Abstract: An exemplary computer-implemented method is disclosed for detection of onset of depolarization on far-field electrograms (EGMs) or electrocardiogram (ECG)- or ECG-like signals. The method includes determining a baseline rhythm using a plurality of body-surface electrodes. The baseline rhythm includes an atrial marker and a ventricular marker. A pre-specified window is defined as being between the atrial marker and the ventricular marker. A low pass filter is applied to a signal within the window. A rectified slope of the signal within the window is determined. A determination is made as to whether a time point (t1) is present such that the rectified slope exceeds 10% of a maximum value of the rectified slope. A point of onset of a depolarization complex in the signal is determined. The point of onset occurs at a largest curvature in the signal within the window.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device for cardiac resynchronization by biventricular pacing including a cardiac reverse remodeling. The combination of the stimulation sites, the atrioventricular delay (AVD), and the interventricular delay (VVD) together define a common pacing configuration, temporarily switched from an original pacing configuration (a) to a modified pacing configuration (b) in a direction opposite to that of an optimization of the hemodynamic parameters, to cause an immediate change in the response to controlled stimulation of the myocardium. This response is assessed based on: the maximum value (P (b, a)) achieved by the peak-to-peak (PEA (i)) of the first peak of endocardial acceleration (PEA) after a pacing configuration change, the mean PEA value (A (b, a)) after stabilization, the PEA variability (V (b, a)) around this average value, and the duration (T (b, a)) of stabilization after the pacing configuration change.

Abstract: A cardiac medical device and associated method control delivery of dual chamber burst pacing pulses in response to detecting tachycardia. A number of cardiac cycles occurring in a first cardiac chamber are identified subsequent to the dual chamber pacing pulses. The number of sensed intrinsic events occurring in a second cardiac chamber during the first chamber cardiac cycles is determined as a number of second chamber events. The tachycardia episode is classified in response to the number of second chamber events.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a method and/or system for classifying and/or treating heart rhythms. The present disclosure involves sensing electrical signals associated with depolarizations of a patient's heart. The sensed electrical signals are converted to digital values and storing the digital values. Normalizing solely a maximum and a minimum value of the stored digital values associated with a depolarization of the patient's heart without normalizing other stored digital values of the depolarization is another aspect of the present disclosure. The maximum and minimum values associated with the depolarization are compared to maximum and minimum values associated with a template derived from signals indicative of a heart depolarization of known type. A determination is made as to whether a match exists between the maximum and minimum values associated with the depolarization to the maximum and minimum values associated with a template.

Abstract: A medical device and associated method for delivery of a cardiac therapy that includes determining a first impedance signal along a thoracic electrode vector extending within a portion of a thoracic cavity, determining a second impedance signal along an extra-thoracic electrode vector extending outside the thoracic cavity, comparing first amplitude measurements corresponding to the first impedance signals and second amplitude measurements corresponding to the second impedance signals, comparing first slope measurements corresponding to the first impedance signals and second slope measurements corresponding to the second impedance signals, and determining delivery of the cardiac therapy in response to the comparing.

Abstract: A cardiac medical device and associated method control delivery of dual chamber burst pacing pulses in response to detecting tachycardia. In one embodiment, a single chamber pacing pulse is delivered in response to detecting a tachycardia. Dual chamber pacing pulses are delivered subsequent to the single chamber pacing pulse. An intrinsic depolarization is sensed subsequent to delivering the dual chamber pacing pulses. The tachycardia episode is classified in response to the sensed intrinsic depolarization.

Abstract: Techniques include determining a first vector of temporal changes in electrical data measured at multiple electrical sensors positioned at corresponding locations on a surface of a living body due to a natural electrical pulse. A different vector of temporal changes in electrical data measured at the same electrical sensors is determined due to each stimulated signal of multiple stimulated signals within the living body. Stimulated position data is received, which indicates a different corresponding position within the living body where each of the stimulated signals originates. The site of origin of the natural electrical pulse is determined based on the first vector and the multiple different vectors and the stimulated position data. Among other applications, these techniques allow the rapid, automatic determination of the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia arrhythmia (VT).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.

Abstract: Methods for determination of timing for electrical shocks to the heart to determine shock strength necessary to defibrillate a fibrillating heart. The timing corresponds the window of most vulnerability in the heart, which occurs during the T-wave of a heartbeat. Using a derivatized T-wave representation, the timing of most vulnerability is determined by a center of the area method, peak amplitude method, width method, or other similar methods. Devices are similarly disclosed embodying the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing physiological activity of the patient, and a processor coupled with the baroreflex activation device(s) and the sensor(s) for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreflex activation device. In some embodiments, the system is fully implantable within a patient, such as in an intravascular, extravascular or intramural location.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing physiological activity of the patient, and a processor coupled with the baroreflex activation device(s) and the sensor(s) for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreflex activation device. In some embodiments, the system is fully implantable within a patient, such as in an intravascular, extravascular or intramural location.

Abstract: Systems and method for assessing a patient's myocardial electrical stability by pacing a patient's heart using a pacing sequence that includes at least two different types of pacing pulses. The pacing rate used is preferably only slightly above the patient's intrinsic heart rate. A degree of alternans, in a signal (e.g., IEGM or ECG) that is indicative of cardiac activity in response to the pacing sequence, is determined. The degree of alternans can be determined by comparing portions of the signal that are indicative of cardiac activity in response to the first type of pacing pulses to portions of the signal that are indicative of cardiac activity in response to the second type of pacing pulses. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is assessed based on the determined degree of alternans.

Abstract: A neurostimulation system measures a cardiac parameter at various cardiac intervals and analyzes its restitution, including computing a restitution slope being a rate of change of the restitution parameter with respect to change in the cardiac interval. In various embodiments, the system uses the restitution slope to provide for adaptive control of neurostimulation. In various embodiments, one or more cardiac parameters such as action potential duration (APD), conduction velocity (CV), QT interval (QT), and/or T-wave morphology (TM) parameter are measured and analyzed for restitution of each parameter, which is then used to control the delivery of the neurostimulation.

Abstract: An external defibrillator having a battery; a capacitor electrically communicable with the battery; at least two electrodes electrically communicable with the capacitor and with the skin of a patient; a controller configured to charge the capacitor from the battery and to discharge the capacitor through the electrodes; and a support supporting the battery, capacitor, electrodes and controller in a deployment configuration, the defibrillator having a maximum weight per unit area in the deployment configuration of 0.1 lb/in2 and/or a maximum thickness of 1 inch. The support may be a waterproof housing.

Abstract: Diastolic function is monitored within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. In one example, the implantable device uses morphological parameters derived from the T-wave evoked response waveform as proxies for ventricular relaxation rate and ventricular compliance. In particular, the magnitude of the peak of the T-wave evoked response is employed as a proxy for ventricular compliance. The maximum slew rate of the T-wave evoked response following its peak is employed as a proxy for ventricular relaxation. A metric is derived from these proxy values to represent diastolic function. The metric is tracked over time to evaluate changes in diastolic function. In other examples, specific values for ventricular compliance and ventricular relaxation are derived for the patient based on the T-wave evoked response parameters.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep, and controls delivery of a therapy based on the sleep quality metric values. For example, the medical device may compare a sleep quality metric value with one or more threshold values, and adjust the therapy based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the medical device adjusts the intensity of therapy based on the comparison, e.g., increases the therapy intensity when the comparison indicates that the patient's sleep quality is poor. In some embodiments, the medical device automatically selects one of a plurality of therapy parameter set available for use in delivering therapy based on a comparison sleep quality metric values associated with respective therapy parameter sets within the plurality of available therapy parameter sets.

Abstract: A method of detecting a cardiac event that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, determining rates of change of the sensed cardiac signals, and determining a range of the sensed cardiac signals. The sensed cardiac signals are detected as being associated with the cardiac event in response to the determined rates of change and the determined range.

Abstract: A cardiac medical device and associated method control delivery of dual chamber burst pacing pulses in response to detecting tachycardia. In one embodiment, a single chamber pacing pulse is delivered in response to detecting a tachycardia. Dual chamber pacing pulses are delivered subsequent to the single chamber pacing pulse. An intrinsic depolarization is sensed subsequent to delivering the dual chamber pacing pulses. The tachycardia episode is classified in response to the sensed intrinsic depolarization.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable cardiac pacing system or other cardiac monitoring system having an enhanced capability to classify intracardiac signals through a combination of DSP techniques and software algorithms. The implantable device has one or more DSP channels corresponding to different signals which are being monitored. Each DSP channel most preferably amplifies the incoming signal, converts the signal from analog to digital form, digitally filters the converted signals to provide a filtered signal, operates on the filtered signal to provide a slope signal, determines from the filtered and slope signals when an intracardiac event has been detected, signal processes the filtered and slope signals for a predetermined analysis interval after threshold crossing, and generates a plurality of wave parameters corresponding to the signal.

Abstract: An active medical device able to discriminate between tachycardias of ventricular origin and of supra-ventricular origin. Two distinct temporal components (UnipV, BipV) are obtained corresponding to two EGM signals of ventricular electrograms. The diagnosis operates in at least two-dimensional space to determine, from the variations of one temporal component as a function of the other temporal component, a 2D characteristic representative of a heart beat and, this, for a reference beat collected in Sinus Rhythm (SR) in the absence of tachycardia episodes, and for a heart beat in Tachycardia. The discrimination of the tachycardia type, VT or SVT, is then realized by a classifier operating a comparison of the two current and reference 2D characteristics.

Abstract: A method of identifying potential driver sites for cardiac arrhythmias includes acquiring a plurality of electrograms from a plurality of locations on at least a portion of a patient's heart. Using the acquired electrograms, at least one electrical activity map is generated. Desirable electrical activity maps include complex fractionated electrogram standard deviation and mean maps, dominant frequency maps, peak-to-peak voltage maps, and activation sequence maps. Using one or more of these maps (e.g., by analyzing one or more electrogram morphological characteristics represented by these maps), at least one potential driver site can be detected.

Abstract: Implementations of various technologies described herein are directed toward a sensing architecture for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The sensing architecture may provide a method and means for certifying detected events by the cardiac rhythm management device. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced capability to accurately identifying only those sensed events that are desirable, and preventing the use of events marked as suspect, the sensing architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.

Abstract: Techniques for determining whether artifacts are present in a cardiac electrogram are described. According to one example, a medical device senses a cardiac electrogram via electrodes. The medical device determines a derivative, e.g., a second order derivative, the electrogram. The medical device detects beats within the derivative, e.g., by comparing a rectified version of the derivative to one or more thresholds determined based on a maximum of the rectified derivative. The medical device determines whether the beats are periodic, and determines whether artifacts are present in the cardiac electrogram based on the determination of whether the beats are periodic. The medical device may further determine whether tachyarrhythmia is present and/or whether the cardiac rhythm of the patient is treatable based on the determination of whether the beats are periodic. For example, the medical device may determine that an electrogram is not treatable when the beats are periodic.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device and a method for monitoring ventricular synchronicity of a heart. In particular, impedance signals are measured and an occurrence of a notch is detected in the impedance signal coincident with a period including a change from rapid to slow filling of a ventricle. The notch is indicated by a first positive slope change in a negative slope in a predetermined time window during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle. A degree of synchronicity is determined based on the notch feature, wherein a decreasing notch feature indicates an increased degree of synchronicity in the filling phase of the ventricles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides measurement of intrinsic heart activity metrics while sustaining pacing of the heart. The device includes a pulse generator that delivers pacing pulses to a first chamber of corresponding chambers of a heart, and a sensing circuit that senses a conducted evoked response of a second chamber of the corresponding chambers of the heart in response to the pacing pulse to provide an electrical signal representing the conducted evoked response. The device further includes a measuring circuit that measures a metric of the electrical signal to approximate a corresponding metric of an intrinsic electrical feature of the second chamber.

