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: A rate adaptive cardiac pacemaker having a first sensor for measuring a physiologic parameter reflecting metabolic demand and a second sensor for measuring a parameter reflecting the physical motion or activity of the patient, wherein the second sensor is used to generate a dynamic target pacing rate which the first sensor is optimized to over time, thereby reducing the time constant for the adaptation of the first sensor and minimizing the amount of clinical time required to initialize the cardiac pacemaker.

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: Pacemakers have been known to be provided with a lower rate hysteresis mode in which a range of cardiac activity is supported in a hysteresis loop by a pacemaker. The present invention describes a programmable single or dual chamber pacemaker comprising a sensor device which provides signals indicating a level of cardiac activity. The pacemaker has a standard lower rate hysteresis mode available, but is also provided with a sensor rate hysteresis which may be programmable. The signals from the sensor can cause the pacemaker to operate within a hysteresis loop in which at least one of the A-sense Rate and the V-sense Rate in the sensor rate hysteresis is higher than the similar rate in the lower rate hysteresis.

Abstract: A dual chamber pacemaker incorporating an adaptive PVARP for breaking pacemaker mediated tachycardia episodes and adjusting the PVARP interval in a way that reduces future incidences of PMT without extending PVARP beyond what is required.