초록 ▼

A pacemaker programmer and diagnostic system retrieves information stored within a pacemaker and analyzes the retrieved data in real time. The stored information can be retrieved by means of a telemetry communication link. The pacemaker automatically lengthens an AV delay. The pacemaker determines a

A pacemaker programmer and diagnostic system retrieves information stored within a pacemaker and analyzes the retrieved data in real time. The stored information can be retrieved by means of a telemetry communication link. The pacemaker automatically lengthens an AV delay. The pacemaker determines atrial capture by generating atrial stimulation pulses while maintaining the ventricular stimulation pulse amplitude at a level known to ensure ventricular capture, and by detecting loss of atrial capture. In response to the loss of atrial capture, a processor automatically records the atrial capture threshold, and restores the AV delay to its pre-test value. The pulse generator also delivers a backup atrial stimulation pulse concurrent with a ventricular stimulation pulse to reduce the possibility of a retrograde P-wave initiating a pacemaker-mediated tachycardia (PMT).

대표청구항 ▼

A pacemaker programmer and diagnostic system retrieves information stored within a pacemaker and analyzes the retrieved data in real time. The stored information can be retrieved by means of a telemetry communication link. The pacemaker automatically lengthens an AV delay. The pacemaker determines a

A pacemaker programmer and diagnostic system retrieves information stored within a pacemaker and analyzes the retrieved data in real time. The stored information can be retrieved by means of a telemetry communication link. The pacemaker automatically lengthens an AV delay. The pacemaker determines atrial capture by generating atrial stimulation pulses while maintaining the ventricular stimulation pulse amplitude at a level known to ensure ventricular capture, and by detecting loss of atrial capture. In response to the loss of atrial capture, a processor automatically records the atrial capture threshold, and restores the AV delay to its pre-test value. The pulse generator also delivers a backup atrial stimulation pulse concurrent with a ventricular stimulation pulse to reduce the possibility of a retrograde P-wave initiating a pacemaker-mediated tachycardia (PMT). eld transducers and said image despite changes in the disposition of said reference field transducers relative to the body of the patient. 10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said calibration means comprise one or more calibration field transducers attached to at least one of said reference field transducers and said calibration means determine the relative dispositions of said reference field transducers with respect to one another by detecting non-ionizing fields transmitted to or from said calibration field transducers. 11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference field transducers are provided in a plurality of reference assemblies each including one said reference field transducer and said calibration means comprise one or more calibration field transducers provided in a known, fixed arrangement, said calibration means being operative to determine the relative positions of said reference field transducers with respect to said fixed arrangement by detecting non-ionizing fields transmitted between said one or more calibration field transducers and one or more reference assemblies. 12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said calibration means is operative to determine said dispositions of said reference field transducers relative to said fixed arrangement by detecting fields transmitted between said reference field transducers and said calibration field transducers. 13. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for securing said reference field transducers to the body of the patient. 14. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for mounting said reference field transducers in close proximity to the body of the patient. 15. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference field transducers are repositionable and said calibration means are operative to recalibrate the relative dispositions of the field transducers with respect to one another after said reference field transducers are repositioned. 16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference field transducers comprise disposable materials such that said reference transducers are disposable after use. 17. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference field transducers are carried on a support constructed and arranged to allow independent movement of said reference field transducers. 18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said support includes a plurality of flexible arms to which said reference field transducers are mounted. 19. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said support comprises a flexible, sheet-like covering for carrying said reference field transducers thereon. 20. A method for determining the disposition of a probe within the body of a patient, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a probe having one or more probe field transducers mounted thereon; (b) positioning a plurality of reference field transducers independently with respect to one another in desired, customizable positions with respect to the body of the patient; (c) determining the relative dispositions of said reference field transducers with respect to one another while said reference field transducers are located in their desired positions; (d) transmitting one or more non-ionizing fields between said probe field transducers and said reference field transducers and detecting each such transmitted field so that each such field is transmitted by one element of a transmitter-receiver pair including a reference field transducer and a probe field transducer, and detected by the other element of such pair; and (e) determining the relative disposition of the probe with respect to said reference field transducers from properties of the detected fields and from the relative dispositions of said reference field transducers with respect to one another. 21. A method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of repeating said steps (c) through (e) so as to redetermine dispositions of said reference