Pharmacologic atrial defibrillator and method
First Claim
1. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity and a level of ventricular activity of a heart of the patient;
(b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal as a first function of the monitored level of atrial activity;
(c) emitting the delivery signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient;
(d) continuously computing a pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity and ventricular activity; and
(e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an implantable apparatus for automatically delivering a defibrillating drug to a patient upon detection of the onset of atrial fibrillation. Atrial activity of a heart is detected and monitored. A delivery time is continuously computed and a delivery signal is emitted as a function of the monitored level of the atrial activity. When the delivery signal is emitted, an infusion pump discharges a defibrillating drug into the bloodstream of the patient. The atrial activity is also continuously monitored for computing a pacing time at which a pacing signal is emitted as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity. When the pacing signal is emitted a pacer paces the atrium of the heart.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity and a level of ventricular activity of a heart of the patient; (b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal as a first function of the monitored level of atrial activity; (c) emitting the delivery signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient; (d) continuously computing a pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity and ventricular activity; and (e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart.
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2. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity of a heart of the patient by estimating an atrial rate using a median value of an interval between atrial activations; (b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal as a first function of the monitored level of atrial activity; (c) emitting the delivery signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient; (d) continuously computing pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity; and (e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart.
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3. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity of a heart of the patient; (b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal by computing a median value of a plurality of sensed time intervals each occurring between two atrial senses, comparing the median value to a threshold value, and emitting the delivery signal when the median value is less than a threshold value; (c) emitting the delivery signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient; (d) continuously computing pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity; and (e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity of a heart of the patient; (b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal by establishing a first threshold value of an interval between successive atrial sensings, reducing the first threshold value and establishing a second threshold value, comparing a first interval corresponding to the first threshold value to a second interval established by the second threshold value, and emitting the delivery signal upon detection of the second interval being less than the first interval by a predetermined amount; (c) emitting the delivery signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient; (d) continuously computing a pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity; and (e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart.
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6. A method for delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting and monitoring a level of atrial activity of a heart of the patient; (b) continuously computing a delivery time to emit a delivery signal by calculating a concentration of the defibrillating drug in the bloodstream, and pulsing the delivery means to introduce the defibrillating drug into the bloodstream when the concentration is below a predetermined value; (c) emitting the delivering signal at the computed delivery time to delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into the bloodstream of the patient; (d) continuously computing a pacing time to emit a pacing signal as a second function of the monitored level of atrial activity; and (e) emitting the pacing signal at the computed pacing time to pacing means for pacing an atria of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An implantable apparatus for automatically delivering upon demand a defibrillating drug to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for sensing and monitoring a level of atrial activity of a heart of a patient; first computer means for computing a delivery time and emitting a delivery signal as a function of said monitored level of atrial activity; delivery means for introducing the defibrillating drug into a bloodstream of the patient at said delivery time; second computer means for continuously computing a pacing time and emitting a pacing signal as a second function of said monitored level of atrial activity; pace means for receiving said pacing signal and pacing an atria of said heart at said pacing time; at least one hermetically sealed enclosure; and said first computer means, said second computer means, said delivery means and said pacing means housed within said at least one hermetically sealed enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification