Abstract: A system for allowing bilateral cochlear implant systems to be networked together. An adapter module that forms part of the system allows two standalone BTE units to be synchronized both temporally and tonotopically in order to maximize a patients listening experience. The system further allows a peer-to-peer network and protocol that includes two BTE units during normal operation, or two BTE units plus a host controller (PC, PDA, etc. . . ) during fitting. The bilateral cochlear network includes four main components: (a) a communications interposer adapted to be inserted between the BTE battery and the BTE housing or modified BTE devices; (b) a communication channel over which communication takes place between the connected devices, including the protocol governing access to such channel; (c) the synchronization mechanisms used to achieve synchronization between the connected devices; and (d) a bilateral fitting paradigm.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

Abstract: Errors in pitch (frequency) allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. In one embodiment, the user is stimulated with a reference signal, e.g., the tone “A” (440 Hz) and then the user is stimulated with a probe signal, separated from the reference signal by an octave, e.g., high “A” (880 Hz). The user adjusts the location where the probe signal is applied, using current steering, until the pitch of the probe signal, as perceived by the user, matches the pitch of the reference signal, as perceived by the user. In this manner, the user maps frequencies to stimulation locations in order to tune his or her implant system to his or her unique cochlea.

Abstract: An atrial, anti-arrhythmia system and method are provided. The system comprises: at least two electrodes attached to the atrium for providing independently controlled stimulus through each electrode; detection circuitry that can sense atrial fibrillation or the cardiac cycle; and stimulus generator that can deliver stimulation through at least two electrodes to stop atrial fibrillation. The method for treating atrial fibrillation has three possible modes: a first mode for detecting ongoing atrial fibrillation and stopping it; a second mode for detecting the cardiac cycle and delivering stimuli to the atrium after it has already begun to contract in order to suppress the onset of atrial fibrillation; and a third mode which applies pacing pulses to the atrium in a timed sequence to pace and contract the atrium faster than the native rate to preempt the initiation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making an aggressively curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond the originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled up with a filling material that is hardened or cured in this held position. The resulting lead has a tip curvature that is more curved than the originally molded curvature.

Abstract: A system and method for preserving temporal and spatial resolution in complex sounds for poor performing patients having high stimulation thresholds is described. The system and method employs two or more adjacent electrode contacts to deliver concurrent stimulation. This concurrent delivery of stimuli creates a high current field intensity that overlaps between individual current fields generated by the two or more adjacent electrodes and which individual fields are summed to create an overlapping field that has a higher current field intensity than a single current emanating from an individual electrode. The use of this method reduces or eliminates the need to increase either the stimulus current amplitude or to increase the pulse width, both of which may cause loss of system resolution, i.e., loss of fine structure information that is used to resolve complex sounds such as music.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cochlear stimulation system and method for capturing and translating fine time structure (“FTS”) in incoming sounds and delivering this information spatially to the cochlea. The system comprises a FTS estimator/analyzer and a current navigator. An embodiment of the method comprises analyzing the incoming sounds within a time frequency band, extracting the slowly varying frequency components and estimating the FTS to obtain a more precise dominant FTS component within a frequency band. After adding the fine structure to the carrier to identify a precise dominant FTS component in each analysis frequency band (or stimulation channel), a stimulation current may be “steered” or directed, using the concept of virtual electrodes, to the precise spatial location (place) on the cochlea that corresponds to the dominant FTS component. This process is simultaneously repeated for each stimulation channel and each FTS component.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation lead having a pre-curved electrode array is provided. The molding process provides memory to the curved part of the lead. The lead may be made having a stylet insertion channel that extends from a slightly curved or substantially straight section and into the highly curved section of the lead. Because high compliance is desired for the lead in cochlear stimulation applications, the compliance is controlled not only by the taper at the distal end of the lead and overall lead thickness, but also by choosing the material hardness of the lead carrier/covering and employing compliant zigzagged conductor wire. In addition, differential lead compliance/stiffness can be achieved by using a stiff tubing that forms part of the stylet insertion channel.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bidirectional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Thrombolytic and/or anticoagulation therapy of the present invention includes implantation of the discharge portion(s) of a catheter and, optionally, one or more electrodes on a lead, adjacent tissue(s) to be stimulated. Stimulation pulses, i.e., drug infusion pulses and optional electrical pulses, are supplied by a stimulator implanted remotely, and through the catheter or lead, which is tunneled subcutaneously between the stimulator and stimulation site. Stimulation sites include the coronary arteries, coronary veins, cerebral arteries, other blood vessels, chambers of the heart, mesenteric vessels, deep vessels of the leg, and other locations. Disclosed treatments include drugs used for chronic treatment and/or prevention of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thrombosis, and combinations of these.

Abstract: A spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system includes multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) which channels can provide concurrent, but unique stimulation fields, permitting virtual electrodes to be realized. The SCS system includes a replenishable power source (e.g., rechargeable battery), that may be recharged using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery can be used to charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. An included bi-directional telemetry link in the system informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery. Other processing circuitry in the IPG allows electrode impedance measurements to be made. Further circuitry in the external battery charger can provide alignment detection for the coil pairs.

