Michael A Sweeney

US Patent:

48724599, Oct 10, 1989

Filed:

May 27, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/199998

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Pless - Palo Alto CA
Michael B. Sweeney - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Intermedics, Inc. - Angleton TX

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128419PG

Abstract:

A heart pacemaker detects pace-terminable tachycardia conditions in the atrium of the heart in accordance with selected high rate, rate stability, sudden onset and sustained high rate criteria. When a pace-terminable tachycardia is detected, programmed treatment modalities are applied to attempt to terminate the tachycardia. The tachycardia is treated by applying timed bursts of electrical pulses in formats defined by programmed primary and secondary treatment modalities. The primary and secondary treatments may be applied in an order which is dependent upon the prior successful treatment of similar tachycardias. The pacemaker may also utilize remembered treatment values which were successfully applied to treat similar tachycardias. The pacemaker may be programmed to restart the primary and secondary modes of treatment in the event that the modes initially failed to terminate a tachycardia. The pacemaker may also be programmed to limit the rate of burst pulses to avoid overstimulating the heart.

US Patent:

53839080, Jan 24, 1995

Filed:

Jun 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/079069

Inventors:

Michael B. Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
Debra S. Echt - Nashville TN

Assignee:

Ventritex, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5

Abstract:

An electrode configuration for an automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator system and method for its use are disclosed. The electrode configuration includes a first catheter transvenously positioned with a first electrode near the distal end of the catheter positioned in the right ventricle of a patient's heart. A second catheter carries second and third electrodes with the second electrode positioned in the superior vena cava region and the third electrode positioned in the left innominate vein. The second and third electrodes of the second catheter are connected together. A fourth electrode at the tip of the first catheter functions as a sensing/pacing electrode. A fifth electrode in the form of a subcutaneous patch is also electrically coupled to the second and third electrodes. The electrode arrangement can be positioned without the need for a thoracotomy. With the method of the invention, the automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator senses life-threatening arrhythmic conditions of the heart and issues at least one cardioverting or defibrillating pulse that is applied between the right ventricular electrode and the connected superior vena cava, innominate vein and subcutaneous patch electrodes.

US Patent:

50074229, Apr 16, 1991

Filed:

Jun 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/362163

Inventors:

Benjamin Pless - Menlo Park CA
Michael Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
Roger Winkle - Palo Alto CA
Anthony Nathan - Bushey Heath, GB2

Assignee:

Ventritex, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1362

US Classification:

28419PG

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for combined cardiac pacing and defibrillating with an implanted pacer/defibrillator having sensing and pacing leads connected to the atrium and the ventricle. P-waves and R-waves are sensed, and V--V timer and a V--A timer are reset if an R-wave is sensed. If an R-wave is sensed during the V--V timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the ventricle is inhibited. If a P-wave is sensed during the V--A timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the atrium is inhibited. In an R-wave is sensed during the V--V timer interval, arrhythmia therapy is provided if an arrhythmia is determined to be present. If the sensed ventricular rate is greater than a selected tachycardia rate but is less than a selected fibrillation rate, then a determination is made whether the sensed atrial rate is greater than a selected fibrillation rate, and if so, the V--V and V--A timers are reset, but if the sensed atrial rate is not greater than a selected fibrillation rate, then arrhythmia therapy is provided. If an arrhythmia is present, the charging of a capacitor commences but if the arrhythmia ceases, the charging discontinues. If the capacitor is charged and the arrhythmia is still present, then a shock is delivered to the heart during a time period that is outside the vulnerable zones of the atrium and the ventricle.

US Patent:

51158078, May 26, 1992

Filed:

Jan 7, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/638191

Inventors:

Benjamin Pless - Palo Alto CA
Michael Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
Roger Winkle - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Ventritex - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

128419D

Abstract:

The subject apparatus integrates a two-channel defibrillator with a programmable stimulator to provide a means for assessing lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias and determining defibrillation thresholds during implantable defibrillator procedures. The subject apparatus includes a number of features to aid doctors as well as improve patient care at substantially decreased patient risk. These features include an automatic charging circuit, as well as dual channel high voltage capacitor circuits to reduce the time in which a rescue shock can be delivered to a patient after an initial test defibrillation shock. Parameter storage is provided to allow the unit to be preprogrammed prior to the initiation of an electrophysiologic procedure. A microprocessor controlled display system provides the physician with information parameters regarding defibrillation shocks. This displayed information includes the energy delivered and the resistance in the patient.

