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Abstract

A rate-responsive pacing system and method allows the inter-related sensor operating parameters associated with the physiological sensor of a rate-responsive pacemaker to be automatically and/or optimally set for a particular patient. The system includes both a pacemaker and an external programming device. The pacemaker includes appropriate memory circuits for recording a sensor indicated rate (SIR) signal in a histogram. The external programming device retrieves the SIR histogram data, as well as other data associated with the operation of the pacemaker, and selectively processes and displays such data in a prescribed manner. An Auto-Set sequence or routine, carried out by the external programming device, sets all of the rate-responsive operating parameters to a known initial value and places the pacemaker in a passive mode. In the passive mode the SIR signal does not control the pacing rate. The Auto-Set routine then displays instructions for the physician that cause diagnostic data to be collected. Such instructions effectively cause the pacemaker to be subjected to a known or predictable load. The Auto-Set routine then computes appropriate rate-responsive operating parameters that may be displayed for consideration by the physician, and/or that are automatically programmed into the pacemaker. The Auto-Set routine thus provides a method for automatically setting the programmable sensor parameters of the rate-responsive pacemaker based on a simple programming sequence performed by a physician.

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