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Arrhythmia and fibrillation prevention pacemaker using ratchet up and decay modes of operation

  • US 5,713,929 A
  • Filed: 05/03/1996
  • Issued: 02/03/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling the rate of pacing pulse delivery in an atrium of a heart wherein at least two modes for changing the rate of pacing delivered to said chamber are included in said method, a first of said two modes being a decay mode during which the rate of pacing delivered to the atrium is reduced and a second being a ratchet up mode during which the pacing rate is increased, said method comprising,determining by means of detected atrial events whether there is natural, nonpacemaker induced depolarization or contraction of the atrium,maintaining the pacing rate until it is determined that one such natural atrial event has occurred,switching to a ratchet up mode when natural atrial depolarizations are detected during a period of atrial pacing such that the pacing rate is increased until no further such natural atrial depolarizations or contractions are detected and for a period thereafter maintaining said increased pacing rate,after said period expires, switching to a decay mode until a safety level is reached or a natural atrial depolarization or contraction is detected, if said safety level is reached, continuing to pace at the safety rate, but if natural depolarization or contraction is determined prior to reaching the safety rate in said decay mode, then pacing at an increment above the rate at which the natural depolarization or contraction was found.

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