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Programmable automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator and pacemaker system

  • US 4,989,602 A
  • Filed: 04/12/1989
  • Issued: 02/05/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A programmable cardioverter/defibrillator system comprising:

  • (a) an automatic implantable cardioverter/ defibrillator (AICD), said AICD comprising;

    high/low rate sensing means for sensing when a heart is beating above a fixed high threshold rate or below a fixed low threshold rate; and

    means for delivering a high energy cardioversion/defibrillation pulse to the heart whenever said high/low rate sensing means senses that the heart is beating above the fixed high threshold rate or below the fixed low threshold rate;

    (b) an implantable programmable pacemaker, said pacemaker comprising;

    heart-rate sensing means for sensing the rate at which the heart is beating;

    means for processing the sensed heart rate to determine whether the sensed heart rate lies within a programmed range of acceptable heart rates and for triggering the generation of said cardioversion/defibrillation pulse from said AICD so that the fixed high and low threshold rates of said AICD are replaced by the programmed range of heart rates of said implantable programmable pacemaker, said triggering occurring whenever the heart rate sensed by said heart rate sensing means of said pacemaker does not fall within said prescribed range of acceptable heart rates; and

    programming means for allowing said programmed range of acceptable heart rates to be programmed into said processing means; and

    (c) coupling means for coupling the operation of said AICD to said pacemaker.

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