Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises an anti-infection agent. The implantable medical device may be configured for placement in the head of a patient and for monitoring or treatment of the brain. The implantable medical device may have a housing or it may have a housing and a member for providing a smooth interface between the device and the adjacent tissue. The anti-infection agent may be provided on or impregnated in the housing or the member. In some embodiments, the device includes a single module while in other embodiments a plurality of modules are coupled to provide a smaller profile. In some embodiments the implantable medical device may include both anti-infection and lubricious materials.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes a lead assembly for intracardiac mapping, pacing, and drug delivery. The lead assembly includes an implantable endocardial lead having a proximal end for connection to an implantable cardiac rhythm management device and a distal end for disposal in an intracardiac region. The lead includes a pacing-sensing electrode and a drug delivery device, both located at or near the distal end. A lumen is within and extends throughout the lead, with an opening at or near the proximal end and another opening at or near the distal end. The lumen provides for access to the intracardiac region by a steerable stylet and a hollow needle, one at a time. The steerable stylet allows for electrophysiological mapping of the intracardiac region. The hollow needle allows for delivery of chemical, biochemical, and/or biological substance to the intracardiac region.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an optimum atrioventricular delay (AVD) interval and/or ventriculo-ventricular delay (VVD) intervals for delivering ventricular resynchronization pacing in an atrial tracking or atrial sequential pacing mode. Evoked response electrograms recorded at different AVD and VVD intervals are used to determine the extent of paced and intrinsic activation.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is configured so that all of the major components including a housing and attached leads are disposed within the vasculature of a patient. A tether extends from the housing of the device to an implant location where the tether is secured to tissue outside of the vasculature. In this manner, an intravascular medical device may be implanted at a location remote from final placement, delivered via the vasculature and anchored at the initial entry point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining alternans data of an ECG signal. The method can include determining at least one value representing at least one morphology feature of each beat of the ECG signal and generating a set of data points based on a total quantity of values and a total quantity of beats. The method can also include separating the data points into a first group of points and a second group of points and generating a feature map by plotting the first group of points and the second group of points in order to assess an alternans pattern of variation. The feature map can be analyzed by statistical tests to determine the significance difference between groups and clusters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of updating a sensing parameter in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals, determining intervals in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining interval patterns associated with the determined intervals, and updating the sensing parameter in response to the determined interval patterns.

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: An apparatus for reversing ventricular remodeling with electro-stimulatory therapy. A ventricle is paced by delivering one or more stimulatory pulses in a manner such that a stressed region of the myocardium is pre-excited relative to other regions in order to subject the stressed region to a lessened preload and afterload during systole. The unloading of the stressed myocardium over time effects reversal of undesirable ventricular remodeling.

Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.

Abstract: While a photolithographed array internal to the retina provides superior resolution, an array external to the retina provides easier implantation and improved manufacturability. Therefore it is advantageous to supply a high-resolution electrode array internal to the sclera, near the fovea and a lower-resolution electrode array eternal to the sclera near the periphery of the retina. Even if a separate lower-resolution array is implanted internal to the sclera, super-choroidal (between the choroid and sclera) or intra-scleral (between the layers of the sclera), it is easier to make a lower-resolution array in a curved shape.

Abstract: The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an inductive coil mounted to the side of the eye by means of a strap around the eye. This allows for close coupling to an external coil and movement of the entire implanted portion with movement of the eye ball.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode. The expandable electrode includes a plurality of electrode zones. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.

Abstract: An implantable medical device has a first module for performing telemetry communications with another device and a second module for delivering a high voltage therapy to a patient. The first module is configured to detect a communication error, and the second module is configured to determine a need for the therapy and to charge a capacitor in response to the need for the therapy. The second module is configured to suspend the capacitor charging in response to receiving a notification from the first module corresponding to detecting a communication error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically stimulating the brain to alleviate tinnitus. In one aspect of the invention the areas of the brain to which stimulation is applied are determined by a procedure which first involves analysis of the patient to determine the nature of the sound perceived by the patient to produce tinnitus. These sound frequencies are then provided to the patient while imaging studies are made of the patient's brain. These studies may include magnetoencephalography (MEG) and/or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These studies are then analyzed to determine the locus of the tinnitus, and one or more electrodes are placed at the indicated region in the patient's brain and a stimulation device for outputting a varying control pattern of electrical signals to the electrodes is also implanted.

Abstract: A system including an implantable trigger event detector and an implantable ischemia detector. The implantable trigger event detector is adapted to detect at least one first condition and to output a responsive trigger signal including information about whether the first condition has been detected. The implantable ischemia detector is adapted to detect a second condition indicative of one or more physiologic cardiovascular events in a subject that are indicative of ischemia. The ischemia detector is coupled to the trigger event detector to receive the trigger signal, and the ischemia detector is enabled upon the trigger signal indicating that the first condition has been detected.

Abstract: Methods and devices for cardiac signal analysis in implantable cardiac therapy systems. Several signal processing and/or conditioning methods are shown including R-wave detection embodiments including the use of thresholds related to previous peak amplitudes. Also, some embodiments include sample thresholding to remove extraneous data from sampled signals. Some embodiments include weighting certain samples more heavily than other samples within a sampled cardiac signal for analysis.

Abstract: A system comprising: at least one electrode adapted to be placed on a vagus nerve below a vagal innervation of the heart; an implantable controller comprising an induction coil, at least one circuit for generating a neural conduction blocking signal connected to the at least one electrode, a battery, and a central processing unit comprising program storage and memory; and an external programmer configured to: communicate at least one parameter for the neural conduction blocking signal to the implantable controller, wherein the parameter is selected for the neural conduction blocking signal to i) at least partially downregulate the vagus nerve, ii) allow at least partial recovery of the nerve activity following discontinuation of the neural conduction blocking signal, and iii) reduce pancreatic and biliary output via inhibition of pancreo-biliary output; and an external coil adapted to be worn by the patient, wherein the external coil is connected to the external programmer, and is adapted to inductively coupl

Abstract: Methods for cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills the lower portion of the ventricular cavity restoring the normal volume and ellipsoid shape of the remaining portion of the cavity and favorably altering myocardial oxygen demand and wall stress.

Abstract: Techniques that involve generating test stimulation programs based upon specific patient feedback to guide the programming process for stimulation therapy are described. The patient describes positive effects and adverse effects of the test stimulation by listing and/or rating specific types of effects, both positive and adverse, and the location of each effect. In this manner, a programming device, i.e. a programmer, uses the feedback to generate subsequent test stimulation programs. Initially, programs with unipolar electrode configurations are tested, but the programmer may generate bipolar electrode configurations to test if the patient rates the unipolar electrode combinations poorly. After the stimulation programs are tested and rated, the programmer sorts the tested programs based upon the feedback and presents the tested programs to the user. The user selects the best tested program to use for chronic stimulation therapy.

Abstract: A medical device lead is presented. The lead includes one or more jacketed conductive elements. The jacket comprises one or more covers. A first cover of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is in direct contact with the at least one conductive element. At least one conductive element and a ePTFE cover are coiled. The coiled conductive element can substantially retain its original coiled shape.