Unipolar and bipolar lead cardiac pacemaker and method for inhibiting anode stimulation

• US 7,373,202 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Kroll, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORALES, JON ERIC C
• Application Number:
  US11/096,979
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 607/9, 607/11, 607/119, 607/122, 607/66, 607/70, 607/72
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3627 for treating a mechanical deficiency of the heart, e.g. congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3682 with a variable atrioventricular delay
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36843 Bi-ventricular stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A multi-chamber implantable heart stimulation device is provided, adapted to inhibit anodal stimulation at a bipolar right chamber lead induced by a unipolar left chamber lead. The device includes a control unit adapted to provide to the unipolar left chamber lead a pace pulse having a trailing edge without a sharp cutoff. The control unit may be adapted to supply the pace pulse to the unipolar left chamber lead without a fast recharge period. The control unit may be adapted to supply to the unipolar left chamber lead a pace pulse having a trailing edge with a gradual decay, a ramp, steps, or a non-linear function. The control unit may be adapted to supply a different waveform to the bipolar right chamber lead than the pace pulse for the unipolar left chamber lead. For example, a conventional pacing pulse may be supplied to the bipolar right chamber lead.

Claims

1. A method for biventricular pacing, the method comprising:

a) supplying a pacing pulse to a unipolar lead adapted for stimulation of a left ventricle;

b) supplying a pace pulse to a second lead adapted for stimulation of a right ventricle;

c) configuring the second lead to provide an anode for the unipolar lead; and

d) constructing the pace pulse to the unipolar lead to comprise a trailing edge having slope of sufficiently small magnitude to inhibit capture of the right ventricle by anode break stimulation at the anode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein supplying the pace pulse to second lead comprises supplying a pulse having a different waveform than the pace pulse supplied to the unipolar lead.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein supplying the pace pulse to the unipolar lead comprises supplying a pace pulse having a trailing edge comprising at least one of:

(a) a gradual decay;

(b) a ramp;

(c) steps;

or (d) a non-linear function.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein supplying the pace pulse to the unipolar lead comprises supplying a pace pulse having a trailing edge comprising an exponential decay.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein supplying the pace pulse to the unipolar lead comprises supplying the pace pulse without a fast recharge period.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising constructing the pace pulse to the unipolar lead to comprise a trailing edge having a duration in a range from about one microsecond to about 3 milliseconds.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein supplying the pace pulse to the unipolar lead comprises supplying a pace pulse having a trailing edge comprising at least one of:

(a) a gradual decay;

(b) a ramp;

(c) steps;

or (d) a non-linear function.

8. The method of claim 1 comprising constructing the pace pulse to the unipolar lead to comprise a trailing edge having a duration in a range from about ten microseconds to about one millisecond.