Other

Mirowski; Mieczyslaw

Cardiac Telecom Corporation

Mieczyslaw Mirowski

Telemed Technologies International Corporation

Alois A Langer

Marlin S Heilman

Morton M Mower

Khalil J Maalouf

Steve Andrew Kolenik

Mir A Imran

David M Reilly

Philip C Kinney

A system for monitoring the heart of a patient. The system is comprised of a remote station having a device for generating an electrocardiogram of the patient, a device for detecting predetermined cardiological events in the patient in communication with the generating device and a transmitter for transmitting the electrocardiogram. The system also is comprised of a central station in continuous communication with the transmitter for receiving the transmitted electrocardiogram when a predetermined cardiological event occurs. There is also a database in communication with the central station for storing patient data and providing patient data to the central station. Additionally, there is a display device in communication with the central station and the database for displaying the patient data and the transmitted electrocardiogram. A method of monitoring the heart of a patient. The method includes the first step of taking an electrocardiogram of a patient at a remote station. Then, there is the step of automatically detecting predetermined cardiological events in the electrocardiogram. Next, there is the step of transmitting the electrocardiogram to a central station along with identification of the patient if a predetermined cardiological event occurs and immediately after it occurs. Then, there is the step of retrieving data about the patient from a database in communication with the central station. Next, there is the step of transmitting the patient's data to the central station.

Method and system for monitoring the heart of a patient

The present invention pertains to a system for monitoring the health condition of a patient, such as the condition of the patient's heart. The system comprises a patient station having means for monitoring a predetermined bodily function of the patient and a patient transmitter for transmitting information relating to the bodily function. The system is also comprised of a secondary system remote from the patient at the patient station having means for activating the patient station such that information relating to the monitored bodily function can be transmitted from the patient station to the secondary station. The secondary station is in communication with the patient station. The present invention also pertains to a method of monitoring the health condition of a patient. The method comprises the steps of providing the patient with a device for monitoring a predetermined bodily function of the patient at a patient station. Then there is the step of activating the patient station from the secondary station remote from the patient at the patient station such that information relating to the predetermined bodily function of the patient can be transmitted to the secondary station.

A method and apparatus for processing electrical signals by modifying delta modulation to discrete slope delta modulation includes converting its electrical signals into compressed digital information, and representing this digital information as a sequence of slops or deltas added to the past value of the representation. For each sample period, a slope is chosen from slope tables having multiple entries and each choice is represented by a Huffman code. Signal compression occurs in two steps: first the selection of a small number of possible slopes provides compression and also the most probable slopes are represented by the shortest Huffman codes providing additional compression. Depending on the history of the slope chosen, multiple tables can be accessed with different slop entries. Two check point values are provided which code absolute output levels instead of slopes in order to facilitate recovery of the signal in the event of transmission errors. Initial matching of a specific slope value sought in the same table wherein the next preceding value was found. In one embodiment, at least four slope tables each having at least four values is employed. The apparatus has components for performing the method.

Discrete slope delta modulation with recovery means

An externally controlled implantable electronic device for delivering a cardioverting pulse of energy to an ailing heart. A defibrillator produces a first signal when its storage device is fully charged and ready to be discharged, and a second signal when a predetermined characteristic of an ECG signal is detected. An actuator is provided for determining the presence of both of these signals. If during a predetermined time period, there is a simultaneous occurrence of the first and second signals, then the defibrillator will be activated to deliver the cardioverting shock to the heart. In the absence of either of the two signals, the defibrillator will not deliver a shock.

Command atrial cardioverter

A data recording arrangement for recording ECG data within the body of a patient, for transmitting the ECG data to a point external to the body of a patient, and for recovering the transmitted ECG data is disclosed. The recording arrangement employs delta modulation circuitry for delta modulating the ECG data to obtain a delta modulated digital pulse train. The digital pulse train may be stored within the body of a patient for subsequent transmission external to the body of a patient. Transmission of the data external to the body of a patient may be by a piezoelectric transducer which transmits the digital data audibly for external detection and delta demodulation. Alternatively, delta demodulation may occur within the patient's body, and the demodulated analog signal may then be transmitted by FM, using the piezoelectric transducer to provide the FM audible signal detectable by an FM demodulator external to the body.

Data compression of ECG data using delta modulation

The invention relates to an arrhythmia detection system and method for defibrillating the heart of a patient experiencing abnormal cardiac rhythm, wherein the abnormal cardiac rhythm (comprising one of fibrillation, high rate tachycardia, and low rate tachycardia) is first detected, the heart rate is sensed so as to distinguish between fibrillation and high rate tachycardia, on the one hand, and low rate tachycardia, on the other hand, and automatic defibrillation of the heart of the patient is implemented when one of fibrillation and high rate tachycardia is determined. In one embodiment, base and apical electrodes are connected to a probability density function (PDF) circuit and a rate circuit. When both abnormal cardiac rhythm and excessively high heart rate are detected, defibrillation of the heart of the patient is implemented. In a second embodiment, a sensing button is also connected to the heart, and a switch is interposed between the electrodes and sensing button, on the one hand, and the interface, on the other hand. During monitoring of cardiac rhythm by the PDF circuit, the switch automatically connects the electrodes to the PDF circuit, while, during sensing of the heart rate, the switch connects the sensing button to the heart rate circuit. Upon detection of the need for defibrillation, the switch automatically connects the defibrillation pulse generator to the electrodes. Further features include a timed reset capability.

