摘要:
An amplifier circuit for detecting low level signals of positive or negative amplitude, and for producing an output pulse whenever the input signals exceed a predetermined threshold level. The threshold level, or sensitivity of the amplifier circuit, is established through use of a pair of operational transconductance amplifiers employed as comparators, the reference voltage for each comparator being set through a resistive circuit driven by one or more current sources. The design provides for compensation of amplifier offsets with minimal adjustment requirements, and permits operation with very low current drain.
摘要:
There is provided an implantable system and method for monitoring pancreatic beta cell electrical activity in a patient in order to obtain a measure of a patient's insulin demand and blood glucose level. A stimulus generator is controlled to deliver stimulus pulses so as to synchronize pancreatic beta cell depolarization, thereby producing an enhanced electrical signal which is sensed and processed. In a specific embodiment, the signal is processed to determine the start and end of beta cell depolarization, from which the depolarization duration is obtained. In order to reduce cardiac interference, each stimulus pulse is timed to be offset from the QRS signal which can interfere with the pancreas sensing. Additionally, the beta cell signals are processed by a correction circuit, e.g., an adaptive filter, to remove QRS artifacts, as well as artifacts from other sources, such as respiration. The thus obtained insulin demand signal is used either to control delivery of insulin from an implanted insulin pump, or to control ongoing pancreatic stimulation of a form to enhance insulin production.
摘要:
A cardiac pacer for providing stimulus signals for pacing a human heart, adapted to utilize a lithium-type battery source having an internal resistance which increases with the energy depletion of such source, and having an interface circuit adapted to transfer power from the lithium-type battery source to the circuitry for providing stimulus signals, which interface circuit provides transfer characteristics which are a programmed function of said lithium source internal resistance.
摘要:
A pacer having a DC to DC converter for use with a relatively low voltage power source, and for providing a raised voltage supply to a load characterized by having a first circuit portion which is voltage sensitive and draws a low current, and a second circuit portion which draws a high current and is relatively insensitive to supply deviations, comprising a switching circuit alternately connecting said respective circuit portions through respective converters to the supply so that the voltage sensitive circuit is not affected by the loading of the high current circuit. A method is provided for alternately delivering power from a battery source to respective circuit portions of a stimulus delivery system.
摘要:
There is provided an implantable system and method for monitoring pancreatic beta cell electrical activity in a patient in order to obtain a measure of a patient's insulin demand and blood glucose level. A stimulus generator is controlled to deliver stimulus pulses so as to synchronize pancreatic beta cell depolarization, thereby producing an enhanced electrical signal which is sensed and processed. In a specific embodiment, the signal is processed to determine the start and end of beta cell depolarization, from which the depolarization duration is obtained. In order to reduce cardiac interference, each stimulus pulse is timed to be offset from the QRS signal which can interfere with the pancreas sensing. Additionally, the beta cell signals are processed by a correction circuit, e.g., an adaptive filter, to remove QRS artifacts, as well as artifacts from other sources, such as respiration. The thus obtained insulin demand signal is used either to control delivery of insulin from an implanted insulin pump, or to control ongoing pancreatic stimulation of a form to enhance insulin production.
摘要:
There is provided a system for automatically responding to insulin demand without any need for external monitoring or injecting of insulin into the diabetic patient. The system provides for sensing glucose levels internally, and responding by stimulating either the pancreas or a transplant of pancreatic islets in order to enhance insulin production. The enhancing stimulation is delivered at a rate greater than the burst rate, or is otherwise controlled so that the depolarization burst constitutes a greater portion of each islet electrical cycle, thereby resulting in increased insulin production. The system also provides for continuous glucose monitoring, and reacts to sensed hypoglycemia by delivering stimulus pulses timed to reduce the burst durations, and thus to inhibit insulin production. In another embodiment, the system responds to a good intake signal, either externally or internally generated, by going through a time response algorithm to provide a stimulation-enhanced insulin response which simulates the natural response. In yet another embodiment, the functionality of an islet transplant is continually monitored, and performance data is logged and down loaded on command to an external programmer. The stimulation of patient pancreatic cells may be combined with administration of a hypoglycemic agent.
摘要:
A rate responsive pacemaker is provided having the capability of automatically adjusting the lower rate limit (LRL) for sleep, or nighttime. The pacemaker has a temperature sensor for determining patient blood temperature, and processes patient blood temperature data to obtain an average daily low value of nighttime blood temperature. The pacemaker monitors blood temperature to determine a drop below a threshold which is coupled to the average daily low value, as well as when the rate of temperature change exceeds a predetermined limit, these two coincident conditions suggesting onset of nighttime and/or sleep. Lower rate limit is decremented, preferably by a predetermined amount at onset of nighttime, and is automatically incremented when patient blood temperature and/or time of day indicate the end of nighttime.
摘要:
A switching power delivery means for use with a relatively low voltage power source, adapted to be used in conjunction with a converter for providing a raised voltage supply to a load, wherein the load is characterized by having a first circuit portion which is voltage sensitive and draws a low current, and a second circuit portion which draws a high current and is relatively insensitive to supply deviations, comprising a switching circuit alternately connecting said respective circuit portions through respective converters to the supply so that the voltage sensitive circuit is not affected by the loading of the high current circuit.
摘要:
An amplifier circuit for detecting low level signals of positive or negative amplitude, and for producing an output pulse whenever the input signal exceed a predetermined threshold level. A first operational transconductance amplifier is used as an amplifier, followed by a pair of operational transconductance amplifiers employed as comparators. The reference voltage for each comparator is set through a resistive circuit driven by one or more current sources. The design minimizes sensitivity drift by providing for compensation of amplifier offsets with minimal adjustment requirements, and provides broad bandwidth operation with very low current drain.