Stimulator For Treatment Of Tachycardia With A Burst Of Stimuli Having A Continuously Variable Rate

Abstract

An externally activated implantable heart stimulator. Apparatus is disclosed for supplying to the heart of a patient a burst of stimulating pulses having a repetition rate in excess of the physiological heartbeat range of the patient. The stimulator comprises terminals for connection to the heart, a controllable electrical stimuli generator controlled internally by a discharging capacitor and controlled externally by a magnet. The stimulator is particularly applicable to the treatment of paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardias, a rapid heartbeat condition originating in the atrium. The stimulator can be temporarily activated by anyone including the patient being stimulated.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject matter of the present invention is related to the following three copending applications: Ser. No. 727,129, filed Apr. 11, 1968, which has matured into U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,428 entitled "Demand Pacer" Ser. No. 810,519, filed March 26, 1969, which has matured into U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,242 entitled "Atrial and Ventricular Pacemaker"; and Ser. No. 884,825, filed Dec. 15, 1969, entitled Atrio-Ventricular Pacer with Atrial Stimuli Discrimination. Information disclosed in these three patent applications is incorporated herein by reference.

These applications were filed by the applicant of the present invention. All of these applications, including the present application, are assigned to the same assignee. Benefits of 35 USC 120 are claimed for the present invention with respect to the earlier applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This present invention relates in general to electrical stimulation of a heart. More particularly, the present invention relates to electrical stimulation of the atria of the heart for treating paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia.

2. Description of Prior Art

The PQRST wave form complex depicted by electrocardiograms is well known in the electro-medical art. The QRS portion of the wave form complex is associated with the ventricular action of the heart. The P wave is associated with the atrial action of the heart. Toward the end of each heartbeat, the ventricular muscles repolarize, and this portion of the electrical activity of the heart corresponds to the T wave in the electrocardiogram.

A typical frequency of occurrence of the wave form complex, or heartbeat rate, when the patient is at rest, is in the neighborhood of 70 times per minute. However, the frequency of occurrence of the wave form complex, due to improper heart functioning can exceed 160 occurrences per minute. This excessive rapidity of the heart's action is known as "tachycardia." However, it should be understood that the physiological range with regard to normal heartbeat rate can vary considerably between individuals. For example, a child can have a normal physiological range comprised of heartbeat rates considerably higher than those of an adult.

"Atrial tachycardia" is the medical term assigned to the condition in which rapid and regular succession of P waves of the wave form complex occur. The rate of occurrence is in excess of the physiological range of the particular patient.

"Paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia" is the medical term assigned to the condition in which there is a sudden attack of rapid heart action in the atria or in the atrial-ventricular node. The main characteristics are the same as those in atrial tachycardia.

In normal heart operation the electrical activity begins with a nerve impulse generated by a bundle of fibers located in the sino-atrial node. The impulse spreads across the two atria while they contract and speed the flow of blood into the ventricle underneath them. The electrical impulse continues to spread across the atrial-ventricular node, which in turn stimulates the left and right ventricle.

During normal heart operation, tachycardia can arise when peculiar, unique conditions occur unpredictably. These conditions are associated with geometry of the atria, location of the nerve impulse, timing of the beat and impulse conduction velocity within the cardiac tissue. These conditions can set up a re-entry mechanism in the atria, for example, whereby the impulse continues to self-perpetuate. The self-perpetuation occurs at a rate above the physiological rate and is self-sustaining even after the "unique conditioning," (which permitted it to start), no longer exists. The self-perpetuation must then be interrupted by outside intervention interfering with the re-entry mechanism, thus permitting the heart to resume normal sequency.

Presently, treatments of the condition of tachycardia include the mechanical massage of the carotid sinus. This is an accepted therapy, however it has several drawbacks. For example, it requires a trained physician, who may not be readily available, to administer the message.

Another treatment for tachycardia employs the use of drugs. However, this therapy has toxic effects on the body.

The present invention treats the condition of paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia by application of a burst of electrical stimuli to the heart and for example to the right atrium to interrupt the self-perpetuating mechanism by interacting with the abnormal spread of an electrical impulse generated in the right atrium. The stimuli are generated at a rate above the normal physiological heartbeat rate range. In a preferred embodiment, the stimuli are generated at a rate in the neighborhood of 1,000 per minute for a period of approximately 5 seconds duration. This amounts to individual bursts of approximately 83 pulses. This number of pulses occurring during a five second period is almost always sufficient to alleviate the tachycardia condition. This has been proven many times in practice. If necessary the application of a burst of stimuli can be repeated over and over again.

In the prior art, pacers, (such as those disclosed in my copending applications), are intended to provide and have been used to provide electrical stimulation to the heart to control abnormally slow heartbeats. Thus, pacer stimulation occurs at a rate which falls within the normal physiological heartbeat rate range of the particular patient being stimulated to induce heartbeats and thus treat this physiological problem associated with the heart.

By comparison, although the present invention also provides stimulation to the heart, the present invention is not intended to induce heartbeats, but is intended to interfere with an abnormal re-entry mechanism set up in the heart as previously described. To accomplish this interference, the present invention provides stimuli at a rate far in excess of the normal physiological heartbeat rate range, for example, 1,000 stimuli per minute.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an externally activated implantable heart stimulator for providing a burst of stimulating pulses to the heart of a patient to treat a condition of tachycardia. The present invention incorporates an electrical stimuli generator and a control for controlling the generator. The stimuli are conducted to the heart via implantable terminals or electrodes. The control incorporates an external magnet and an implanted magnetic reed switch.

Advantages of the present invention include immediate and self-initiated treatment. The patient can sense when tachycardia occurs by his dizziness, perspiration and weakness. The patient can recognize these symptoms readily. Instead of going to a hospital for treatment, as is usually necessary at present, the patient can apply stimulation himself via an externally controlled implanted stimulator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved heart stimulator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved heart stimulator which generates therapeutic stimuli at a rate above the normal physiological heartbeat-rate range of the patient.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved heart stimulator which generates controllable bursts of stimuli to the heart of a patient.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one having reasonable skill in the art after referring to the detailed description of the appended drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention indicating the implantable stimulator and external magnet; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Oscillator control 11 controls oscillator 12 as shown. Oscillator 12 triggers simuli pulse generator 13 once with each oscillation. Stimuli pulse generator 13 provides an electrical stimulus to heart 14 with each oscillation. Heart 14 is stimulated in response thereto. Control 11, oscillator 12, generator 13, and heart 14 are depicted as enclosed by phantom line 10. Phantom line 10 is intended to represent the surface of a patient in whom the stimulator is implanted. Magnet 15 is depicted as external to the patient. It is positioned in close proximity to the oscillator control 11, and dashed line 16 is intended to indicate the dependence of oscillator control 11 on magnet 15.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Batteries 3 through 7 are connected in series aiding. (The dashed line between batteries 3 and 7 indicated that the exact number of batteries used may vary). The positive terminal of battery 7 is connected to the junction of one end of resistor 23 and one end of resistor 24. The negative terminal of battery 3 is connected to a junction comprised of one side of capacitor 28, the emitter of transistor T9, electrode E2, one end of resistor 25, and one end of resistor 63. The other end of resistor 23 is connected to terminal 30 of reed switch 32. Reed element 31 makes contact with terminal 30 in the normally closed position, and connects terminal 30 with the other side of capacitor 28.

Terminal 29 is the normally open contact of reed switch 32, and is connected to the junction consisting of one end of resistor 35 and the anode of diode 27. The cathode of diode 27 is connected to the anode of diode 26 whose cathode is connected to a junction comprised of resistor 25, the base of transistor T7, and the collector of transistor T8. The other end of resistor 35 is connected to the emitter of transistor T7 and to one end of resistor 37. The collector of transistor T7 is connected to the base of transistor T8.

The other end of resistor 37 is connected to one side of capacitor 57 the other side being connected to a junction consisting of the emitter of transistor T8 and one end of resistor 61. The other end of resistor 61 is connected to a junction comprised of the other end of resistor 63 and the base of transistor T9. The collector of transistor T9 is connected to a junction comprised of the other end of resistor 24, and one side of capacitor 65. The other side of capacitor 65 is connected to electrode E1. Electrodes E1 and E2 are both connected to heart 14.

In operation, consider reed switch 32 to initially be in its normally closed position as depicted. In this position, capacitor 28 charges to a value of voltage equal to the sum of potentials of the batteries or to full battery voltage. The charging circuit includes resistor 23, the contact made between terminal 30 and reed element 31, and capacitor 28.

When reed element 31 is in the position depicted, there is no energization provided to the circuitry to the left of capacitor 28. Thus, transistor T9 is non-conducting because of zero base current and T9 behaves like an open switch. The open switch, transistor T9, maintains capacitor 65 charged to full battery voltage. Resistor 24, capacitor 65, electrode E1, heart 14, electrode E2 and the conductive path returning to the negative terminal of battery 3 comprise a charge path for capacitor 65. Capacitor 65 charges through the heart. The relatively slow charging of capacitor 65, (due to resistor 24,) through the heart does not cause any stimulation to the heart. (It is the rapid discharge of capacitor 65, to be described later, which provides stimulation to the heart.)

Thus, two charge paths exist, and capacitors 28 and 65 are each charged to and for this condition remain at the total battery potential. But, when reed element 31 is caused to make contact with terminal 29, a different situation exists.

Consider magnet 15 to be brought in close proximity to magnetic reed switch 32. This causes element 31 to move and to make contact with fixed terminal 29. Circuit operation may best be understood by assuming that magnet 15 is held in close proximity to switch 32 so that element 31 is in contact with terminal 29 for a sufficient period of time for capacitor 28 to substantially discharge to a predetermined voltage.

Upon contact between element 31 and terminal 29 charged capacitor 28 becomes the effective D.C. power supply for the circuitry to its left hand side in the diagram. However, the charged capacitor is an unusual D.C. power supply in the sense that its "output" voltage is a decreasing function of time rather than a fixed function of time. Thus at some predetermined time during discharge of capacitor 28 through the circuitry to its left, the capacitor voltage will fall below some predetermined voltage that is required to maintain operation of the circuitry to its left.

Considering circuitry to the left of capacitor 28, the series circuit of diode 27, 26 and resistor 25 establish a biasing network for transistor T7 and T8. Current flow from capacitor 28 through both diodes and resistor 25 establish a potential at the cathode of diode 26 that is approximately one volt less than voltage at the anode of diode 27. This voltage difference is due to the forward voltage drop of diodes 26 and 27 being approximately 0.5 volts each and being approximately constant for different forward current values. (As voltage on capacitor 28 decreases, current through resistor 25 decreases but the 1 volt drop across the diodes remains approximately constant.). This voltage at the cathode of diode 26 is a threshold voltage which must be exceeded by voltage at the emitter of transistor T7 by approximately 0.5 volts (since the base-emitter junction of transistor T7 requires a forward bias voltage similar to the 0.5 volt drop of the diodes) before transistor T7 and T8 conduct.

Capacitor 57 charges through resistors 35 and 37 until the voltage across it causes transistors T7 and T8 to conduct. Transistors T7 and T8, connected as shown, operate in a similar fashion to that of a silicon controlled rectifier. Both are normally non-conducting. When the emitter electrode of transistor T7 goes sufficiently positive to exceed threshold voltage at the base of transistor T7 by approximately 0.5 volts the transistors conduct and current flows through the emitter circuit of transistor T8. Current coming from capacitors 28 and 57 continues to flow through the emitter of transistor T8 until the potential difference between the emitter and base of transistor T7 drops below approximately 0.5 volts due to sufficient discharge of capacitor 57. Note that the current drain from capacitor 28 during this operation contributes to its discharge.

When transistors T7 and T8 stop conducting, capacitor 57 is made to charge from the value of voltage across it at the time of turn off of these transistors toward the "new" (and lower) value of voltage on capacitor 28. When the voltage across capacitor 57 is sufficiently positive, transistors T7 and T8 conduct once again and the cycle is repeated. This circuitry comprises an oscillator and can be thought of as a type of relaxation oscillator. The frequency of oscillation varys due to the variation in the "power supply", i.e., the variation in voltage on capacitor 28. In practice this variation is in the neighborhood of 25 to 50 percent but is not critical. It is important to stimulate above the normal physiological rate, and as can be shown, frequency is increased with decreasing voltage on capacitor 28. Therefore the lowest rate is selected to be high enough.

Thus, voltage at the junction of resistors 35 and 37 varies with voltage on capacitor 57. Capacitor 57 charge time is primarily determined by resistors 35 and 37; its discharge time is primarily determined by resistor 37. Resistors 35 and 37 are in the charge path of capacitor 57 but only resistor 37 is in the discharge path.

With each oscillation, the "power supply voltage" provided by capacitor 28 is decreased in value. Thus after a predetermined period of time, capacitor 28 will "run down" to a predetermined voltage and there will be insufficient energy stored in capacitor 28, in view of the biasing constraints imposed by its " load" circuitry, to provide another single oscillation. At this point there will be no further energizations supplied to the heart unless capacitor 28 is recharged.

When the magnet is removed, by spring action or other means, element 31 moves back to its normally closed contact element 30. Thus the position of magnet 15 controls the state of switch 32.

If magnet 15 were removed prior to capacitor 28 discharging to the predetermined voltage (where it no longer acted like a power supply), reed switch 31 would have been returned to its normally closed contact earlier in time. Thus, the number of stimulations supplied to the heart would have been reduced, and capacitor 28 would have been recharged.

Thus, there are two controls over the oscillator. First, if magnet 15 is held in position long enough, a finite number of oscillations are allowed beyond which no further oscillations are permitted unless the magnet is removed to allow capacitor 28 to recharge.

Second, the number of oscillations can be controlled or limited by removing the magnet prior to discharge of capacitor 28 to the predetermined voltage.

Transistor T9 is a simple current amplifier which is normally non-conducting. When transistor T8 conducts the emitter current flowing resistors 61 and 63 causes the potential at the base of transistor 59 to increase.

At such a time transistor T9 is biased to conduction and capacitor 65 can discharge through it through the heart. Capacitor 65 discharges more rapidly than it charges since resistor 24 is not involved in the discharge path. Capacitor 65 discharges through an essentially short circuited transistor switch. Transistor T9 operates in response to each oscillation. The combination of the oscillator, transistor T9, and capacitor 65 comprise a pulse generator.

A typical minimum frequency of oscillation of an oscillator for a stimulator of this type is in the neighborhood of 1,000 cycles per minute. The predetermined time required for capacitor 28 to discharge to the predetermined voltage is approximately 5 seconds for this illustrative embodiment. Thus for each application of the magnet one can achieve a "burst" of approximately 5/60 of 1,000 or approximately a minimum of 83 stimulating pulses every 5 seconds.

After magnet 15 is removed, reed switch 32 assumes the depicted state. Capacitor 28 is recharged and capacitor 65 is recharged as previously described. Only if the patient or another person places magnet 15 in proper position once again will there by another burst of stimuli to the heart. The patient can perform this operation himself in response to an uncomfortable feeling when he goes into tachycardia. (Paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia is a disorder which is not lethal but which does cause temporary discomfort to the patient.). When the magnet is in position once again, capacitor 28 assumes its role as power supply and once again a burst of stimuli is applied to the heart.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, the oscillator need not be of the relaxation variety, the output could be transformer coupled, other biasing arrangements could be used and other means for controlling turn on and turn off of the oscillator could be employed. It should be understood that the frequency of oscillation could have values greater than those discussed herein, and that the duration of a burst of stimuli can be greater or less than 5 seconds.

It should be understood that in the present invention the oscillator need not be powered from a power supply that decreases with time, but could be powered from a fixed power supply. Thus, the oscillator would not turn off after a predetermined time, but would provide continuous stimulation until the fixed supply and the oscillator are disconnected from each other.

The present invention can, of course, be extra corporeal (external) having the terminals implanted, or the entire mechanism, with the exception of the control, can be implanted.

The atria are normally stimulated in treatment of tachycardia as described herein, but the present invention may be used in the treatment of other ventricular originated tachycardias by applying ventricular stimulation. However, the possibility of inducing ventricular fibrillation by application of this stimulation may make this ventricular treatment somewhat hazardous at present.

The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which some within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A heart stimulator for providing therapeutic treatment of tachycardia by directly stimulating the heart of a patient and interacting with the abnormal spread of an electrical impulse generated in said heart, said stimulator comprising terminal means for connection to the heart of said patient, and pulse generator means for generating at least one burst of more than two electrical stimuli at a continually changing rate above the normal physiological heartbeat-rate range of said patient, said pulse generator means including means for applying said stimuli to said terminal means.

2. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 1 further comprising control means for controlling duration of operation of said generator means.

3. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 2 and wherein said control means includes manually operable means for causing said pulse generator means to initiate the generation of said stimuli and for causing the termination of said stimuli.

4. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 3 and wherein said manually operable means includes automatic means for automatically terminating the generation of said stimuli after a predetermined time, said automatic means comprising charged capacitor means for discharging through said pulse generator means and for causing the operation of said pulse generator means for the voltage of said capacitor means exceeding a predetermined voltage, said charged capacitor means including an electrically conductive recharge path, and means for recharging said capacitor means via said path.

5. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 4 including means for causing the voltage of said capacitor to exceed said predetermined voltage for said predetermined time.

6. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 3 and wherein said manually operable means comprises a reed switch and a magnet.

7. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 6 and wherein said stimulator, except for said magnet, is implantable within said patient and said magnet is operatively positioned external to said patient.

8. A heart stimulator as recited in claim 6 and wherein said manually operable means further comprises automatic means for automatically terminating the generation of said stimuli after a predetermined time, said automatic means comprising charged capacitor means for discharging through said pulse generator means and for causing the operation of said pulse generator means for the voltage of said capacitor means exceeding a predetermined voltage, said charged capacitor means including an electrically conductive recharge path and means for recharging said capacitor means via said path.