15th Triennial World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control
  Barcelona, 21–26 July 2002 
A NEW INOTROPIC PACEMAKER SYSTEM
J. Werner, K. Hoeland, A. Kloppe, A. Prenger-Berninghoff, M. Hexamer, S. Müller
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty,
Ruhr-University, MA 4/59, 44780 Bochum, Germany
Tel.: +49-234-32-25442, Fax: +49-234-32-14117
e-mail: werner@biomed.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Abstract: A new “inotropic” pacemaker system is introduced for patients unable to increase heart rate in accordance with cardiocirculatory strain. An inotropic pacemaker senses the increase of heart contraction (inotropy) and uses this information to adjust the pacing rate. The fiber optic sensor, the optoelectrical unit and the re-closing of the control-loop are explained. The device is tested successfully in first experiments, both in technical set-ups and in pig hearts.
Keywords: biomedical systems - biomedical control - heart pacemaker - closed loop control - fiber optic sensor - heart contraction
Session slot T-Mo-M20: Modelling and Control in Biomedical Systems/Area code 4c : Modelling and Control of Biomedical Systems