Implantable intravenous cardiac stimulation system with pulse generator housing serving as optional additional electrode
First Claim
1. An implantable pulse generator, comprising:
- multiple cardiac electrodes;
a pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator housing is electrically conductive;
pulse generator circuitry within the pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator circuitry senses cardiac signals with at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes, detects at least a first cardiac condition and a second cardiac condition based upon one or more of the cardiac signals, and controls delivery of electrical energy through the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes; and
a switch coupled to the pulse generator circuitry, the multiple cardiac electrodes and the pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator circuitry controls the switch to apply a first shock having a first shock vector between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the first cardiac condition and controls the switch to apply a second shock having a second shock vector, different than the first shock vector, between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the second cardiac condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pulse generator housing for enclosing and containing pulse generator defibrillation circuitry. The housing is formed entirely of electrically conductive metal defining an electrically conductive outer surface which is connected to the pulse generator circuitry for delivering defibrillating energy to the heart. The pulse generator housing is implanted in the pectoral region proximate the heart with the conductive surface facing the heart. Regions of the conductive outer surface may be electrically isolated and dedicated for separately sensing and shocking. The outer surface may be coated with platinum. Additional coiled segment electrodes may extend from the housing and be electrically connected to the conductive outer surface so as to increase the effective conductive surface area. A sensor is provided to determine whether the housing is inside or outside a body of a patient to disconnect the pulse generator housing conductive surface from the pulse generator circuitry when the unit is outside the body of a patient.
313 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An implantable pulse generator, comprising:
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multiple cardiac electrodes;
a pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator housing is electrically conductive;
pulse generator circuitry within the pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator circuitry senses cardiac signals with at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes, detects at least a first cardiac condition and a second cardiac condition based upon one or more of the cardiac signals, and controls delivery of electrical energy through the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes; and
a switch coupled to the pulse generator circuitry, the multiple cardiac electrodes and the pulse generator housing, where the pulse generator circuitry controls the switch to apply a first shock having a first shock vector between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the first cardiac condition and controls the switch to apply a second shock having a second shock vector, different than the first shock vector, between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the second cardiac condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21)
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9. A method, comprising:
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sensing cardiac signals;
detecting a first cardiac condition from one or more of the cardiac signals;
applying a first shock in response to the first cardiac condition, the first shock having a first shock vector between a pulse generator housing and at least one of a multiple of electrodes;
detecting a second cardiac condition from one or more of the cardiac signals; and
applying a second shock in response to the second cardiac condition, the second shock having a second shock vector, different than the first shock vector, between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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multiple cardiac electrodes;
an electrically conductive case;
control circuitry within the electrically conductive case, where the control circuitry receives cardiac signals sensed with at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes, identifies at least a first arrhythmic condition and a second arrhythmic condition based upon one or more of the cardiac signals, and directs delivery of electrical energy through the electrically conductive case and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes, where the control circuitry directs delivery of a first shock between the electrically conductive case and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the first arrhythmic condition and directs delivery of a second shock between the electrically conductive case and at least one of the multiple cardiac electrodes in response to the second arrhythmic condition, where the first shock and the second shock include at least one different electrical pathway. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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22. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for sensing cardiac signals;
means for detecting a first cardiac condition from one or more of the cardiac signals;
means for applying a first shock in response to the first cardiac condition, the first shock having a first shock vector between a pulse generator housing and at least one of a multiple of electrodes;
means for detecting a second cardiac condition from one or more of the cardiac signals; and
means for applying a second shock in response to the second cardiac condition, the second shock having a second shock vector, different than the first shock vector, between the pulse generator housing and at least one of the multiple electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification