Heart stimulation device with electrotonic inhibition
First Claim
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1. A method of stimulating the heart, comprising:
- providing a processing unit in electrical communication with a means for detecting atrial fibrillation and with first and second electrodes;
implanting the electrodes in the heart;
providing first electrical stimulation pulses to the heart from the first electrode above a stimulation threshold; and
providing second electrical stimulation pulses to the heart from the second electrode below a stimulation threshold, wherein the second electrical stimulation pulses are delivered in response to the detection of atrial fibrillation.
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Abstract
Electrodes can generate electrical stimulation pulses at least one first intensity level and at least one second intensity level. The first and second intensity levels are above and below a given stimulation threshold, respectively. The synchronous or asynchronous delivery of second-level pulses enables the conduction of the atrioventricular node to be modulated by electrotonic effect, for example, to reduce ventricular frequency in the event of atrial fibrillation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of stimulating the heart, comprising:
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providing a processing unit in electrical communication with a means for detecting atrial fibrillation and with first and second electrodes;
implanting the electrodes in the heart;
providing first electrical stimulation pulses to the heart from the first electrode above a stimulation threshold; and
providing second electrical stimulation pulses to the heart from the second electrode below a stimulation threshold, wherein the second electrical stimulation pulses are delivered in response to the detection of atrial fibrillation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification