Low amplitude pacing artifact detection apparatus and method using isolation amplifier to minimize distortion

• US 5,379,775 A
• Filed: 10/15/1993
• Issued: 01/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kruse, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US08/138,158
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 128/696, 128/697, 128/710, 128/903, 128/904, 128/908, 607/27, 607/28
• US Class Current: 600/510
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/301 providing electrical separation, e.g. by using isolating transformers or optocouplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7217 of noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus, e.g. from a pacemaker
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/908 Patient protection from electric shock

Abstract

A pacing artifact detection apparatus and method uses a high bandwidth isolation amplifier having low harmonic distortion, high linearity, wide dynamic range, low current leakage, dc coupling, bipolar and high voltage isolation characteristics in conjunction with a high frequency operational amplifier to drive biopotential signals across an isolation barrier at high frequencies with no distortion. The speed of transmission across the isolation barrier is sufficiently high to allow diagnostics and analysis on the pacing artifact being transmitted across the isolation barrier without adversely impacting the reliability of the pacing artifact detection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for driving pacing artifact signals across an electrical isolation barrier, said barrier having an isolated side and a nonisolated side, and wherein said artifact signals are transmitted across said isolation barrier at frequencies up to and above 200 kHz with no distortion, said apparatus comprising:

(a) sensing means coupled to said isolated side of said isolation barrier for sensing said pacing artifact signals on said isolated side of said isolation barrier;

(b) high frequency amplifying means coupled to said isolated side of said isolation barrier and further coupled to said sensing means for amplifying said sensed pacing artifact signals at said frequencies up to and above 200 kHz; and

(c) high frequency isolating means coupled to said high frequency amplifying means for transferring said amplified pacing artifact signals on said isolated side of said isolation barrier to said nonisolated side of said isolation barrier at said frequencies up to and above 200 kHz.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising high frequency amplifying means for amplifying said pacing artifact signal on said nonisolated side of said isolation barrier at said frequencies up to and above 200 kHz.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling between said high frequency isolating means and said high frequency amplifying means is a direct coupling.

4. A method of driving pacing artifact signals across an electrical isolation barrier having an isolated side and a nonisolated side, said signals being sensed on said isolated side and driven from said isolated side to said nonisolated side at frequencies up to and above 200 kHz with no measurable distortion, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) sensing said pacing artifact signals on said isolated side of said isolation barrier;

(b) amplifying said sensed pacing artifact signals at said frequencies up to and above 200 kHz; and

(c) driving said amplified pacing artifact signals on said isolated side of said isolation barrier to said nonisolated side of said isolation barrier with an isolation amplifier at said frequencies up to and above 200 kHz.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of directly coupling said amplified pacing artifact signals on said isolated side of said isolation barrier to said isolation amplifier.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of amplifying said pacing artifact signal on said nonisolated side of said isolation barrier.