Abstract: A method of using an implantable medical device (IMD) to monitor a ventricular contraction rate of a subject, monitor an atrial contraction rate of the subject, declare tachyarrhythmia if the ventricular contraction rate exceeds the atrial contraction rate, and declare a slow tachyarrhythmia when the ventricular rate exceeds the atrial rate and the ventricular rate is less than a specified maximum pacing rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a therapy delivered to a patient include detecting a value of at least one sensed patient parameter and adjusting a therapy parameter value to accommodate different patient parameter values. A data structure including a plurality of patient parameter values and associated therapy parameter values may be stored within a medical device or a programming device. Upon detecting a patient parameter value, an associated therapy parameter value from the data structure may be selected. If no therapy parameter value is associated with the detected patient parameter value, an intermediate therapy parameter value may be generated by interpolating between the most recently implemented therapy parameter value and a stored therapy parameter value. In some embodiments, the rate of shifting between parameters of two stored or interpolated therapy parameter values may be based on the rate of change of the patient parameter value over time.

Abstract: An implantable pacing device for delivering ventricular pacing may be configured to intermittently reduce the AVD interval for beneficial effect in patients with compromised ventricular function (e.g., HF patients and post-MI patients). The AVD interval may be reduced in an AVD reduction mode, by shortening the AVD in an atrial triggered ventricular pacing mode or by switching to a non-atrial triggered ventricular pacing mode (e.g., VVI) and delivering paces at a rate above the intrinsic rate. The physiological effects of AVD reduction may be either positive or negative on cardiac output, depending upon the individual patient.

Abstract: A critical element of a retinal prosthesis is the stimulating electrode array, which is placed in close proximity to the retina. It is via this interface that a retinal prosthesis electrically stimulates nerve cells to produce the perception of light. The impedance load seen by the current driver consists of the tissue resistance and the complex electrode impedance. The results show that the tissue resistance of the retina is significantly greater than that of the vitreous humor in the eye. Circuit models of the electrode-retina interface are used to parameterize the different contributors to the overall impedance.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead adapted to stimulate a patient's cardiac plexus includes a flexible distal portion having a surface adapted to conform to an outer surface of an aortic region generally associated with the cardiac plexus. The distal portion can have one or more elongate members. Alternatively, the distal portion can have a generally planar portion. The distal portion is flexible such that it can be furled or otherwise compacted such that it can be delivered to a target stimulation site using a guide catheter or other delivery tool, such as a cannula.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the diaphragm, such as one hemidiaphragm preferentially over another. By preferentially contracting one hemidiaphragm, a specific portion of a lung may be expanded, such as a posterior portion. By the provision of the negative intrathoracic pressure from diaphragm contraction, greater expansion of specific portion of lung is achieved in relationship to air pressure within the lung, thereby improving compliance. Supplementation of stimulated diaphragm contraction with positive pressure driven air flow from a PPMV directs the air flow to specific portions of the lung.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an interconnect for at least a first connector electrode and a second connector electrode, where the interconnect provides the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the electrodes. In one example, the assembly is an elongate member having material removed therefrom along an intermediate portion.

Abstract: Optimizing cardiac preload based on measured pulmonary artery pressure involves varying, for each repetition of an acute burst protocol, a parameter of pacing applied to a patient's heart during the acute burst protocol. Pulmonary artery pressure is measured during the repetitions of the acute burst protocol. The length of the repetitions is chosen so that the patient's baroreflex system does not adjust to the varied parameter of pacing during the repetitions of the acute burst protocol. An optimum ventricular preload is determined based on the measured pulmonary artery pressure. Pacing therapy is provided using a value of the parameter that is selected based on the determination of optimum ventricular preload.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for influencing an amount of food ingested. The methods include applying stochastic resonance stimulation to a stomach to influence a nervous system response using an implantable stimulation device. In one embodiment, a device includes electrodes in communication with a gastric wall capable of delivering stimulation therapy, and a controller adapted to apply stochastic resonance stimulation to a stomach to influence a response of stomach receptors and/or interstitial cells of Cajal. In some embodiments, the implantable device is configured to apply a suprathreshold signal in addition to the stochastic resonance stimulation. In some embodiments, the implantable device is configured to apply an electrical signal in other areas of the nervous system besides the stomach. In some embodiments, the implantable stimulation device is an implantable cardiac stimulation device capable of providing therapy to a heart.

