Patent ID: 6128535
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method for verifying capture of a stimulation pulse delivered to a pre-selected chamber of a patient's heart, by a cardiac rhythm management device of the type having means for sensing cardiac electrogram signals, a programmable controller coupled to receive the sensed electrogram signals, and stimulation means controlled by the controller for applying cardiac stimulation pulses to a patient's heart in response to control signals from the controller in accordance with predetermined parameters, wherein the stimulation pulse is delivered to the preselected chamber on a demand or continuous basis, said method comprising the steps of:(a) positioning at least three electrodes in at least one of an electrically continuous area of the heart's atriums and an electrically continuous area of the heart's ventricles;(b) setting predetermined parameters of the cardiac rhythm management device;(c) delivering stimulation pulses in accordance with the predetermined parameters;(d) transmitting from the cardiac rhythm management device a test stimulation pulse having a predetermined output energy to a predetermined first electrode; and(e) sensing for a depolarization waveform at at least two of the other electrodes, wherein a sensed depolarization indicates capture.