Single complex electrogram display having a sensing threshold for an implantable medical device

• US 6,266,555 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Werner, Robert, Krichen, Jack P., Sackrison, Deborah
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US09/316,750
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 600/509, 600/523, 600/525
• US Class Current: 600/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/276 Protection against electrode failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3702 Physiological parameters A61N1/365 takes precedence; evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

The disclosure pertains to a graphical display method and apparatus relating to an electrogram signal received from at least one lead used in conjunction with an implantable medical device. Specifically, the disclosure provides a time-expanded waveform of a portion of a signal relating to a single heartbeat. Sensitivity threshold information is also graphically displayed on the waveform. Further, a programmer assembly comprises an analyzer for locating marking desired characteristics of the electrogram signal with a plurality of markers to produce a marked electrogram signal. A processor receives the electrogram signal from the analyzer and recognizes the marked desired characteristics of the electrogram signal. The processor also receives sensitivity threshold information from a particular lead. A display, controlled by the processor, graphically displays information representing a portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker and graphically displays a sensitivity threshold superimposed onto the portion of the electrogram signal.

Claims

1. A method of graphically displaying information received from at least one lead positioned within a passageway of a heart related to an implantable medical device, the method comprising:

receiving the electrogram signal from the electrical lead;

locating and marking desired characteristics of the electrogram signal with a plurality of markers to produce a marked electrogram signal;

inserting amplitude information into the marked electrogram signal;

momentarily capturing a portion of the electrogram signal adjacent to a single marker;

continuously updating the captured portion of the electrogram signal;

controlling a sensitivity threshold level; and

graphically displaying the electrogram signal adjacent to a single marker and graphically displaying the sensitivity threshold level superimposed on the electrogram signal adjacent to the single marker.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying a portion of the electrogram signal further comprises:

centering the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker on the display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying a portion of the electrogram signal further comprises:

displaying the amplitude information.

4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

monitoring a heart rate; and

comparing the heart rate to a predetermined range.

5. The method of claim 4 and further comprising:

displaying the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker after each heartbeat.

6. The method of claim 4 and further comprising:

displaying the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker after every second heartbeat.

7. The method of claim 4 and further comprising:

displaying the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker after every third heartbeat.

8. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

maintaining the displayed portion of the electrogram signal and the sensitivity threshold level on the display.

9. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

printing the displayed portion of the electrogram signal and the sensitivity threshold level.

10. A system for graphically displaying information receiving from at least one lead position within a passageway of a heart related to an implantable medical device, the system comprising:

means for receiving the electrogram signal from the electrical lead;

means for locating and marking desired characteristics of the electrogram signal with a plurality of markers to produce a marked electrogram signal;

means for inserting amplitude information into the marked electrogram signal;

means for momentarily capturing a portion of the electrogram signal adjacent to a single marker;

means for continuously updating the captured portion of the electrogram signal;

means for controlling a sensitivity threshold level; and

means for graphically displaying the electrogram signal adjacent to a single marker and graphically displaying the sensitivity threshold level superimposed on the electrogram signal adjacent to the single marker.

11. The system of claim 10, and further comprising:

means for centering the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker on the display.

12. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for displaying the amplitude information on the display.

13. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for monitoring a heart rate; and

means for comparing the heart rate to a predetermined set of ranges.

14. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for displaying an updated portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker with every heartbeat.

15. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for displaying an updated portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker with every second heartbeat.

16. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for displaying an updated portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker with every third heartbeat.

17. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for holding the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker and for holding the sensitivity threshold.

18. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for printing the portion of the electrogram signal immediately adjacent to a single marker and to print a sensitivity threshold.

19. The system of claim 11, and further comprising:

means for receiving updated sensitivity threshold information based upon an input from a user.