The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 28, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2003
Michael R. S. Hill, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Kenneth R. Jonkman, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Michael R. S. Hill, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Kenneth R. Jonkman, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for arresting the beat of a heart in a living body comprising the steps of connecting the pair of electrodes to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat and supplying an electrical current to the electrodes of sufficient amplitude and duration to arrest the heartbeat. The device may also serve to still the lungs by input to a respirator or by stimulation of the phrenic nerve during surgical procedures.