Medtronic, Inc.

Telectronics Pacing Systems, Inc.

Telectronics N.v.

John R Hamilton

Tibor A Nappholz

James D Reinke

Timothy J Davis

Robert Michael Ecker

Michael T Hemming

Daniel L Hansen

Peter A Crosby

Kaustubh R Patil

Robert H Whigham

Kent E Samuelson

James C Hansen

Matthew J Gani

Anthony J Ujhazy

Scott Swift

In general, the disclosure is directed toward an implantable medical device that includes a plurality of sensor modules that are implanted within a patient. The sensor modules may cooperate with each other to coordinate the timing for performance of one or more sensor actions across the modules when making a measurement. Example measurements include tissue perfusion measurements, oxygen sensing measurements, sonomicrometry measurements, and pressure measurements. The coordination of the sensor modules may be controlled by a signal that is transmitted from a host controller to the sensor modules via a bus. In some examples, the bus may have two wires that transmit both timing information and data information to the sensor modules. The signal may be a signal that is substantially periodic, such as a pulsed signal. In additional examples, the signal may supply operating power and timing information to the sensor modules.

Timing coordination of implantable medical sensor modules

In general, the invention is directed to techniques for electrically detecting physiological events. The physiological events may include cardiac events such as R waves or p waves. In addition, the physiological events may include respiratory events. In general, the techniques involve converting an analog physiological signal to a digital delta value, correlating the digital delta value with a correlation template, and detecting a physiological event based on an output of the correlation. A digital correlation-based technique, as described herein, is implemented to reliably detecting physiological events, particularly for very small signals captured in the presence of significant background noise.

Physiological event detection

A dual-chamber metabolic demand, rate adaptive pacemaker that automatically calibrates the correlation between a metabolic demand measurement and an appropriate metabolic demand pacing rate according to the true physiological needs of the body, as determined by a patient's sinus rate when the natural sinus rate is functioning in a reliable manner in the absence of cardiac arrhythmia.

Physiologically-calibrated rate adaptive, dual chamber pacemaker

A rate-responsive dual-chamber pacemaker and pacing method for supporting the heart with electrical stimulation at a pacing rate driven by the heart's sinus node or, alternatively, by a sensor adapted to determine the patient's metabolic demand (a metabolic demand indicator). The pacemaker automatically selects between the indicated rates to determine the best pacing rate for appropriately satisfying metabolic demand at all times. The natural rate, driven by the sinus node, takes precedence over the metabolic indicator rate provided the natural rate meets a standard determined by the metabolic demand indicator rate. The pacemaker upper rate response mechanism allows atrioventricular synchrony at natural sinus rates ranging from low rates to high exercise rates, even up to the programmed maximum rate, but maintains ventricular rate stability during pathological atrial tachycardias by reverting to pacing in a rate-responsive VVI mode.

Metabolic demand driven rate-responsive pacemaker

A rate-responsive pacemaker whose rate control parameter is minute volume derived over a bipolar lead. An algorithm based on averaged samples and zero crossings provides enhanced accuracy. Sustained exercise at high pacing rates is possible.

Minute volume rate-responsive pacemaker

An implantable pacemaker in which the sensitivity is automatically controlled. The peak value of each R wave is measured, and a long-term average is derived. The gain of the sense channel is adjusted automatically in accordance with the average of the measured peak values.

Automatic sensitivity control for a pacemaker

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Littleton, CO, United States of America

John R Hamilton