Abstract: A method and device for treating myocardial ischemia are described in which the stress experienced by a myocardial region identified as vulnerable to becoming ischemic is varied with pre-excitation pacing. In an unloading mode, pacing is applied in proximity to the vulnerable region to reduce stress and the metabolic demand of the region. In a loading mode, pacing is applied to a region remote from the vulnerable region in order to produce a conditioning effect.

Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for treating nociceptive pain including at least one force-regulatable device in mechanical, electrical, or chemical communication with at least one brain area identified as processing nociceptive pain signals. The force-regulatable device acts to alter the nociceptive pain signals in a brain area to alleviate nociceptive pain.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for treating and/or preventing atrial fibrillation. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating and/or preventing atrial fibrillation including applying an oscillating electrical stimulus to a tissue of a patient, the oscillating electrical stimulus sufficient to block transmission of electrical signals through the tissue. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device including a stimulator configured to generate an oscillating electrical stimulus at a frequency and amplitude sufficient to block transmission of electrical signals through a tissue, a stimulation electrode in communication with the stimulator, the stimulation electrode configured to deliver the oscillating electrical stimulus to the tissue, and control circuitry in communication with the stimulator, the control circuitry configured to selectively deliver the oscillating electrical stimulus to treat and/or prevent atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: An implantable electrode with increased stability having a clustered structure wherein the surface of the electrode is covered with a material comprising openings which are filled with sticks or posts. An implantable electrode with increased stability wherein the surface is of the electrode comprises mesh grids which are filled with sticks which are filed with a conducting or insulating material. A method of manufacturing an electrode with increased stability, comprising: depositing a metal layer on an base layer; applying photoresist layer on the metal layer; patterning the photoresist layer providing openings; electroplating the openings with metal; removing the photoresist layer leaving spaces; and filling the spaces with polymer.

Abstract: An implantable signal generator including electronic circuitry, a computer readable medium, and a connector block with a lumen which receives at least one lead. The at least one lead has at least one electrode connector while the lumen of the connector block has a plurality of contacts operably coupled to the electronic circuitry. The computer readable medium contains instructions for carrying out a process to determine at least one piece of information regarding the at least one lead within the lumen based on an electrode connector being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts, and an electrode connector not being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts.

Abstract: An implantable medical device detects a tachyarrhythmia of a heart. During the detected tachyarrhythmia, the device determines a local myocardial impedance. Using the local myocardial impedance, the device determines whether there is sufficient perfusion to the heart. The device can then either deliver a less aggressive device therapy in response to the detected tachyarrhythmia when there is sufficient perfusion to the heart, or deliver a more aggressive device therapy in response to the detected tachyarrhythmia when there is insufficient perfusion to the heart. The perfusion information can also be used to alter tachyarrhythmia detection or classification.

Abstract: An exemplary device includes control logic to determine a paced atrial activation time using a predictive model and an intrinsic atrial activation time and to determine an atrioventricular delay based at least in part on the paced atrial activation time. Such a device may be an implantable device configured to deliver cardiac therapy that uses atrial pacing and ventricular pacing. Such a device may be a programmer configured to program an implantable device configured to deliver cardiac therapy that uses atrial pacing and ventricular pacing. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration by mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The improved configuration better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure and further limits the necessary width of a thin film conductor passing through the sclera by use of a multiplexer external to the sclera and a demultiplexer internal to the sclera.

Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.

Abstract: An improved package and configuration for an implantable retinal prosthesis includes an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina, an electronics package, and inductive receiving coil mounted next to each other on a strap surrounding the sclera so that the height above the sclera of the prosthesis is minimized.

Abstract: A method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The method further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject.