Power Saving Methods of the Control Mechanism in a Cardiac Pacemaker

Abstract

We developed low power consumption methods for cardiac pacemakers by introducing two novel power-saving methods to the control mechanism with a special focus on the “energy-consuming” clock oscillator. These two methods are:1) a multi-clock method reducing clock pulses required for sensing (self-cardiac potential detection) and pacing (cardiac stimulation) both of which are pacemaker's essential functions mimicking the physiological phenomenon of the heart and 2) a clock-less method charging a self-cardiac potential by charging a capacitor and achieving the sensing and pacing functions by using charge oscillation as a timer. We then designed and assembled circuits by incorporating these two proposed methods. The power consumptions were about 60% for themulti-clock method and about 14% for the clock-less method when compared with the existing synchronous method circuit. It is thus concluded that these two novel methods would offer highly efficient power saving for a pacemaker system, enabling less frequent battery replacement.