US Patent:

54567068, Oct 10, 1995

Filed:

Jan 4, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/177293

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Pless - Menlo Park CA
Drew A. Hoffmann - Los Gatos CA
Michael B. Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
M. Elizabeth Bush - Fremont CA
Steven M. Mitchell - Atherton CA

Assignee:

Ventritex, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61H 139

US Classification:

607122

Abstract:

A lead for use with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator system is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the lead combines a right ventricular endocardial electrode, a superior vena cava electrode and one or more atrial sensing electrodes on a single catheter lead. The distal end of the lead is transvenously implanted, typically through an incision in the cephalic or subclavian vein. The proximal end of the lead is then tunneled below the fascia to the location of the pulse generator. Ventricular sensing and/or pacing electrode(s) may also be included at the distal end of the combined lead to provide ventricular intracardiac electrogram sensing and bradycardia pacing.

US Patent:

50485210, Sep 17, 1991

Filed:

Jun 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/546261

Inventors:

Benjamin Pless - Menlo Park CA
Michael Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
Roger Winkle - Palo Alto CA
Anthony Nathan - Bushey Heath, GB2

Assignee:

Ventritex, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128419PG

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for combined cardiac pacing and defibrillating with an implanted pacer/defibrillator having sensing and pacing leads connected to the atrium and the ventricle. P-waves and R-waves are sensed, and a V-V timer and a V-A timer are reset if an R-wave is sensed. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the ventricle is inhibited. If a P-wave is sensed during the V-A timer interval, a pacing stimulus to the atrium is inhibited. If an R-wave is sensed during the V-V timer interval, arrhythmia therapy is provided if an arrhythmia is determined to be present. If the sensed ventricular rate is greater than a selected tachycardia rate but is less than a selected fibrillation rate, than a determination is made whether the sensed atrial rate is greater than a selected fibrillation rate, and if so, the V-V and V-A timers are reset, but if the sensed atrial rate is not greater than a selected fibrillation rate, then arrhythmia therapy is provided. If an arrhythmia is present, the charging of a capacitor commences but if the arrhythmia ceases, the charging discontinues. If the capacitor is charged and the arrhythmia is still present, then a shock is delivered to the heart during a time period that is outside the vulnerable zones of the atrium and the ventricle.

US Patent:

50146971, May 14, 1991

Filed:

Jan 11, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/464655

Inventors:

Benjamin Pless - Palo Alto CA
Michael Sweeney - Menlo Park CA
Roger Winkle - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Ventritex - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

128419D

Abstract:

The subject invention integrates a two-channel defibrillator with a programmable stimulator to provide a means for assessing lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias and determining defibrillation thresholds during implantable defibrillator procedures. The subject apparatus includes a number of features to aid doctors as well as improve patient care at substantially decreased patient risk. These features include an automatic charging circuit, as well as dual channel high voltage capacitor circuits to reduce the time in which a rescue shock can be delivered to a patient after an initial test defibrillation shock. Parameter storage is provided to allow the unit to be preprogrammed prior to the initiation of an electrophysiologic procedure. A microprocessor controlled display system provides the physician with information parameters regarding defibrillation shocks. This displayed information includes the energy delivered and the resistance in the patient.

US Patent:

48800058, Nov 14, 1989

Filed:

May 23, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/198614

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Pless - Palo Alto CA
Michael B. Sweeney - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Intermedics, Inc. - Angleton TX

International Classification:

A61N 136

US Classification:

128419PG

Abstract:

A heart pacemaker detects pace-terminable tachycardia conditions in the atrium of the heart in accordance with selected high rate, rate stability, sudden onset and sustained high rate criteria. When a pace-terminable tachycardia is detected, programmed treatment modalities are applied to attempt to terminate the tachycardia. The tachycardia is treated by applying timed bursts of electrical pulses in formats defined by programmed primary and secondary treatment modalities. The primary and secondary treatments may be applied in an order which is dependent upon the prior successful treatment of similar tachycardias. The pacemaker may also utilize remembered treatment values which were successfully applied to treat similar tachycardias. The pacemaker may be programmed to restart the primary and secondary modes of treatment in the event that the modes initially failed to terminate a tachycardia. The pacemaker may also be programmed to limit the rate of burst pulses to avoid overstimulating the heart.