Patents Assigned to Telectronics N.V.
  • Patent number: 4875483
    Abstract: A multi-programmable ROM-less cardiac pacer employs an intermittent microprocessor turned ON and OFF by a pacer timer clockwise independent of the processor to time intervals preset by the processor. Sensed activity and external communications restart the processor with an interrupt request. Five antitachycardia mechanisms are externally programmable: programmed burst, burst rate scanning, automatic overdrive, programmed critically timed and critically timed scanning. In scanning mechanisms, the interval changes progressively until the tachycardia is terminated by a successful interval which is stored. Runaway protection is executed in the software. For telemetry, the pacer collects the following monitored pacing data over a programmable period of time: percent pacing, average rate, maximum rate, number of tachycardia episodes and maximum tachycardia duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: William Vollmann, Van E. Mumford
  • Patent number: 4869252
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling pulse energy in an arrythmia control device wherein bradycardia pacing pulses are normally delivered at a first energy, and after antitachycardia therapy, bradycardia pulses are delivered at a second energy, the second energy being greater than the first energy. The antitachycardia therapy may be at least one of antitachycardia pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation; and is delivered at a third energy level greater than said second energy level. The second energy level is maintained for a predetermined period of time and then returned to the normal bradycardia pacing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Norma L. Gilli
  • Patent number: 4858610
    Abstract: Automatic detection of cardiac pacer evoked potentials may be obtained through a cardiac pacer lead positioned in a heart chamber. An electrical stimulus is emitted in unipolar mode from a first electrode to stimulate muscular contraction. The cardiac electrical activity evoked by the stimulus is then detected in unipolar mode by a second electrode which is spaced from the first electrode and free of electrical connection thereto. Accordingly, signal interference caused by residual polarization of the first electrode is suppressed. The natural cardiac electrical activity is sensed in a bipolar mode, and the pulse is inhibited if a heartbeat is detected within an alert period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Frank J. Callaghan, Edward A. Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 4856522
    Abstract: A rate-responsive heart pacer in which rate-control parameter (RCP) values are arranged in a percentile ranking and mapped into a percentile ranking of a desired rate distribution. By monitoring the RCP values over an extended time interval and developing a corresponding percentile ranking, the pacemaker automatically self-adapts to long-term changes in RCP measurements and insures that the desired rate distribution is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: James C. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4848352
    Abstract: A method for cardiac pacing and sensing is disclosed. A cardiac pacing lead is inserted into a heart chamber. The lead carries a plurality of separate electrodes positioned at the distal tip of the lead and transversely spaced from and electrically isolated from each other. A separate electrical conductor is provided for each electrode. A plurality of the electrodes are combined via electrical conductors to provide a relatively large electrode area for sensing cardiac activity. One of the electrodes is used for providing pacing pulses to the heart chamber. The pacing electrode has a relatively smaller surface area than the relatively large surface area used for sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Peter J. Pohndorf, Edward A. Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 4844099
    Abstract: An implantable sitmulating lead for a cardiac pacemaker has a distal tip having a surface area adapted to physically contact heart tissue for pacing the heart tissue, sensing heart contractions and promoting tissue ingrowth. The distal tip includes a conductive electrode and a porous non-conductive substrate, which together define the surface area of the distal tip. The conductive electrode and porous substrate are provided as first and second members, although the surface area of each is adaptive to present a singular, smooth distal tip region for the electrode lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Skalsky, Zoran Milijasevic, Akira Nakazawa, Gerhard Gotthardt
  • Patent number: 4836884
    Abstract: Polymer hydrogels are adapted for surgical implants by chemical modification of the surface to stimulate the attachment and growth of cells thereto. The modification may be by oxidative acid etching or by copolymerization with methacrylic acid and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Brian R. McAuslan
  • Patent number: 4827933
    Abstract: The apparatus for pacing a heart in accordance with the heart rate needed to produce a required cardiac output while the person is exercising, comprises a pacer adapted to be implanted in a human body and having a pulse generator and control circuitry (e.g. a microprocessor) therein, a pacing lead adapted to be implanted in a heart and having a distal electrode adapted to engage and supply pacing pulses to a right ventricle of a heart, and a pO.sub.2 sensor for sensing pO.sub.2 of the blood in the heart. An algorithm or routine utilizing same are stored in the control circuitry (microprocessor) and are adapted to relate pO.sub.2 and/or .DELTA.pO.sub.2 with the required heart rate or change in heart rate, .DELTA.R, needed to supply a desired cardiac output and to cause the pacer to pace the heart at the required heart rate when the heart is not naturally paced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit Koning, Edward A. Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 4825869
    Abstract: A cardiac pacer analysis system which is external to the patient is provided for an implanted pacer having patient history stored within the pacer. Information is transmitted from the pacer, and is received, stored and processed. Events in the received information are identified and characterized, observed problems are identified, probable causes of observed problems are indicated and possible corrective actions are provided. The results of the analyses are displayed for the clinician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Louis Sasmor, Edward D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4821724
    Abstract: A pacemaker which generates a triphasic stimulus; the first and third phases are positive pulses, and the second is the negative stimulus. After-potentials are so low that reliable sensing of evoked signals are possible. The rapidity of the charge balancing is not affected by the stimulus amplitude because the relative amplitudes of the three phases are maintained independent of the stimulus amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robert H. Whigham, Tibor A. Nappholz
  • Patent number: 4798206
    Abstract: Self-contained, self-powered, flexible electrical control signal generating means are located in the right ventricle of a heart and generate electrical control signals solely by mechanical movements caused by actions of and conditions in the heart without any electrical connection to and supply of electrical energy from any other power source which electric control signals are transmitted to a control circuit system of an implanted control unit which control unit transmits an electrical signal to a stimulation electrode implanted in tissue at the apex of the right ventricle of the heart which stimulation electrode uses the electrical signal to stimulate the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventors: David S. Maddison, Michael Skalsky, Zoran Milijasevic, Stephen G. Perry, Loraine K. Holley, Gerhard R. Gotthardt, Garry T. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4796643
    Abstract: An electrode lead for a pacemaker which has improved introducing, removal and anchoring characteristics. An insulating covering has at least two rows of loops which fall within a truncated cone with its minimum diameter at the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventors: Akira Nakazawa, Zoran Milijasevic
  • Patent number: 4796630
    Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker is provided which has combined defibrillation and electrosurgery protection. The pacemaker includes an implantable housing with a pacing circuit located within the housing and means for attaching a lead to the housing. A protection circuit is located between the pacing circuit and the attaching means. The protection circuit comprises a zener diode and a capacitor connected across the zener diode. The capacitor has a value to provide a relatively low impedance with respect to electrosurgery frequencies and a relatively high impedance with respect to cardiac myopotential frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Richard C. Regna
  • Patent number: 4784161
    Abstract: An implantable stimulating lead for a cardiac pacemaker has a distal tip having a surface area adapted to physically contact heart tissue for pacing the heart tissue, sensing heart contractions and promoting tissue ingrowth. The distal tip includes a conductive electrode and a porous non-conductive substrate, which together define the surface area of the distal tip. The conductive electrode and porous substrate are provided as first and second members, although the surface area of each is adapted to present a singular, smooth distal tip region for the electrode lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Skalsky, Zoran Millijasevic, Akira Nakazawa, Gerhard Gotthardt
  • Patent number: 4779617
    Abstract: A noise rejection circuit for an implantable pacemaker. During re-triggerable relative refractory periods following a heartbeat, the peak noise level is sensed; the relative refractory period is re-started whenever the input signal exceeds the previous peak. Following a time-out of the relative refractory period, the peak value detected, representing the noise level, is added to the programmed threshold value; the sum is used as the threshold value during sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Robert H. Whigham
  • Patent number: 4774953
    Abstract: A terminal for an implantable pulse generator for connecting an electrode lead to the generator includes a base section formed of partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) mounted on the exterior of the pulse generator housing and a conductive terminal member coupled to the base section. The base section, terminal member and pulse generator housing are joined by a biocompatible brazing alloy which is composed, by weight, of about 13% to about 17% copper, about 13% to about 17% nickel, and the balance being titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Roger M. L. Foote
  • Patent number: 4770177
    Abstract: The apparatus paces a heart in accordance with the heart/pacer rate needed to produce a required cardiac output while a person is exercising or undergoes emotional stress in response to changes in venous blood vessel diameter. The apparatus includes a pacer adapted to be implanted in a human body and having a pulse generator and control circuitry, which may be realized by a microprocessor, therein; a pacing lead adapted to be implanted in a heart having a tip electrode adapted to engage and supply pacing pulses to a right ventricle of a heart; a piezoelectric sensor for determining changes in diameter of a vein in the human body; and computing circuitry including the control circuitry, for relating the changes in venous blood vessel diameter with the required pacing rate needed to supply a desired cardiac output and for causing the pacer to pace the heart at the required rate when the heart is not naturally paced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeppel
  • Patent number: 4768511
    Abstract: A cardiac pacer is described which includes a pulse generator for providing pacing pulses and an electrical lead for bilateral (or bidirectional) (i.e., sense and pace) connection to a chamber of the heart. A fixed gain, tuned sensing amplifier senses selected activity of the heart chamber. The output of the sensing amplifier is connected to a pair of voltage comparators. One of the voltage comparators has a slightly lower threshold and thus a slightly higher sensitivity level than the other voltage comparator. Under closed loop control, the thresholds of the respective voltage comparators are automatically adjusted so that one of the voltage comparators will sense the selected activity of the heart chamber and the other voltage comparator will not sense the selected activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Robert DeCote, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4766901
    Abstract: A rate responsive cardiac pacing system is provided. In the illustrative embodiment, electrical stimulus pulses are applied to the heart ventricle and the evoked potential of the applied electrical stimulus pulses is detected. The detected potential is integrated over time to obtain a depolarization gradient duration. The depolarization gradient duration is compared with a corresponding depolarization gradient duration of at least one previous cardiac cycle. The rate of the electrical stimulus pulses is controlled in response to this comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Frank J. Callaghan
  • Patent number: 4766902
    Abstract: A cardiac pacer is provided which includes a pulse generator for providing pacing pulses and an electrical lead for connection to a chamber of the heart. A pair of separate sensing amplifiers sense selected activity of the heart chamber. One of the sensing amplifiers has a slightly lower threshold and thus a slightly higher sensitivity level than the other sensing amplifier. The thresholds of the respective sensing amplifiers are automatically adjusted so that the first sensing amplifier will sense the selected activity of the heart chamber and the other sensing amplifier will not sense the selected activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeppel