Patent ID: 6349233
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An improved implantable cardioverter defibrillator system, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator system being a self-contained implantable device for implant within a human patient's body including a pulse-generating capacitor system that stores a high voltage electrical charge, a battery system that internally charges the pulse-generating capacitor system, and a control system that detect cardiac arrhythmias and, in response, selectively discharges the high voltage electrical charge in the pulse-generating capacitor system through therapy-delivery electrodes for implant within the patient's body, the improvement comprising:a pain-blocking electrode subsystem for implant within the patient's body proximate the vagi nerves and operably connected to the implantable device; and a pain-blocking electrical stimulation system within the implantable device that is electrically connected to the pain-blocking electrode subsystem and the control system and that provides electromagnetic pain nerve blocking stimulation to the pain-blocking electrode subsystem in response to detection of a cardiac arrhythmia and prior to discharge of a high voltage electrical charge.