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Method and apparatus for rate-responsive cardiac pacing using header mounted pressure wave transducer

  • US 6,208,900 B1
  • Filed: 03/28/1996
  • Issued: 03/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a rate-responsive cardiac pacemaker, a system for deriving a physiologic signal related to the metabolic demand for cardiac output as a function of pressure waves within the patient'"'"'s body and deriving a pacing rate control signal therefrom for setting a pacing rate to satisfy the metabolic demand for cardiac output comprising:

  • an elongated pacing lead comprising;

    an elongated lead body extending between a proximal connector end and a distal end adapted to be placed in association with the heart and adapted to conduct body pressure waves to the proximal connector end thereof;

    a pace/sense electrode at the distal end of said lead body; and

    a pace/sense lead conductor within said lead body extending between said proximal connector end and said pace/sense electrode for conducting pacing pulses from said proximal connector end to said pace/sense electrode and for conducting electrogram heart signals from said pace/sense electrode to said proximal connector end; and

    a cardiac pacemaker pulse generator comprising;

    a connector assembly for attachment with said proximal connector end;

    a pressure wave transducer mounted in said connector assembly in relation to said proximal connector end for detecting said pressure wave through said lead body using a solid mechanical linkage to said transducer and for providing a pressure wave signal;

    pressure wave signal processing means responsive to said pressure wave signal for determining a physiologic signal related to the metabolic demand for cardiac output;

    rate setting means responsive to said physiologic signal for determining a pacing rate to meet the metabolic demand for cardiac output; and

    a pulse generator for generating and delivering a pacing pulse through said connector assembly and said proximal connector end connected thereto to said pace/sense electrode at said pacing rate.

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