Patent ID: 6408210
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
In an implantable stimulation device, a system for detecting atrial capture and automatically setting an atrial stimulation pulse energy, the system comprising:sensing means for sensing P-waves; pulse generating means for generating atrial stimulation pulses; control means, coupled to the sensing means and the pulse generating means, for triggering the pulse generator to generate atrial stimulation pulses, for defining a detection window following at least one atrial stimulation pulse, and for detecting atrial capture based on an absence or presence of a sensed P-wave in the detection window; and adjusting means for adjusting atrial stimulation pulse energy to a predetermined low energy level when atrial capture is not present, and for incrementing the atrial stimulation pulse energy level by a predetermined amount until the presence of atrial capture is detected; wherein the sensing means includes means for sensing evoked P-waves; and the control means includes means for defining the detection window immediately following the atrial stimulation pulse such that atrial capture is defined as the absence of an evoked response in the detection window.