Abstract: There is provided an implantable cardiac pacing system or other cardiac monitoring system having an enhanced capability to classify intracardiac signals through a combination of DSP techniques and software algorithms. The implantable device has one or more DSP channels corresponding to different signals which are being monitored. Each DSP channel most preferably amplifies the incoming signal, converts the signal from analog to digital form, digitally filters the converted signals to provide a filtered signal, operates on the filtered signal to provide a slope signal, determines from the filtered and slope signals when an intracardiac event has been detected, signal processes the filtered and slope signals for a predetermined analysis interval after threshold crossing, and generates a plurality of wave parameters corresponding to the signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a mountain bike frame and method of making a mountain bike frame where a rear suspension shock absorber is configured to compress when a rear triangle moves upwardly with respect to a force channelling top tube and a seat tube. At least portions of forces generated by upward movement of the rear triangle with respect to the force channelling top tube and the seat tube are transmitted through elongated front and rear torque conversion devices to the shock absorber, a shock absorber mount and the force channelling top tube. An upper portion of the front torque conversion device and a rear portion of the rear torque conversion device, when the mountain bike frame is viewed from a right side view, each rotate in a clockwise direction when the rear triangle moves upwardly with respect to the force channelling top tube and the seat tube.

Abstract: An interferometer is provided that minimizes the introduction of non-linear errors into displacement measurements. In one embodiment, non-linear errors are reduced by isolating reference and measurement beams over most of their respective optical paths leading to the detector, and by employing a separate amplitude-splitting non-polarizing optical beam splitter for each beam input into the interferometer. Additionally, the interferometer is scalable to an arbitrary number of optical axes or inputs.

Abstract: An implantable beneficial agent infusion device featuring a unique energy recovery circuit and a deflectable energy storing member such as a piezo-electric membrane is disclosed. The circuit and deflectable energy storing member cooperate to permit electrical energy employed to activate the member to be at least partially recovered. In a preferred embodiment, the deflectable energy storing member is connected to a seal which is opened to permit the delivery or infusion of a pre-determined amount of a beneficial agent to a patient when the member is deflected or actuated through the application of a sufficiently high voltage thereacross. Charge stored on or in the deflectable energy storing member as a result of the voltage being applied thereacross is recovered by a novel circuit when the deflectable energy storing membrane is permitted to return to its non-actuated state or position.

Abstract: Method embodiments to implant a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A method embodiment begins by inserting a needle posterior to the sacrum through an entry point. The needle is guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead. The needle is removed from the insertion path. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location. The dilator is removed from the insertion path. Additionally if the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer. The stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer.

Abstract: Active fixation, gastrointestinal leads adapted to be implanted within the body at a site of the GI tract to conduct electrical stimulation from an implantable or external gastrointestinal stimulator to the site and to conduct electrical signals of the GI tract from the site to the implantable or external gastrointestinal stimulator are disclosed. Disclosed active fixation mechanisms include one or more of hooks, and helixes extending from stops, e.g. plates, of an electrode head and functioning as stimulation/sense electrodes in unipolar and bipolar configurations or simply as fixation mechanisms. The active fixation mechanisms are coated to reduce inflammation and polarization effects.

Abstract: Bifurcated, active fixation, gastrointestinal leads adapted to be implanted within the body at a site of the GI tract to conduct electrical stimulation and electrical signals of the GI tract between the gastrointestinal stimulator and the site are disclosed. The GI tract lead has a lead body comprising a common lead body trunk extending from a lead body trunk proximal end to a junction with a first plurality of lead body legs that extend from the junction to a like first plurality of lead body leg distal ends. An electrode head is formed at each lead body leg distal end having a plate and supporting at least one stimulation/sense electrode and an active fixation mechanism, whereby a plurality of active fixation attachment mechanisms are supported by a like plurality of electrode heads. The plurality of electrode heads can be affixed by the fixation mechanism at a plurality of spaced apart locations of the GI tract.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device that includes a carrier and a polynucleotide, where the carrier has a surface that includes a polymer with which the polynucleotide is associated. In another aspect, the present invention provides a medical device that includes a carrier and a cell that expresses an antimicrobial peptide, where the carrier has a surface that includes a polymer with which the cell is associated. The present invention further provides methods of making and using medical devices that include a carrier and a polynucleotide or a cell.

Abstract: A method and system for pacing cardiac tissue is provided. Atrial fibrillation is detected in the cardiac tissue. An area of the cardiac tissue is paced with at least one atrial electrode and simultaneously paced with at least one ventricular electrode. A ventricular extra-systole is induced, thereby terminating the atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A GI tract stimulator and/or monitor IMD comprising a housing enclosing electrical stimulation and/or monitoring circuitry and a power source and an elongated flexible member extending from the housing to an active fixation mechanism adapted to be fixed into the GI tract wall is disclosed. After fixation is effected, the elongated flexible member bends into a preformed shape that presses the housing against the mucosa so that forces that would tend to dislodge the fixation mechanism are minimized. The IMD is fitted into an esophageal catheter lumen with the fixation mechanism aimed toward the catheter distal end opening whereby the bend in the flexible member is straightened. The catheter body is inserted through the esophagus into the GI tract cavity to direct the catheter distal end to the site of implantation and fix the fixation mechanism to the GI tract wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides a sensed AV delay and/or a paced AV delay following an atrial sensed event and/or an atrial paced event, respectively. The AV delay is a predetermined time period initiated by the respective occurrence of the atrial sensed event or atrial paced event. A ventricular safety pacing window is defined during at least an initial portion of the AV delay. Ventricular events are sensed during the AV delay. If a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window, then a commitment is made to the delivery of a ventricular safety pace upon expiration of the AV delay.

Abstract: Coating an implantable device, such as micro electromechanical devices, is highly desirable to protect the implantable device from corrosion. A coating method includes depositing, preferably by plasma glow discharge, a reactant monomer on at least one surface of an implantable device, preferably at ambient temperature. The method will likely decrease the manufacturing time required for assembling such devices because completely assembled devices can be coated.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the likelihood of occurrence of an impending neurological episode. Electrical stimuli are delivered to a structure of the brain. Response field potentials evoked by the stimuli are sensed. Analysis of these field potentials allows for predictions as to the occurrence of an impending, but not yet occurring, neurological disorder. In one example, a measurement of change in response pulses is used to determine a level of interconnectivity in the structures of the brain. The level of functional interconnectivity is used in predicting the occurrence of the neurological event. An example of such a neurological event includes an epileptic seizure.