Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040215238?dq=5527183
Timestamp: 2014-03-09 20:05:39
Document Index: 58338378

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 8']

Patent US20040215238 - Pacemaker with improved capability for detecting onset of tachyarrhythmias ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe invention provides a system and method for determining cardiac condition by examining the width of cardiac excitation waves sensed by a tip electrode. In one embodiment, an atrial lead with a tip electrode is positioned against the inside of the atrial wall, and senses passing depolarization (P-wave)...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040215238?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040215238 - Pacemaker with improved capability for detecting onset of tachyarrhythmias and heart failureAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040215238 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/422,712Publication dateOct 28, 2004Filing dateApr 24, 2003Priority dateApr 24, 2003Also published asDE602004015763D1, EP1617898A1, EP1617898B1, WO2004096350A1Publication number10422712, 422712, US 2004/0215238 A1, US 2004/215238 A1, US 20040215238 A1, US 20040215238A1, US 2004215238 A1, US 2004215238A1, US-A1-20040215238, US-A1-2004215238, US2004/0215238A1, US2004/215238A1, US20040215238 A1, US20040215238A1, US2004215238 A1, US2004215238A1InventorsPeter Van Dam, Adriaan van OosteromOriginal AssigneeVan Dam Peter M., Van Oosterom AdriaanExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (6), Classifications (4), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPacemaker with improved capability for detecting onset of tachyarrhythmias and heart failureUS 20040215238 A1Abstract The invention provides a system and method for determining cardiac condition by examining the width of cardiac excitation waves sensed by a tip electrode. In one embodiment, an atrial lead with a tip electrode is positioned against the inside of the atrial wall, and senses passing depolarization (P-wave) waves. The sensed signals are processed to determine effective duration, and then analyzed to determine if there has been a change in conduction velocity. A predetermined decrease in conduction velocity is interpreted to mean that the atrium is at the onset of AF and appropriate atrial pacing therapy is initiated. In a second embodiment, a lead with a tip electrode is positioned adjacent to the left free ventricular wall and R wave durations are obtained. For substantially constant ventricular conduction conditions, R wave duration variations are analyzed to determine ventricular wall thickening of a degree that indicates onset of chronic heart failure. Images(12) Claims(50)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0038] The invention may be embodied in many forms, as the following specification and Figures illustrate. FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of implantable medical device (�IMD�) 10 of the present invention. IMD 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a pacemaker comprising at least one of pacing and sensing leads 16 and 18 attached to hermetically sealed enclosure 14 and implanted near human or mammalian heart 8. Pacing and sensing leads 16 and 18 sense electrical signals attendant to the depolarization and re-polarization of the heart 8, and further provide pacing pulses for causing depolarization of cardiac tissue in the vicinity of the distal ends thereof. Leads 16 and 18 may have unipolar or bipolar electrodes disposed thereon, as is well known in the art. In the practice of this invention, as discussed further below, a unipolar type lead with a tip electrode is preferred. However, a lead with a tip electrode and a second electrode placed substantially proximal so as to get substantially equivalent unipolar tip sensing can also be used Examples of IMD 10 include implantable cardiac pacemakers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,078 to Bennett et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,453 to Shelton et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,949 to Olson, all hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. [0039]FIG. 2 shows connector module 12 and hermetically sealed enclosure 14 of IMD 10 located in and near human or mammalian heart 8. Atrial and ventricular pacing leads 16 and 18 extend from connector header module 12 to the right atrium and ventricle, respectively, of heart 8. Atrial electrodes 20 and 21 disposed at the distal end of atrial pacing lead 16 are located in the right atrium. Ventricular electrodes 28 and 29 at the distal end of ventricular pacing lead 18 are located in the right ventricle. [0040]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating the constituent components of IMD 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, where IMD 10 is pacemaker having a microprocessor-based architecture. IMD 10 is shown as including activity sensor or accelerometer 11, which is preferably a piezoceramic accelerometer bonded to a hybrid circuit located inside enclosure 14. Activity sensor 11 typically (although not necessarily) provides a sensor output that varies as a function of a measured parameter relating to a patient's metabolic requirements. For the sake of convenience, IMD 10 in FIG. 3 is shown with lead 18 only connected thereto; similar circuitry and connections not explicitly shown in FIG. 3 apply to lead 16. [0041] IMD 10 in FIG. 3 is most preferably programmable by means of an external programming unit (not shown in the Figures). One such programmer is the commercially available Medtronic Model 9790 programmer, which is microprocessor-based and provides a series of encoded signals to IMD 10, typically through a programming head which transmits or telemeters radio-frequency (RF) encoded signals to IMD 10. Such a telemetry system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,453 to Wyborny et al., hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety. The programming methodology disclosed in Wyborny et al.'s '453 patent is identified herein for illustrative purposes only. Any of a number of suitable programming and telemetry methodologies known in the art may be employed so long as the desired information is transmitted to and from the pacemaker. [0042] As shown in FIG. 3, lead 18 is coupled to node 50 in IMD 10 through input capacitor 52. Activity sensor or accelerometer 11 is most preferably attached to a hybrid circuit located inside hermetically sealed enclosure 14 of IMD 10. The output signal provided by activity sensor 11 is coupled to input/output circuit 54. Input/output circuit 54 contains analog circuits for interfacing to heart 8, activity sensor 11, antenna 56 and circuits for the application of stimulating pulses to heart 8. The rate of heart 8 is controlled by software-implemented algorithms stored in microcomputer circuit 58. [0043] Microcomputer circuit 58 preferably comprises on-board circuit 60 and off-board circuit 62. Circuit 58 may correspond to a microcomputer circuit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,453 to Shelton et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. On-board circuit 60 preferably includes microprocessor 64, system clock circuit 66 and on-board RAM 68 and ROM 70. Off-board circuit 62 preferably comprises a RAM/ROM unit. On-board circuit 60 and off-board circuit 62 are each coupled by data communication bus 72 to digital controller/timer circuit 74. Microcomputer circuit 58 may comprise a custom integrated circuit device augmented by standard RAM/ROM components. [0044] Electrical components shown in FIG. 3 are powered by an appropriate implantable battery power source 76 in accordance with common practice in the art. For the sake of clarity, the coupling of battery power to the various components of IMD 10 is not shown in the Figures. Antenna 56 is connected to input/output circuit 54 to permit uplink/downlink telemetry through RF transmitter and receiver telemetry unit 78. By way of example, telemetry unit 78 may correspond to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,063 issued to Thompson et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, or to that disclosed in the above-referenced '453 patent to Wyborny et al. It is generally preferred that the particular programming and telemetry scheme selected permit the entry and storage of cardiac rate-response parameters. The specific embodiments of antenna 56, input/output circuit 54 and telemetry unit 78 presented herein are shown for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [0045] Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, VREF and Bias circuit 82 most preferably generates stable voltage reference and bias currents for analog circuits included in input/output circuit 54. Analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and multiplexer unit 84 digitizes analog signals and voltages to provide �real-time� telemetry intracardiac signals and battery end-of-life (EOL) replacement functions. Operating commands for controlling the timing of IMD 10 are coupled by data bus 72 to digital controller/timer circuit 74, where digital timers and counters establish the overall escape interval of the IMD 10 as well as various refractory, blanking and other timing windows for controlling the operation of peripheral components disposed within input/output circuit 54. [0046] Digital controller/timer circuit 74 is preferably coupled to sensing circuitry, including sense amplifier 88, peak sense and threshold measurement unit 90 and comparator/threshold detector 92. Circuit 74 is further preferably coupled to electrogram (EGM) amplifier 94 for receiving amplified and processed signals sensed by lead 18. Sense amplifier 88 amplifies sensed electrical cardiac signals and provides an amplified signal to peak sense and threshold measurement circuitry 90, which in turn provides an indication of peak sensed voltages and measured sense amplifier threshold voltages on multiple conductor signal path 67 to digital controller/timer circuit 74. An amplified sense amplifier signal is then provided to comparator/threshold detector 92. By way of example, sense amplifier 88 may correspond to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,459 to Stein, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. [0047] The electrogram signal provided by EGM amplifier 94 is employed when IMD 10 is being interrogated by an external programmer to transmit a representation of a cardiac analog electrogram. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,063 to Thompson et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Output pulse generator 96 provides pacing stimuli to patient's heart 8 through coupling capacitor 98 in response to a pacing trigger signal provided by digital controller/timer circuit 74 each time the escape interval times out, an externally transmitted pacing command is received or in response to other stored commands as is well known in the pacing art. By way of example, output amplifier 96 may correspond generally to an output amplifier disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,868 to Thompson, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. [0048] The specific embodiments of input amplifier 88, output amplifier 96 and EGM amplifier 94 identified herein are presented for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to be limiting in respect of the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment, signals from the patient's heart are coupled to an input channel chip shown at 100, which chip provides outputs to the controller 74. The preferred embodiment of this chip incorporates DSP circuitry as is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,087, incorporated herein by reference. The specific embodiments of such circuits may not be critical to practicing some embodiments of the present invention so long as they provide means for generating a stimulating pulse and are capable of providing signals indicative of natural or stimulated contractions of heart 8. [0049] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, IMD 10 may operate in various non-rate-responsive modes, including, but not limited to, DDD, DDI, VVI, VOO and VVT modes. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, IMD 10 may operate in various rate-responsive, including, but not limited to, DDDR, DDIR, VVIR, VOOR and VVTR modes. Some embodiments of the present invention are capable of operating in both non-rate-responsive and rate responsive modes. Moreover, in various embodiments of the present invention IMD 10 may be programmably configured to operate so that it varies the rate at which it delivers stimulating pulses to heart 8 only in response to one or more selected sensor outputs being generated. Numerous pacemaker features and functions not explicitly mentioned herein may be incorporated into IMD 10 while remaining within the scope of the present invention. [0050] The present invention is not limited in scope to single-sensor or dual-sensor pacemakers, and is not limited to IMD's comprising activity or pressure sensors only. Nor is the present invention limited in scope to single-chamber pacemakers, single-chamber leads for pacemakers or single-sensor or dual-sensor leads for pacemakers. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with more than two leads or with multiple-chamber pacemakers, for example. At least some embodiments of the present invention may be applied equally well in the contexts of single-, dual-, triple- or quadruple-chamber pacemakers or other types of IMD's. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,465 to Thompson et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, as are all U.S. Patents referenced therein. [0051] IMD 10 may also be a pacemaker-cardioverter-defibrillator (�PCD�) corresponding to any of numerous commercially available implantable PCD's. Various embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with PCD's such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,186 to Olson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,316 to Keimel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,430 to Bardy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,388 to Pless and U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,723 to Baker et al., all hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. [0052]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one embodiment of IMD 10 and a corresponding lead set, where IMD 10 is a PCD. In FIG. 4, the ventricular lead takes the form of leads disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,099,838 and 5,314,430 to Bardy, and includes an elongated insulative lead body 1 carrying three concentric coiled conductors separated from one another by tubular insulative sheaths. Located adjacent the distal end of lead 1 are ring electrode 2, extendable helix electrode 3 mounted retractably within insulative electrode head 4 and elongated coil electrode 5. Each of the electrodes is coupled to one of the coiled conductors within lead body 1. Electrodes 2 and 3 are employed for cardiac pacing and for sensing ventricular depolarizations. At the proximal end of the lead is bifurcated connector 6 which carries three electrical connectors, each coupled to one of the coiled conductors. Defibrillation electrode 5 may be fabricated from platinum, platinum alloy or other materials known to be usable in implantable defibrillation electrodes and may be about 5 cm in length. [0053] The atrial/SVC lead shown in FIG. 4 includes elongated insulative lead body 7 carrying three concentric coiled conductors separated from one another by tubular insulative sheaths corresponding to the structure of the ventricular lead. Located adjacent the J-shaped distal end of the lead are ring electrode 9 and extendable helix electrode 13 mounted retractably within an insulative electrode head 15. Each of the electrodes is coupled to one of the coiled conductors within lead body 7. Electrodes 13 and 9 are employed for atrial pacing and for sensing atrial depolarizations. Elongated coil electrode 19 is provided proximal to electrode 9 and coupled to the third conductor within lead body 7. Electrode 19 preferably is 10 cm in length or greater and is configured to extend from the SVC toward the tricuspid valve. In one embodiment of the present invention, approximately 5 cm of the right atrium/SVC electrode is located in the right atrium with the remaining 5 cm located in the SVC. At the proximal end of the lead is bifurcated connector 17 carrying three electrical connectors, each coupled to one of the coiled conductors. [0054] The coronary sinus lead shown in FIG. 4 assumes the form of a coronary sinus lead disclosed in the above cited '838 patent issued to Bardy, and includes elongated insulative lead body 41 carrying one coiled conductor coupled to an elongated coiled defibrillation electrode 21. Electrode 21, illustrated in broken outline in FIG. 4, is located within the coronary sinus and great vein of the heart. At the proximal end of the lead is connector plug 23 carrying an electrical connector coupled to the coiled conductor. The coronary sinus/great vein electrode 41 may be about 5 cm in length. [0055] Implantable PCD 10 is shown in FIG. 4 in combination with leads 1, 7 and 41, and lead connector assemblies 23, 17 and 6 inserted into connector block 12. Optionally, insulation of the outward facing portion of housing 14 of PCD 10 may be provided using a plastic coating such as parylene or silicone rubber, as is employed in some unipolar cardiac pacemakers. The outward facing portion, however, may be left uninsulated or some other division between insulated and uninsulated portions may be employed. The uninsulated portion of housing 14 serves as a subcutaneous defibrillation electrode to defibrillate either the atria or ventricles. Lead configurations other that those shown in FIG. 4 may be practiced in conjunction with the present invention, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,686 to Min et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. [0056]FIG. 5 is a functional schematic diagram of one embodiment of implantable PCD 10 of the present invention. This diagram should be taken as exemplary of the type of device in which various embodiments of the present invention may be embodied, and not as limiting, as it is believed that the invention may be practiced in a wide variety of device implementations, including cardioverters and defibrillators. [0057] IMD 10 is provided with an electrode system. If the electrode configuration of FIG. 4 is employed, the correspondence to the illustrated electrodes is as follows. Electrode 25 in FIG. 5 includes the uninsulated portion of the housing of PCD 10. Electrodes 25, 15, 21 and 5 are coupled to high voltage output circuit 27, which includes high voltage switches controlled by CV/defib control logic 29 via control bus 31. Switches disposed within circuit 27 determine which electrodes are employed and which electrodes are coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the capacitor bank (which includes capacitors 33 and 35) during delivery of defibrillation pulses. [0058] Electrodes 2 and 3 are located on or in the ventricle and are coupled to the R-wave amplifier 37, which preferably takes the form of an automatic gain controlled amplifier providing an adjustable sensing threshold as a function of the measured R-wave amplitude. A signal is generated on R-out line 39 whenever the signal sensed between electrodes 2 and 3 exceeds the present sensing threshold. [0059] Electrodes 9 and 13 are located on or in the atrium and are coupled to the P-wave amplifier 43, which preferably also takes the form of an automatic gain controlled amplifier providing an adjustable sensing threshold as a function of the measured P-wave amplitude. A signal is generated on P-out line 45 whenever the signal sensed between electrodes 9 and 13 exceeds the present sensing threshold. The general operation of R-wave and P-wave amplifiers 37 and 43 may correspond to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,824, by Keimel et al., issued Jun. 2, 1992, for �An Apparatus for Monitoring Electrical Physiologic Signals�, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. [0060] Switch matrix 47 is used to select which of the available electrodes are coupled to wide band (0.5-200 Hz) amplifier 49 for use in digital signal analysis. Selection of electrodes is controlled by the microprocessor 51 via data/address bus 53, which selections may be varied as desired. Signals from the electrodes selected for coupling to bandpass amplifier 49 are provided to multiplexer 55, and thereafter converted to multi-bit digital signals by A/D converter 57, for storage in random access memory 59 under control of direct memory access circuit 61. Microprocessor 51 may employ digital signal analysis techniques to characterize the digitized signals stored in random access memory 59 to recognize and classify the patient's heart rhythm employing any of the numerous signal processing methodologies known to the art. [0061] The remainder of the circuitry is dedicated to the provision of cardiac pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation therapies, and, for purposes of the present invention may correspond to circuitry known to those skilled in the art. The following exemplary apparatus is disclosed for accomplishing pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation functions. Pacer timing/control circuitry 63 preferably includes programmable digital counters which control the basic time intervals associated with DDD, VVI, DVI, VDD, AAI, DDI and other modes of single and dual chamber pacing well known to the art. Circuitry 63 also preferably controls escape intervals associated with anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing in both the atrium and the ventricle, employing any anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing therapies known to the art. [0062] Intervals defined by pacing circuitry 63 include atrial and ventricular pacing escape intervals, the refractory periods during which sensed P-waves and R-waves are ineffective to restart timing of the escape intervals and the pulse widths of the pacing pulses. The durations of these intervals are determined by microprocessor 51, in response to stored data in memory 59 and are communicated to pacing circuitry 63 via address/data bus 53. Pacer circuitry 63 also determines the amplitude of the cardiac pacing pulses under control of microprocessor 51. [0063] During pacing, escape interval counters within pacer timing/control circuitry 63 are reset upon sensing of R-waves and P-waves as indicated by a signals on lines 39 and 45, and in accordance with the selected mode of pacing on time-out trigger generation of pacing pulses by pacer output circuitry 65 and 67, which are coupled to electrodes 9, 13, 2 and 3. Escape interval counters are also reset on generation of pacing pulses and thereby control the basic timing of cardiac pacing functions, including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing. The durations of the intervals defined by escape interval timers are determined by microprocessor 51 via data/address bus 53. The value of the count present in the escape interval counters when reset by sensed R-waves and P-waves may be used to measure the durations of R-R intervals, P-P intervals, P-R intervals and R-P intervals, which measurements are stored in memory 59 and used to detect the presence of tachyarrhythmias. [0064] Microprocessor 51 most preferably operates as an interrupt driven device, and is responsive to interrupts from pacer timing/control circuitry 63 corresponding to the occurrence sensed P-waves and R-waves and corresponding to the generation of cardiac pacing pulses. Those interrupts are provided via data/address bus 53. Any necessary mathematical calculations to be performed by microprocessor 51 and any updating of the values or intervals controlled by pacer timing/control circuitry 63 take place following such interrupts. [0065] Detection of atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmias, as employed in the present invention, may correspond to tachyarrhythmia detection algorithms known in the art. For example, the presence of an atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia may be confirmed by detecting a sustained series of short R-R or P-P intervals of an average rate indicative of tachyarrhythmia or an unbroken series of short R-R or P-P intervals. The suddenness of onset of the detected high rates, the stability of the high rates, and a number of other factors known in the art may also be measured at this time. Appropriate ventricular tachyarrhythmia detection methodologies measuring such factors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,380 issued to Vollmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,005 issued to Pless et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,006 issued to Haluska et al., all incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. An additional set of tachycardia recognition methodologies is disclosed in the article �Onset and Stability for Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Detection in an Implantable Pacer-Cardioverter-Defibrillator� by Olson et al., published in Computers in Cardiology, Oct. 7-10, 1986, IEEE Computer Society Press, pages 167-170, also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Atrial fibrillation detection methodologies are disclosed in Published PCT application Ser. No. US92/02829, Publication No. WO92/18198, by Adams et al., and in the article �Automatic Tachycardia Recognition�, by Arzbaecher et al., published in PACE, May-June, 1984, pp. 541-547, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. [0066] In the event an atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia is detected and an anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing regimen is desired, appropriate timing intervals for controlling generation of anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing therapies are loaded from microprocessor 51 into the pacer timing and control circuitry 63, to control the operation of the escape interval counters therein and to define refractory periods during which detection of R-waves and P-waves is ineffective to restart the escape interval counters. [0067] Alternatively, circuitry for controlling the timing and generation of anti-tachycardia pacing pulses as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,633, issued to Berkovits et al. on Mar. 25, 1986, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,005, issued to Pless et al. on Nov. 14, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,380, issued to Vollmann et al. on Feb. 23, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,970, issued to Holley et al. on May 13, 1986, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, may also be employed. [0068] In the event that generation of a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse is required, microprocessor 51 may employ an escape interval counter to control timing of such cardioversion and defibrillation pulses, as well as associated refractory periods. In response to the detection of atrial or ventricular fibrillation or tachyarrhythmia requiring a cardioversion pulse, microprocessor 51 activates cardioversion/defibrillation control circuitry 29, which initiates charging of the high voltage capacitors 33 and 35 via charging circuit 69, under the control of high voltage charging control line 71. The voltage on the high voltage capacitors is monitored via VCAP line 73, which is passed through multiplexer 55 and in response to reaching a predetermined value set by microprocessor 51, results in generation of a logic signal on Cap Full (CF) line 77 to terminate charging. Thereafter, timing of the delivery of the defibrillation or cardioversion pulse is controlled by pacer timing/control circuitry 63. Following delivery of the fibrillation or tachycardia therapy microprocessor 51 returns the device to a cardiac pacing mode and awaits the next successive interrupt due to pacing or the occurrence of a sensed atrial or ventricular depolarization. [0069] Several embodiments of appropriate systems for the delivery and synchronization of ventricular cardioversion and defibrillation pulses and for controlling the timing functions related to them are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,105 to Keimel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,298 to Adams et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,472 to Mirowski et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. Any known cardioversion or defibrillation pulse control circuitry is believed to be usable in conjunction with various embodiments of the present invention, however. For example, circuitry controlling the timing and generation of cardioversion and defibrillation pulses such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,585 to Zipes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,719 to Pless et al., or U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,817 to Engle et al., all hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, may also be employed. [0070] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, delivery of cardioversion or defibrillation pulses is accomplished by output circuit 27 under the control of control circuitry 29 via control bus 31. Output circuit 27 determines whether a monophasic or biphasic pulse is delivered, the polarity of the electrodes and which electrodes are involved in delivery of the pulse. Output circuit 27 also includes high voltage switches which control whether electrodes are coupled together during delivery of the pulse. Alternatively, electrodes intended to be coupled together during the pulse may simply be permanently coupled to one another, either exterior to or interior of the device housing, and polarity may similarly be pre-set, as in current implantable defibrillators. An example of output circuitry for delivery of biphasic pulse regimens to multiple electrode systems may be found in the above cited patent issued to Mehra and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,877, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. [0071] An example of circuitry which may be used to control delivery of monophasic pulses is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,427 to Keimel, also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Output control circuitry similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,551 to Mehra et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,883 to Winstrom, both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, may also be used in conjunction with various embodiments of the present invention to deliver biphasic pulses. [0072] Alternatively, IMD 10 may be an implantable nerve stimulator or muscle stimulator such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,428 to Obel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,218 to Carpentier et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,507 to Schwartz, or an implantable monitoring device such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,966 issued to Bennet et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. The present invention is believed to find wide application to any form of implantable electrical device for use in conjunction with electrical leads. [0073] In practicing the method of predicting AF according to this invention a lead 16 having a tip electrode 21 is positioned in the right atrium so that the tip electrode is in place against the interior atrial wall, in a conventional manner. This is illustrated in FIG. 7A, as described above. It is noted that there is no criticality as to exactly where the tip electrode is placed. The lead may be an unipolar lead, in which case the pacemaker case is used as the other electrode; or the lead may have one or more other electrodes, with an electrode displaced significantly proximal to the tip electrode being used as the other electrode so that sensing is effectively unipolar. [0074] Our studies have shown that during normal sinus rhythm the conduction velocity is substantially homogeneous throughout the entire atria. What we want to measure is the deviation in normal conduction velocity, which is substantially the same for the whole atria. The local sensing performed by the tip electrode obtains a signal that is representative of conduction velocity throughout the atria. [0075]FIG. 8 presents a flow diagram that shows the steps taken in the practice of this invention to monitor conduction velocity. The preferred use is for measuring atrial conduction, in order to detect the onset of AF. However, the same algorithm can be used to detect changes in the right ventricle, using iecg signals sensed from passing ventricular excitation waves (R waves). At 200, the algorithm is initiated. The specific AF prediction algorithm of this invention need not be performed every cycle, but only periodically, e.g., every tenth beat. Changes in conduction velocity occur may occur only over relatively long time periods, such that monitoring conduction velocity for AF need not be done too frequently. However, it is important to detect any change as quickly as possible so as to provide timely therapy. Consequently, the time period for initiating the prediction algorithm of FIG. 8 is a matter of choice, and may be subject to knowledge of the patient's past history. Also at 200 the pacemaker checks to see that conditions are appropriate for the test, e.g., the atrial rate is nominal and stable. If rate is not stable, then changes in the width of the P-wave might not suggest changes in conduction velocity. [0076] As the excitation wave depicted in FIG. 6 advances over the entire atria it proceeds from the sinus node through to the last activated area located below the inferior pulmonary vein on the left lateral wall. For normal pacemaker operation, the P-wave is detected and processed every cycle, for control purposes. Samples of the sensed excitation wave, or intracardial P-wave are sensed and collected as shown at block 201. Generally, a plurality of P-wave samples is taken at each monitoring episode. For example, n consecutive IEGM (P-wave) samples may be collected for the purpose of the AF prediction algorithm. At 202, pertinent P-wave characteristics are determined. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the maximum and minimum amplitudes are determined by checking the waveform. In a preferred embodiment, the duration is determined as the Δt from ⅔ of maximum amplitude of the rising slope to that of the falling wave slope, as discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 9. Other formulae can be employed to obtain a measure of the wave duration Δt within the scope of the invention. The morphology of the P-waves may also be checked, to determine that they reflect normal physiological events. If the waveforms are found to be deviating, the samples must be rejected, and the routine exits. However, if they are nominal, then the routine continues. The �velocity� measure that is provided from the operation at 202 is a relative velocity, as the atrial wall thickness is not known. Further, the waveform will deviate somewhat from the theoretical. At 204, the velocity samples from the operation at 202 are stored, and a subroutine (FIG. 10) is employed to obtain certain velocity characteristics. The wave widths, representing relative velocity values, are suitably averaged to obtain a value V representative of average conduction velocity for the patient. Additionally, a velocity threshold is calculated, for subsequent use in determining whether a change in conduction velocity is indicative of AF (or VF, in a ventricular embodiment). [0077] At block 203, the routine compares the current velocity with the average velocity to determine if it is within a proper range. If the current velocity reading deviates significantly from the prior range, the data is considered not good, and the routine exits. However, if the velocity measure is ok, then the velocity is compared to the threshold velocity at 205. If velocity V is not below the threshold, the routine concludes that AF is not predicted, and exits. If velocity is below threshold, then at 206 the system initiates a suitable anti-arrhythmia therapy. [0078]FIG. 9 illustrates a suitable �check waveform� subroutine, corresponding to block 202 of FIG. 8. At block 210, the maximum (positive) and minimum (negative) amplitudes are determined for each sensed waveform. The values, shown as maxA and minA respectively, are compared at 211 to a predetermined noise level. Noise level may be set at, for example, about 1 mV. If neither amplitude is greater than the noise level, the conclusion is that the data is too noisy, and the routine exits. However, if this is not the case, then at 212 the routine compares maxA and the absolute value of minA, and picks the largest of the two values, i.e., determines whether to use the positive or negative peak. For the positive peak, at 213 Δt is calculated as the time between ⅔ of the maximum of the rising slope and ⅔ of the maximum of the falling slope. Of course, other criteria for obtaining a measure of the duration value Δt can be employed within the scope of the invention, the specific measure being a matter of choice. Likewise, at 214 a value of Δt is obtained from the negative peak, if the negative peak has been chosen. In either event, the product of the subroutine is a value of Δt for each analyzed waveform, which value represents relative velocity for the conduction velocity embodiment of this invention. [0079]FIG. 10 provides a flow diagram of block 204, detailing steps taken to determine certain velocity characteristics for the velocity determination embodiments. At 220, it is determined whether a predetermined sample period has passed. The sample period is a variable, and could be, e.g., every minute. However, at start up of the pacemaker system, this could be set to operate on every beat, so as to build up a database quickly. If the sample period has passed, the routine then goes to step 221 and determines whether the velocity of each waveform is within the range of a stored velocity histogram, i.e., whether it is a value that is reasonable and can be accepted. If the velocity data is not within the range, the routine exits; if yes, it goes to block 222 and adds each sample to a velocity histogram that is continually built in memory. At 223, the routine determines whether there are enough samples in the velocity histogram to provide a good statistical basis. Thus, at start up following implant, or when turning on the embodiment by external programming, it is necessary to wait to get a good database. When this has been accomplished, at 224 the routine calculates an average (relative) velocity. Then, at 225, a threshold velocity is calculated. This may be done just once, when the histogram has sufficient samples; or it may be repeated a predetermined number of times following start up. Threshold is a figure that optionally may be initially programmed by the physician. However, it preferably is calculated as a function of initial average velocity. For example, threshold may be calculated as Vavg+X % of Vavg, where X is a programmable value in the range of 20-50. Other methods of determining the threshold value may be used within the scope of the invention. [0080] It is noted that determination of onset of AF can be done in other ways than as depicted and described in connection with block 205 in FIG. 8. Thus, rather than calculating a threshold, the algorithm may look for a predetermined decrease in the measure of velocity over a predetermined relatively long time period, e.g., a 25% decrease over a month. Further, depending on patient history, the response may be to simply post a flag that indicates onset of AF, so that at a subsequent confirmation an AF therapy will be commenced. Or, the response can be to immediately initiate a relatively high rate pacing sequence to attempt to break up the dangerous condition. Anti-AF pacing therapies are well known in the art, and the invention embraces any suitable such pacing therapy. [0081] The embodiment of this invention for determining ventricular wall thickness is shown in FIGS. 11A,B and C. FIG. 1A illustrates the placement of a lead 150 having a tip electrode 151 that is positioned adjacent to the left free ventricular wall. The lead is passed through the coronary sinus to an epicardial vewin on the free wall of the left ventricle, in the same manner as is done for bi-ventricular pacing systems. The tip 151 detects the repolarization wave (R wave) as it passes by the tip, in the same manner as described above for the atrial wave. The pacemaker case is suitably used as the indifferent electrode. A second electrode for pacing may be positioned in normal fashion in the right ventricle, substantially at the apex. The R-waves sensed by the left ventricular tip electrode (RL) are processed in the same manner as done in the AF predictor algorithm. Concurrently, R-waves sensed by the right ventricular electrode (RR) are examined to verify that overall there has been no significant change in ventricular conduction velocity. Having verified this, then the changes in width (Δt) of the wave sensed by the left ventricular electrode can be interpreted as changes in ventricular wall width. As discussed above and as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the longer the wave duration (Δt) the greater the wall thickness. In this embodiment, changing values of relative wall thickness are compared with a wall threshold value, and appropriate pacing therapy or an adjustment in medication is initiated when the threshold is exceeded. [0082]FIG. 11B shows an exemplary flow diagram of an algorithm for determining the wall thickness of the free wall of the left ventricle. Such determination can be very useful for assessing hypertrophy of the ventricle, so that appropriate therapy can be undertaken. As discussed above, measurement of ventricular wall thickness is undertaken with the assumption that conduction velocity in the left ventricle is substantially constant, and that a significant decrease in the width (Δt) of the sensed R wave is due to enlargement of the left wall thickness. [0083] As illustrated in FIG. 11B, at 230 it is determined that a lead is properly placed within the left ventricle or adjacent to the left ventricular wall (as illustrated in FIG. 11C). Assuming that this condition is met, at 231 the routine tests to see that a programmable sample period has passed. If not, the routine exits, but if yes, it goes on to block 232 and collects wave samples in the same manner as discussed in connection with the routine of FIG. 8. The iegm samples are checked for waveform at 233, according to the subroutine disclosed in FIG. 9, yielding representations of Δt that, in this case, are measures of relative left ventricular wall thickness. The steps taken in block 233 may also include a check to determine that the wall thickness measure is within an acceptable range, corresponding to step 203 in FIG. 8. The processing at block 233 produces duration measures that are sent for processing at block 234. [0084] Block 234 performs the same operations as shown in FIG. 10, i.e., the same �determine velocity characteristics� operations are carried out. However, in this embodiment the Δt values represent relative left ventricular wall thickness and values of average Δt are calculated. At 235 the average Δtavg values are added, along with a time stamp, to a histogram in the same manner as illustrated for the velocity data in FIG. 10. At 236, the routine determines whether enough samples have been placed in the histogram. If not, the routine exits until a sufficient database has been built. If there is enough data, then at 237 the routine determines whether or not there has been a significant increase in left ventricular wall thickness. This may be done in a chosen one of several ways. For example, the average Δt value may be compared to a predetermined alarm value and if it exceeds the alarm value, then a warning is posted to the physician. The warning can be in any suitable form, such as by setting a flag that is read whenever the physician next checks the device. Alternatively, the determination can be made by looking for a given percentage increase in relative wall thickness over a period of time, e.g., a relatively long period of time such as a 1-6 months, or even annually. Since wall thickness does not change rapidly, this algorithm need only be entered once a week, for example. Further, the physician will be interested in long term trend data. [0085] In both this embodiment and the atrial velocity embodiment, heart rate may be checked to make sure that it is stable, and if not stable the algorithm exits. [0086] Another embodiment is illustrated by the flow diagram of FIG. 11C. In this embodiment, RR waves are collected from the right ventricle and used to determine whether ventricular conduction velocity has remained substantially constant. This is done by examining the Δt of sensed RR waves in the same manner as described above for atrial waves, to ensure that the right R wave signal has maintained a substantially constant duration. A substantially constant duration of RR waves provides confirmation of stable ventricular conduction velocity, such that changes in the measurement of wave duration at the left ventricular wall can be reliably taken as indicating change in wall thickness. [0087] As shown in FIG. 11C, at 250 a lead 18 is placed in the right ventricle, having a tip electrode 29. For purposes of measuring conduction velocity, the tip electrode may be positioned other than at the apex. At 252, a measure of ventricular conduction velocity is obtained, using the same flow diagram as in FIG. 8; the velocity threshold is set to indicate whether or not there has been a significant change in velocity. A lead 150 is placed so that the tip 151 is adjacent the free wall of the left ventricle, as indicated at block 254. At 256, the left ventricular wall thickness is obtained, as per FIG. 11B. At 258, the algorithm checks the ventricular velocity to determine if it is stable. If not, the routine exits, as the wall thickness measure is then not accurate. If velocity is stable, then the routine determines if the wall thickness is OK, e.g., has the increase exceeded a predetermined limit? If wall thickness is OK, the routine exits; if not, then therapy is applied, as indicated at 260. [0088] It is noted that the invention can be practiced with various combinations of determining conduction velocity and wall thickness. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the invention comprises a multi-chamber embodiment, where either or both ventricular and atrial conduction velocity can be determined, and left ventricular wall thickness can be determined. The choice of functions can be programmable, in accord with the current state of the art. [0089] The present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software per se, but may find further application with any form of software supplementing hardware. For example, other software embodiments that achieve the ability to efficiently store and manipulate the data, and analyze the sensed depolarization signals, are within the scope of the invention. [0090] In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. As indicated above, in the claims the terms pacemaker and pacemaker system include all of the different types of pacing devices, as well as cardioverters and defibrillators. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7366568Jun 13, 2005Apr 29, 2008Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Controlled delivery of intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effectUS7392084 *Sep 23, 2003Jun 24, 2008Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Demand-based cardiac function therapyUS7620446 *Jul 31, 2003Nov 17, 2009Medtronic, Inc.Monitoring P-waves to detect degradation of atrial myocardiumUS7792584 *Apr 25, 2006Sep 7, 2010Medtronic, Inc.System and method for characterization of atrial wall using digital signal processingUS8027723Apr 24, 2008Sep 27, 2011Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Controlled delivery of intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effectWO2007127534A2 *Mar 15, 2007Nov 8, 2007Medtronic IncSystem and method for characterization of atrial wall using digital signal processing* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification607/4International ClassificationA61N1/362Cooperative ClassificationA61N1/3622European ClassificationA61N1/362A2Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 24, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: MEDTRONIC, INC., MINNESOTAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:VAN DAM, PETER M.;VAN OOSTEROM, ADRIAAN;REEL/FRAME:014620/0897Effective date: 20030408RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google