Medtronic, Inc.

Futurecare Systems, Inc.

Robert A Neumann

Martin A Rossing

David K Peterson

Dennis G Hepp

Gary L Berg

David Jerome Peichel

John Charles Stroebel

Koen J Weijand

John J Grevious

Forrest C M Pape

Thomas L Jirak

James E Willenbring

Paul Citron

Robert A Gabler

Tho V Huynh

Paul J Beckmann

Maynard J Hoffman

Thomas C Evans

Techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.

Automatic electrogram measurement

A method and apparatus for transmitting information-encoded, telemetry signals percutaneously between an implanted medical device and an external device as telemetry RF pulses which are modulated in pulse position and/or in pulse width within a telemetry frame comprising at least a telemetry frame boundary RF pulse and a telemetry frame data RF pulse. Data to be transmitted in a given telemetry frame is encoded into a PPM code for positioning at least certain telemetry RF pulses at pulse positions of the telemetry frame and a PWM code for establishing the pulse widths of at least certain telemetry RF pulses of the telemetry frame. The telemetry frame is formatted from the PPM code, and the telemetry RF pulses are generated at the formatted pulse positions within the telemetry frame. The pulse widths of the telemetry RF pulses are controlled in accordance with the PWM code for the certain telemetry RF pulses. The PWM and PPM combinations of RF pulses of a telemetry frame can convey the data type, the telemetry frame frequency, number of pulse positions of the telemetry frame, data type and data content, including the identification of the implanted medical device. The selective PWM of certain or all RF pulses of the telemetry frame allows its data content to be increased or the telemetry frame size to be shortened or telemetry frame energy reduced by reducing the number of RF pulses of the telemetry frame or the range of possible pulse positions in the telemetry frame. The PWM may be reduced or disabled in noisy conditions.

Efficient high data rate telemetry format for implanted medical device

A multi-function implantable medical device having a plurality of microprocessors therein. The device, which may be capable of functioning as a pacemaker, cardioverter, and defibrillator, is equipped with two or more processors, which may be configured in a master/slave, peer, or other type of relationship. In one embodiment, primary device functions to be performed continuously are allocated to a dedicated, master processor, while advanced functions that may be only periodically required, are allocated among one or more slave processors. In this way, processing in the device is not limited to the relatively short refractory periods as in prior devices.

Parallel processors in implantable medical device

An implantable defibrillator provided with a plurality of defibrillation electrodes, which may be reconfigured to define a plurality of defibrillation pathways. The device is capable of measuring the impedance along a selected defibrillation pathway, during delivery of an impedance pulse, and monitoring the success or failure of the pulse to accomplish defibrillation or cardioversion. In response to a detected failure to accomplish cardioversion in conjunction with a measured change of impedance of greater than a predetermined amount, a new defibrillation pathway is selected, which may employ some or all of the electrodes employed to define the original impedance pathway. The device also includes apparatus for varying the relative amplitude of defibrillation pulses applied to individual electrodes used in sequential or simultaneous, multiple electrode pulse regimens, in order to equalize current distribution, in response to measured pathway impedances.

Method and apparatus for termination of ventricular tachycardia and

A telemetry base station for use in a system also including a patient worn EKG monitor and transmitter, and a physician monitoring station. The base station is microprocessor controlled, and includes a receiver for receiving FM EKG transmissions from the patient transmitter, an A to D converter, a conventional telephone set, used as an intercom to communicate with the physician, and a data modem which is used for digitized transmissions of the EKG signals. Base station functions including selection of data or voice transmission are controlled by a physician monitoring station. The base station includes simulated telephone ringing functions which assist in its use by patients without specialized training.

EKG telemetry base station

Cardiac monitoring and pacing apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits electromagnetic energy within the patient's body which is sensed and used to power the implanted unit, which stimulates, via pacing electrodes, the patient's heart. The internal unit also includes a monitoring circuit connected to the same pacing electrodes coupled to the patient's heart, for providing atrial and ventrical signals to be pulse-width modulated for transmission to the external unit. The external unit decodes the transmitted signals to provide diagnostic quality signals indicative of the patient's EKG.

Implantable demand pacemaker and monitor

Cardiac stimulating apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits a power signal and a control signal, the power signal comprising a first pulse for energizing the second internal unit, and the control signal for controlling the internal unit to pace the patient's heart in a variety of modes, e.g., atrial, ventricular and atrial/ventricular sequential pacing.

Growing community of inventors

Blaine, MN, United States of America

Robert A Neumann