in response to said simulated R-wave, means for transmitting a simulated P-wave to said cardiac pacer if said cardiac pacer is inhibited by said R-wave transmission and second response means for determining the response of said cardiac pacer to said P-wave and for determining that the pacer is in a DVI mode if the cardiac pacer does not change its response and continues to emit atrial pacing pulses after the simulated P-wave is sent to it and for determining that the pacer is in a DDD mode if the cardiac pacer responds to the simulated P-wave by emitting a ventricular triggered pacing pulse in response thereto.