Apparatus and method for energy management in atrial defibrillator
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- circuitry for detecting an atrial arrhythmia;
an energy storage capacitor for delivering an atrial shock pulse when connected to a shock electrode disposed in proximity to an atrium;
a voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring the voltage of the energy storage capacitor;
circuitry for the charging the energy storage capacitor to a specified voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia; and
,circuitry for monitoring the voltage of the energy storage capacitor after detection of an atrial arrhythmia and after the energy storage capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage;
circuitry for activating the charging circuit after the energy storage capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage in order to recharge the capacitor prior to delivery of the atrial shock pulse if the capacitor voltage drops below the specified voltage by a predetermined amount.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation in which the energy stored in a capacitor used to deliver a shock pulse is monitored and adjusted. A charging circuit is used to charge the capacitor from a supply voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia, and a controller monitors sensed ventricular depolarizations until R-wave synchrony requirements are met so that an atrial shock pulse can be safely delivered. The controller also attempts to maintain the voltage of the capacitor at a specified voltage before delivery of the shock pulse by operation of the charging circuit.
44 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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circuitry for detecting an atrial arrhythmia; an energy storage capacitor for delivering an atrial shock pulse when connected to a shock electrode disposed in proximity to an atrium; a voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring the voltage of the energy storage capacitor; circuitry for the charging the energy storage capacitor to a specified voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia; and
,circuitry for monitoring the voltage of the energy storage capacitor after detection of an atrial arrhythmia and after the energy storage capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage; circuitry for activating the charging circuit after the energy storage capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage in order to recharge the capacitor prior to delivery of the atrial shock pulse if the capacitor voltage drops below the specified voltage by a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for operating a charging circuit to charge a capacitor to a specified voltage upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia, the capacitor being switchably connected to electrodes for delivering a shock pulse to an atrium; means for monitoring ventricular depolarizations for a safe time window during which the shock pulse may be delivered and delivering the shock pulse if such a window is detected; means for monitoring the capacitor voltage after detection of an atrial arrhythmia and after the capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage; means for activating the charging circuit after the energy storage capacitor has been charged to the specified voltage in order to recharge the capacitor prior to delivery of the atrial shock pulse if the capacitor voltage drops below the specified voltage by a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification