Patents by Inventor Tom D. Bennett

Tom D. Bennett 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).

  • Apparatus for discrimination of stable and unstable ventricular tachycardia and for treatment thereof
    Patent number: 5176137
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating between stable and unstable ventricular tachycardias based on a measurement of oxygen saturation. Reference values for average oxygen saturation level and of the pulsatile characteristic of the oxygen saturation level are taken while a patient is in a resting condition. Measurements of oxygen saturation are also taken in response to the detection of a high heart rate, and are compared to the reference measurements to discriminate between stable and unstable ventricular tachyarrhythmias. An unstable tachyarrhythmia is diagnosed if a tachycardia is diagnosed and the current oxygen saturation level is similar to the reference average oxygen saturation level or if the oxygen saturation as presently measured displays a decreased pulsatile characteristic as compared to the reference measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Erickson, Tom D. Bennett