US 10,471,261 B2 · Adaptor to allow electrogram visualization and pacing from temporary epicardial wires

Abstract

A connector block that permits simultaneous and continuous interconnection of the three leads of the epicardial pacing wires, the pacemaker, and the ECG monitor on clear separately labeled connectors is provided. Circuitry is provided that allows the display of epicardial signals on the telemetry unit, while still preserving the ability to pace the heart from the pacemaker. When pacing the connector block prevents excessive loading of the pacer signals by the ECG monitor and/or damage to the monitor by the high-voltage pacer signals. The connector block may be used universally on all monitors without the need for sophisticated understanding of the electrical characteristics of the ECG monitor or concern for damage or improper signal loading.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of delivering cardiac signals to a telemetry monitor and delivering pacing signals to a patient simultaneously, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a connector box with a first terminal for transmitting electrical signals to and from epicardial pacing leads connected to an epicardium of a heart;
a second terminal for transmitting the electrical cardiac signals to the pace generator and transmitting an electrical impulse to and from a pace generator;
a third terminal outputting a conditioned electrical signal to the telemetry monitor;
and electrical circuitry communicating with the first, second, and third terminal and providing a current limiter steering the electrical impulse predominantly to the heart of the patient and not to the electrical circuitry and receiving voltage signals induced by the heart;
and a clipper limiting the voltage signal sent to the telemetry monitor at at least one predetermined voltage level;
connecting the epicardial pacing leads to the first terminal;
connecting a pacemaker connector connecting the pace generator to the second terminal;
and
connecting the telemetry monitor to the third terminal.

6 more elements

A connector box for connecting epicardial pacing leads of a patient to:

(a) a pace generator delivering a pacing signal through the epicardial pacing leads to a heart of the patient and (b) a telemetry monitor receiving cardiac signals through the epicardial pacing leads from the heart of the patient, simultaneously, comprising:
first terminals configured to transmit electrical cardiac signals to and from the epicardial pacing leads connected to the heart of the patient;
second terminals configured to transmit the electrical cardiac signals to the pace generator and transmitting an electrical impulse to and from the pace generator;
third terminals configured to output a conditioned electrical signal to the telemetry monitor;
and
electrical circuitry configured to communicate with the first, second, and third terminals and comprising
a current limiter configured to steer the electrical impulse predominantly to the heart of the patient and not to the electrical circuitry and configured to receive voltage signals induced by the heart;
and
a clipper configured to limit the voltage signals sent to the telemetry monitor at at least one predetermined voltage level.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adaptor to allow electrogram visualization and pacing from temporary epicardial wires

Life of this patent

Adaptor to allow electrogram visualization and pacing from temporary epicardial wires

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20