Diagnostic test protocol in an implantable medical device
First Claim
1. A medical device adapted to be implanted in the human body for electrically stimulating the heart and for sensing electrical activity in the heart, the device comprising:
- a communication unit that permits communication between the medical device and a programmer;
at least one electrode adapted to be coupled to the heart;
a sense amplifier electrically coupled to said electrode, said sense amplifier receiving an electrical signal from said electrode and generating an amplified signal;
a processor coupled to said sense amplifier and effective to initiate a refractory period for said sense amplifier and coupled to said communication unit and effective to initiate a communication signal from said communication unit indicating commencement of said refractory period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable medical device electrically stimulates the heart to beat and senses electrical activity in the heart. The medical device generally includes a processor, a plurality of electrodes, and a sense amplifier. The medical device is capable of performing a variety of diagnostic tests, such as a sensing test in which a suitable sensitivity setting is computed for the sense amplifier. An external programmer is also provided to initiate the diagnostic tests. The programmer transmits a start signal to the implantable medical device and the medical device'"'"'s processor initiates the diagnostic test specified by the programmer via the start signal. The implantable device is capable of completing the diagnostic test without further communication from the programmer or may initiate communication with the programmer during a refractory period in which signals from the programmer will not interfere with the diagnostic test. In the latter case, the programmer responds before the refractory period ends.
114 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A medical device adapted to be implanted in the human body for electrically stimulating the heart and for sensing electrical activity in the heart, the device comprising:
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a communication unit that permits communication between the medical device and a programmer; at least one electrode adapted to be coupled to the heart; a sense amplifier electrically coupled to said electrode, said sense amplifier receiving an electrical signal from said electrode and generating an amplified signal; a processor coupled to said sense amplifier and effective to initiate a refractory period for said sense amplifier and coupled to said communication unit and effective to initiate a communication signal from said communication unit indicating commencement of said refractory period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for electrically stimulating a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising an implantable medical device, including:
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a communication unit; an electrode adapted to be coupled to the heart; a sense amplifier electrically coupled to said electrode a processor coupled to said sense amplifier and to said communication unit;
said processor controlling a refractory period for said sense amplifier; anda sensing test logic that is used by said processor during a sensing test to determine a suitable sensitivity setting for said sense amplifier, and to initiate a signal from said communication unit indicative of a start of said refractory period; and an external programmer including; an external communication unit adapted to receive signals from the implantable medical device'"'"'s communication unit and to transmit signals to the implantable medical device'"'"'s communication unit during said refractory period. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for communicating with an implantable medical device, comprising receiving, in said implantable medical device, a start signal to begin a test;
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performing said test; monitoring the electrical activity of a patient'"'"'s heart determining a refractory period after paced or sensed cardiac event, transmitting a signal to a programmer indicating a beginning of said refractory period; and transmitting signals from said programmer, at a time based on said signal indicating start of said refractory period. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification