Apparatus for programming a pacemaker

Claim 2

Apparatus for programming a pacemaker, said pacemaker comprising memory means for receiving and storing signals indicative of the parameters and/or modes of operation to control the application of its stimulating pulses to a patient's heart, and generator means responsive to the stored signals for generating and applying stimulating pulses to the patient's heart, said apparatus comprising: (a) data input means for receiving and entering under operator control parameters and/or modes of operation to program said pacemaker; (b) transmitter means responsive to the mode of operation and/or parameters entered via said data input means for encoding and transmitting corresponding signals to said pacemaker; (c) means coupled to the patient's body for sensing the simulating pulses applied by said pacemaker to the patient's heart; and (d) processor means for executing a program to process data input via said data input means and including an interrupt input adapted to receive data from said sensing means indicative of the pacemaker's stimulating pulses, said processor means being responsive to the operation of said transmitter means to enable its interrupt input to receive the sensed stimulating pulses, and comprising means for detecting and calculating in response thereto the rate and pulse width of the stimulating pulses.

Claim 3

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processor means comprises a first counter responsive to a first received stimulating pulse to initiate its counting and to a second received pulse for terminating its counting, whereby a manifestation of the interval therebetween and thus pulse rate is provided, and a second counter responsive to a leading edge of one of said pulses to initiate for counting and to the trailing edge thereof to terminate its count to provide an indication of the pulse width of a stimulating pulse.

Claim 4

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is further included display means for displaying the values of the measured pulse rate and pulse width.

Claim 5

Programming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a depletable energy source for energising the apparatus; actuable means for initiating the operation of the apparatus memory means for storing a program; processor means for executing the program to process the data inputed via said data input means; and power control means coupled to the depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said apparatus in an off/rest mode, a power down mode and an operating mode, said power control means comprising a storage element continously energized by the energy source and responsive to the actuation of said initiating means to dispose said apparatus from its off/ rest mode to its power down mode wherein said data input means is energized by the energy source, said power control means being responsive to the input of data by said energized data input means to dispose said apparatus from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program.

Claim 6

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said data input means comprises a key board having a plurality of actuable keys and decoder means responsive to the actuation of a key of said key board to generate and apply a data available signal to said power control means, whereby said power control means disposes said apparatus from its off/rest mode to its power down mode.

Claim 7

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 further comprising display means for providing an indication of the operation of the apparatus, said display means being de-energized in said off/rest mode and being energized in said power down and operating modes.

Claim 8

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5 or 6 wherein there is included energy source checking means adapted to be coupled to said depletable energy source to determine its power output level, said processor means being operative to compare the energy source level with a pre-determined minimum level below which said . apparatus may not operate and if below said minimum level, said power control means disposing said apparatus to its off/rest mode.

Claim 9

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 4,5, 6 or 7 wherein the program stored within said memory is arranged to receive and process data from said input data in a predetermined sequence, said processor means being responsive to data inputted from said data input means to compare the inputted data with that data that may be accepted at a point in the execution of said program and if not acceptable, providing a manifestation to said power control means, whereby said power control means is disposed from its operating mode to its power down mode.

Claim 10

Programming apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8 wherein said data input means comprises a keyboard including a plurality of actuatable keys and decoder means responsive to the actuation of a key to provide a manifestation of the depressed key, said processor means being coupled to said decoder means to determine whether the depressed key is acceptable and if not for applying said manifestation to said power control means, whereby the apparatus is disposed from its operating mode to its off/rest mode.

Claim 11

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said memory stores a truth table indentifying the acceptable keys that may be depressed.

Claim 12

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said processor means is responsive to the actuation of one or more keys to provide a manifestation of the value of the inputted data and comparing the value manifestation with acceptable values that may be input into said apparatus, said processor means being responsive to an unacceptable value for providing an error manifestation to said power control means to dispose said computer system from its operating mode to its power down mode.

Claim 13

Programming apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 11 wherein said depletable energy source includes first and second batteries, said power control means comprising switch means normally disposed in a first position connecting said first and second batteries in parallel with each other to provide a first voltage signal of a first relatively low magnitude, and disposable to a second position to connect said first and second batteries in a series configuration to provide a second voltage signal of a second relatively high level, said power control means being disposable to a fourth-mode, wherein said apparatus is energized by the second voltage signal.

Claim 14

Programming apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said processor means is responsive to the operation of said transmitter means to provide a manifestation to said power control circuit to dispose said switch means from its first to its second position, to supply the second voltage signal to said transmitter means.

Claim 15

Apparatus energized by a depletable energy source for programming a pacemaker as to its parameters and/or modes of operation to control the application of its stimulating pulses to a patient's heart, said pacemaker including memory means for receiving and storing signals indicative of the parameters and/or modes of operation, and generator means responsive to the stored signals 'for providing corresponding stimulating pulses to the patient's heart, said programming apparatus comprising: (a) a keyboard comprising a plurality of actuable keys for receiving and entering by operator manipulation parameters and/or modes of operation in which to program said pacemaker; (b) decoder means coupled to said keyboard and responsive to the actuation of a key of said keyboard to provide a manifestation of the actuated key; (c) actuatable mans for initiating the operation of said programming apparatus; (d) memory means for storing a program; (e) processor means for executing said program to process the data indicative of the parameters and/or modes of operation entered via said keyboard; and (f) power control means coupled to the depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said programming apparatus in an off/rest mode, a power mode and an operating mode, said power control means comprising a storage element continuously energized by said energy source and responsive to the actuation of said initiating means to dispose said programming apparatus from its off/rest mode to its power down mode wherein said decoder means is energized by the energy source, said power control means being responsive to the key manifestation of said energized decoder means for disposing the programming apparatus from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program.

Claim 16

Apparatus energized by a depletable energy source for programming a pacemaker as to its parameters and/or modes of operation to control the application of its stimulating pulses to a patient's heart, said pacemaker including memory means for receiving and storing signals indicative of the parameters and/or modes of operation, and generator means responsive to the stored signals 'for providing corresponding stimulating pulses to the patient's heart, said programming apparatus comprising: (a) a keyboard comprising a plurality of actuable keys for receiving and entering by operator manipulation parameters and/or modes of operation in which to program said pacemaker; (b) decoder means coupled to said keyboard and responsive to the actuation of a key of said keyboard to provide a manifestation of the actuated key; (c) actuatable mans for initiating the operation of said programming apparatus; (d) memory means for storing a program; (e) processor means for executing said program to process the data indicative of the parameters and/or modes of operation entered via said keyboard; and (f) power control means coupled to the depletable energy source for variously energizing the elements of said programming apparatus in an off/rest mode, a power mode and an operating mode, said power control means comprising a storage element continuously energized by said energy source and responsive to the actuation of said initiating means to dispose said programming apparatus from its off/rest mode to its power down mode wherein said decoder means is energized by the energy source, said power control means being responsive to the key manifestation of said energized decoder means for disposing the programming apparatus from its power down to its operating mode, wherein said processor means is energized to execute the stored program.