Pacemaker Threshold Testing Based on Pulse Oximeter Output Curve

摘要

Methods of threshold testing and setting a voltage on an artificial pacemaker based on the output of a plethymograph, such as an oximeter, are disclosed herein. This is accomplished by determining blood volume in a limb or area of the body, and its change over time. As voltage is decreased in the pacemaker, a change in blood volume of the limb being measured by the oximeter is determined. This change can be a change in how often the blood volume level rises to its peak level and/or the blood volume level no longer rises substantially. Such changes, or lack thereof, can be based on a backup heart rate or no heart rate at all. Once the threshold voltage is determined where the artificial pacemaker ceases to cause a heartbeat, the voltage of the pacemaker can be set accordingly.

主权项

1. A method of threshold testing an artificial pacemaker for calibration thereof, comprising steps of:
setting an artificial pacemaker to beat at a regular rate; measuring blood volume at a location on a limb using a plethysmograph; detecting a correspondence between said regular rate and output of said plethysmograph; setting said artificial pacemaker to output a voltage and decrease said voltage over time; determining substantially a lower voltage bound at which said correspondence is no longer applicable; adjusting said artificial pacemaker as a result of said step of determining.