Cardioverting defibrillating device with off-line ECG analysis
AssigneeTelectronics Pacing Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Somerville, John P. Wickham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved implantable pacemaker/defibrillator device in which a first and relatively simplistic technique is employed to detect an abnormal heart rhythm and a second more precise algorithm is utilized for the more difficult problem of confirming the arrythmia. Since the complex, higher power consuming device is utilized only for confirmation, overall power consumption is minimized. Optionally, the precise algorithm may be utilized periodically to adjust the sensitivity of the detection circuitry.
Claims25
Apparatus for administering electrotherapy to a patient's heart to restore a normal heart rhythm comprising:
- an unsophisticated primary detector means for detecting, with a first degree of precision, possible abnormalities in a patient's heart rhythm;
- a sophisticated secondary detector means for analyzing the heart rhythm and more precisely identifying abnormalities therein, said secondary detector means being generally inactive in regard to detecting and analyzing abnormalities in the heart rhythm in the absence of a detection of a possible abnormality by said primary detector means;
- memory means within said secondary detector means for storing a portion of an ECG signal;
- means responsive to the detection of a possible abnormality in the heart rhythm by said primary detector means for activating said secondary detector means and for causing at least a portion of said ECG signal to be stored in said memory means, said secondary detector means being constructed and arranged to analyze said stored portion of said ECG signal with a second degree of precision significantly higher than the first degree of precision exercised by said primary detector means in order to confirm said rhythm abnormality;
- and
- means responsive to confirmation of said rhythm abnormality by said secondary detector means for delivering appropriate electrocardiac therapy to the heart.
A method of administering electrotherapy to a patient's heart to restore a normal heart rhythm comprising:
- providing an unsophisticated primary detector for detecting, with a first degree of precision, possible abnormalities in a patient's heart rhythm, and a sophisticated secondary detector for analyzing the heart rhythm and more precisely identifying abnormalities therein, said secondary detector being generally inactive in regard to detecting and analyzing abnormalities in the heart rhythm in the absence of a detection of a possible abnormality by said primary detector, said secondary detector including a memory for storing a portion of and ECG signal;
- in response to the detection of a possible abnormality in the heart rhythm by said primary detector, activating said secondary detector and storing at least a portion of said ECG signal in said memory;
- analyzing said stored portion of said ECG signal in said secondary detector with a second degree of precision significantly higher then the first degree of precision exercised by said primary detector in order to confirm said rhythm abnormality;
- and
- in response to confirmation of said rhythm abnormality by said secondary detector, delivering appropriate electrocardiac therapy to the heart.
A method according to claim 15, wherein said analyzing step includes a sub-step of employing digital processing techniques for analyzing said stored portion of said ECG signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.