The importance of software programmable pacemakers: in vivo programming of a prototype device.

Recently, we have developed microcomputer-oriented pacemakers with true software flexibility. The first 25 devices implanted (DPG-1 type*) exhibited an unexpected phenomenon caused by a microcomputer error. A safety mechanism switched off all special functions and automatically reset all parameters...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Pacing & Clinical Electrophysiology Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 1207 - 1213
Autores principales: Wittkampf FH, Candelon B, Van Arragon GW
Formato: Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Nov1984
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Recently, we have developed microcomputer-oriented pacemakers with true software flexibility. The first 25 devices implanted (DPG-1 type*) exhibited an unexpected phenomenon caused by a microcomputer error. A safety mechanism switched off all special functions and automatically reset all parameters to standard settings. The problem was solved by noninvasive modification of the software. More than 200 units (TX-1 type*), which are rate responsive pacemakers based on the QT principal, were implanted up to May 1984. These pacemakers were built using the same microelectronics as used in the DPG 1 pacemaker. Knowledge gained from clinical evaluation was directly applied not only to the patients receiving new implants but also to the preexisting implantees. This was done by software reprogramming in the implanted unit.