Patrick J Wolf

US Patent:

6415179, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/684693

Inventors:

Rajesh Pendekanti - Sunnyvale CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA
Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5

Abstract:

A system and method for providing improved defibrillation thresholds. In one embodiment of the invention, following the detection of fibrillation, a pacing pulse train is applied to a pacing electrode placed in the low gradient region of the left ventricular freewall to capture the tissue. In one embodiment, a pacing rate of about 80-95% of the VF cycle length is applied to achieve capture. Once capture of the tissue of the critical region is achieved, a high energy shock is delivered when the captured tissue is in the process of activation. The defibrillation shock is delivered at the end of the pacing train, with a coupling interval of either about 80-95% of the pacing rate (i. e. , about 64-90% of the VF cycle length), or, alternatively, about 5-20% of the pacing rate (i. e. , about 4-19% of the VF cycle length). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a sensing electrode array is placed in the low gradient region of the left ventricular freewall to monitor such time as a substantial percentage of the tissue of the low gradient region is in the process of activation, i. e.

US Patent:

6754525, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Dec 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/033740

Inventors:

Rose Anne Province - San Jose CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 1362

US Classification:

607 4

Abstract:

An implantable cardiac stimulation device is equipped with a sensor to obtain information indicative of tissue depolarization. The devices processor is programmed to analyze the information to determine a suitable pacing pulse regimen and/or to trigger a cardioversion level stimulus.

US Patent:

61546720, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/212033

Inventors:

Rajesh Pendekanti - Sunnyvale CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA
Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5

Abstract:

A system and method for providing improved defibrillation thresholds. In one embodiment of the invention, following the detection of fibrillation, a pacing pulse train is applied to a pacing electrode placed in the low gradient region of the left ventricular freewall to capture the tissue. In one embodiment, a pacing rate of about 80-95% of the VF cycle length is applied to achieve capture. Once capture of the tissue of the critical region is achieved, a high energy shock is delivered when the captured tissue is in the process of activation. The defibrillation shock is delivered at the end of the pacing train, with a coupling interval of either about 80-95% of the pacing rate (i. e. , about 64-90% of the VF cycle length), or, alternatively, about 5-20% of the pacing rate (i. e. , about 4-19% of the VF cycle length).

US Patent:

60817461, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Aug 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/130748

Inventors:

Rajesh Pendekanti - Sunnyvale CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA
Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for achieving atrial defibrillation in a heart. Atrial pacing is first conducted from multiple pacing sites in a synchronous manner so as to have the desired effect of maximizing the extent of phase-locked area of atrial tissue. Next, an ADF shock is introduced, if still needed, to achieve atrial defibrillation. ADFT energy requirements have been shown to be dramatically reduced on account of using pacing rates set proportionally to the sensed atrial fibrillation cycle length(s) such that large areas of atrial tissues are phase-locked, and consequently atrial defibrillation can be effected in the patient with greatly reduced energy requirements for ADFTs.

US Patent:

60851163, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Aug 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/130990

Inventors:

Rajesh Pendekanti - Sunnyvale CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA
Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 5

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for achieving atrial defibrillation in a heart. Atrial pacing is first conducted from a single pacing site so as to have the desired effect of maximizing the extent of phase-locked area of atrial tissue. Next, an ADF shock is introduced, if still needed, to achieve atrial defibrillation. ADFT energy requirements have been shown to be dramatically reduced on account of using a pacing rate set proportionally to the atrial fibrillation cycle length such that large areas of atrial tissues are phase-locked, and consequently atrial defibrillation can be effected in the patient with greatly reduced energy requirements for ADFTs.

US Patent:

62926918, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

Oct 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/418043

Inventors:

Rajesh Pendekanti - Sunnyvale CA
Patrick D. Wolf - Durham NC

Assignee:

Pacesetter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

A61N 139

US Classification:

607 4

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for achieving atrial defibrillation in a heart. Atrial pacing is first conducted from multiple pacing sites in an independent (asynchronous) manner so as to have the desired effect of maximizing the extent of phase-locked area of atrial tissue. Next, an ADF shock is introduced, if still needed, to achieve atrial defibrillation. ADFT energy requirements have been shown to be dramatically reduced on account of using pacing rates set proportionally to the sensed local atrial fibrillation cycle lengths such that large areas of atrial tissues are phase-locked, and consequently atrial defibrillation can be effected in the patient with greatly reduced energy requirements for ADFTs.