Spectrum-driven arrhythmia treatment method

• US 7,809,439 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2008
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Boileau, Peter, Kroll, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow; Scott M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dietrich; Joseph M
• Application Number:
  US12/111,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20080200961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/14
• US Class Current: 607/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating an arrhythmia is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) sensing at least one electrical signal from the patient'"'"'s heart; (b) calculating a frequency spectrum of each electrical signal; (c) calculating a center frequency for each frequency spectrum; and (d) selecting an electro-therapy for delivery to the patient'"'"'s heart based on the center frequency. The electro-therapy can be a pre-programmed anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy, a shock therapy, or no therapy at all. The method is performed through the use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Also provided is a method of determining the optimal location to deliver the electro-therapy.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) sensing a plurality of electrical signals from a plurality of locations in a heart;

(b) calculating a center frequency for each of the plurality of electrical signals;

(c) calculating a global median frequency from the center frequencies; and

(d) selecting an electro-therapy based on the global median frequency and delivering said electro-therapy using a therapy circuit.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises selecting an anti-tachycardia pacing therapy if the global median frequency is less than about 6 Hz, and further comprising:

(e) delivering the anti-tachycardia pacing therapy to the heart.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises selecting a shock therapy if the global median frequency is greater than about 10 Hz, and further comprising:

(e) delivering the shock therapy to the heart.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises selecting no electro-therapy if the global median frequency is between about 6 Hz and about 10 Hz.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising (e) selecting a location for electro-therapy based on the plurality of center frequencies.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises selecting an anti-tachycardia pacing therapy if the global median frequency is less than about 6 Hz, and further comprising:

(e) calculating a maximum center frequency from the center frequencies;

(f) defining an ATP sweet spot as the location where the electrical signal having the maximum center frequency is sensed; and

(g) delivering the anti-tachycardia pacing therapy to the ATP sweet spot.

7. A device comprising:

a plurality of electrodes adapted to be disposed at a plurality of locations with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart;

sensors adapted to sense electrical signals from the plurality of electrodes; and

a processor programmed to;

calculate a center frequency for each of the plurality of electrical signals;

calculate a global median frequency based on the calculated center frequencies; and

select an electro-therapy based on the global median frequency.

8. A method comprising:

(a) sensing a plurality of electrical signals from a plurality of electrodes disposed at a plurality of locations with respect to the patient'"'"'s heart;

(b) calculating a frequency spectrum for each of the plurality of electrical signals;

(c) calculating a center frequency for each of the frequency spectrums; and

(d) calculating a maximum center frequency from the center frequencies; and

(e) defining a preferred electro-therapy location as the location where the electrical signal having the maximum center frequency is sensed and delivering an electro-therapy to said preferred electro-therapy location using a therapy circuit.