Method and Apparatus for Multiplexed Dipole/Quadrupole for Stimulation/Sensing

The present invention concerns a novel system for cardiac pacing and sensing.

In both unipolar and bipolar cardiac pacing, in which a lead is located in a cardiac chamber, after a current pulse is applied polarization charges exist in solution at the electrode-electrolyte interface. These charges are electrolytic ions which are intrinsic to the volume conductor. Anions are found surrounding the anode while cations are established at the cathode. As a result, during sensing it is often difficult to sense the evoked cardiac response because the polarization voltages may be greater than the cardiac signals. In effect, the sensing circuit of the pacer is unable to determine whether the pulse provided by the pacer has been an effective stimulus because the pulse that was provided results in a polarization charge that masks the cardiac response. It has been determined to be the pacer's sensing circuit that is effectively unable to determine the response.

The use of a three-electrode configuration in the atrium for the purpose of reducing cross-sensing (i.e., cross-talk) from the ventricle during sensing has been suggested prior to this invention. I have discovered that by using three electrodes in either of the cardiac chambers, all three electrodes may be used for sensing and two of the same three electrodes may be used for pacing with the result that in addition to alleviating the cross-talk problem as previously noted, the polarization problem is also alleviated. I have found that by using the three electrodes, the polarization potential as seen by the electrodes is reduced sufficiently so that the electrodes readily can "read" the cardiac evoked response.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for cardiac pacing and sensing including means for generating pacing pulses and means for sensing cardiac response. The improvement comprises a lead for introduction into a cardiac chamber, with the lead carrying three electrodes. Switching means are coupled to the pulse generating means and the sensing means, with the switching means being operable to connect two of the electrodes to the pulse generating means during pacing and being operable to connect all three of the electrodes to the sensing means during sensing.

In the illustrative embodiment, the switching means are operable to disconnect the sensing means from at least two of the electrodes during pacing and to disconnect the pulse generating means from the electrodes during sensing.

In the illustrative embodiment, the pulse generating means include two output lines and the sensing means include two input lines. The switching means operate to connect two of the electrodes to the two output lines during pacing and to connect the same two of the electrodes to one of the input lines during sensing. The other of the three electrodes is connected to the other of the input lines during both pacing and sensing.

In the illustrative embodiment, the electrodes are in the form of a distal tip electrode and two spaced ring electrodes, with wires extending from the tip and rings to the switching means. The wires are carried internally within a lead cover.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The drawing is a schematic diagram of a system for cardiac pacing and sensing constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, a cardiac lead 1 is schematically illustrated therein. Cardiac lead 1 is adapted for introduction into one of the cardiac chambers. Conventionally, lead 1 will be a straight lead if used in the ventricle and will have a J-shape if used in the atrium.

Lead 1 comprises a plastic lead cover carrying three wires 2, 3 and 4, internally. Wire 2 is electrically connected to a distal tip electrode 2'; wire 3 is electrically connected to a spaced ring electrode 3'; and wire 4 is electrically connected to another spaced ring electrode 4'. The use of tip and ring electrodes on plastic leads in cardiac pacing and sensing is well-known in the art.

Conventionally, cardiac pacers comprise a pulse generator 6 for generating pacing pulses and a sensing amplifier 8 for sensing cardiac response. In accordance with the present invention, pulse generator 6 has output lines 10 and 11 for providing the basic pulses and sense amplifier 8 has input lines 12 and 13 for detecting the cardiac response. A multiplexer 14 is provided for connecting and disconnecting the electrodes to the pulse generator 6 and sense amplifier 8 in a novel manner. In its schematic form, multiplexer 14 has switch contacts 16 and 17 which are connected, respectively, to output lines 10 and 11 of pulse generator 6. Multiplexer 14 also has switch contacts 18 and 19 which are both connected to sense amplifier input line 12. Wire 2 is connected to switch arm 20 and wire 3 is connected to switch arm 21.

During pacing, switch arms 20 and 21 engage contacts 16 and 17, respectively, as illustrated. In this manner, electrodes 2' and 3' are coupled to outputs 10 and 11, respectively, of the pulse generator 6 and are effectively disconnected from the sense amplifier 8. However, electrode 4' is always connected to input 13 of sense amplifier 8.

During sensing, switch arms 20 and 21 will engage contacts 18 and 19. In this manner, electrodes 2' and 3' will be connected to input 12 of sense amplifier 8 and will be effectively disconnected from pulse generator 6.

Since the cardiac response detection is differential, it does not matter which input of sense amplifier 8 is used for connection to electrode 4' so long as electrode 4' is connected to a different input from electrodes 2' and 3'.

Although a multiplexer 14 is illustrated with discrete switches, this is by example only and the multiplexer may take the form of a unit containing discrete solid state devices, discrete mechanical devices or it may be the form of a software routine utilizing a microprocessor-based system.

By using three electrodes for sensing and two of the same three electrodes for pacing, both the problem of cross-talk between chambers and the problem of polarization is alleviated.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that modifications and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the present invention.