Annunciator for implantable system

• US 6,330,474 B1
• Filed: 01/25/1999
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Causey, James D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/236,967
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/27, 607/31, 607/32, 607/60
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3925 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Abstract

An annunciator is provided for an organ stimulating system which is implantable in the body of a patient. A stimulus signal generator such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator which includes an energizing capacitor is encased in a housing for imparting an electrical stimulation signal to an organ, such as a heart, to be stimulated. The signal generator includes a sensor for sensing at least one of a plurality of physiological characteristics and apparatus for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed physiological characteristic. A vibration generator responsive to that electrical signal is then operable to impart to the housing a subaudible vibration, that is, one having a frequency less than about 250 hertz, which is detectable by the patient. The vibration generator may include, for example, a motor having an offset mass, a battery for driving the motor with the offset mass to thereby cause the vibrating effect, and a switch responsive to the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed physiological characteristic for electrically connecting the battery to the motor, energizing the motor, and thereby imparting the subaudible vibration to the housing.

Claims

1. An organ stimulating system implantable in the body of a patient comprising:

an implantable housing;

a stimulus signal generator, encased in the housing, for imparting an electrical stimulation signal to an organ to be stimulated, the signal generator including a sensor for sensing at least one of a plurality of physiological characteristics and means for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed physiological characteristic; and

a vibratory motor responsive to the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed physiological characteristic for imparting to the housing a subaudible vibration which is detectable by the patient;

wherein the vibratory motor includes;

a motor having an offset mass; and

a battery for driving the motor with the offset mass to thereby cause the vibrating effect.

2. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the subaudible vibration imparted to the housing by the vibration generator has a frequency less than about 250 hertz.

3. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 1

wherein the stimulus signal generator is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator including an energizing capacitor; and

wherein the vibratory motor further includes;

switch means responsive to the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed physiological characteristic for electrically connecting the battery to the motor, energizing the motor, and thereby imparting the subaudible vibration to the housing.

4. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 1

wherein the organ is a patient'"'"'s heart;

wherein the stimulus signal generator delivers stimulation pulses to the patient'"'"'s heart; and

including;

control means for controlling the stimulus signal generator in at least one of a plurality of modes; and

error detecting means, coupled to the control means, for detecting at least one of a plurality of possible errors of the implantable organ stimulating system.

5. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the vibratory motor comprises:

a drive means, coupled to the motor, for driving the motor with the offset mass; and

switch means, responsive to the error detecting means, for electrically connecting the drive means to the motor, thereby energizing the motor which, in turn, imparts the subaudible vibration to the housing.

6. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 5

wherein the drive means comprises a lithium silver vanadium pentoxide (LiSVO) battery switchably coupled to the motor.

7. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the drive means comprises:

a capacitor mechanically coupled to the motor; and

wherein the battery is electrically coupled to the capacitor for charging the capacitor.

8. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the capacitor comprises a high voltage photoflash capacitor.

9. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the vibratory motor comprises a motor having a low-profile shape that is dimensioned to match one end of the capacitor.

10. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the error detecting means comprises means for detecting errors of the implantable organ stimulating system.

11. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the means for detecting errors comprises means for detecting at least one of parity check errors, memory checksum errors, high voltage output errors, pacing lead impedance out of range, battery voltage low, charge time excessive, and frequency ectopy.

12. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 4, wherein the error detecting means comprises means for detecting an important operating condition.

13. The organ stimulating system, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the error detecting means comprises:

means for detecting at least one of an error condition which may require a physician to replace or reprogram the organ stimulating system, an impending high energy shock so as to warn the patient, and the presence of a heart rhythm that is erratic and that the patient may be at risk of initiating a tacharrhythmia.