Anodal excitation of tissue
First Claim
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1. An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes adapted to be implanted adjacent the tissue of a heart, wherein at least two of the plurality of electrodes are respectively designated a first cathode and a second cathode, and at least one of the plurality of electrodes is designated an anode; and
a controller that induces the delivery of pacing stimuli to the heart via each of the first cathode and the second cathode, wherein each of the stimuli comprises a cathodal pulse sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent its associated cathode, wherein each of the cathodal pulses induces a current density at the anode, wherein each current density, individually is insufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode, however, the combination of both current densities is sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode.
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Abstract
A cardiac stimulation device has a plurality of electrodes that deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation to the heart. At least one electrode is designated a cathode that cathodically induces depolarization of the surrounding heart tissue. At least one electrode is designated an anode. The device is configured, through one or more of electrode size, electrode configuration, electrode arrangement, cathode/anode number and pulse delivery circuitry, to induce depolarization of the heart tissue in the area of the at least one anode electrode, thereby resulting in greater depolarization of the heart tissue with reduced power consumption.
45 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising:
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a plurality of electrodes adapted to be implanted adjacent the tissue of a heart, wherein at least two of the plurality of electrodes are respectively designated a first cathode and a second cathode, and at least one of the plurality of electrodes is designated an anode; and a controller that induces the delivery of pacing stimuli to the heart via each of the first cathode and the second cathode, wherein each of the stimuli comprises a cathodal pulse sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent its associated cathode, wherein each of the cathodal pulses induces a current density at the anode, wherein each current density, individually is insufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode, however, the combination of both current densities is sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
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6. A method of delivering therapeutic electrical stimuli to the heart of a patient, the method comprising:
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designating at least two of a plurality of electrodes implanted adjacent the tissue of a heart a first cathode and a second cathode respectively, and at least one of the plurality of electrodes to be an anode; and delivering therapeutic electrical stimuli to the heart via each of the first cathode and the second cathode, wherein each of the stimuli comprises a cathodal pulse sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent its associated cathode, wherein each of the cathodal pulses induces a current density at the anode, wherein each current density, individually is insufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode, however, the combination of both current densities is sufficient to induce depolarization of the heart tissue adjacent the anode.
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Specification