Heart rhythm management system

• US 20060206151A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Lu, Fei
• Application Number:
  US11/355,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206151A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/375 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/39622 Pacing therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3968 Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings A61N1/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3975 Power supply A61N1/378 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention provides for a heart rhythm management system that includes a battery module and either or both a pacing module and a defibrillator module. The modules have connection ports for releasably connecting one module to another. The invention also provides methods of using such a heart rhythm management system.

Claims

1. A heart rhythm management system, comprising:

a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the battery module to another module;

and either or both;

a pacing module, wherein the pacing module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the pacing module to the battery module;

a defibrillator module, wherein the defibrillator module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the defibrillator module to the battery module.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a battery module and a pacing module.

3. The system of claim 1, comprising a battery module and a defibrillator module.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising a battery module, a pacing module, and a defibrillator module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises a capacitor module.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a capacitor module, wherein the capacitor module comprises at least a first and a second connection port, wherein the first connection port is adapted for releasably connecting the capacitor module to a battery module, and wherein the second connection port is adapted for releasably connecting the capacitor module to the pacing module and/or the defibrillator module.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the modules are connected to one another with connectors

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the connectors are electrical wires or fiber optics.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the connectors comprise electrodes for sensing, pacing, cardioversion and/or defibrillation.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the connectors are connected to the connection port by a snap-fit connection, a clamp connection, a male-female connection, or a surface connection.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the pacing module lacks an internal battery component.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the defibrillator module lacks an internal battery component.

13. A method of managing a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm, comprising:

implanting a battery module and a pacing module in the patient; and

releasably connecting the battery module and the pacing module, wherein the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm is managed by the implanted modules.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the battery module is remotely positioned from the pacing module.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the battery module is implanted in the patient'"'"'s abdomen.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the modules are activated after implantation.

17. A method of managing an patient'"'"'s heart rhythm, comprising:

implanting a battery module and a defibrillator module in the patient; and

releasably connecting the battery module and the defibrillator module, wherein the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm is managed by the implanted modules.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the battery module is remotely positioned from the defibrillator module.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the battery module is implanted in the patient'"'"'s abdomen.

20. A method of managing a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm, comprising:

implanting a battery module, a pacing module, and a defibrillator module in the patient; and

releasably connecting the battery module, the pacing module, and the defibrillator module, wherein the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm is managed by the implanted modules.

21. A method of managing a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm, comprising:

implanting a defibrillator module in the patient; and

releasably connecting the defibrillator module to an existing system, wherein the existing system comprises a pacing module and a battery module, wherein the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm is managed by the implanted modules.

22. A method of managing a patient'"'"'s heart rhythm, comprising:

replacing a battery module in a patient'"'"'s existing heart rhythm management system with a replacement battery module; and

releasably connecting the replacement battery module to the existing system, wherein the patient'"'"'s heart rhythm is managed by the implanted modules.

23. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the battery module to another module; and

connectors, wherein the connectors are electrical wires or fiber optics;

and either or both;

a pacing module, wherein the pacing module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the pacing module to a battery module; and

a defibrillator module, wherein the defibrillator module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the defibrillator module to a battery module.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 23, further comprising:

a capacitor module, wherein the capacitor module comprises at least a first and a second connection port, wherein the first connection port is adapted for releasably connecting the capacitor module to a battery module, wherein the second connection port is adapted for releasably connecting the capacitor module to a pacing module or a defibrillator module.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the connectors comprise electrodes for sensing, pacing, and/or delivering high energy shocks.

26. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the battery module to another module; and

connectors, wherein the connectors are electrical wires or fiber optics.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the connectors comprise electrodes for sensing, pacing, cardioversion, and/or defibrillation.

28. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a pacing module, wherein the pacing module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the pacing module to a battery module; and

connectors, wherein the connectors are electrical wires or fiber optics.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 28, wherein the pacing module lacks an internal battery component.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the connectors comprise electrodes for sensing, pacing, cardioversion, and/or defibrillation.

31. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a defibrillator module, wherein the defibrillator module comprises at least one connection port adapted for releasably connecting the defibrillator module to a battery module; and

connectors, wherein the connectors are electrical wires or fiber optics.

32. The article of manufacture of claim 31, wherein the defibrillator module lacks an internal battery component.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the connectors comprise electrodes for sensing, pacing, cardioversion, and/or defibrillation.