Abstract: An external cardiac medical device for delivering Cardiac Potentiation Therapy (CPT). Techniques used with the device include initial diagnosis of the patient, delivery of the CPT, and configuration of the external device, so that CPT can be effectively and efficiently provided. In particular, these techniques include initially determining whether a patient should receive CPT, how to set the coupling interval for delivering CPT, how to configure the external medical device to deliver CPT stimulation pulses while not adversely affecting the device's ability to sense a patient's cardiac parameters and/or signals.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device recognizes and accommodates fusion beats without compromising autocapture or threshold searches. The device comprises a pulse generator that provides first and second pacing pulses to a chamber of a heart. The first pacing pulses have a normal operating output level and the second pacing pulses have an output level sufficient to assure capture. The device further comprises a fusion beat predicting circuit that predicts when a next paced event of the chamber will likely be a fusion beat and a fusion beat control that causes the pulse generator to provide a second pacing pulse to the chamber in response to the fusion beat predicting circuit predicting that a next paced event will likely be a fusion beat. Thereafter, the fusion beat is confirmed.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep, and controls delivery of a therapy based on the sleep quality metric values. For example, the medical device may compare a sleep quality metric value with one or more threshold values, and adjust the therapy based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the medical device adjusts the intensity of therapy based on the comparison, e.g., increases the therapy intensity when the comparison indicates that the patient's sleep quality is poor. In some embodiments, the medical device automatically selects one of a plurality of therapy parameter set available for use in delivering therapy based on a comparison sleep quality metric values associated with respective therapy parameter sets within the plurality of available therapy parameter sets.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing the atrial wall of the heart is provided. The characterization of the atrial wall can be used for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, it can be used to detect precursors to various types of hear disease, such as atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment, the system and method is used to determine a likelihood of fibrosis in the atrial wall. Furthermore, the system and method can detect changes in atrial wall fibrosis that can indicate a continuing degradation in the atrial wall health and an increasing likelihood of atrial fibrillation. In another embodiment, the system and method is used to determine if electrical instability exists in the atrial wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.

Abstract: A method of detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes determining a first characteristic in response to cardiac signals sensed along a first sensing vector over a predetermined sensing window and in response to cardiac signals sensed along a second sensing vector over the predetermined sensing window, determining a second characteristic in response to cardiac signals sensed along the first sensing vector over the predetermined sensing window and in response to cardiac signals sensed along the second sensing vector over the predetermined sensing window, and determining a third characteristic in response to cardiac signals sensed along the first sensing vector over the predetermined sensing window and in response to cardiac signals sensed along the second sensing vector over the predetermined sensing window.

Abstract: A technique is provided for detecting episodes of cardiac ischemia based on an examination of the total energy of T-waves. Since cardiac ischemia is often a precursor to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), the technique thereby provides a method for predicting the possible onset of AMI or VF. Briefly, the technique integrates internal electrical cardiac signals occurring during T-waves and then compares the result against a running average. If the result exceeds the average by some predetermined amount, ischemia is thereby detected and a warning signal is provided to the patient. The maximum slope of the T-wave is also exploited. Techniques are also set forth herein for reliably detecting T-waves, which help prevent P-waves from being misinterpreted as T-waves on unipolar sensing channels. The T-wave detection technique may be used in conjunction with ischemia detection or for other purposes.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep, and controls delivery of a therapy based on the sleep quality metric values. For example, the medical device may compare a sleep quality metric value with one or more threshold values, and adjust the therapy based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the medical device adjusts the intensity of therapy based on the comparison, e.g., increases the therapy intensity when the comparison indicates that the patient's sleep quality is poor. In some embodiments, the medical device automatically selects one of a plurality of therapy parameter set available for use in delivering therapy based on a comparison sleep quality metric values associated with respective therapy parameter sets within the plurality of available therapy parameter sets.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing physiological activity of the patient, and a processor coupled with the baroreflex activation device(s) and the sensor(s) for processing sensed data received from the sensor and for activating the baroreflex activation device. In some embodiments, the system is fully implantable within a patient, such as in an intravascular, extravascular or intramural location.

