Patent ID: 6549807
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An implantable cardiac rhythm management device, comprising:a pulse generator adaptively configured to generate electric shocks for delivery to a patient's heart comprising: at least one output capacitor; charging circuitry capable of charging the at least one capacitor to produce high voltage shocks for delivery to the patient's heart; a first battery, switchably coupled to the charging circuitry, having the characteristic of a high current flow rate to fast charge the at least one capacitor; a second battery, switchably connected in parallel to the first battery, having characteristics that enable the second battery to recharge the first battery; a detector, coupled to the charging circuitry that detects when the recharging current is above a predetermined threshold indicative of abnormal recharging within the first battery; and a controller programmed to switchably enable the charging circuitry to produce the high voltage shocks, and to disable the second battery whenever an abnormal recharging current is detected.