Heart pacemaker

• US 5,792,208 A
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Graemed Pty., Limited
• Original Assignee: Noel Domond Gray
• Inventors: Gray, Noel Domond
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US08/885,706
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 607/36, 607/9, 607/129-131, 607/148, 607/119, 607/4, 607/17, 607/19, 607/20
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36542 controlled by body motion, e.g. acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3686 configured for selecting the electrode configuration on a lead A61N1/3688 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A heart pacemaker which is arranged to stimulate the apical area of the heart. Stimulation of this area provides synchronous mechanical contraction of the left and right ventricles and overcomes the problem of pacemaker induced left bundle branch block type conduction disturbance. The pacemaker has a base surface which conforms to the apical area of the heart and mounts a plurality of epicardial stimulating electrodes. Selection of electrodes can be made to provide the most clinically appropriate stimulation. An opposite side of the pacemaker is arranged to contact the diaphragm and is proved with sensing electrodes to sense activity of the diaphragm and adjust pacing of the heart in accordance with changes in physical activity of the patient. The electrodes used are preferably of capacitive construction, having first and second capacitive plates either side of a dielectric formed by he body of the pacemaker.

Claims

1. A heart pacemaker, comprising a housing containing a pulse generator means for providing cardiac stimulating pulses, the housing comprising a base member mounting at least one pacing electrode, the pacing electrode being constructed in the form of a capacitor and comprising a first capacitive plate on an outer surface of the base member, a dielectric and a second capacitive plate on the inner surface of the base member within the housing, said pulse generator means providing said pulses to said pacing electrode.

2. A heart pacemaker in accordance with claim 1, the dielectric being formed by the base member.

3. A heart pacemaker in accordance with claim 1, the base member being arranged to fit to the apex of the heart such that the pacing electrode is able to provide stimulation to the apex of the heart, and wherein the pulse generator means causes the electrode to provide cardiac stimulating pulses to the apical area.

4. A heart pacemaker in accordance with claim 3, wherein a plurality of sensing electrodes are mounted on the base member for sensing electrical activity of the heart and for providing the sensed electrical activity to the pulse generator means, the plurality of sensing electrodes being placed so as to be positioned about the apical area of the heart.

5. A heart pacemaker in accordance with claim 4, the sensing and pacing electrodes being arranged in a ring array on the surface of the base member.

6. An electrode arrangement for a heart pacemaker, comprising a base member mounting a plurality of pairs of capacitive plates, one capacitive plate in each pair being arranged on an outer surface of the base member for contact with heart tissue, and the other capacitive plate in each pair being mounted on the inner surface of the base member opposite the first capacitive plate, whereby to form a capacitive electrode array.