DEFIBRILLATOR SHOCK TIMING IN FIBRILLATORY CYCLE INTERVAL

Abstract: A defibrillator has a signal generator implemented to deliver output shock waveforms and housed in a case adapted to be implanted in the left pectoral region of a cardiac patient. The case is implemented to interact with internal circuitry of the generator to maintain the case active as an electrode. An electrical transvenous lead has a proximal electrode for electrical connection to the internal circuitry of the signal generator and a distal end adapted to be positioned in the right ventricle (RV) of the patient's heart. The lead includes a sensing tip for contacting the RV to sense the patient's ECG signal and a shocking coil arranged to be located in the RV when the transvenous lead is implanted in the patient. The internal circuitry of the signal generator includes triggerable output circuit for developing an output shock waveform when triggered in response to detection of ventricular fibrillation of the patient's heart from the sensed ECG signal. The internal circuitry also includes a timer responsive to the sensed ECG signal for timing the application of the shock waveform developed by the output circuit across the transvenous lead and the active case with a predetermined delay relative to the occurrence of an R-wave of the sensed ECG signal next following detection of fibrillation until at least about 50 % of the R-R cycle length of the ECG signal has elapsed, to optimize the timing of delivery of an electric field vector derived from the shock waveform across a myocardial mass of the patient's heart between the shocking coil and the active case.

Description: DEFIBRILLATOR SHOCK TIMING IN FIBRILLATORY CYCLE INTERVAL Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to implantable medical devices, and more particularly to improved implantable cardioverter/defibrillator devices for providing greater efficiency, safety and energy conservation by delivering a defibrillating shock waveform to the implant patient's fibrillating heart at a time of substantially lowest defibrillation threshold (DFT). Implantable defibrillators are intended to detect events of fibrillation quickly and accurately, and to respond rapidly with an effective defibrillation therapy. Typically, these types of devices are designed to detect pathologic tachycardia and fibrillation events, and, in response, to initiate delivery of an electrical shock waveform (sometimes referred to herein simply as "shock") of appropriate energy and shape to cardiovert or defϊbrillate the patient's heart accordingly. Clearly, it is important in the case of any implantable, battery-operated medical device to provide design and operation for energy conservation within the constraints of its therapeutic function, to enable sufficient energy reserve for a reasonable lifetime of the device, and to allow for a reduction in size and weight to the lowest possible level. This is particularly important for automatic defibrillators, which may be required to expend comparatively large amounts of energy each time an episode of actual or imminent fibrillation is detected. The aim is that the designated therapy be delivered at a point in time adequate for successful termination of the dysrhythmia, to return the heart to normal sinus rhythm with the least expenditure of energy. Generally speaking, the optimum time for delivering a defibrillating shock is when the DFT is likely to be lowest within a suitable window of earliest opportunity. There is no value to a quest to save energy which imposes a waiting time that could cost the patient's life. U.S. Patent No. (USPN) 4,384,585 to Zipes describes synchronous cardioversion in which the possibility exists to induce fibrillation by non-synchronous shocking. The synchronous cardioversion is intended to deliver the shock at a time Atty. D t. 1309.033 when the bulk of the cardiac tissue is depolarized and in a refractory state. Non- synchronous cardioversion is sought to be avoided to preclude delivery of cardioverting energy during the vulnerable T-wave portion of the cardiac cycle. The patient's electrogram is used to detect depolarizations of the cardiac tissue and to produce a corresponding sense signal. Additional detection criteria are applied to determine whether a tachyrhythmia is present. The detection circuitry determines the time interval between successive cardiac depolarizations, and initiates a discharge of energy stored in an output storage capacitor if either the average detected heart rate is above a preset threshold for a specified period of time or the rate accelerates by a preset amount. Alternatively, the device detects a departure of selected beats from a historic data base of successive R-R intervals stored in the device memory; or performs a waveform analysis of the electrogram information with pattern recognition of time domain or frequency domain characteristics of the tachyrhythmia signal. The shock is delivered synchronously with the occurrence of an R-wave after specified criteria are met. USPN 4,996,984 to Sweeney describes a defibrillation technique in which fibrillation cycle length (average time interval between successive depolarizations) is measured and therapy is delivered in the form of multiple bursts of electrical current timed according to that cycle length. When cardiac tissue cells are activated, the normal electrical gradient constituting the voltage difference within and outside the cell collapses, or depolarizes. The depolarization propagates from cell to cell, the collapse of each initiating the collapse of the next in a moving wavefront. As a cell is depolarized it immediately begins repolarization to reestablish a voltage difference sufficient once again for depolarization, during the course of which the tissue is refractory. During the refractory period, the cell is incapable of responding to a stimulus. According to the multiple burst defibrillation technique of the '984 patent, the successive bursts are timed to occur at successive depolarizations at a designated site in the myocardium, so that the time interval between bursts is adjusted to correspond to the fibrillation cycle length. The cycle length is determined using cross- correlation, auto-correlation, fast Fourier transformation, counting R-waves of the Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 electrocardiogram over a fixed time period, and determining the R-R intervals of individual cardiograms. An improved technique for timing the delivery of defibrillating shocks is disclosed in co-pending patent application Serial No. 310,281, filed September 14, 1994 ("the '281 application") of the same applicants as in this case, commonly assigned herewith. The implanted device delivers the cardioverting or defibrillating therapy to the implant patient's heart timed for rapid and successful termination of a dysrhythmia in an energy efficient manner. To that end, changes are observed in characteristics of the patient's cardiac activity during fibrillation, such as amplitude and frequency of the ECG signal detected by intracardiac, transthoracic, or surface type techniques. The discrete ECG signal detected during fibrillation from intracardiac electrodes, for example, indicates die status of excitability or nonexcitability of the major parts of the heart. As the cardiac activity undergoes several fibrillatory cycles, a major fibrillation wavefront was found to drive the muscular masses through a regular cellular cycle of depolarization and repolanzation, with the result that different masses of the heart have different status of absolute refractoriness, relative refractoriness and full excitability. It was determined that this regular cycle of the cells in a particular mass of tissue of the fibrillating heart (or with activity closely related thereto, such as an accelerating pathologic tachycardia or flutter) can serve to identify a point in the fibrillation cycle at which the heart has the lowest DFT and is therefore most susceptible to defibrillation by application of a relatively low energy shock. In essence, the amplitude and frequency of the intrinsic ECG signal of a fibrillating heart undergo change according to a regular cycle which is detectable from the ECG wave envelope (e.g., by an intracardiac technique), as the major fibrillation wavefront propagates, so that the defibrillating shock may be timed for synchronous application at or near the point in time of highest amplitude of the ECG signal and lowest frequency of discrete intracardiac potentials, consistent with lowest DFT. In an embodiment disclosed in the '281 application, detection criteria employed by the implanted device are used to sense imminent or ongoing fibrillation. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 At that time, the output storage capacitor(s) of the device commence charging, and while the charging is underway d e phasic variations in amplitude and frequency of die patient's ECG are detected by pattern recognition, in preparation for timing the delivery of a shock waveform from the capacitor(s) at the optimum point in the regular cellular cycle of the cardiac activity. After a sufficient number of successive intervals of high amplitude, low frequency cardiac activity have been observed to indicate a trend, d e capacitor(s) are discharged to deliver a shock at d e very next interval of increasing amplitude of ie ECG signal, i.e., in substantial synchronism with a point of increasing amplitude of me intrinsic ECG signal and decreasing frequency of discrete depolarizations. The scanning of cardiac events is conducted over a search period of sufficient length to identify an optimum point in the cycle for delivery of e shock. The optimum point may occur where either or both of the amplitude of die intrinsic ECG signal and me interval between occurrences (i.e., reciprocal of frequency) of intracardiac discrete ECG depolarizations are increasing. Both parameters may be increasing, or only one, but die desire is to trigger the shock at a point where the ECG signal amplitude is likely to be greatest. The device may be implemented to calculate the quotient of amplitude over frequency to ascertain optimum timing. It is the principal aim of the present invention to provide further improvements in methods and devices for timing the delivery of defibrillating shocks to achieve successful defibrillation rapidly and widi relatively low energy. Summary of the Invention As noted above, it has been traditional upon observing an event of ventricular fibrillation (VF) to apply the defibrillating shock(s) synchronous with the occurrence of an R-wave or a signal indicating an ongoing action potential at the site of the sensing electrode. Widi transvenous defibrillation, die shocking coil incorporates both sensing at the tip of the electrode and die coil. True integrated bipolar sensing therefore provides a measurement of local activity of the heart. Despite previous assumption that a chaotic state exists when the heart is in VF, measurements performed Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 by the applicants have evidenced a considerable degree of organization within the ventricle during fibrillation. Applicant's studies have shown that, realistically, as much as 65 % of the muscle cells of the myocardium undergo an organized depolarization and repolarization. The occurrence of die R-wave at die site of the electrode indicates mat the cells at this local site are undergoing depolarization. By measurement of the R-R or fibrillatory cycle length, i.e., the time interval between successive R-waves (referred to herein simply as cycle length), one can determine die wavelength of this wavelet if the speed of conduction is known. Typically, wavelets occurring during VF have cycle lengths ranging from about 180 to 250 milliseconds (ms) with a mean of about 220 ms. Synchronizing delivery of die shock with occurrence of an R-wave is less than optimum, because the local portion of the heart constituting the detection site is undergoing depolarization at that time. Thus, a shock delivered to that site within the upstroke or refractory period of this very localized myocardial area will not serve to trigger any event. But it is of critical importance to reset areas of the heart relatively remote to that site widi the shock to resynchronize the depolarization and repolarization process. Dispersion of the repolarization or lack of resynchronization is the major cause of the inability to defibrillate the heart. The applicants have found that a shock applied in the relative refractory period, which lies in an interval from about 75% to about 90% of the cycle length, can considerably prolong die action potential induced following the shock. Other portions of the heart currently undergoing an initial upstroke would also be reset by die shock with such timing. Additional findings have indicated that it is better to apply an anodal (positive) shock into this period of refractoriness at the local site. It is known that thresholds with an anodal stimulus are about 1-1/2 to 2 times higher than with a cathodal stimulus applied close to the stimulation site. But since the electric field strength in the vicinity of the shocking coil far exceeds d e threshold (it is assumed diat voltage gradients in a range from 60 to 70 volts are generated close to die electrode), die anodal voltage strength is sufficient to depolarize die locally adjacent myocardium. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 The more remote parts of die heart (from that site) require a higher field strength to achieve depolarization, which can be achieved by a cadiodal shock. SignificanUy, these more remote portions of the heart are in closer proximity to d e cathode, such as if die cad ode is located at or near the left side of die heart. For example, an active case (i.e. , the metal housing of the signal or shock generator implemented as an electrode) may be employed widi unipolar or bipolar configurations. With these findings in mind, according to ie present invention, the shock energy needed for defibrillation can be decreased by 10 to 20% (relative to the prior art techniques) if the shock is timed to be applied widiin the last half of the fibrillatory cycle, and preferably at a point from about 75% to about 90% of the cycle length, and further, if this shock is anodal (of positive polarity) at die time of application to the tissue at or very near the site where the defibrillation coil is located. High gradient areas are located close to die defibrillating electrodes, and low gradient areas are at sites distant from the electrodes. It has been shown that most defibrillation shocks — successful or not - appear to halt activation waveforms during VF. Unsuccessful shocks are usually followed by reentry, resulting in refibrillation. Moreover, the earliest activation front following an unsuccessful defibrillation shock tends to occur in areas of low potential gradients. Since the areas more remote from me defibrillation coil are the points where die critical field is more difficult to establish, an anodal polarity for die electrode positioned in the right ventricle (RV) is superior for lower DFT if the shock is applied widiin die relative refractory period of the myocardium closest to d e defibrillation coil. Additionally, diis lower field strength following an anodal shock diminishes die risk of refibrillation following spontaneous ectopic, post-shock activation originating from areas of high potential gradients most likely to be very close to the area where die RV electrode is located. Therefore, ano ier aim of the present invention is to provide an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator in which optimum timing of delivery of die prescribed electrical shock to a patient's heart is achieved, widi high reproducibility of performance. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 SUBSTTTUTΪ SHEET (REE 26) A more specific object of the invention is to provide a mediod for reducing me level of energy required to be delivered in a successful defibrillating shock from an implanted cardioverter/defibrillator by initiating the shock to be applied starting in the latter part of the fibrillation cycle length, and widi positive polarity (at least of the initial phase in the case where a multiphasic, as opposed to a monophasic shock waveform is used). Another important aspect of die invention is to enable reduction of defibrillation energy requirements so as to allow the design and use of implantable defibrillators of smaller size and lighter weight than was heretofore achievable. Brief Description of the Drawings The above and o ier objects, aspects, features and attendant advantages of die invention will be recognized from die following detailed description of a preferred embodiment and mediod constituting die presently considered best mode of practicing the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a generalized intracardiac waveform illustrating detection of peak energy coincident widi die occurrence of die R-wave at die detection site during an episode of VF; FIG. 2 is a diagram of a defibrillator implanted in a patient, illustrating die location of die sensing electrode and shocking coil in the right ventricle and of die shock generator wid active case positioned in the patient's chest; and FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a portion of die circuitry of die implantable defibrillator employing die principles of die present invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment and Method In general, d e device operates to recognize a dysrhythmia, specifically pad ologic tachycardia or fibrillation of die ventricle, by use of known, conventionally applied internal detection criteria. When these criteria are fulfilled, d e device looks at whether the cardiac signal indicates ongoing tachycardia or fibrillation, and, after Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) applying an appropriate electrical therapy regimen, whether sinus rhydim is restored. If die criteria for fibrillation are satisfied, die device is conditioned to react by immediately initiating charging of its shocking capacitor(s). As observed in die background section above, in die device and mediod disclosed in the '281 application, the patient's intracardiac ECG signal is scanned during a ventricular fibrillation (VF) event for the highest amplitude and lowest frequency areas widiin die fibrillatory cycle as the best time to apply die shock. In the art prior to that disclosure, the shock delivery was triggered for synchronization widi occurrence of any R-wave or a depolarization signal when sensed from die ventricle. Earlier versions of implantable defibrillators simply applied a shock at any time that VF was detected, widiout any attempt to synchronize the delivery with a particular point in the cardiac cycle. The '281 application observed diat despite an ongoing event of VF, organized intracardiac signals are present which can be sensed and which contribute to die diagnosis of VF. Thus, aldiough it had previously been assumed that fibrillation was characterized by a chaotic current throughout die heart, an underlying organized cardiac activity is actually present representing more tfian the local phenomenon, whose rhydim can be detected widi the intracardial electrode. The wavelet of diis underlying rhythm repeatedly runs through the heart and returns, wi i a wavelengdi constituting d e time interval between consecutive R-waves (die cycle lengdi typically running on die order of 180 milliseconds up to about 250 ms). The R-wave may be detected using an intracardial electrode, and in present- day transvenous lead systems that electrode is located on die same lead or od erwise very near the shocking coil electrode in the right ventricle. Therefore, the R-wave is detected at a myocardial site of the heart at which depolarization is taking place, and if synchronous delivery widi the R-wave is employed me greatest concentration of the shock energy will be applied into that same site. The surface ECG has a very close correspondence in cycle length to the intracardial ECG. Additionally, die intracardiac signals are found to have an average Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 amplitude of about 10 millivolts (mv) during VF, compared to about 15 mv during sinus rhythm. This may be a local phenomenon, but widi surface ECG detection die signal amplitude during VF is also in die range of about 50% to about 70% of die amplitude during sinus rhythm. The amplitude of die ECG is affected by two factors: 1) the myocardial mass, according to die number of fibers that depolarize; and 2) die vector of die electric field in the region of the detection. If die vector runs parallel to the bipolar lead, maximum amplitude is detected because first the ring and men the tip of the lead is excited. If die vector runs perpendicular, however, both ring and tip are excited at die same time, resulting in no difference in potential being detected between the two. Experiments conducted by die applicants indicate diat approximately from 50% to 70% of the heart still experiences organized depolarization and repolarization cycle during VF. If a defibrillating shock is applied in synchronism widi die detected R-wave, die highest energy density will be delivered to or very die same site at which the R-wave is being detected, and hence, at which die muscle cells are already depolarized. But in that case no reset is necessary at that location, so this is wasteful of precious energy and unlikely to terminate me VF. The success of depolarization is dependent on die dispersion of refractoriness of repolarization, i.e., a cell depolarizes, maintains that status for a time, and men repolarizes. To break the VF, it is essential tiiat all cells should be synchronized to die same repolarizing cycle. It should not be concluded from the measurements, however, diat the dispersion of die refractoriness indicates whetiier the shock is successful or not. Rather, the phase shift of the occurrence of die depolarizations at different portions of the ventricle is the underlying cause. In dog tests conducted by die applicants, different shock timing schemes were employed to defibrillate the heart in VF, in which the shock was triggered synchronous widi die R-wave (or widi signals indicating a local action potential) in one test; with a 50 millisecond (ms) delay following die R-wave in anotiier test; with a 100 ms delay in still anodier test; and widi a 150 ms delay in yet another. Additionally, die Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 delay intervals were selected to coincide widi about 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively, of the R-R cycle length. It was found diat initial delivery of a shock of positive polarity (so that the coil electrode was acting as die anode) applied into die relatively refractory period of an R-wave next following die detection of fibrillation resulted in defibrillation at an energy level markedly less than diat required for a shock applied synchronous widi the R-wave. Indeed, die reduction exceeded 15%; for example, 15.4 joules was required versus 11.8 joules in one set of tests using a carbon electrode, and 14.1 versus 12.6 in anodier set. While this cannot be characterized as an extremely great difference, the trend is significant widi respect to both energy and voltage, with a positive stimulus. The present invention tiierefore constitutes a significant improvement over the shock timing techniques regularly employed in prior art implanted defibrillator devices, in both energy reduction and likelihood of earlier success. It also represents an advance over die technique disclosed in die '281 application, in diat die latter technique requires at least a limited expenditure of time to conduct a search for the point or span of die cardiac activity having die desired characteristics of amplitude and frequency, at which a shock is to be applied. In contrast, die present invention designates die optimum time for application of a shock widiin milliseconds of d e R- wave, as well as being concerned widi die polarity selected for me shock. It turns out diat at from 50% to 100% , and preferably from 75 % to 90% of d e R-R cycle length (typically, at or near the end of die repolarization cycle), a positive polarity shock applied into die relatively refractory tissue provides considerably better results than cathodal-induced depolarization of die same stimulus strength. Full depolarization occurs at about 85% of die cycle lengtii. Because it is usually more difficult to stimulate a cell with a positive (anodal) stimulus than widi a negative (cadiodal) stimulus, by tradition it is preferable to apply a catiiodal pulse to die tissue for stimulation, as in die case of cardiac pacing. But in view of our findings, at d e late stages of the repolarization cycle it is more efficient to utilize positive hyperpolarization, at least at initiation of the delivery. Moreover, die tissue more Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 remote from the shocking electrode site is more responsive to catiiodal stimulation (die wavelet circulating so diat depolarization is occurring at tiiose locations), which is ideal because the cathode is generally placed closer to tiiese remote sites. A key aspect of the present invention, tiien, is that the shock is timed to be delivered a predetermined (i.e., programmed) fixed delay interval after the R-wave occurs at the intracardial electrode site. It is desirable that die programmed delay causes die shock to be applied to die heart at a fixed point in the latter 50% of the R-R cycle lengtii. Another important aspect of die invention is diat die polarity of the shock at the time of initial application is selected to be positive for application during diat preferred portion of the cycle length (and, indeed, at any point in the cycle having a substantial delay relative to the R-wave), in contrast to application synchronous widi or only slightiy displaced from the R-wave where a shock of negative polarity would be preferable. For a monophasic shock waveform, at least substantially die entire delivery would be of positive polarity, whereas for a biphasic waveform, die positive portion would be applied in the first phase and the negative portion in the second phase. Preferably, the RV defibrillation electrode is juxtaposed for delivery of the shocks with die active case or "active can" of the signal generator (sometimes referred to as die dierapy generator, pulse generator, shock generator, or stimulus generator) of the defibrillator, which, with the shock waveform having that polarity, acts as the cathode when die former is die anode. Any of tiiree possible mechanisms may cause a shock to fail. First, the minimum voltage gradient or field gradient required in 90% of the myocardial muscle cells may not be reached everywhere, i.e., some areas have low field gradient and cannot be reset. Second, some areas may need a higher field gradient tiian otiiers, such as where the patient is on medication or has a disorder that imposes the need for a higher minimum field gradient. Third, and a frequent cause of re-fibrillation, is that the voltage gradient close to die electrode is so high that fibrillation is re-initiated starting from the site where the shock was applied. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 To achieve a more equal distribution, die polarity and pulse width of d e shock should be adapted to d e impedance and capacitance of the device to avoid mismatches. For a biphasic shock, it is preferred not only diat die first phase have positive polarity, but diat it be of greater duration tiian the second phase. Also, several optimizing factors may be combined to lower die defibrillation threshold (DFT). For example, optimal shock timing as advanced by die present invention provide a 15% or greater reduction, while the use of carbon electrodes can provide anodier 5% to 10%, and an optimal waveform shape can give yet anodier 5 % to 10% , so diat d e total effect yields a quite considerable reduction in DFT. Of equal or perhaps even greater importance, these combined factors can serve to eliminate the large variations in DFT sometimes encountered not only in different patients but in the same patient. For example, in one episode of VF die patient may need a 30 joule shock for successful defibrillation, and yet only a 12 joule shock may be required to terminate fibrillation on the very next VF event in die same patient, or vice versa. According to die laws of electrophysiology, either an electric field (produced, for example, by a shock waveform applied at a selected site of die heart) is strong enough to depolarize a single myocardial cell or it is not ~ tiiere is no middle ground. Therefore, any excess over that amount of energy required for depolarization serves no useful purpose in depolarizing die cell, and indeed, may be injurious. There is a critical value, which has no relation to die timing of me shock delivery. The DFT relates to the energy tiireshold at which the cells representing a critical mass depolarize. As noted, however, DFT can vary considerably at different times within the same patient, which may relate more to underlying changes in the morphology or pattern of die fibrillation, i.e., certain regions of die myocardium may be easier to defibrillate at any given moment than other regions. In a preferred embodiment of die invention, a peak detector is used to sense R-waves during VF. As illustrated in FIG. 1, e R-waves occur widi considerable regularity despite ongoing fibrillation. The cycle lengtii (CL) is shown as the interval between these R-wave peaks. If, for example, a delay in application of the shock Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUU 26) relative to occurrence of an R-wave were desired to coincide widi a point at about 75% of the CL, the delay would be about 150 ms for the "average" CL of 200 ms. Referring now to FIG. 2, the signal generator 10 is preferably implanted in the left pectoral region of the cardiac patient 12. The conductive case 15 of die generator is electrically connected to die internal circuitry to render the case "hot", or active. That is, the case is to be utilized as an electrode for purposes of interaction with die defibrillation coil electrode 17 located in the right ventricle 18 of die patient's heart 20 when d e transvenous lead 22 is implanted. At d e distal tip of de transvenous lead, a sensing electrode 25 is positioned in contact with or immediately adjacent die myocardial tissue at die apex of die ventricle to detect die electrical intracardiac activity occurring at that site. The distal tip electrode 25 and die shocking coil electrode 17 are so close to one another diat, for practical purposes, die greatest electric field strength, when an electrical shock waveform is applied to die transvenous lead, will be present at die same site at which an R-wave is detected by die sense electrode. Widi an active case for the signal generator, the electric field vector 30 is in die direction from die RV shocking coil to die case, so dat the field encompasses a substantial part of the ventricular myocardial mass of the heart, diminishing with distance from the coil electrode. If die shock is applied to make the coil the anode and die case die catiiode, as is preferred, die positive polarity exists at the myocardial cells proximate the coil, while cells most remote from that site are closer to the generator case and dierefore experience negative polarity of the field. This is highly desirable for reasons pointed out above. The shock waveform circuit, shown generally in FIG. 3, includes a peak detector 35 for detecting die R-wave, in addition to conventional fibrillation detection means 37 which is typically encompassed by software establishing certain criteria indicative of fibrillation and tested in conjunction wid an internal microprocessor 40. When the fibrillation criteria are fulfilled, associated logic 42 indicates diat die heart 20 is in fibrillation, which results in a command to an output storage capacitor circuit 45 to commence charging the capacitor(s). Alternatively, the capacitor(s) may be Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 charged at any time that a pathologic tachycardia is detected to be rapidly accelerating and tiius likely to induce fibrillation, in die interests of saving time to achieve an appropriate magnitude for a defibrillating shock. A full charge takes a certain time interval that depends on die energy required and die type and size of the capacitor(s) involved. Typically, the charging interval is five to eight seconds. In a conventional manner, the signal generator circuitry (including software) may be implemented to perform a recheck during die charging cycle to verify the existence of fibrillation. If verification is obtained, die device is tiien ready to deliver an output shock waveform on receipt of an instruction to do so, its capacitor(s) by that time being at "full" charge. If, however, the recheck fails to verify fibrillation, die charging cycle can be aborted. False shocking is not only painful to the patient, but wasteful of battery energy diat should be conserved to die greatest practicable extent. For purposes of die present invention, die generator circuitry includes a timer 46 that times out after a set interval following detection of die R-wave during fibrillation, to provide die predetermined delay (in ms) which will place the shock in the desired portion of die cycle length. The detected R-wave triggers the timer, which initiates a programmed delta from that point. Preferably, both die delay interval and the polarity of the shock (monophasic, or first phase of a biphasic shock) are programmed into die device by conventional techniques using an external programmer (not shown) at the time of or immediately after die device is implanted. For the sake of convenience, this function is provided by die internal block 50 labeled ''programming. '' Polarity of the shock may be designated, by programming or in conjunction widi an algoritiim or by any otiier conventional means, to be negative if initiated in the first quarter or half of the R-R cycle lengtii, and positive if initiated at any otiier time in the cycle. By way of example, a simple bridge circuit 52 is illustrated to effect a positive polarity shock when triggered after a delay interval (in ms) diat causes die shock waveform to be applied across die coil electrode of die transvenous lead and die Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 active case during any part of the last half of the cycle length, and to effect a negative polarity shock when triggered in die first half of the cycle lengtii (or for the second phase of a biphasic shock waveform). To that end, a + or - instruction is delivered to a switching circuit from logic including an exclusive OR gate 54 so that if the instruction level is high the polarity is of one type and if low an inversion occurs to make the polarity of the otiier type, and die output shock is delivered (widi die programmed delay) accordingly to die heart. For biphasic shocking pulses, the phases may also be programmable to make die second phase shorter, of equal length, or longer tiian the first phase, although preferably, the first phase is the longer. The shock timing of the invention is maintained irrespective of die particular lead configuration. It would not matter, for example, if electrodes are positioned in RV and superior vena cava (SVC) configuration, or RV to an active case, or if patches or other configurations are employed. Also, die polarity of the shock, and of die electrodes, as taught herein is not limited to a particular electrode configuration. Polarity may be selected not only widi die above factors in mind, but also may take into account the clinical situation, i.e., the underlying disease of die patient. Here again, die circuitry is preferably such diat both polarities are available, and programmable for selection according to which is most beneficial to the particular patient after testing, and on die basis of lowest DFT. Therefore, although certain preferred embodiments and metiiods have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in die art to which the invention pertains, diat variations and modifications of tiiese embodiments and metiiods may be readily implemented witiiout departing from the spirit and scope of die invention. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033

Claims: W at is claimed is; 1. A defibrillator comprising: a signal generator implemented to deliver output shock waveforms and housed in a case adapted to be implanted in die left pectoral region of a cardiac patient, wherein the case is implemented to interact widi internal circuitry of the generator to maintain the case active as an electrode, an electrical transvenous lead having a proximal electrode for electrical connection to the internal circuitry of the signal generator and a distal end adapted to be positioned in die right ventricle (RV) of the patient's heart and including a sensing tip for contacting die RV to sense die patient's ECG signal and a shocking coil arranged to be located in d e RV when said transvenous lead is implanted in die patient, die internal circuitry of said signal generator including triggerable output means for developing an output shock waveform when said output means is triggered in response to detection of ventricular fibrillation of the patient's heart from the sensed ECG signal, and timing means further responsive to the sensed ECG signal for timing the application of the shock waveform developed by said output means across said transvenous lead and said active case widi a predetermined delay relative to the occurrence of an R-wave of said sensed ECG signal next following said detection of fibrillation until at least about 50% of die R-R cycle length of die ECG signal has elapsed, to optimize the timing of delivery of an electric field vector derived from the shock waveform across a myocardial mass of die patient's heart between the shocking coil and the active case. 2. The defibrillator of claim 1, wherein said timing means includes polarity designating means for designating the polarity of said shock waveform according to die extent of the predetermined delay imposed on the application of die shock waveform relative to the occurrence of an R-wave. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUE 26) 3. The defibrillator of claim 1, wherein said timing means includes polarity determining means responsive to said delay exceeding 50% of die R-R cycle lengti of the ECG signal for causing said shock waveform to be initiated widi positive polarity and applied to render die shocking coil as the anode and die active case as die catiiode. 4. The defibrillator of claim 1, wherein said timing means is programmable to delay die application of die shock waveform across said transvenous lead and said active case by a predetermined time interval in the range from about 75 % to about 90% of die R-R cycle length. 5. The defibrillator of claim 4, wherein said internal circuitry further includes polarity designating means responsive to a delay in application in said range for initiating said shock waveform with a positive polarity so that die shocking coil acts as the anode in said delivery of die electric field vector. 6. The defibrillator of claim 4, wherein said triggerable output means comprises means for developing an output shock waveform widi a biphasic morphology with a second phase of shorter duration tiian the first phase, and a polarity such diat die shocking coil is die anode during application of die first phase of the shock waveform. 7. The defibrillator of claim 1, wherein said timing means comprises means for timing the application of die shock waveform across said shocking coil and said active case widi a programmable delay relative to occurrence of die R-wave next following detection of ventricular fibrillation. 8. An implantable defibrillator comprising stimulus generator means for selectively generating an electrical shock output, a conductive case housing said stimulus generator means and connected electrically to circuitry within the stimulus generator means to render die case electrically active as an electrode, detection means Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RUU 26) -18- within die circuitry of the stimulus generator means for sensing ventricular fibrillation (VF) from cardiac activity of a patient in which the defibrillator is implanted and for initiating die generation of said electrical shock output in response to die sensing of VF, and timing means within the circuitry of the stimulus generator means responsive to die sensing of VF and to de patient's underlying organized cardiac activity for delaying die generation of the electrical shock output of the stimulus generator for a programmed time interval following occurrence of an R-wave after VF is sensed, wherein the time interval is programmed to be less tiian a period between consecutive R-waves. 9. The defibrillator of claim 8, further including polarity means for setting die polarity of the shock output depending on die extent of the delay imposed by die programmed time interval. 10. The defibrillator of claim 9, wherein the polarity means is implemented to set a positive shock output when die timing means is programmed to delay die generation of die shock output of die stimulus generator for a time interval of at least 100 ms from the occurrence of an R-wave. 11. The defibrillator of claim 8, wherein the stimulus generator means is adapted to generate a shock output having one or more phases of programmed duration and polarity. 12. The defibrillator of claim 8, further including electrical lead means implantable in the patient and having a proximal end widi a tip for electrical connection to circuitry widiin die stimulus generator means through an electrical connector on die case, and having a distal end including an electrical coil and a sensing tip adapted to be disposed widiin the right ventricle of die patient for communicating cardiac activity of die patient to die stimulus generator means and for communicating the shock output to the right ventricle of die patient. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033 -19- 13. A mediod for defibrillating a human heart in ventricular fibrillation (VF) which comprises the steps of: sensing VF, sensing the presence of an underlying organized cardiac activity of the heart during VF, developing a shock waveform in response to having sensed VF, and delaying application of die developed shock waveform to the heart for a part of the time interval less than die entire time interval between consecutive R-waves of die underlying organized cardiac activity of the heart. 14. The mediod of claim 13, wherein die step of delaying application of die shock waveform imposes a delay in the range from 25% to 90% of the R-R cycle lengtii characterized by die time interval between consecutive R-waves. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the delay in the R-R cycle lengtii is set in the range from 75% to 90% of the R-R cycle length. 16. The method of claim 13, further including setting die initial polarity of the shock waveform according to die extent to which the shock waveform is delayed relative to occurrence of an R-wave before application to die heart. Atty. Dkt. 1309.033

Inventors: ALT ECKHARD, STOTTS LAWRENCE J, ALT, ECKHARD, STOTTS, LAWRENCE, J.
Applicants: INTERMEDICS INC, INTERMEDICS, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61N1
IPC codes: A61N1