Implantable pacemaker
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pacemaker used by a patient, comprising:
- an implantable pacemaker housing;
a pulse generator arranged in the pacemaker housing that generates a stimulation pulse;
a pacemaker electrode that transmits the stimulation pulse to a heart of the patient;
a switching element that regulates a current flowing through the pacemaker electrode to the heart of the patient, the current being induced by an external magnetic field;
a telemetry unit that switches the switching element; and
an identification unit arranged inside the pacemaker electrode,wherein the identification unit is a radio frequency identification chip,wherein a stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not affected by the external magnetic field when the pacemaker is active if the external magnetic field does not exceed an admissible threshold value,wherein the pacemaker comprises a magnetically actuatable fixing element for fixing the pacemaker electrode,wherein the switching element is reversibly actuatable for renewed activation of the pacemaker after a preceding shutdown,wherein the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker changes over time as a result of tissue fibrosis in a tip of the pacemaker electrode that may lead the pacemaker to no longer function,wherein the tip of the pacemaker electrode comprises a plurality of recesses for holding an active substance, andwherein the tissue fibrosis is prevented by a long-lasting release of the active substance from the tip of the pacemaker electrode so that the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not increased significantly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pacemaker comprises an implantable pacemaker housing and a pacemaker electrode which is provided for the transmission of stimulation pulses. A switching element, in particular a reversibly actuatable switching element, is provided for interrupting, reducing or limiting a current flowing through the pacemaker electrode, said current being inducible by an external magnetic field. Parts of the pacemaker are coated with a material, in particular a nanostructured material, which counteracts magnetic effects.
36 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A pacemaker used by a patient, comprising:
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an implantable pacemaker housing; a pulse generator arranged in the pacemaker housing that generates a stimulation pulse; a pacemaker electrode that transmits the stimulation pulse to a heart of the patient; a switching element that regulates a current flowing through the pacemaker electrode to the heart of the patient, the current being induced by an external magnetic field; a telemetry unit that switches the switching element; and an identification unit arranged inside the pacemaker electrode, wherein the identification unit is a radio frequency identification chip, wherein a stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not affected by the external magnetic field when the pacemaker is active if the external magnetic field does not exceed an admissible threshold value, wherein the pacemaker comprises a magnetically actuatable fixing element for fixing the pacemaker electrode, wherein the switching element is reversibly actuatable for renewed activation of the pacemaker after a preceding shutdown, wherein the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker changes over time as a result of tissue fibrosis in a tip of the pacemaker electrode that may lead the pacemaker to no longer function, wherein the tip of the pacemaker electrode comprises a plurality of recesses for holding an active substance, and wherein the tissue fibrosis is prevented by a long-lasting release of the active substance from the tip of the pacemaker electrode so that the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not increased significantly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for protecting a patient carrying a pacemaker in a medical examination, comprising:
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connecting a switching element to a pacemaker electrode; operating the switching element to regulate a current flowing through the pacemaker electrode to a heart of the patient, the current being induced by an external magnetic field generated by a medical instrument during the medical examination; switching the switching element via a telemetry unit; and arranging an identification unit inside the pacemaker electrode, wherein the identification unit is a radio frequency identification chip, wherein a stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not affected by the external magnetic field when the pacemaker is active if the external magnetic field does not exceed an admissible threshold value, wherein the pacemaker comprises a magnetically actuatable fixing element for fixing the pacemaker electrode, wherein the switching element is reversibly actuatable for renewed activation of the pacemaker after a preceding shutdown, wherein the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker changes over time as a result of tissue fibrosis in a tip of the pacemaker electrode that may lead the pacemaker to no longer function, wherein the tip of the pacemaker electrode comprises a plurality of recesses for holding an active substance, and wherein the tissue fibrosis is prevented by a long-lasting release of the active substance from the tip of the pacemaker electrode so that the stimulation threshold of the pacemaker is not increased significantly. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification