Method and apparatus for synchronizing neural stimulation to cardiac cycles
First Claim
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1. A method for operating a neural stimulation system coupled to a living subject having a circulatory system, the method comprising:
- delivering neural stimulation pulses from an implantable medical device;
sensing a reference signal indicative of cardiac cycles each including a predetermined type timing reference event using an implantable reference signal sensor placed external to the circulatory system, wherein sensing the reference signal includes sensing a subcutaneous ECG signal using implantable electrodes incorporated onto the implantable medical device;
detecting the predetermined type timing reference event from the reference signal;
measuring an atrioventricular interval using the subcutaneous ECG signal; and
controlling the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses using the detected predetermined type timing reference event and the measured atrioventricular interval, including synchronizing the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses to the detected predetermined type timing reference event.
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Abstract
A neural stimulator senses a reference signal indicative of cardiac cycles each including a predetermined type timing reference event using a sensor external to the heart and blood vessels. The delivery of the neural stimulation pulses are synchronized to that timing reference event. Examples of the timing reference event include a predetermined cardiac event such as a P-wave or an R-wave detected from a subcutaneous ECG signal, a predetermined type heart sound detected from an acoustic signal, and a peak detected from a hemodynamic signal related to blood flow or pressure.
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20 Claims
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1. A method for operating a neural stimulation system coupled to a living subject having a circulatory system, the method comprising:
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delivering neural stimulation pulses from an implantable medical device; sensing a reference signal indicative of cardiac cycles each including a predetermined type timing reference event using an implantable reference signal sensor placed external to the circulatory system, wherein sensing the reference signal includes sensing a subcutaneous ECG signal using implantable electrodes incorporated onto the implantable medical device; detecting the predetermined type timing reference event from the reference signal; measuring an atrioventricular interval using the subcutaneous ECG signal; and controlling the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses using the detected predetermined type timing reference event and the measured atrioventricular interval, including synchronizing the delivery of the neural stimulation pulses to the detected predetermined type timing reference event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification