Cardiac stimulation method and associated system using a stimulation histogram as an integrity diagnostic tool to monitor the performance of automatic capture verification
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring the performance of an automatic capture verification feature in a cardiac stimulation device, the method comprising:
- monitoring the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at a high-energy output setting, and storing the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting;
monitoring the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at each of a plurality of stimulation output settings, and storing the number of primary stimulation pulses at the respective output settings;
wherein at least one of the plurality of stimulation output settings of the primary stimulation pulses is at the high-energy output setting; and
comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses to evaluate the performance of the automatic capture verification feature;
wherein the step of comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses comprises selectively comparing the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting with the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable cardiac stimulation device and method provide a histogram for storing the number of primary and backup stimulation pulses delivered at each amplitude setting, to monitor the performance of the automatic capture verification. The stimulation device delivers cardiac stimulation therapy in which a stimulation histogram advantageously stores the number of primary pulses delivered at each stimulation output, or range of outputs, and separately stores the number of high-energy backup stimulation pulses delivered. Knowing the historical frequency of the applied stimulation amplitudes is useful to a physician in selecting future stimulation pulse output settings and the working margin. This information is also useful in determining the expected remaining battery life. The stimulation histogram further provides a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating the integrity of the stimulation device, lead system and performance of the automatic capture algorithm.
23 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A method of monitoring the performance of an automatic capture verification feature in a cardiac stimulation device, the method comprising:
-
monitoring the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at a high-energy output setting, and storing the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting;
monitoring the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at each of a plurality of stimulation output settings, and storing the number of primary stimulation pulses at the respective output settings;
wherein at least one of the plurality of stimulation output settings of the primary stimulation pulses is at the high-energy output setting; and
comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses to evaluate the performance of the automatic capture verification feature;
wherein the step of comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses comprises selectively comparing the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting with the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A stimulation device that monitors the performance of an automatic capture verification feature, comprising:
-
a pulse generator that selectively generates backup stimulation pulses at a high-energy output setting and primary stimulation pulses at each of plurality of stimulation cutout settings;
wherein at least one of the plurality of stimulation output settings of the primary stimulation pulses is at the high-energy output setting;
a memory that stores the number of backup stimulation pulses at the high-energy output setting and stores the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at each of a plurality of stimulation output settings;
a counter that increments the stored number of backup stimulation pulses stored in the memory, wherein the counter further increments the stored number of primary stimulation pulses when a primary stimulation pulse is delivered at a given output setting; and
a controller that is operative to compare the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses to allow for an evaluation of the performance of the automatic capture verification feature;
wherein the controller is operative to selectively compare the number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting with the number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A stimulation device that monitors the performance of an automatic capture verification feature, comprising:
-
means for storing a number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at a high-energy output setting by the device;
means for incrementing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting;
means for storing a number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at each of a plurality of stimulation output settings;
wherein at least one of the plurality of stimulation output settings of the primary stimulation pulses is at the high-energy output setting;
means for incrementing the stored number of primary stimulation pulses at the respective output settings; and
means for comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses to evaluate the performance of the automatic capture verification feature;
wherein the means for comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses to the stored number of primary stimulation pulses comprises selectively comparing the stored number of backup stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting with the stored number of primary stimulation pulses delivered at the high-energy output setting. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification