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Electronic pacemaker testing device

  • US 5,209,228 A
  • Filed: 10/26/1990
  • Issued: 05/11/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-contained, portable medical pacing unit tester capable of quickly and comprehensively testing medical pacing units comprising:

  • (a) a means for transferring signals between said tester and said pacing unit which is being tested by said tester;

    (b) a data entry device, said data entry device further comprising a means to select at least one medical pacing unit test and to input one or more medical pacing unit parameters where said parameters are necessary to perform said selected medical pacing unit test;

    (c) a means for timing intervals associated with performing said pacing unit test;

    (d) a means to generate a set of test signals to be sent to said pacing unit when required for said medical pacing unit test, said means for generating said set of test signals further comprising a microcomputer and a digital/analog converter wherein said microprocessor further comprises a means for generating a series of digital values corresponding to at least one analog test waveform appropriate for said selected medical pacing unit test and a means for transferring said digital values to said digital/analog converter, said digital/analog converter further including a means for generating at least one corresponding analog test waveform and a means for transferring said analog test waveform to said pacing unit;

    (e) a means to analyze a set of pacing signals received by said tester from said pacing unit, wherein said set of pacing signals generated by said pacing unit comprises at least one analog waveform whereupon said means for analyzing further comprises an analog/digital converter for converting said analog waveform to a series of digital values corresponding to said analog waveform, and a microcomputer for analyzing said digital values with programming appropriate to said selected medical pacing unit test; and

    (f) a means to display result(s) of said analysis;

    (g) wherein said means to select said medical pacing unit test includes a means to select a stimulus refractory interval test wherein said means to select said stimulus refractory interval test further includes;

    (1) a means to generate at least one test waveform and transmit said test waveform to said pacing unit;

    (2) a means to determine an interval between successive of said pacing signals generated by said pacing unit, wherein each of said pacing signals initially form an analog waveform of a pacing pulse which is converted to proportional digital values by said tester;

    (3) a means to control voltage amplitude of said test waveform;

    (4) a means to position said test waveform at a specific interval after the generation of one of said one or more pacing signals generated by said pacing unit;

    (5) a means to measure an interval between successive pacing signals generated by said pacing unit, said interval now containing said test waveform of step (4) generated by said tester;

    (6) a means to compare said interval of step (5) with said interval of step (2) to determine whether or not said positioned test waveform was detected by said pacing unit, said detection by said pacing unit being indicated by an increase of said interval of step (5) over said interval of step (2);

    (7) a means to repeat steps (4)-(6), continually repositioning said test waveform pursuant to a binary search strategy to calculate an interval after generation of said pacing signals generated by said pacing units when demand circuitry of said pacing unit is first able to sense said test waveform.

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