Importance

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Abstract

An endocardial lead having first and second spaced apart electrodes resides in a patient's heart. The first electrode is a sensing electrode and the second electrode is a carrier signal driving electrode. The lead has a conductor coupling a source of alternating current carrier signals of a predetermined frequency to the second electrode. A third electrode is in electrical contact with body tissues. A cardiac pacer apparatus includes a pacer can which functions as a fourth electrode and has a plastic top wherein the third electrode is located. Said third electrode acts in cooperation with the first electrode to form a pair of sensing electrodes. The sensing electrode pair is further coupled to a sense amplifier for receiving an amplifying modulated electrical signals developed across the sensing electrode pair. A demodulator and filters circuit for demodulating the modulated carrier signal and recovering the modulating signal therefrom is connected to the output of the sense amplifier. The modulating signal is proportional to instantaneous stroke volume of the patient's heart and the demodulator and filters circuit develops a control signal therefrom called a stroke volume signal. The control signal is applied to the pulse generator so as to control the rate of stimulating pulses.

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First Claim