Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an apparatus to be implanted in eyes, including: a configuration memory used for storing signal parameter configuration; a signal generator connected to the configuration memory and used for generating stimulating signals according to the signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory; electrodes connected to the signal generator and contact with outer surface of eye ball after implanted; a communication assembly connected to the configuration memory and used for receiving the signal parameter configuration, storing the received signal parameter configuration in the configuration memory; and a power supply connected to the configuration memory, signal generator and communication assembly, used for providing power. An update system for the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heart rate variability or heart rate variation can be identified using sensed and/or paced heart beats. One or more patient metrics, such as a variability index or a variation index, can correspond to the identified heart rate variability or heart rate variation. The patient metrics can be used to identify a need for a particular therapy, such as a rate-responsive pacing therapy. The patient metrics can be used to identify patients at an elevated risk of death. Methods and systems to identify therapy indications or at-risk patients are provided. In an example, a patient risk profile can be adjusted, such as in response to an identified patient heart rate variability or heart rate variation. In an example, a rate-responsive pacing mode can be used to adjust the patient risk profile.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to a method. In various embodiments, a therapy of a first therapy type is delivered, and it is identified whether a therapy of a second therapy type is present to affect the therapy of the first therapy type. Delivery of the therapy is controlled based on the presence of the therapy of the second therapy type. Some embodiments deliver the therapy of the first type using one set of parameters in the presence of a therapy of a second type, and deliver the therapy of the first type using another set of parameters when the therapy of the second type is not present. In various embodiments, one of the therapy types includes a cardiac rhythm management therapy, and the other includes a neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A retinal implant has at least one functional unit positioned internally inside an eye and at least one functional unit positioned externally outside the eye and at least one functional unit positioned outside the eye, which are separably connected to one another via a signal path in a manner designed for signal or data transmission. The patient's residual vision which may still remain is preserved because the signal path extends through the sclera of the eye and does not incorporate the anterior eye section.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for treating obesity by implanting an electrode in the duodenum and stimulating the duodenum with a stimulator, causing the pylorus to contract.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes acquiring impedance values over one or more respiratory cycles, determining an impedance span based on the impedance values and, based at least in part on the impedance span, determining cardiac condition or respiratory condition. Another exemplary method includes acquiring IEGMs over one or more respiratory cycles, determining evoked response measure values based on the IEGMs, determining an evoked response span based on the evoked response measure values and, based at least in part on the evoked response span, determining cardiac condition or respiratory condition. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device having a plurality of connection terminals able to be connected to electrodes placed in at least three distinct respective sites in a myocardium; circuits for measuring an intracardiac bio-impedance, comprising circuits for injecting a current and circuits for collecting a voltage at respective poles of a configuration of said connection terminals, and circuits able to deliver at an output a dynamic impedance signal that is a function of the injected current and the collected voltage; and circuits for evaluating an intracardiac volume, receiving at in input the impedance signal and delivering at an output a dynamic value of volume representing an instantaneous absolute value of intracardiac volume.

Abstract: Communications with an implantable device are conducted using a physical telemetry link dynamically selected from multiple physical telemetry links based on selected criteria including, for example, bandwidth, security, data throughput, channel availability and reliability.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for affecting conduction and/or operation of the AV node and/or AV bundle. Various exemplary methods include delivery of one or more stimulation pulses to affect conduction and/or operation of an AV node and/or AV bundle. Such delivery optionally stimulates nerves and/or tissue. Nerve stimulation optionally includes parasympathetic nerve stimulation to decrease conduction of the AV node and/or AV bundle. Tissue stimulation optionally causes tissue to enter a refractory period. Various exemplary methods include delivering one or more stimulation pulses during postinspiration. Other exemplary methods and/or devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device that includes an electrical output channel adapted to deliver a sub-threshold voltage, a lead that includes a proximal end adapted to be electrically connected to the electrical output channel and a distal end adapted to be placed in the blood conduit where the distal end of the lead is adapted to deliver a treatment agent that stimulates therapeutic angiogenesis, and at least one electrode on the distal end of the first lead.

Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device may periodically determine an activity level of the patient, and associate each determined activity level with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels associated with that therapy parameter set. A list of the therapy parameter sets is presented to a user, such as a clinician, for evaluation of the relative efficacy of the therapy parameter sets. The list may be ordered according to the one or more activity metric values to aid in evaluation of the therapy parameter sets. Where values are determined for a plurality of activity metrics, the list may be ordered according to the one of the activity metrics selected by the user.