Abstract: A method for selecting Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) stimulation parameter sets guides a clinician towards an effective set of stimulation parameters. The clinician first evaluates the effectiveness of a small number of trial stimulation parameters sets from a Measurement Table comprising for example, four stimulation parameter sets. Based on the patient's assessment, the trial stimulation parameter sets are ranked. Then the clinician selects a starting or benchmark row in a Steering Table corresponding to the highest ranked trial stimulation parameter set. The clinician moves either up or down form the starting row, testing consecutive parameter sets. The clinician continues as long as the patient indicates that the stimulation results are improving. When a local optimum is found, the clinician returns to the benchmark row, and tests in the opposite direction for another local optimum. If an acceptable set of stimulation parameters is found, the selection process is complete.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Slow charging occurs at lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage below about 2.5 V), and fast charging occurs when the battery voltage has reached a safe level (e.g., above about 2.5 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.

Abstract: A system for allowing bilateral cochlear implant systems to be networked together. An adapter module that forms part of the system allows two standalone BTE units to be synchronized both temporally and tonotopically in order to maximize a patients listening experience. The system further allows a peer-to-peer network and protocol that includes two BTE units during normal operation, or two BTE units plus a host controller (PC, PDA, etc. . . . ) during fitting. The bilateral cochlear network includes four main components: (a) a communications interposer adapted to be inserted between the BTE battery and the BTE housing or modified BTE devices; (b) a communication channel over which communication takes place between the connected devices, including the protocol governing access to such channel; (c) the synchronization mechanisms used to achieve synchronization between the connected devices; and (d) a bilateral fitting paradigm.

Abstract: An exemplary method of fitting a coeblear implant system to a patient includes establishing an implant fitting line having a slope and a position. The implant fitting line represents a relationship between a number of stimulation sites within a cochlea of the patient and a number of corresponding audio frequencies. That is, the implant fitting line defines which locations along the length of the cochlea, when stimulated, are perceived by the patient as specific tones or frequencies. The method further includes presenting a first audio signal having a number of audio frequencies to the patient and applying a stimulus current to one or more stimulation sites corresponding to the number of audio frequencies of the first audio signal. The method further includes adjusting the slope of the fitting line based on a response of the patient to the stimulus current.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating a vagus nerve include providing at least one implantable stimulator with at least two electrodes, configuring the electrodes to apply stimulation that unidirectionally propagates action potentials along a vagus nerve, and applying the stimulation to the vagus nerve to effectively select afferent fibers, thereby treating at least one of epilepsy and depression while limiting side effects of bidirectional stimulation. At least one of the electrodes comprises a leadsless electrode.

Abstract: A neurostimulator system (170) stimulates excitable muscle or neural tissue through multiple electrodes (E1, E2, . . . En) fast enough to induce stochastic neural firing, thereby acting to restore “spontaneous” neural activity. The type of stimulation provided by the neurostimulator involves the use of a high rate, e.g., greater than about 2000 Hz, pulsatile stimulation signal generated by a high rate pulse generator (172). The stream of pulses generated by the high rate pulse generator is amplitude modulated in an output driver circuit (176) with control information, provided by a modulation control element (178). Such amplitude-modulated pulsatile stimulation exploits the subtle electro physiological differences between cells comprising excitable tissue in order to desynchronize action potentials within the population of excitable tissue.

Abstract: The accuracy of neural response recordings in neural stimulators, e.g., cochlear implants, is often degraded by a recording artifact. An idealized electrical-equivalent model of a neural stimulator is created to study, measure and compensate for artifact evoked compound action potential (eCAP). Using this model, the artifact is shown to occur even when the electrical components that make-up the neural stimulator are ideal. The model contains parasitic capacitances between the electrode wires. The model demonstrates that these small parasitic capacitances provide a current path during stimulation which can deposit charge on the electrode-tissue interfaces of the recording electrodes. The dissipation of this residual charge and the charge stored across the stimulating electrode is seen as the recording artifact. The proposed solution for eliminating the artifact problem is realized by utilizing a capacitive electrode material, e.g.

Abstract: A new method of recording and processing neural responses (“NR”) is provided, wherein the method does not assume a linear system response and does not assume a linear response at the interface between electrodes and tissue. The method of the present invention cancels out non-linearities and/or system hysteresis. Other artifacts such as system cross-talk between stimulation and recording circuits are also canceled out. The method provided uses at least two stimulating electrodes simultaneously in one recording step.

Abstract: A neurostimulator system (170) stimulates excitable muscle or neural tissue through multiple electrodes (E1, E2, . . . En) fast enough to induce stochastic neural firing, thereby acting to restore “spontaneous” neural activity. The type of stimulation provided by the neurostimulator involves the use of a high rate, e.g., greater than about 2000 Hz, pulsatile stimulation signal generated by a high rate pulse generator (172). The stream of pulses generated by the high rate pulse generator is amplitude modulated in an output driver circuit (176) with control information, provided by a modulation control element (178). Such amplitude-modulated pulsatile stimulation exploits the subtle electro physiological differences between cells comprising excitable tissue in order to desynchronize action potentials within the population of excitable tissue.