Device for stimulating living tissue

• US 5,470,348 A
• Filed: 01/12/1995
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter AB
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter AB
• Inventors: Strandberg, Hans, Hirschberg, Jakub, Neubauer, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US08/371,824
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 607/7, 607/30, 607/32, 607/34, 607/59, 607/60, 607/66, 607/68
• US Class Current: 607/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3686 configured for selecting the electrode configuration on a lead A61N1/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators

Abstract

A device for stimulating heart tissue contains a stimulation unit connected via a switching device to an electrode system. The number of connecting lines between the stimulation unit and the switching device is minimized by emitting control signals and stimulation pulses from a common pulse signal output socket of the stimulation unit. The switching device contains a signal discriminator which separates the control signals from the stimulation pulses, the control signals then controlling the switching device such that the stimulation pulses are delivered to a specific part of the electrode system.

Claims

1. A device for stimulating living tissue comprising:

stimulation pulse generator means, having an output socket, for generating a stimulation signal having a polarity at said output socket;

electrode means having a plurality of stimulation signal delivery elements for transmitting said stimulation signal to different tissue sites;

control means, having a control means output connected to said output socket, for generating a control signal at said control means output, said control signal having a polarity opposite to the polarity of said stimulation signal and being superimposed on said stimulation signal at said output socket;

switching means, responsive to said stimulation control signal and having an input connected to said output socket which receives said stimulation signal with said stimulation control signal superimposed thereon and having outputs connected to said electrode means, for directing said stimulation signal to a selected tissue site, determined by said stimulation control signal, via at least one of said delivery elements;

discriminator means in said switching means for separating said stimulation control signal from said stimulation signal before directing said stimulation signal to said selected tissue site;

measurement sensor means for sensing a physiological activity and for generating a measurement sensor signal corresponding to said physical activity, said measurement sensor means being connectable to said output socket through said switching means;

measurement circuit means connected to said output socket for receiving said measurement sensor signal when said measurement sensor means is connected to said output socket and connected to said stimulation pulse generator means for causing said stimulation pulse generator means to modify said stimulation signal dependent on said physiological activity; and

said control means comprising means for generating a switching control signal for operating said switching means to establish a complete electrical path between said measurement sensor means and said measurement circuit means.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said measurement sensor means comprises controllable measurement sensor means for receiving a measurement control signal, wherein said control means comprises means for generating said measurement control signal, and wherein said discriminator means comprises means for discriminating between said measurement control signal and said stimulation control signal, said measurement control signal operating said switching means to cause transmission of said measurement control signal to said controllable measurement sensor means.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said measurement sensor means draws a current, wherein said switching means has a power input connected to said output socket, and wherein said stimulation pulse generator means includes a power source connected to said output socket, said power source supplying said current to said measurement sensor means via said electrical path.