Pacesetter, Inc.

Siemens-Pacesetter, Inc.

Leslie S Miller

Brian M Mann

Joseph J Florio

Jeffery D Snell

John R Helland

Jason A Sholder

Allan R Schwartz

Kenneth Valikai

Gregory C Bevan

J Kelly Fox

Azita M Rahbari

An implantable cardiac stimulation system operates in one of at least two modes, a normal mode and a reset mode, wherein the control parameters for the reset mode are programmable. In the event of an error in operation, the implantable system switches from the normal mode to the reset mode. The programmability of the parameter values of the reset mode allows a physician to customize the operation of the pacemaker in the reset mode to meet the particular therapeutic needs of a patient in the event of an error in operation. In a preferred embodiment, the parameter values for the normal mode of operation are stored in a volatile memory unit, whereas the parameter values for the reset mode of operation are stored in a non-volatile memory unit.

Implantable device with a programmable reset mode and method of operation

An implantable device programmer includes a variety of features for allowing a clinician to perform an automated and customized follow-up examination of a patient having an implanted cardiac implantable device, the implantable device being of the type which captures and stores various types of diagnostic data for subsequent retrieval and evaluation. A custom protocol feature of the programmer allows the clinician pre-specify and then semi-automatically follow an ordered sequence of protocol steps, each protocol step involving the interrogation of the implantable device and the display by the programmer of associated implantable device data (such as a heart rate histogram, or the results of a ventricular capture test). When the clinician initiates a custom protocol, the programmer automatically retrieves all of the diagnostic data records of the protocol in the protocol order. This automatic retrieval is performed in the background, allowing the clinician to begin viewing the initial diagnostic data records of the protocol while the other items are being retrieved. Via a user interface of the programmer, the clinician can rapidly and efficiently sequence through the data display screens associated with the protocol, to thereby view the various diagnostic data records and/or perform the various diagnostic tests of the protocol.

System and method for facilitating rapid retrieval and evaluation of

A programmable output connector of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), or similar implantable medical device, allows each of a multiplicity of output terminals to be selectively connected to either a positive or a negative output bus of the ICD. The positive and negative output buses of the ICD, in turn, are switched to an output capacitor, or equivalent output circuit, of the ICD. An electrical charge stored on the output capacitor, or otherwise generated by the output circuit, is presented to the multiplicity of output terminals in accordance with a programmed polarity. The programmed polarity causes a selected one or group of the multiplicity of output terminals to be connected to the positive output bus, and a selected other or group of the multiplicity of output terminals to be connected to the negative output bus. Respective electrodes designed for contacting cardiac tissue may then be electrically connected to each one of the multiplicity of output terminals. An electrical charge available on the positive and negative output buses may then be transferred to the body tissue as an electrical shock or stimulus through the electrodes in accordance with the programmed polarity.

Electrically programmable polarity connector for an implantable body

A system within an implantable stimulation device and a method for limiting the extent to which rate-responsiveness can be utilized during low battery periods. A battery threshold detector is utilized to detect when the battery is below a predetermined threshold. The implantable stimulation device then switches to base rate, but with a preset recovery time used to prevent rapid rate change. In an alternate embodiment, the device may then become rate-responsive again, but with a lower allowable maximum sensor rate being used.

System and method for maintaining proper device operation at battery

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Acton, CA, United States of America

Leslie S Miller