Method and device for low-energy termination of atrial tachyarrhythmias
First Claim
1. An atrial arrhythmia treatment apparatus, comprising:
- an implantable therapy generator adapted to be implanted in a patient, including;
means for detecting an atrial arrhythmia;
means for generating a phased unpinning far field therapy having an energy level above a pacing threshold and below a pain threshold of the patient; and
means for controlling delivery of the phased unpinning far field therapy in response to detection of the atrial arrhythmia; and
at least two leads operably connected to the implantable therapy generator, each lead having at least two electrodes adapted to be positioned proximate an atrium of a heart of the patient through which the phased unpinning far field therapy is selectively delivered to the atrium of the heart;
wherein the implantable therapy generator is configured to selectively excite the electrodes to create at least three different electric fields between the electrodes and the device associated with at least three unique electrode configurations to deliver a rotating set of phased unpinning far field electrical fields, each of the individual electrical fields of the rotating set of phased unpinning far-field electrical fields established by a pulse train comprising one or more pulses, and each of the individual electrical fields associated with a unique electrode configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for treating atrial arrhythmias can involve configuring an implantable arrhythmia treatment device. A device can be configured after implantation when the patient is fully conscious and after any pain suppression medication has worn off. The device is caused to apply a phased unpinning far field therapy to the patient in response to detection of an arrhythmia via a far field configuration of electrodes. An indication of a pain sensation of the patient and the effectiveness of the treatment in response to the therapy can then be received. In response, at least one of a set of therapy parameters is adjusted and the steps are repeated until it is determined that an effective treatment is provide at a pain sensation that is tolerable to the patient. The device is then programmed to automatically treat arrhythmias detected in the patient with the determined set of therapy parameters.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An atrial arrhythmia treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an implantable therapy generator adapted to be implanted in a patient, including;
means for detecting an atrial arrhythmia;means for generating a phased unpinning far field therapy having an energy level above a pacing threshold and below a pain threshold of the patient; and
means for controlling delivery of the phased unpinning far field therapy in response to detection of the atrial arrhythmia; andat least two leads operably connected to the implantable therapy generator, each lead having at least two electrodes adapted to be positioned proximate an atrium of a heart of the patient through which the phased unpinning far field therapy is selectively delivered to the atrium of the heart; wherein the implantable therapy generator is configured to selectively excite the electrodes to create at least three different electric fields between the electrodes and the device associated with at least three unique electrode configurations to deliver a rotating set of phased unpinning far field electrical fields, each of the individual electrical fields of the rotating set of phased unpinning far-field electrical fields established by a pulse train comprising one or more pulses, and each of the individual electrical fields associated with a unique electrode configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An atrial arrhythmia treatment apparatus, comprising:
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an implantable therapy generator adapted to be implanted in a patient, including;
means for detecting an atrial arrhythmia;means for generating a phased unpinning far field therapy having an energy level above a pacing threshold and below a pain threshold of the patient; and
means for controlling delivery of the phased unpinning far field therapy in response to detection of the atrial arrhythmia; andat least two leads operably connected to the implantable therapy generator, each lead having at least two electrodes adapted to be positioned proximate an atrium of a heart of the patient through which the phased unpinning far field therapy is selectively delivered to the atrium of the heart; wherein the implantable therapy generator is configured to selectively excite the electrodes to create a plurality of different electric fields between the electrodes and the device to deliver a rotating set of phased unpinning far field electrical fields, each of the individual electrical fields of the rotating set of phased unpinning far-field electrical established by a pulse train comprising from two to ten pulses and atrial pacing thresholds having a minimum cycle length ranging from 20% to 99% of a cycle length of the atrial arrhythmia, and each of the individual electrical fields associated with a unique electrode configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification