Leadless pacemaker system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9375580-B2
Application number	US-201414576539-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2014
Priority date	Oct 31, 2012
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

A device includes a signal generator module, a processing module, and a housing. The signal generator module is configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium. The processing module is configured to detect a ventricular activation event and determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event that preceded the ventricular activation event. The processing module is further configured to schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval and control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time. The housing is configured for implantation within the atrium. The housing encloses the stimulation generator and the processing module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device comprising:
a signal generator module configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium via one or more electrodes;
a processing module configured to:
detect a first ventricular activation event;
detect a second ventricular activation event subsequent to the first ventricular activation event;
determine a length of a single interval between the first and second ventricular activation events;
compare the length of the single interval to a baseline ventricular interval value;
schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the comparison of the length of the single interval to the baseline ventricular interval value; and
control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time; and

a housing configured for implantation within the atrium, wherein the housing encloses the signal generator module and the processing module.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a memory that stores the baseline ventricular interval value, the baseline ventricular interval value being an expected value of the single interval between the first and second ventricular activation events during normal AV conduction of the heart.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processing module is configured to:
identify the single interval as having one of a normal duration, a short duration, or a long duration based on the comparison; and
schedule the time at which to deliver the pacing pulse to the atrium based on whether the single interval is identified as having a normal duration, a short duration, or a long duration.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the length of the single interval is a first length of a first single interval, the time is a first time, and the pacing pulse is a first pacing pulse, and wherein the processing module is further configured to:
detect a third ventricular activation event subsequent to the second ventricular activation event;
determine a second length of a second single interval between the second and third ventricular activation events;
compare the second length of the second single interval to the baseline ventricular interval value;
schedule a second time at which to deliver a second pacing pulse to the atrium based on the comparison of the second length of the second single interval to the baseline ventricular interval value; and
control the signal generator module to deliver the second pacing pulse at the scheduled second time.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first time at which the first pacing pulse is delivered occurs between the second and third ventricular activation events.

Assignees

• Medtronic Inc

Inventors

• Bonner Matthew D
• Greenhut Saul E
• Sheldon Todd J
• Demmer Wade M

Classifications

• A61N1/3756 Primary

  Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators · CPC title

• A61N1/0573

  chacterised by means penetrating the heart tissue, e.g. helix needle or hook · CPC title

• A61N1/36578

  controlled by mechanical motion of the heart wall, e.g. measured by an accelerometer or microphone · CPC title

• A61N1/3987

  characterised by the timing or triggering of the shock · CPC title

• A61N1/3682 Primary

  with a variable atrioventricular delay · CPC title