Cardiac pacemaker and uses thereof

• US 9,403,016 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Vermont & State Agricultural College
• Original Assignee: University of Vermont & State Agricultural College
• Inventors: Meyer, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Stice, Paula J
• Application Number:
  US14/387,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 607 6- 9, 607 17- 18
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/365 controlled by a physiological parameter, e.g. heart potential evoked response A61N1/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36507 controlled by gradient or slope of the heart potential
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36535 controlled by body position or posture
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36542 controlled by body motion, e.g. acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36585 controlled by two or more physical parameters

Abstract

The invention relates to improved cardiac pacemakers and methods of use thereof. In particular the cardiac pacemakers are useful for normalizing heart rates over resting heart rates in order to condition the heart to improve overall cardiac output.

Claims

1. An implantable device, comprising

a cardiac pacemaker having a housing, a sensor for detecting a heart rate, and a processor in the housing, connected to the sensor, that is configured to produce an output signal based on detection of a resting heart rate level by the sensor, wherein the resting heart rate is indicative of a resting patient, the output signal designed to increase the heart rate over the resting heart rate level wherein the processor is configured to produce the output signal in response to the resting heart rate in order to stimulate a remodeling of the heart muscle that results in a heart chamber enlargement in the patient.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker includes a motion or physical activity detector.

3. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker includes a position detector.

4. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker is configured to have night function which involves the processor configured to produce the output signal in response to detection by the sensor of a sleeping patient.

5. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker has a remote monitoring device.

6. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker comprises a housing, wherein the sensor extend from the housing.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the sensor has an input circuit that receives a signal representative of a heartbeat sensed within a heart as a function of time.

8. A method, comprising

increasing a heart rate in a subject, wherein the subject is at rest, using the pacemaker of claim 1, wherein the pacemaker detects a resting state heart rate, and wherein in response to the resting heart rate the pacemaker delivers a signal to stimulate a heart chamber enlargement in the subject, in order to promote remodeling of the heart tissue.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the subject is not otherwise indicated for a currently accepted treatment with a pacemaker.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the subject is obese.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the subject has high blood pressure and/or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or an impaired ability to relax the heart muscle.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the pacemaker includes a motion or physical activity detector and wherein when the pacemaker detects movement or physical activity of the subject, the heart rate is reduced.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the subject at rest is sleeping.