Apparatus and method for controlling multiple sensitivities in arrhythmia control system including post therapy packing delay
First Claim
1. An apparatus for administering electrotherapy to the heart comprising:
- a detector responsive to an electrical signal from the heart, said detector providing an output signal in response to said electrical signal;
sensitivity control means connected to said detector for controlling the sensitivity of said detector to said electrical signal, said sensitivity control means controlling said sensitivity to a first sensitivity level at a first time;
tachyarrhythmia detection means for receiving said output signal from said detector set at said first sensitivity level to determine if a tachyarrhythmia is sensed at said first time;
tachyarrhythmia confirmation means for receiving said output signal from said detector set at said first sensitivity level to confirm the presence of said tachyarrhythmia at a second time after said first time;
tachyarrhythmia therapy means for delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy to the heart if said tachyarrhythmia confirmation means confirms the presence of tachyarrhythmia at said second time;
said sensitivity control means controlling said sensitivity of said detector to a second sensitivity level if a tachyarrhythmia is not sensed by said detector at said second time, said second sensitivity level being higher than said first sensitivity level; and
said tachyarrhythmia therapy means delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy if said detector, at said second sensitivity level, detects tachyarrhythmia.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for tachyarrhythmia reversion uses multiple sensitivities programmed for automatic operation. A first (medium) sensitivity is used normally for the detection of sinus rhythm and ventricular tachycardia. A second (higher) sensitivity is designed for differentiating ventricular fibrillation from asystole. A third (lower) sensitivity can also be programmed into the device to differentiate between R-waves and high amplitude current of injury T-waves which may occur post shock. Following the delivery of antitachycardia therapy in the form of either antitachycardia pacing therapy or cardioversion shock therapy, there is a pause, or post therapy pacing delay for a period of time prior to the commencement of bradycardia support pacing. The magnitude of the delay period is substantially greater than the normal bradycardia support pacing standby interval.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus for administering electrotherapy to the heart comprising:
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a detector responsive to an electrical signal from the heart, said detector providing an output signal in response to said electrical signal; sensitivity control means connected to said detector for controlling the sensitivity of said detector to said electrical signal, said sensitivity control means controlling said sensitivity to a first sensitivity level at a first time; tachyarrhythmia detection means for receiving said output signal from said detector set at said first sensitivity level to determine if a tachyarrhythmia is sensed at said first time; tachyarrhythmia confirmation means for receiving said output signal from said detector set at said first sensitivity level to confirm the presence of said tachyarrhythmia at a second time after said first time; tachyarrhythmia therapy means for delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy to the heart if said tachyarrhythmia confirmation means confirms the presence of tachyarrhythmia at said second time; said sensitivity control means controlling said sensitivity of said detector to a second sensitivity level if a tachyarrhythmia is not sensed by said detector at said second time, said second sensitivity level being higher than said first sensitivity level; and said tachyarrhythmia therapy means delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy if said detector, at said second sensitivity level, detects tachyarrhythmia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for treating tachyarrhythmias comprising:
- sensing means for sensing the presence of a patient tachyarrhythmia, tachyarrhythmia therapy delivery means for delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy, programming means for programming at least two sensitivity levels, a detector means programmable to said sensitivity levels for producing output signals at each of said sensitivity levels, a first sensitivity level being for sensing of sinus, VF and VT, and a second sensitivity level being a higher level of sensitivity than said first sensitivity level, said second sensitivity level being for differentiating VF not detected at said first sensitivity level from an asystole condition, and switching means for switching from said first sensitivity level to said second sensitivity, level when there is an absence of output signals from said detector means at the first sensitivity level.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for administering electrotherapy to the heart comprising the steps of:
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setting the sensitivity of a detector to an electrical signal from the heart to a first sensitivity level; detecting the presence of a tachyarrhythmia with said detector, at a first time; determining whether said tachyarrhythmia is detected by said detector at a second time, at said first sensitivity level, said second time being after said first time; delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy if said tachyarrhythmia is detected at said second time; changing said sensitivity to a second sensitivity level if said tachyarrhythmia is not detected at said second time, said second sensitivity level being higher than said first sensitivity level; determining whether said tachyarrhythmia is detected at said second sensitivity level at a third time, said third time being later than said second time; and delivering tachyarrhythmia therapy if said tachyarrhythmia is detected at said third time. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification