Patent Document ID: 5400795
Application ID: 08141805
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of classifying heart rhythms of a patient by means of electrogram morphology, comprising the steps of: storing a first set of at least two morphology-defining metrics derived from a QRS complex of a normal electrogram, said electrogram having a width and an amplitude, said metrics defining the shape of said electrogram including at least one of said width and amplitude; establishing bounds of normal variation for said metrics which are combined to define a decision surface that includes first and second regions such that said first region represents normal heartbeats and said second region represents abnormal heartbeats; providing an electrogram of a patient's heart rhythm; measuring a second set of metrics for a given heartbeat from said patient's electrogram, said metrics of said second set corresponding to said metrics of said first set; comparing the metrics of said second set with the metrics of said first set to decide which of said regions said given heartbeat falls into and to classify said given heartbeat as either normal or abnormal based on said decision; repeating said measuring and comparing steps for a plurality of times; and, if a number of heartbeats are found to be abnormal, diagnosing the patient's heart rhythm as ventricular arrhythmia.