Apparatus and method for testing and adjusting a bipolar stimulation configuration
AssigneeCardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
InventorsJulio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for measuring the capture threshold of a bipolar lead in order to determine an appropriate value for the stimulus pulse energy to be used with the lead by a cardiac rhythm management device. An appropriate bipolar stimulating configuration can also be determined. The method is particularly useful in testing bipolar leads used to excite the left ventricle such as when delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Claims20
A method for determining a bipolar stimulus configuration for a cardiac rhythm management device, wherein bipolar stimulus pulses are delivered through a lead having a plurality of electrodes, comprising:
- measuring a unipolar capture threshold for a first electrode of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference;
- measuring a unipolar capture threshold for a second electrode of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference;
- and,
- selecting the electrode of the lead having the lower unipolar capture threshold as a cathode for bipolar stimulation.
A method for determining a bipolar stimulus configuration for a cardiac rhythm management device, wherein bipolar stimulus pulses are delivered though a lead having a plurality of electrodes, comprising:
- measuring a unipolar capture threshold for a first electrode of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference;
- measuring a unipolar capture threshold for a second electrode of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference;
- and,
- selecting the electrode of the lead having the higher unipolar capture threshold as an anode for bipolar stimulation.
A cardiac rhythm management device, comprising:
- at least one sensing/stimulation channel which includes a lead a plurality of electrodes, a pulse generator for outputting stimulus pulses, and a sense amplifier for detecting sense signals;
- a controller for controlling the operation of the pulse generator in response to sensed events and lapsed time intervals and in accordance with a programmed pacing mode;
- a switching circuit for switching the output of the pulse generator to selected electrodes of the lead and to a reference electrode;
- and,
- wherein the controller is programmed to measure unipolar capture thresholds for first and second electrodes of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference, and to select the electrode of the lead having the lower unipolar capture threshold as a cathode for bipolar stimulation.
A cardiac rhythm management device, comprising:
- at least one sensing/stimulation channel which includes a lead a plurality of electrodes, a pulse generator for outputting stimulus pulses, and a sense amplifier for detecting sense signals;
- means for measuring unipolar capture thresholds for first and second electrodes of the lead with a structure or other electrode acting as a reference;
- and,
- means for configuring the stimulation channel with the electrode of the lead having the higher unipolar capture threshold as an anode and the electrode of the lead having the lower unipolar capture threshold as a cathode for bipolar stimulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.