Patent ID: 11931095
Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 8:
9. A method of assessing confidence in a baseline impedance value for a first electrode in a plurality of electrodes, the method comprising:
applying drive signals between the first electrode and a second electrode in the plurality of electrodes, the first and second electrodes forming a pair;
measuring a bipolar electrode complex impedance (BECI) value for the first electrode generated in response to the drive signals;
determining a baseline BECI value for the first electrode, the baseline BECI value being a first minimum BECI value measured during a first predetermined time interval that is greater than a predetermined lower threshold and less than a predetermined upper limit;
determining tissue contact based on the measured BECI value being greater than the baseline BECI value by a predetermined amount during a second time interval; and
assigning a confidence state for the baseline BECI value based, at least in part, on measured BECI values for the first electrode, wherein assigning a confidence state comprises:
increasing the confidence state when a second minimum BECI value is measured during a second predetermined time interval and the second minimum BECI value is greater than the predetermined lower threshold, less than the predetermined upper limit and within a predetermined tolerance range of the first minimum BECI value; and
decreasing the confidence state and setting a new baseline BECI value when the second minimum BECI value is outside the predetermined tolerance range of the first minimum BECI value.