Method and apparatus for generating and displaying location-specific diagnostic information using an implantable cardiac stimulation device and an external programmer

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• means for receiving location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• wherein the means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons generates icons that distinguish between the left and right ventricles.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• means for receiving location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• wherein the means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons generates icons that distinguish among the four chambers of the heart.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• means for receiving location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• wherein the means for receiving location-specific event codes also receives counts of location-specific events, with the counts distinguishing among events occurring at different locations within the heart;
• and
• wherein the means for generating graphic displays also generates graphic displays of the counts of the events.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• a telemetry system operative to receive location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• a location-specific event processing unit operative to generate graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• wherein the location-specific event processing unit generates icons that distinguish between the left and right atria.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• a telemetry system operative to receive location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• a location-specific event processing unit operative to generate graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific even code;
• wherein the location-specific event processing unit generates icons that distinguish between the left and right ventricles.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• a telemetry system operative to receive location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the atria or with at least two distinct location-specific event codes being associated with the ventricles;
• and
• a location-specific event processing unit operative to generate graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• wherein the location-specific event processing unit generates icons that distinguish among the four chambers of the heart.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• means for receiving location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least one distinct location-specific event code associated with each of the four chambers of the heart;
• means for receiving location-specific intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device;
• means for receiving surface electrocardiograms (ECGs);
• means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• and
• means for generating displays of the IEGMs and ECGs.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• a telemetry system operative to receive location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least one distinct location-specific event code associated with each of the four chambers of the heart;
• the telemetry system also receiving location-specific intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device and counts of location-specific event codes as a function of heart rate;
• a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) input unit operative to input a surface ECG;
• and
• a location-specific event processing unit operative to generate graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• with
• the location-specific event processing unit also operative to generate graphic displays of the IEGMs and ECGs and graphic histogram displays of the counts of the event codes as a function of heart rate.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• means for receiving location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least one distinct location-specific event code associated with each of the four chambers of the heart;
• means for receiving location-specific intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device;
• means for generating graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• and
• means for generating displays of the IEGMs.

In an external programmer for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device, a system for processing diagnostic information received from the stimulation device comprising:

• a telemetry system operative to receive location-specific event codes transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device, with at least one distinct location-specific event code associated with each of the four chambers of the heart;
• the telemetry system also receiving location-specific intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) transmitted from the implantable cardiac stimulation device and counts of location-specific event codes as a function of heart rate;
• and
• a location-specific event processing unit operative to generate graphic displays of location-specific event marker icons representative of the event codes, with a distinct location-specific event marker icon associated with each distinct location-specific event code;
• with
• the location-specific event processing unit also operative to generate graphic displays of the IEGMs and graphic histogram displays of the counts of the event codes as a function of heart rate.