EP0046643A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Physiological waveform processor
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1981-08-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-08-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for processing waveform signals of physiological origin includes circuitry (18) for developing a signal representative of the peak-to-peak amplitude between each waveform signal peak and the next successive waveform signal peak as well as circuitry (21) for developing a signal representative of the slew rate of the waveform signal between successive waveform signal peaks. In a preferred embodiment, developed signals are stored in resettable memories, the memories being reset on the occurrence of a sign or polarity change in the slope of the waveform signal. Sampling circuitry is provided for establishing a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude within the waveform signal as well as its associated slew rate. Within the context of an ECG, the maximum peak-to-peak amplitude and associated slew rate represent the QRS complex and the apparatus of the present invention may be employed within a pacemaker as a sense amplifier. Alternatively, the apparatus of the present invention may be employed to determine whether or not a pacing lead is properly placed and the pacemaker is suitable for application to the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Engle
- 👤 Ronald H. Rockland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/346; A61B5/349; A61B5/352; A61B5/72; A61B5/7203; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for processing waveform signals of physiological origin, comprising: input means for receiving said waveform signals; first means operatively connected to said input means for developing a signal representative of the peak-to-peak amplitude between each waveform signal peak and the next successive waveform signal peak; and second means operatively connected to said input means for developing a signal representative of the slew rate of a waveform signal between successive waveform signal peaks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for processing waveform signals of physiological origin, comprising: input means for receiving said waveform signals; first means operatively connected to said input means for developing a signal representative of the peak-to-peak amplitude between each waveform signal peak and the next successive waveform signal peak; and second means operatively connected to said input means for developing a signal representative of the slew rate of a waveform signal between successive waveform signal peaks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second means develops a signal representative of the maximum slew rate of said waveform signal between successive waveform signal peaks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first and second means each comprise resettable memory means for storing respectively the amplitude and slew rate signals until reset, said apparatus further comprising third means operatively connected to said input means and said first and second means for generating a reset signal for the memory means on the occurrence of a sign change in the slope of said waveform signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising: a first memory circuit connected to receive said first means signal and including memory means for storing said first means signal; and a second memory circuit connected to receive said second means signal and including memory means for storing said second means signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first memory circuit further comprises means for blocking from its memory means all first means signals which do not exceed the last signal stored in said memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 further comprising means for gating said second means signal to the memory means of said second memory circuit, said first memory circuit including means for enabling said gating means only on the occurrence of a first means signal that exceeds the last signal stored in the memory means of the first memory circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 further comprising means operatively connected to said input means for generating a gating signal of predetermined duration on the occurrence of a sign change in the slope of said waveform signal; and means for gating said first means signal to said first memory circuit under the control of said gating signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said gating means is enabled during said gating signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to -8 further comprising means for resetting the memory means of the first memory circuit to a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said resetting means comprises means for automatically resetting said memory means at predetermined intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a differentiator connected to said input means for providing a signal representative of the differential of a waveform signal; and means for providing a signal representative of the absolute value of said differential signal; said first means being arranged to provide a signal representative of the integral of said absolute value signal; and said second means being arranged to provide a signal representative of the amplitude of said absolute value signal.,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising means for repeatedly providing a signal without regard to a differential signal sign change when the absolute value of said differential signal is less than a predetermined value, said repeated signal being supplied to said first and second means for establishing predetermined signals therein on the occurrence of each repeated signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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