Method and implantable medical device for stimulating tissue contractions
First Claim
1. A medical device adapted for implantation in the body of a patient, said device comprising:
- means for detecting spontaneous tissue contractions at a site in said patient;
means for stimulating tissue contractions at said site;
means for activating said means for stimulating at the end of a first time interval of selectable duration if a spontaneous contraction is not detected during said first time interval, each spontaneous or stimulated contraction starting a new first time interval;
means for preventing a spontaneous contraction from starting a new first time interval if said spontaneous contraction occurs during a second time interval, said second time interval starting with the spontaneous or stimulated contraction which starts said first time interval and said means for preventing starting a new second time interval upon the detection of a spontaneous contraction during said second time interval, said second time interval having a duration shorter than the duration of said first time interval; and
means, when the duration of said first time interval is selected, for automatically setting the duration of said second time interval dependent on the duration of said first time interval so that said second time interval is shorter than said first time interval by a defined amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device implantable into the body of a patient with which spontaneous tissue contractions can be detected and tissue contractions can be stimulated, generates a stimulation after the expiration of an adjustable first time interval, started by the respective detection or the stimulation of a tissue contraction, if a spontaneous tissue contraction is not detected before the expiration of the first time interval and if a shorter, second time interval, started by the detection or stimulation of a tissue contraction, has not yet expired. Detection of a spontaneous tissue contraction during the second time interval starts a new second time interval. The duration of the second time interval is automatically set such that it is always shorter by a defined amount than the duration of the first time interval.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A medical device adapted for implantation in the body of a patient, said device comprising:
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means for detecting spontaneous tissue contractions at a site in said patient; means for stimulating tissue contractions at said site; means for activating said means for stimulating at the end of a first time interval of selectable duration if a spontaneous contraction is not detected during said first time interval, each spontaneous or stimulated contraction starting a new first time interval; means for preventing a spontaneous contraction from starting a new first time interval if said spontaneous contraction occurs during a second time interval, said second time interval starting with the spontaneous or stimulated contraction which starts said first time interval and said means for preventing starting a new second time interval upon the detection of a spontaneous contraction during said second time interval, said second time interval having a duration shorter than the duration of said first time interval; and means, when the duration of said first time interval is selected, for automatically setting the duration of said second time interval dependent on the duration of said first time interval so that said second time interval is shorter than said first time interval by a defined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A medical device adapted for implantation in the body of a patient, said device comprising:
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means for detecting spontaneous tissue contractions at a site in said patient; means for stimulating tissue contractions at said site; means for activating said means for stimulating at the end of a first time interval of selectable duration if a spontaneous contraction is not detected during said first time interval, each spontaneous or stimulated contraction starting a new first time interval; means for preventing a spontaneous contraction from starting a new first time interval if said spontaneous contraction occurs during a second time interval, said second time interval starting with the spontaneous or stimulated contraction which starts said first time interval and said means for preventing starting a new second time interval upon the detection of a spontaneous contraction during said second time interval, said second time interval having a duration shorter than the duration of said first time interval; means for calculating a tissue contraction frequency matched to the physical activity of said patient, the matched contraction frequency having a chronological curve associated therewith; and means, when the duration of said first time interval is selected, for automatically setting the duration of said second time interval dependent on the duration of said first time interval so that said second time interval has a chronological curve substantially following said chronological curve of said matched contraction frequency and a duration which is always shorter than said first time interval. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for administering electrical therapy to a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting spontaneous tissue contractions at a site in said patient; stimulating tissue contractions at said site at the end of a first time interval of selectable duration if a spontaneous tissue contraction is not detected during said first time interval; starting said first time interval and starting a second time interval upon the occurrence of a spontaneous or stimulated contraction, said second time interval having a duration shorter than the duration of said first time interval; preventing a spontaneous contraction from starting a new first time interval if said spontaneous contraction occurs during said second time interval; starting a new second time interval upon the detection of a spontaneous contraction during said second time interval; and automatically setting the duration of said second time interval, dependent on the duration of said first time interval, when the duration of said first time interval is selected so that said second time interval is shorter than said first time interval by a defined amount.
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19. A method for administering electrical therapy to a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting spontaneous tissue contractions at a site in said patient; stimulating tissue contractions at said site at the end of a first time interval of selectable duration if a spontaneous tissue contraction is not detected during said first time interval; starting said first time interval and starting a second time interval upon the occurrence of a spontaneous or stimulated contraction, said second time interval having a duration shorter than the duration of said first time interval; preventing a spontaneous contraction from starting a new first time interval if said spontaneous contraction occurs during said second time interval; starting a new second time interval upon the detection of a spontaneous contraction during said second time interval; calculating a tissue contraction frequency matched to the physical activity of the patient, the matched contraction frequency having a chronological curve associated therewith; and automatically setting the duration of said second time interval, dependent on the duration of said first time interval, when the duration of said first time interval is selected so that said second time interval has a chronological curve substantially following said chronological curve of said matched contraction frequency and is always shorter than said first time interval.
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Specification