Abstract: A system comprising an implantable electrical cardiac signal sensing circuit, an implantable sinoatrial cardiac action potential detector circuit, and an implantable electrical stimulation circuit in electrical communication with the electrical cardiac signal sensing circuit and the sinoatrial cardiac action potential detector circuit. The electrical cardiac signal sensing circuit is configured to receive one or more intrinsic heart signals from one or more respective electrodes configured for placement in a vicinity of a sinoatrial node of a subject. The implantable electrical stimulation circuit is configured to initiate delivery of at least one inhibitory electrical stimulation pulse in a vicinity of the sinoatrial node in a timed relationship to a sensed sinoatrial cardiac action potential. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing cardiac therapy are described. In some embodiments, methods and systems are configured to deliver atrial tachyarrhythmia therapy by confirming that a patient is asleep and thereafter administering the therapy. Sleep can be confirmed, in some embodiments, through the use of a histogram that can be calculated using one or more parameters that are monitored by an implantable stimulation device. Parameters can include both physiological and non-physiological parameters. In other embodiments, atrial tachyarrhythmia therapy is delivered by determining desirable times to administer such therapy. Other various systems and methods for administering cardiac therapy are described.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes a sensing circuit to sense a cardiac signal and a sensing processor to detect cardiac depolarizations (beats) by utilizing certain morphological context of the sensed cardiac signal. The sensing processor samples the sensed cardiac signal, computes curvatures from the sampled cardiac signal to generate a cardiac curvature signal corresponding to the cardiac signal, derives cardiac signal features reflecting morphologically significant points along the cardiac signal from the cardiac curvature signal, and detects cardiac depolarizations based on an analysis of the cardiac signals features.

Abstract: Cardiac electrical events are detected by comparing signal vectors with pre-determined classification zones representative of different cardiac events. The signal vector is generated by sensing the voltages between various combinations of electrodes, such as A-tip to V-tip, A-tip to A-ring, and A-ring to V-ring. The signal vector is compared with a set of classification zones corresponding to different events, such as P-waves, R-waves, T-waves, A-pulses, and V-pulses, to determine whether the vector lies within any of the classification zones. In this manner, cardiac events are detected using only the voltages received from the electrodes and no refractory periods or blanking periods are required to distinguish one event from another. The classification zones vary from patient to patient and a technique is provided herein for generating a set of vector classification zones for a particular patient.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method of rate responsive pacing, having an intrinsic QT rate sensor. The system has the capability of sensing the QT interval of intrinsic cardiac signals and constructing from such intrinsic QT data a QT reference curve. The QT reference curve is used for comparison with beat-to-beat QT interval data, in order to provide sensor information for controlling pacing rate. The system of this invention preferably utilizes DSP circuitry for determining the occurrence of a Twave event and the timing of the Twave, from which the QT interval is calculated. The system also provides for compensation of any QT interval which is calculated following ventricular pacing, so that the QT sensor is operative at all times and throughout the entire rate range experienced by the patient. The system thereby provides an enhanced QT rate responsive pacing arrangement, and avoids the need of overdrive pacing in order to obtain QT reference data.

Abstract: A rate-responsive pacemaker which is provided with a closed-loop control system whose rate control parameter is the depolarization gradient. Any difference between the measured value of the rate control parameter and a target value is used to change the pacing rate in a direction which tends to minimize the difference. To calibrate the system for long-term changes due to drugs and the like, the target value is changed in each measurement cycle in accordance with prescribed rules.

Abstract: A rate-responsive pacemaker which is provided with a closed-loop control system whose rate control parameter is the depolarization gradient. Any difference between the measured value of the rate control parameter and a target value is used to change the pacing rate in a direction which tends to minimize the difference. To calibrate the system for long-term changes due to drugs and the like, the target value is changed in each measurement cycle in accordance with prescribed rules.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable cardiac pacing system or other cardiac monitoring system, having an enhanced capability of classifying intracardiac signals through a combination of DSP techniques and software algorithms. The implantable device has one or more DSP channels corresponding to different signals which are being monitored. Each DSP channel provides for amplification of the incoming signal; conversion from analog to digital form; digital filtering of the converted signals to provide filtered signals; operating on the filtered signals to provide slope signals; determining from the filtered and slope signals whenever an intracardiac event has been detected, e.g., R wave, P wave, etc.; and signal processing of the filtered and slope signals for a predetermined analysis interval after threshold crossing, for generating a plurality of signal parameters.

Abstract: A method of verifying whether an atrium of the heart has been captured by an atrial cardiac stimulation pulse. An atrial signal is sensed via an electrode located in the atrium during a period of time from before delivery of the stimulation pulse to after delivery of the stimulation pulse. The sensed signal is analyzed by detecting whether a P-wave occurred prior to delivery of the cardiac stimulation pulse such that stimulation pulse would have been delivered within a refractory period. If a P-wave did not occur, the slope of the sensed waveform signal is determined within a selected interval of time beginning at a selected time after the time of delivery of the stimulation pulse. A capture status signal is generated that indicates non-capture, if a P-wave was detected, or capture, if a P-wave component was not detected and the determined slope of the sensed waveform signal surpasses a pre-selected slope threshold demarcating capture from non-capture.

Abstract: A compact, power-sparing detector for detecting heart polarizations is described. The detector has a first operational amplifier which uses sensed heart signals from a heart as an input signal. By means of feedback coupling via a second operational amplifier, a resistor and a capacitor, the system strives to achieve a minimum voltage gradient across the input terminals of the first operational amplifier. When an electrical signal with a signal slope corresponding to a heart depolarization arrives at the input terminal of the first operational amplifier, the second operational amplifier is no longer able to damp the input signal, and a peak output signal is sent from the first operational amplifier to each of a first comparator and a second comparator, respectively.

Abstract: A method of verifying cardiac capture. A cardiac signal evoked in response to a cardiac stimulation pulse is sensed via an electrode. The sensed signal is lowpass filtered to remove noise and to pass frequencies characteristic of the evoked cardiac signal. The filtered signal is processed to render a waveform signal representing the second derivative of said filtered signal and the second derivative signal is further analyzed to detect a minimum and a maximum amplitude excursion during a selected window of time beginning at a selected time delay following delivery of the cardiac stimulation pulse. The amplitude difference between the minimum and the maximum is measured and compared to a first reference value. The amplitude of the second derivative is measured during a second selected window of time beginning at a selected time delay following delivery of said cardiac stimulation pulse, and compared to a second reference value.

Abstract: A sense amplifier adapted for use with a cardiac pacer or the like includes a constant gain filter, a window comparator circuit and a programmable threshold reference generator circuit. The reference generator circuit generates a programmable window (reference) voltage used by the window comparator circuit to determine whether an input signal, amplified by the constant gain filter, exceeds the window voltage. The reference generator circuit is based on a bipolar junction device having an adjustable emitter area through which a constant current flows. The emitter area is adjusted in response to a control signal. As the emitter area changes as controlled by the control signal, the voltage across the device changes. In a preferred embodiment, a parallel combination or network of switched bipolar junction devices is used to realize the adjustable emitter area.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the behavior of an implanted pacemaker counts (records) the number of times that a given internal event or state change of the pacemaker occurs, and also determines the rate at which each event or state change thus counted occurs. The event counts and their associated rate are stored (recorded) in appropriate memory circuits housed within the pacemaker device. At an appropriate time, the stored event count and rate data are downloaded to an external programming device. The external programming device processes the event count and rate data, and displays a distribution of the event count data as a function of its rate of occurrence, as well as other statistical information derived therefrom. The displayed information, and its associated statistical information, allows a baseline recording to be made that establishes the implanted pacemaker's behavior for a given patient under known conditions.

Abstract: The implantable device, of the Holter intervention type, permits the detection and the polygraphic analysis (ECG, TA, haemodynamics, resonant frequencies), of the cardiovascular parameters, especially in the active sequence of current cycles, permitting the instantaneous activation of a cardiac electrical or neurovegetative or pharmacological stimulation. The device comprises automatic adaptation means permitting the active permanent monitoring of the hearts treated, repaired by prosthesis (especially valvular, arterial or myocardial), or repaired by transgenic tissue graft (including a graft in the presence of specific growth factors such as FGF).