Patent ID: 7590445
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: A61H,A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising: a housing for implant within a patient remote from the patient's heart, wherein a portion of the housing is in contact with tissue remote from the heart and no portion of the housing is in contact with the heart; an electrical pulse generator within the housing; a stimulation component within the housing configured to provide mechanical stimulation of the housing which in turn provides mechanical stimulation to the tissue with which the housing is in contact; at least one electrode adapted to be implanted within a patient and connected to the electrical pulse generator so as to provide electrical stimulation to the heart of the patient; at least one sensor that senses a parameter indicative of function of the patient's heart; a controller that uses signals from the at least one sensor so as to induce the at least one electrode to provide electrical stimulation to the heart of the patient and wherein the controller also uses the signals from the at least one sensor to induce the stimulation component to provide mechanical stimulation through the housing and the tissue to the heart corresponding to a change in a hydrodynamic impedance of the patient's arterial system.