Abstract: A lead having an extendable and retractable fixation mechanism has a rotating terminal pin at the terminal end which rotates the fixation mechanism at the distal end. As the terminal pin is rotated, the fixation mechanism is extended or retracted from the distal end of the lead. A threaded collar allows for the fixation mechanism to smoothly extend and retract from the lead, and allows for a 1:1 turn ratio between the terminal pin and the fixation mechanism. A fluoroscopic ring disposed at the distal end of the lead provides information during the implantation process.

Abstract: A method and device for delivering cardiac function therapy on a demand basis. An implantable device for delivering cardiac function therapy is programmed to suspend such therapy at periodic intervals or upon command from an external programmer. Measurements related to hemodynamic performance are then taken using one or more sensing modalities incorporated into the device. Based upon these measurements, the device uses a decision algorithm to determine whether further delivery of the cardiac function therapy is warranted.

Abstract: In an implantable heart-monitoring device and system, and a heart-monitoring method, a control circuit is connected to one or more sensors, a first of which is positionable in the coronary sinus region of a heart and senses at least one blood constituent, and at least one other of the sensors supplying a signal to the control circuit indicative of the activity of the heart. In response to signals from the first sensor and with information about the activity of the heart from the other sensor, the control circuit determines a first value of the blood constituent during a first portion of a heart cycle, and determines a second value of the blood constituent during a second portion of the heart cycle.

Abstract: A monitoring device having a signal receiver, a pseudo-ground, a digital processor and a transceiver, the signal receiver having an ability to receive a sensed signal representing a patient vital sign, the pseudo-ground having an ability to generate a baseline signal that is compared with the sensed signal, the transceiver having an ability to wirelessly transmit a processed signal from the digital processor to a base station or a wireless gateway and to receive an incoming signal from the base station or the wireless gateway, and the digital processor having an ability to process the sensed signal and the incoming signal locally within the monitoring device is disclosed.

Abstract: High side driver circuitry for a defibrillator circuit employs respective capacitors connected to respective gates of silicon controlled rectifiers serving as high side switches. Applying a voltage pulse to a selected capacitor turns on the associated SCR. Positive turn-on of the high side SCRs is insured by inserting a constant current source into the low side activation current path at start-up.

Abstract: A ring electrode for an implantable medical device includes a conductive tubular member adapted to be attached to a lead body and having a continuous generally helical slot formed therein to form a coil thereby enabling omni directional bending. The coil is of flattened cross section and in one embodiment, the coil is shaped as a spiral of uniform pitch. In another embodiment, a plurality of uniformly spaced dovetail joints connect a plurality of first and second adjacent loops. Each dovetail joint includes a plurality of uniformly spaced wedge-shaped tenons projecting longitudinally from a first loop, a plurality of uniformly spaced wedge-shaped mortises longitudinally indented into a second loop, the wedge-shaped mortises being similarly shaped and sized in relation to the wedge-shaped tenons, the plurality of wedge-shaped tenons being fittingly received by the wedge-shaped mortises at all locations between the proximal and distal ends of the ring electrode.

Abstract: Techniques for pacing the heart of a patient as a function of a pressure value make use of a pressure monitor that receives a signal from a pressure sensor in the heart. The pressure monitor measures a pressure value. The pressure monitor may, for example, estimate the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure if the pressure sensor is located in the right ventricle, or calculate the mean central venous pressure if pressure sensor is located in the right atrium. The energy level of the pacing pulses delivered to the patient's heart by a pacemaker is modulated as a function of the pressure value. Modulating the energy level of the pacing pulses modulates the cardiac output of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A combination pacer/defibrillator is tailored for bradycardia patients. In one example, its shock-delivery specificity exceeds its sensitivity to shockable ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In another example, its specificity exceeds 95%, or 99%, or even 99.5%. Sensitivity is programmed to a high desired sensitivity value, but only if it can be done without decreasing the specificity below the desired specificity threshold value. This can be conceptualized as “avoiding at all costs” delivering false shocks, even at the expense of failing to deliver a shock to a treatable ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Specificity enhancements include, among other things, inhibiting shock delivery when the patient is breathing or not supine, using multiple channels or a high rate VT/VF detection threshold.

Abstract: A force sensor, for use in combination with an automated electronic defibrillator (AED), includes a first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is spaced apart from the first conductive layer such that no electrical communication occurs between the first and second conductive layers. An electrical communication device is provided for establishing electrical communication between the first and second conductive layers responsive to the application of a force to said electrical communication means.