Patents by Inventor Paul A. Belk

Paul A. Belk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090093860
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a T-wave shock interval sense a cardiac electrogram (EGM) signal comprising a T-wave signal. A T-wave center is determined from the EGM signal, and a T-wave shock interval is determined in response to determining the T-wave center. A T-wave shock is delivered at the T-wave shock interval computed based on the T-wave center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Jeffrey M. Gillberg, Jian Cao, Charles D. Swerdlow
  • Patent number: 7502647
    Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Scott R. Stanslaski, Michael O. Sweeney, Robert A. Betzold, Douglas A. Hettrick, Paul A. Belk
  • Patent number: 7502646
    Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Scott R. Stanslaski, Michael O. Sweeney, Robert A. Betzold, Douglas A. Hettrick, Paul A. Belk
  • Publication number: 20080027492
    Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Scott R. Stanslaski, Michael O. Sweeney, Robert A. Betzold, Douglas A. Hettrick, Paul A. Belk
  • Publication number: 20080027490
    Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Scott R. Stanslaski, Michael O. Sweeney, Robert A. Betzold, Douglas A. Hettrick, Paul A. Belk
  • Publication number: 20070299478
    Abstract: Rate responsive pacing is limited in an atrial based pacing mode by the AV interval in order to avoid or minimize ventricular encroachment of atrial pacing. The AV or VA interval is used to permit rate responsiveness; modulate rate responsiveness or to determine a dynamic upper sensor rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: David Casavant, Paul Belk
  • Patent number: 7313439
    Abstract: A method of predicting an arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia, for example, in a medical device using a quantitative measure in order to allow assessment of patient risk and to enable preventative interventions by the device and clinicians. The trending of day and night average heart rates, along with patient physical activity can be analyzed to provide prediction of impending arrhythmia within weeks. By examining day and night average heart rate for crossover points, where the night heart rate equals or exceeds the day rate, and monitoring for a concomitant elevation in the night heart rate from a reference value, specific days heralding an increased risk of arrhythmia can be determined and therapy can be updated accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy E Jackson, Paul A Belk
  • Publication number: 20070293898
    Abstract: An atrial based pacing protocol promotes intrinsic conduction. An entire cardiac cycle is monitored for ventricular activity and permitted to lapse with ventricular activity. Ventricular pacing is available in a cardiac cycle immediately subsequent to such a skipped beat. When monitoring for intrinsic ventricular events, an event is expected within a given window. If no such event is detected, the cardiac cycle in truncated, leading to a shorter cycle that is devoid of ventricular activity. The subsequent cycle has a high likelihood of a ventricular sensed event and a greater than normal AV interval is provided prior to pacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Paul A. Belk, Michael O. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20070293900
    Abstract: An atrial based pacing protocol promotes intrinsic conduction. An entire cardiac cycle is monitored for ventricular activity and permitted to lapse with ventricular activity. Ventricular pacing is available in a cardiac cycle immediately subsequent to such a skipped beat. When monitoring for intrinsic ventricular events, an event is expected within a given window. If no such event is detected, the cardiac cycle in truncated, leading to a shorter cycle that is devoid of ventricular activity. The subsequent cycle has a high likelihood of a ventricular sensed event and a greater than normal AV interval is provided prior to pacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Paul A. Belk, Michael O. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20070293897
    Abstract: An atrial based pacing protocol promotes intrinsic conduction. An entire cardiac cycle is monitored for ventricular activity and permitted to lapse with ventricular activity. Ventricular pacing is available in a cardiac cycle immediately subsequent to such a skipped beat. When monitoring for intrinsic ventricular events, an event is expected within a given window. If no such event is detected, the cardiac cycle in truncated, leading to a shorter cycle that is devoid of ventricular activity. The subsequent cycle has a high likelihood of a ventricular sensed event and a greater than normal AV interval is provided prior to pacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Paul A. Belk, Michael O. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20070293899
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes cardiac pacing functions. In order to reduce ventricular pacing, various modes are employed that tolerate missed ventricular beats, provide backup pacing and maintain overall AV synchrony. Upon the occurrence of a PVC, A-A timing is modified so that resultant V-V intervals are appropriate and ventricular pacing is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Paul A. Belk, Michael O. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20070213777
    Abstract: Pacing parameters are provided to address cross talk and intrinsic ventricular events occurring within a predefined blanking period following an atrial event. The parameters are used in conjunction with protocol for minimizing or reducing ventricular pacing, wherein ignoring intrinsic ventricular events during the blanking period might otherwise affect the performance of the protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Betzold, David Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas Mullen, John Stroebel, Steven Hornberger, Todd Sheldon, Douglas Peterson
  • Publication number: 20070191897
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy. The processor determines whether a return cycle length generated subsequent to the delivery of a first plurality of pacing pulses is less than or equal to a cycle length associated with the tachycardia event, and adjusts delivery of a second plurality of pacing pulses in response to the return cycle length being less than or equal to the cycle length associated with the tachycardia event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Troy E. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20070191899
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Troy E. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20070191898
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy. The processor determines whether a return cycle length generated subsequent to the delivery of the first plurality of pacing pulses is greater than or equal to a sum of a cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and a total prematurity associated with the first plurality of pacing pulses, and adjusts delivery of a second plurality of pacing pulses in response to the return cycle length being greater than or equal to a sum of a cycle length associated with the tachycardia event and a total prematurity associated with the first plurality of pacing pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Troy E. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20070191896
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Troy E. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20070191900
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy that includes an electrode to sense cardiac signals and to deliver the therapy, sensing circuitry, electrically coupled to the electrode, to detect the tachycardia event in response to the sensed cardiac signals, and a processor to control delivery of the therapy. The processor determines a cause of the delivered first plurality of pacing pulses failing to terminate the tachycardia event as a result of one of a failure to capture the tachycardia event, a failure to complete peelback, and a failure to entrain a reentrant circuit associated with the tachycardia event, and adjusts delivery of a second plurality of pacing pulses subsequent to the delivery of the first plurality of pacing pulses in response to the determined cause.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Troy E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7248924
    Abstract: Rate responsive pacing is limited in an atrial based pacing mode by the AV interval in order to avoid or minimize ventricular encroachment of atrial pacing. The AV or VA interval is used to permit rate responsiveness; modulate rate responsiveness or to determine a dynamic upper sensor rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Casavant, Paul A. Belk
  • Patent number: 7245966
    Abstract: Pacing parameters are provided to address cross talk and intrinsic ventricular events occurring within a predefined blanking period following an atrial event. The parameters are used in conjunction with protocol for minimizing or reducing ventricular pacing, wherein ignoring intrinsic ventricular events during the blanking period might otherwise affect the performance of the protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Betzold, David A Casavant, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel, Steven R. Hornberger, Todd J. Sheldon, Douglas A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7218965
    Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a P-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel