Activity sensor for a heart pacemaker

• US 4,896,068 A
• Filed: 04/28/1989
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter AB
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Nilsson, Kenth
• Primary Examiner(s): BUDD, MARK OSBORNE
• Application Number:
  US07/346,342
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 310/319, 310/328, 310/329, 310/330-332, 310/338, 310/339, 310/358, 310/359, 310/366, 128/419 P, 128/419 PS, 128/419 PG, 128/419 B
• US Class Current: 310/329
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36542 controlled by body motion, e.g. acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/302 Sensors

Abstract

An activity sensor wherein a piezoelement of the flexural type is employed. The activity sensor avoids a depolarization even given great mechanical stresses and simplifies the contacting of such a sensor regardless of the surfaces to which it is applied. It is provided in accord with the invention that the piezoelement is composed of two individual or inter-related piezoceramic parts arranged side-by-side which are oppositely polarized and are provided with electrodes on both sides. On one side, the electrodes are electrically connected to one another and, on the other side, are connected to terminals.

Claims

1. An activity sensor for use in a heart pacemaker having a housing with at least one flat wall, said activity sensor comprising:

a flexural type piezoelement having oppositely polarized ceramic parts, each having first and second sides and contacted at both sides with electrodes, said ceramic parts being arranged side-by-side with said first sides facing said flat wall of said housing;

means for electrically connecting said electrodes on said first sides of said ceramic parts to one another;

means for securing said first sides in force-transmitting contact over entire area with said flat wall of said housing; and

said electrodes on said second sides electrically connected to at least first and second terminals so that said piezoelement generates an electrical voltage across said terminals as a measure of activity acting upon the piezoelement through said wall of said housing.

2. The activity sensor according to claim 1, wherein said piezoelement is composed of a single plate having first and second sides, said electrodes on said second side having at least one insulating gap therebetween.

3. The activity sensor according to claim 2, wherein the width of the gap is at least twice as great as the thickness of the plate.

4. The activity sensor according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing is glue.

5. The activity sensor according to claim 1, wherein the activity sensor has a predetermined flexural strength relative to said wall of said housing to which the activity sensor is secured.