System and method for reducing pain associated with cardioversion shocks generated by implantable cardiac stimulation devices
AssigneePacesetter, Inc.
InventorsMark W. Kroll, J. Christopher Moulder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Techniques are provided for generating plateau-shaped cardioversion shocks having reduced lead edge voltages. The reduced leading edge voltages are provided primarily to reduce the likelihood that any cardiac pain receptors will fire twice during a single cardioversion shock. Other techniques described herein relate to the generation of plateau-shaped shocks without reduced leading edge voltages. Still other techniques pertain to the generation of pre-pulse pain inhibition (PPI) pulses, particularly PPI pulses having chevron-shaped waveforms.
Claims18
A method for use with an implantable cardiac stimulation device for implant within a patient having a shocking circuit for generating therapeutic shocks for delivery to the patient, the method comprising:
- generating an electrical therapeutic shock using the shocking circuit wherein the shock has a voltage waveform having a reduced leading edge voltage followed by a plateau voltage;
- and
- applying the shock to heart tissue of the patient wherein the step of generating the shock includes
- sharply increasing the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage from a baseline voltage to the leading edge voltage, wherein the increase is substantially instantaneous;
- gradually increasing the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage from the leading edge voltage to a higher, plateau voltage, wherein the gradual increase occurs during a first extended interval of time;
- maintaining the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage substantially at the plateau voltage for a second, extended interval of time;
- and
- dropping the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage back to the baseline voltage, wherein the drop is substantially instantaneous.
A system for use in an implantable cardiac stimulation device for implant within a patient, the system comprising:
- means for detecting cardiac conditions indicating a need for a cardioversion shock;
- means for generating an electrical therapeutic shock having a voltage waveform with a reduced leading edge voltage followed by a plateau voltage;
- and
- means for applying the shock to the heart tissue of the patient, wherein the means for generating an electrical therapeutic shock include
- means for sharply increasing the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage from a baseline voltage to the leading edge voltage, wherein the increase is substantially instantaneous;
- means for gradually increasing the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage from the leading edge voltage to a higher, plateau voltage, wherein the gradual increase occurs during a first extended interval of time;
- means for maintaining the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage substantially at the plateau voltage for a second, extended interval of time;
- and
- means for dropping the absolute magnitude of the shock voltage back to the baseline voltage, wherein the drop is substantially instantaneous.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.