Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.

Abstract: A method for reducing the affects of intrinsic detection latency in a cardiac rhythm management device, wherein said method is initiated immediately prior to delivering a stimulation pulse to the heart tissue. A coincidence of intrinsic and cardiac rhythm management initiated stimulus or the delivery of a stimulation pulse proximate the time of an intrinsic event due to intrinsic detection latency may results in delivery of unnecessary backup stimulus and/or imprecise determination of a pacing threshold. When stimulating the heart, the timing sequence for delivering a stimulation pulse typically depends upon the timing of a previous intrinsic or device initiated event. Further, the method of the present invention reduces the affects of intrinsic detection latency thereby facilitating improved detection of capture and determination of capture threshold for minimizing power consumption while assuring therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device adapted to receive and digitize electrocardiogram signals from leads placed on or in the heart and capable of automatically adjusting an evoked response detection threshold dependent upon a modulation of the amplitude of the evoked response. Respiration, activity level, and lead maturation, among others, all effect the modulation of the evoked response and the amplitude of a signal associated with evoked response. The present invention automatically adjusts the evoked response detection threshold to account for this modulation. Without limitation, the automatic adjustment of the evoked response detection threshold may be utilized during an automatic capture verification sequence. In the event of non-capture or fusion beats during an automatic adjustment, the evoked response detection threshold is not adjusted.

Abstract: A method for reducing the affects of intrinsic detection latency in a cardiac rhythm management device, wherein said method is initiated immediately prior to delivering a stimulation pulse to the heart tissue. A coincidence of intrinsic and cardiac rhythm management initiated stimulus or the delivery of a stimulation pulse proximate the time of an intrinsic event due to intrinsic detection latency may results in delivery of unnecessary backup stimulus and/or imprecise determination of a pacing threshold. When stimulating the heart, the timing sequence for delivering a stimulation pulse typically depends upon the timing of a previous intrinsic or device initiated event. Further, the method of the present invention reduces the affects of intrinsic detection latency thereby facilitating improved detection of capture and determination of capture threshold for minimizing power consumption while assuring therapeutic efficacy.