Abstract: In a bi-ventricular pacing system, an implantable pulse generator optionally having an IPG indifferent electrode is coupled to a small diameter, unipolar, left ventricular (LV) lead and a bipolar right ventricular (RV) lead. The LV lead is advanced through the superior vena cava, the right atrium, the ostium of the coronary sinus (CS), the CS, and into a coronary vein descending from the CS to locate the LV active pace/sense electrode at a desired LV pace/sense site. An LV lead placed on an epicardial surface can substitute. The RV lead in a preferred embodiment is advanced into the RV chamber to locate RV active and indifferent pace/sense electrodes therein. Sensing of RV spontaneous cardiac depolarizations to provide a RV sense event signal and delivery of RV pacing pulses is conducted across the RV active pace/sense electrode and one of the RV or IPG indifferent pace/sense electrodes.

Abstract: Multi-chamber cardiac pacing systems for providing multi-site pacing to at least one of the right and left atria and then synchronously to the right and left ventricles in a triggered pacing sequence while providing for recharge of the output capacitors of each output amplifier in the shortest time. The recharge operations of the present invention come into play when bi-chamber pacing is invoked to deliver right and left heart chamber pacing pulses that are separated by a triggered pacing delay that overlaps, i.e., is shorter than, the recharge time period. In a truncated recharge mode, the first pacing pulse is delivered through the first pacing path, and the recharging of the first pacing path is commenced for the duration of the triggered pacing delay. Then, the second pacing pulse is delivered, and the second pacing path is recharged for a second recharge period. The recharging of the first pacing path is conducted simultaneously with or after completion of the second recharge period.

Abstract: A software programmable device means such as a microprocessor discriminates between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window . The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by a sense amplifier of an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. The post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window. The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: A software programmable microprocessor discriminates between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window. The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: The present invention employs software programmable device means such as a microprocessor to discriminate between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window. The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: The programmable device means such as a microprocessor are employed to discriminate between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window . The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: Software programmable device means such as a microprocessor are employed to discriminate between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device. The polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes is monitored during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window. The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: The present invention permits discrimination between evoked response signals and post-pace polarization signals sensed by an implantable medical device by noting the polarity of the positive or negative change in voltage in respect of time (or dv/dt) of the waveform incident on the lead electrodes during a short period of time immediately following a paced event. It has been discovered that the post-pace polarization signal exhibits a relatively constant polarity during the capture detect window, and that the evoked response signal may cause the polarity of post-pace polarization signal to reverse during the capture detect window. The sign of the post-pace polarization polarity, either positive or negative, is determined by the design of the specific output circuitry. The evoked response signal may reverse the polarity of the sensed signal in either case, from positive to negative or from negative to positive, during the time window of interest.

Abstract: A system for operating a pair of microprocessors with independent system clocks while at the same time providing synchronization by a common interrupt signal, and in which the system clocks are cross-monitored to thereby provide Fail-Safe operation.