Arrhythmia detection and defibrillation system and method

Implantable defibrillator patch electrode or similar article

The invention relates to an apparatus for combining pacing and cardioverting functions in a single implanted device, circuitry being provided not only to interface the defibrillator to the ECG amplifier and other elements of the device, but also to provide protection of the ECG amplifier from the defibrillator output pulses, from loading by the defibrillator itself, and from overloading by externally generated defibrillator pulses. A specific embodiment of the invention combines a defibrillator, a pacer and an ECG amplifier in a single implanted device utilizing two terminal-electrode lead combinations for connection to the patient, while further embodiments employ three and four terminal-electrode lead combinations. The invention employs a high-frequency transformer coupling technique for pacing, or, alternatively, high-frequency transformer coupling with modulation-demodulation. Moreover, in accordance with the invention, overloading of the ECG amplifier is prevented by provision of (in one embodiment) series-connected and oppositely oriented zener diodes, and (in a second embodiment) parallel-connected diodes in series with a blocking capacitor for blocking DC voltage.

Apparatus for combining pacing and cardioverting functions in a single

An implantable heart stimulator and related method calls for the determination of a given heart condition from among a plurality of conditions, the selection of at least one mode of operation for treating the determined condition, and the execution of the mode of operation selected, so as to treat the determined condition. In one embodiment of the invention, wherein a plurality of modes of operation for treating the various conditions are provided, the implantable heart stimulator includes processors, each processor being designed to efficiently execute a respective group of modes of operation. A further embodiment of the present invention calls for the implantable heart stimulator to be implemented by at least one programmable microprocessor. A still further embodiment calls for the provision of a data input/output channel, by means of which data can be provided to and retrieved from the implantable heart stimulator. Operations carried out by the implantable heart stimulator includes cardiac pacing, cardioversion, and automatic defibrillation. In a further embodiment of the implantable heart stimulator and related method, sensing circuitry is provided to determine the presence or absence of an R-wave of the heart, the absence of which causes a pacing operation to be implemented, further sensing circuitry being provided to determine the presence or absence of a forced R-wave of the heart, the absence of a forced R-wave causing ventricular defibrillation to be implemented.

Implantable heart stimulator and stimulation method

Implantable defibrillator or similar article

A fully implantable power supply for use with or in a fully implantable defibrillator, which has a fibrillation detector in circuit with the power supply and a power inverter switchably in circuit with the power supply. The power supply comprises an energy source which includes a plurality of batteries arranged in series, each of the batteries having a pair of output terminals, each of the batteries producing a multilevel voltage across its pair of output terminals, the voltage being at a first level when the battery is fully charged and dropping to a second level at some point during the discharge of the battery. Circuitry in the form of a plurality of unidirectional conducting devices is provided for creating a first conductive path between the serially-connected batteries and the fibrillation detector, and a second conductive path between the inverter and the batteries that are producing the first level of voltage.

Battery failure compensation for a power supply used in an implantable

An externally controlled implantable electronic device for delivering a cardioverting pulse of energy to the atrium of an ailing heart. In one embodiment, the device is particularly suited for use when the patient visits the office of his physician, and contemplates the transmission of both information and powering energy through the skin of the patient. In another embodiment, the device can be readily operated at home, by the patient, and without the intervention of the physician. Here, the source of energy is permanently implanted.

Cardioverting device with stored energy selecting means and discharge

A method and apparatus for maximizing stroke volume through atrioventricular pacing using an implanted cardioverter/pacer accomplishes AV pacing with an AV delay tailored to the particular patient, thereby maximizing accuracy and efficiency. The invention involves the measurement of successive impedance changes, or swings, from one heart cycle to the next, across a pair of electrodes connected in proximity to the heart, the processing of the successive impedance changes to detect variations and directions of variations thereof, the issuance of atrial and ventricular pacing pulses, separated by a time interval therebetween, to the atria and to the ventricles, respectively, and the selective increasing or decreasing of the time interval between the atrial and ventricular pacing pulses in dependence on the directions of variation of the successive impedance changes to maximize impedance swings.

Method and apparatus for maximizing stroke volume through

A method and apparatus for effecting automatic ventricular defibrillation and/or demand cardioversion comprises an implanted automatic defibrillator having a normal (ventricular defibrillation) mode of operation and a cardioverting (demand cardioversion) mode of operation. One embodiment of the invention includes a simulated fibrillation source, externally located, for applying a simulated fibrillation signal to the patient via corresponding electrodes, the internal automatic defibrillator detecting the simulated fibrillation signal and responding thereto so as to apply a defibrillating voltage (in the normal mode) or a cardioverting voltage (in the cardioverting mode) to the heart of the patient. Another embodiment of the invention also includes an external command system, by means of which the implanted automatic defibrillator is actuated from the normal mode to the cardioverting mode, to reduce the discharge energy level, to cardiovert in synchronization with the QRS complex, or both.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Alois A Langer