Abstract:
An implantable cardiac pacemaker with automatic control of the connection of a probe and the implantation of the case. The device includes a generator and its energy source. The generator includes: circuits for scanning battery consumption, able to measure current output by the battery and to deliver a measured value of the output current; comparator circuits, able to compare the current value measured with a pre-programmed value of threshold of current. It includes moreover circuits suited to: detect and count the spontaneous depolarizations collected between the aforementioned terminals of the head of connector; to compare the number of depolarizations thus counted with a pre-programmed threshold of counting; and to deliver a signal of suspicion of implantation in the event of crossing of this threshold of counting.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to “active implantable medical devices” as defined by the Jun. 20, 1990 directive 90/385/CEE of the Council of the European Communities, and more particularly to cardiac pacemakers, “multisite devices” (triple or quadruple chamber), defibrillators, and/or cardiovertors that are able to deliver to the heart pulses of low energy for treatment of cardiac rhythm problems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The above-identified devices comprise a generator containing in the same case various electronic circuits and an energy source. When such devices are implanted, the generator is mechanically and electrically connected to a probe equipped with electrodes for intracardiac stimulation, making it possible to detect depolarization potentials of the myocardium and to deliver stimulation impulses produced by the generator.  
         [0003]     The probe connection must be capable of being detected automatically by the generator, so as to activate various functionalities, e.g., launch algorithms, initialize a certain number of parameters, and memorize starting data. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,522,856 and 5,370,666 disclose an insertion of the probe by uninterrupted screening of terminals of a connector head of the device and measurement of the impedance between these terminals. In the absence of a probe, this impedance is extremely high, but upon insertion of a probe the value decreases below a certain threshold whose crossing, when detected, causes the pacemaker to change from a sleeping mode to a completely functional mode. Continuous screening of the impedance, however, impacts energy consumption and lifespan of the battery, because it requires with each measurement injection of a current between terminals of the probe and activation of circuits for measuring the corresponding collected voltage. Another possibility consists of using an external programmer to activate the generator at the end of an implantation. This technique, however, requires intervention of a surgeon.  
         [0004]     One of the goals of the present invention is to propose a circuit that can automatically detect connection of a probe, without requiring direct and permanent measurement of the impedance between terminals, and without recourse to an external programmer.  
         [0005]     In addition, it is generally possible to connect to the same generator two different types of probes, monopolar or bipolar, at the choice of the surgeon and according to the type of pathology to be treated. In the case of a monopolar (or “unipolar”) probe, detection and stimulation are operated between the single electrode and the metal case of the generator, while in a bipolar probe, detection and stimulation can be carried out either in a differential mode between two electrodes of the probe, or in a common mode between the case of the generator and one or the other of the probe electrodes. Of course, many internal parameters of the generator must be selected according to the type of probe used, monopolar or bipolar, e.g., commutation of the terminals having to be used, collection of depolarization signals, adjustment of stimulation parameters, and modification of the algorithms controlling the microprocessor. Any error in selecting the type of operating mode (monopolar or bipolar) can involve serious consequences. For example, if the device is programmed for a bipolar stimulation, but is equipped with a monopolar probe, this error can cause a loss of capture and application of an inappropriate stimulation, with a risk for the patient.  
         [0006]     Another goal of the present invention is to propose a device that can, in addition to automatically detecting connection of a probe, determine the type of probe being used, i.e., monopolar or bipolar, and upon doing so, commutate and parameterize appropriate circuits and algorithms of the device. This function, managed automatically by the device, makes it possible to minimize, if not avoid, any risk of error resulting from non-conformance between type of probe used and operating mode of the device. One thus avoids, for example, any risk of bipolar stimulation applied erroneously to a monopolar probe.  
         [0007]     Automatic determination of the type of polarity also makes it possible to take into account the fact that in the majority of countries the pacemaker is delivered in unipolar configuration, to ensure a stimulation in any event. But today in many cases it is a bipolar probe that is implanted, which requires parameterization of the generator only after the probe is connected. The system according to the present invention, by automatically determining the polarity to be used upon implantation of the device, authorizes an automatic setting of the parameters of the generator without requiring intervention of the surgeon.  
         [0008]     Another goal of the invention is to propose a device making it possible to take into account the particular configuration where the probe was implanted and connected to the case of the pacemaker, but where this case is not yet introduced into the implantation site (i.e, the incision or pocket in the patient into which the surgeon plans to place the impulse generator). The case is thus not yet in contact with tissues of the patient and cannot be used as a reference potential. In such a situation it is preferable to avoid a monopolar stimulation of the probe, because the delivered impulses would be ineffective due to absence of a ground. However, during this intermediate phase, it is desirable to deliver a bipolar stimulation if a ventricular bipolar probe is implanted and already connected.  
         [0009]     The device of the present invention makes it possible to take into account this intermediate configuration, until implantation of the device. It is only after detection of the implantation that the corresponding functions of the pacemaker will be activated, and the polarity configured, i.e., monopolar or bipolar. Due to the automatic activation of the pacemaker functionalities, the surgeon will never need to force a particular mode of stimulation before implantation of the generator in the pocket, or after completion of implantation. It will be sufficient for the surgeon to connect the probe, whatever its type, with the generator, and safety will be automatically ensured during and after the intervention.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     To achieve the above-mentioned goals, the present invention proposes a device of a known general type, for example, according to the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,522,856 and 5,370,666, i.e., including a case and, in the case, a generator and a power supply battery for the generator, the generator being able to produce stimulation impulses in monopolar mode or bipolar mode, and being connected to a connector head equipped with at least two terminals able to be connected to electrodes of a monopolar or bipolar detection and stimulation probe connected to the connector, this probe capable of being a monopolar probe or a bipolar probe; and including means for detecting the presence of a probe connected to the connector.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned detection means include, in combination: means for scanning consumption by the generator of output current from the battery, capable of measuring the current output by the battery and delivering a measured value of the current; comparator means, able to compare the measured current value with a pre-programmed current threshold value such that crossing of the threshold determines the presence of a probe connected to the connector. The detection means also includes means capable of (i) detecting and counting the spontaneous depolarizations collected between the aforementioned terminals of the connector head; (ii) comparing the number of depolarizations thus counted with a pre-programmed counting threshold; and (iii) delivering a signal of suspicion of implantation in the event of crossing of this counting threshold.  
         [0012]     Advantageously, the measuring means includes: 
        (i) integrator means, capable of delivering at regular intervals a succession of measured values representative of the value, integrated throughout a predetermined integration period, of the output current delivered by the battery; and/or     (ii) analog/digital converters means, capable of delivering the measured value in the form of a digital word; and/or     (iii) summing means, capable of delivering the measured value in the form of a cumulative sum calculated throughout a predetermined summation period.        
 
         [0016]     The device can also include impedance test means, conditionally activated in the event of a crossing of the current threshold by the measured value, able to measure the probe impedance between the aforementioned terminals of the connector head, to compare the impedance value thus measured with a pre-programmed impedance threshold, and to deliver a signal of suspicion of implantation in the event the measured impedance is lower than this impedance threshold.  
         [0017]     Preferably, the scanning means comprise controlling means, which are triggered in response to delivery of the signal of suspicion of implantation, and are capable of: initiating a temporization (i.e., a delay interval), and at the end of temporization, reiterating the test function, and in the event of test delivering again a signal of suspicion, delivering a signal of confirmation of implantation.  
         [0018]     In this last case, the scanning means advantageously comprise means, triggered in response to delivery of a signal of confirmation of implantation, capable of operating the generator in a mode of monopolar and bipolar stimulation simultaneously, to a mode of monopolar stimulation. Advantageously, the scanning means will comprise means, triggered in response to the delivery of a signal of confirmation of implantation, capable of detecting the type of probe, monopolar or bipolar, whose electrodes are connected to at least two terminals. This detection means can include means for measuring probe impedance between the terminals of the connector head, and means capable of comparing the value of the impedance thus measured with a pre-programmed threshold of discrimination of probe.  
         [0019]     Lastly, the device can also comprise means capable of configuring, in response to the type of probe detected, the operating mode, monopolar or bipolar, of the stimulation circuits and detection of the generator associated with the aforementioned probe. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0020]     Further benefits, features, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, made with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a circuit for measuring consumption by the generator of output current from the battery incorporated in the device according to the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is an example of measured current consumption, variable according to various values of impedance of the stimulation probes;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an example of measured current consumption, variable according to the frequency of the detected depolarization waves;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the various stages allowing detection of implantation of the device; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of the various stages making it possible to ensure configuration of polarity of the stimulation and detection circuits. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     With regard to its software aspects, the present invention can be implemented by suitable programming of the control software of a known pacemaker, for example, implantable medical devices marketed by ELA Médical, Montrouge, France, such as the Symphony and Rhapsody branded devices. These are programmable devices with memory and microprocessors and circuits for receiving, formatting, and processing electric signals collected by probes bearing cardiac electrodes, and delivering stimulation impulses to these electrodes. It is possible to download to memory the software that will be carried out to implement the functions of the invention described below. Adaptation of these apparatuses and the creation of software suitable to implement the functionality described herein are deemed within the capability of the person of ordinary skill in the art, and will not be described in detail herein.  
         [0027]     The following description relates primarily to implementation of the ventricular stimulation function. Indeed, even in the case of a “double chamber” apparatus, a purpose of the implantation detection is to make certain that ventricular stimulation is possible and effective. If only atrial stimulation were possible and effective, implantation of the device would not automatically be regarded as not implanted, because the contribution of the atrium in a “double chamber” device is less important. However, everything described herein within the context of ventricular stimulation applies equally to atrial stimulation. In the same way, in the case of a multisite device, the same sequence of stages is similarly applicable to each stimulation output.  
         [0028]     The principle of the invention rests on permanent analysis or screening of consumption by the generator of output current from the battery of the device. This screening is permanent, including during shipment of the device. It is thus possible at any moment to announce a change of behavior of the prosthesis, revealed by an increase in current consumption. In particular, the prosthesis implantation will cause an increase in current consumption because of stimulation on a load which is no longer infinite (as it was the case in the packaging), because of the detection of cardiac signals activating the digital filters, whose consumption depends on the input signal, as well as the waking up of the microcontroller carrying out the specific software instructions on each new endocardial detection.  
         [0029]     The screening of this current consumption is operated by a hardware circuit  10  whose circuit diagram is given in  FIG. 1 . In practice, the current consumption of the circuit  10  is very low, e.g., about 0.2 μA, which is a value acceptable even for a permanent operation. The circuit  10  is connected to a battery  12 , of which it will measure the current Ip, and, to a microcontroller  14 , which is of a conventional type, making it possible to run the software of the device and comprising, e.g., read-only memories and random-access memories, timers, DMA controllers, a system of interruption, and a clock. This microcontroller  14  is interfaced with a circuit  16  containing the dedicated electronics of the device, with its circuit stages of stimulation, detection amplifiers, data processing sequences for signals delivered by the sensors, telemetry system, voltage, current, and time references.  
         [0030]     A battery  12  supplies all of the electronic circuits of the device and also provides energy for the stimulation impulses. The current Ip provided by the battery  12  crosses a measuring resistor  18  when screening of the current is activated, i.e., when switch  20  is open (if it is no longer necessary to carry out this screening, for example, after implantation of the device, switch  20  will be closed and the hardware circuit  10  de-activated). A capacitor  22 , in parallel with resistor  18 , is used to filter fast current transients crossing this resistance.  
         [0031]     The current Ip passing through resistor  18  produces a voltage V m  proportional to the current in  24 . This voltage is integrated by a circuit made up of resistor  26 , capacitor  28 , and operational amplifier  30 . The time-constant of integration is selected to be relatively short, typically 50 ms, in order to avoid saturation of amplifier  30 . The integration cycle is defined by signal CLKINT produced by microcontroller  14 , which controls switch  32 . During the integration phase, switch  32  is opened and, at the end of integration, the voltage integrated, present in  34  at output of amplifier  30 , is converted into a digital value by an analog/digital converter  36 . Switch  32  is then closed to discharge capacitor  28  before the beginning of a new integration cycle at 50 ms. The elementary values of integration over  50  ms, delivered via bus  38  upon exiting converter  36 , are summed by adder  40 , during a time fixed by the signal RESET produced by microcontroller  14 . This duration of summation is selected to be sufficiently long, typically about 6 s, to be able to integrate several cardiac cycles of the device.  
         [0032]     At the end of the approximately 6 s time of integration, the result of the adder, on two bytes, is read twice by the microcontroller  14  (by the signal of selection UB/LB of selection of the first byte then of the second byte). When the microcontroller  14  has acquired an average value of battery current I p  over 6 s, it resets adder  40  by signal RESET in order to start a new cycle of integration of the battery current.  
         [0033]     Measuring current consumption over 6 s gives a suitable representation at the same time of the total current consumption of the circuits of the device and current consumption related to stimulation. The resolution of measurement is selected sufficiently low to make it possible to discriminate the starting or stopping of the principal function blocks of the prosthesis, like discriminating changes in the stimulation parameters. This resolution must be lower than 1 μA, and is advantageously selected to be about 0.16 μA. This resolution makes it possible to detect connection of a probe in the case of the generator.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows the variation of current for various probe impedance values in the absence of detected cardiac signals. When no probe is connected, the current has reference value  10 . When a probe is connected, one can observe two stages of consumption, corresponding respectively to connection of the ventricular probe, followed by connection of the atrial probe.  FIG. 2  shows current fluctuations in the case of a connection of a probe of high impedance (3 kΩ), then disconnection of this probe and connection of a probe of a slightly lower impedance (2 kΩ). The current consumed is higher when probe impedance is low and one can see that variation of the current is detectable even for probes of high impedance (3 kΩ), and even if only the ventricular probe is connected (first stage of the variation).  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows variations of the current consumed according to the frequency of the cardiac signals detected by the device, for various increasing rate frequencies: 61 bpm, 70 bpm, 80 bpm . . . 120 bpm. Compared to the reference current value I 0  in the absence of a probe, one notes that, for the lowest frequencies, the activity of the amplifiers and digital filters processing the cardiac signals, as well as the waking up of the microcontroller carrying out the algorithms, induce a consumption that is at the limit of what the device can detect. To mitigate this disadvantage, and to compensate for the fact that the consumption can remain low in the event of inhibited stimulation (because of the presence of a patient&#39;s own rhythm), the invention also envisages counting spontaneous ventricular depolarizations (R-waves). This system of counting R-waves, which provides additional security, will be further described in reference to  FIG. 4 . The counting of R-waves remains optional, however, if measurement of the battery current offers a high enough resolution.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are flow charts detailing the successive stages of implementation of the invention, first to detect implantation ( FIG. 4 ), and then to configure in a suitable way the stimulation/detection polarity of the device ( FIG. 5 ). Initially, preferably at the end of the manufacturing cycle of the apparatus, when the apparatus is in a sterile package, a certain number of parameters are initialized. The ventricular terminal proximal (“RING”) and the ground of the case (“CASE”) are shorted-circuit by a control CCPVBO set to 1. By short-circuiting these electrodes, the implant is configured to simultaneously deliver a stimulation in bipolar mode and monopolar mode. Thus, whether or not the case is in contact with tissues of the patient, the ventricular stimulation will be effective since a ventricular probe will have been implanted and connected to the prosthesis.  
         [0037]     In addition, an indicator RPP3K is set to 0 to indicate that the apparatus has not been implanted, and programmable thresholds are defined—counting of the R-waves (typically 100), and consumption threshold SMC, corresponding to a suspicion of implantation. The consumption threshold SMC is preferably initialized with the value of the current consumed by the prosthesis at 37° C. on infinite load (i.e., an open circuit), increased by a significant, programmable value revealing a possible implantation (typically 500 nA). The cycle of implantation detection is then launched (“ON”).  
         [0038]     After these initialization stages  401 , the device carries out a temporization having a duration that is greater than or equal to the duration of a measurement of the battery current, e.g., a temporization of 6.25 s (stage  402 ).  
         [0039]     At stage  403 , the measured current consumption value is compared with the current consumption threshold SMC: 
        (i) if the threshold is exceeded, then a measurement of probe impedance is taken by way of verification, in monopolar mode for the ventricle (stage  405 );     (ii) if the threshold is not exceeded, a test is operated at stage  404  to monitor occurrence of R-waves; if the number of detections exceeds a threshold SCR, leaving suspect an implantation because of collection of these waves, then stage  405  of checking is carried out. In the contrary case, a new iteration is triggered (return to temporization  402  to await a new measurement of the consumed current).        
 
         [0042]     The impedance value measured at stage  405  is compared with a discriminatory (threshold) value Z seuil1 , for example 2 kΩ, corresponding to the value of the highest impedance capable of being met (stage  406 ): 
        (i) if the Z seuil1  threshold is crossed, an implantation is suspected, which will have to be confirmed by stages  407 ,  408 ,  409 , and  412 ;     (ii) if the Z seuil1  threshold is not crossed, the counter of R-waves is eventually reset to zero after checking its value (stages  410 ,  411 ) and a new iteration is committed (return at stage  402 );        
 
         [0045]     If the checking carried out at stages  405  and  406  appears positive, it is advisable to carry out a checking before deciding if the prosthesis is really connected to these probes and implanted. This confirmation must, however, be carried out after a temporization (stage  407 ), allowing the expert who would have connected the probe and placed the case in the implantation pocket to re-operate quickly to refine the implantation conditions (e.g., position of the probes, case, or bindings).  
         [0046]     After temporization  407 , a measurement of probe impedance is taken (stage  408 ) to confirm that the case and a ventricular monopolar probe are well in place and correctly connected. The discrimination criterion (stage  409 ) is identical to the aforementioned criterion (stage  406 ). If implantation and connection of the probe are confirmed, then (stage  412 ): 
        (i) the short-circuit between the ventricular proximal electrode and the ground of the case is removed (CCPVPO=‘0’) and the implantation indicator is positioned (RPP3K=‘1’);     (ii) the implantation detection algorithm is deactivated (“OFF”), involving the closing of switch  20  ( FIG. 1 ); and     (iii) the ventricular stimulation is programmed in monopolar mode.        
 
         [0050]     The following phase, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , consists of seeking the polarity of the present probes to choose, preferentially, a configuration of bipolar detection if a bipolar probe is connected, and a monopolar stimulation configuration by default. The search for polarity starts with the ventricular probe (stages  501  to  504 ), and then, if the apparatus is a double chamber apparatus (stage  505 ), with the search for polarity of the atrial probe (stages  506  to  510 ).  
         [0051]     Stage  501  is a measurement of impedance of the ventricular probe in bipolar mode, i.e., between the proximal electrode (“RING”) and the distal electrode (“TIP”). The result is compared (stage  502 ) to a threshold Z seuil2 , preferably selected to be lower or equal to Z seuil1  (a Z seuil2  value of 2.5 kΩ makes it possible, for example, to take into account the fact that the bipolar impedance can be higher than the monopolar impedance). If the measured value is lower than Z seuil2 , then one is in the presence of a bipolar probe (stage  503 ) and ventricular detection is configured to be in bipolar mode. Preferably, one chooses to maintain the ventricular stimulation in monopolar mode, which constitutes maximum safety for the patient and the doctor (who, later on, can always reprogram the device to operate in a bipolar mode). In the contrary case, the probe is a monopolar probe (stage  504 ) and stimulation and detection are programmed to operate in a monopolar mode.  
         [0052]     Stage  505  tests if the apparatus model is of the double chamber type, because if so, it is necessary also to configure the atrial stage (stages  506  to  509 , homologous with stages  501  to  504 ). At stage  510 , the automatic configuration of the device is completed, and the algorithm is de-activated. For a multisite system, this stage  510  would be replaced by the screening of another stage following the same principle, i.e., checking to determine which type of probe is connected and then configuring it automatically.  
         [0053]     One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.