Abstract: Provided are a method of controlling a wearable device and a wearable device. The method of controlling the wearable device includes: determining whether a sensor provided in the wearable device is in an activated state; controlling an adherency controller for adjusting adherency between the sensor and a body of a user wearing the wearable device based on whether the sensor is in the activated state; and detecting a biosignal via the sensor.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a multi-channel electrode array in which each channel is associated with an electrode in the array. An audio processing stage processes an input audio signal to produce output channel signals representing associated bands of audio frequencies. A timing and envelope detector processes the output channel signals in a sequence of sampling intervals, including, for each sampling interval, determining for each output channel signal a set of pulse timing requests. A pulse selection amplitude definition stage determines for each set of requested pulse timings a set of output pulses at specified times and amplitudes selected from the set of requested pulse timings based on a pulse selection inhibition function.

Abstract: A method for treating urinary incontinence is provided. The method includes providing a device having an expandable portion having an outer surface, a first electrode, and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes coupled to the outer surface of the expandable portion and configured to cause a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrodes. The method further includes causing the expandable portion to inflate such that the first and second electrodes contact vaginal walls and causing a contraction of a muscle in communication with the electrode.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus comprising: a video capture device for capturing a video image; a video processing unit associated with the video capture device, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns; and a retinal stimulation system configured to stimulate neural tissue in a subject's eye based on the stimulation patterns, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered on after a first time interval upon activation of a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered off after a second time interval upon activation of a power button.

Abstract: A device interface selectively acquires patient physiological parameter data. An acquisition processor acquires physiological data from a patient. A communication processor is coupled to an optical communication pathway for receiving a plurality of optical signals from a source. A conversion processor is electrically coupled to the acquisition processor and communication processor and converts a first optical power signal at a first frequency and received via the optical communication pathway using the communication processor, to a first electrical signal for providing power to said device interface. The conversion processor converts an optical control signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency and received via the optical communication pathway using the communication processor, to a second electrical signal for providing control data to the acquisition processor directing the acquisition processor to acquire at least one physiological parameter from a patient.

Abstract: An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one switch for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. In alternate configurations, the switch may be disposed between the implanted lead or the leadwire and the diversion circuit, or disposed so that it electrically opens the implanted lead or the leadwire when diverting energy through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The switch may comprise a single or multi-pole double or single throw switch. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter.

Abstract: An heart rhythm monitoring device for a vehicle, which determines whether a driver has an arrhythmia includes a vehicle state determining portion that determines whether the vehicle is stopped; an electrode arranged on a steering wheel in a position where the driver grips the steering wheel; an electrocardiogram waveform obtaining portion that obtains a first electrocardiogram waveform from the electrode; and a signal processing and calculating portion that determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the first electrocardiogram waveform. When the vehicle is in motion, the signal processing and calculating portion determines whether the heart rhythm of the driver is erratic based on the waveform component that is strong with respect to noise in the first electrocardiogram waveform.

Abstract: Adventitious lung sounds indicative of lung congestion are detected using an implantable sensor. The sensor is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a pulmonary system and to output signals indicative of lung sounds in response to pulmonary system activity. A controller receives the signals and processes the signals to detect the presence of adventitious lung sounds. A respiratory cycle sensor operating in conjunction with the lung-sound sensor enables classification of an adventitious lung sound according to its time occurrence within the respiratory cycle. Posture sensing in conjunction with lung-sound sensing provides valuable additional information as to the severity of the lung congestion.

Abstract: A pacing system delivers cardiac protection pacing to protect the heart from injuries associated with ischemic events. The pacing system detects an ischemic event and, in response, initiates one or more cardiac protection pacing sequences each including alternative pacing and non-pacing periods. In one embodiment, the pacing system initiates cardiac protection pacing sequences including at least one postconditioning sequence to protect the heart from a detected ischemic event and a plurality prophylactic preconditioning sequences to protect the heart from probable future ischemic events.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead adapted to be at least partially implanted in a cardiac vessel includes a fixation feature operable to change from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the fixation feature is adapted to engage an inner surface of the cardiac vessel. A tendon is disposed within a lumen of the lead and is operatively connected to the fixation feature and adapted to cause the fixation feature to change from the undeployed configuration to the deployed configuration for acute and/or chronic fixation of the lead. In one embodiment, the fixation feature includes a deflectable region of the lead which in the deployed configuration causes a surface of the lead body to engage the inner surface of the cardiac vessel. In another embodiment, the fixation feature includes a radially expandable structure for engaging the inner surface of the vessel in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A medical device capable of delivering automatic rate-adjusting pacing therapies is provided having an adjustable upper rate limit responsive to an indication of myocardial irritability. The device, which may be embodied as a pacemaker, a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, or the like, responds to the detection of an arrhythmia as an indicator of myocardial irritability by adjusting an upper rate limit. The adjusted upper rate limit is applied as the maximum allowable pacing rate during delivery of any pacing therapies previously defined as “long-term” pacing therapies.

Abstract: A system and method for generating baseline data for automated management of edema is disclosed. Collected device measures are accumulated to record raw physiometry for a patient, wherein the patient is regularly monitored by an implantable medical device, beginning with an initial observation period. Derived device measures are generated to provide derivative physiometry determined at least in part from the collected device measures. A patient status indicator is determined by analyzing the collected and derived device measures to diagnose a pathophysiology indicative of an absence, onset, progression, regression, and status quo of edema, wherein the collected and derived device measures and the patient status indicator originating from the initial observation period include baseline data.

Abstract: A method of discriminating between ischemic and cardiac memory effects in a heart, comprising receiving electrocardiographic (ECG) data, calculating, from the ECG data, a direction of a T-wave vector, diagnosing ischemia if the T-wave vector is between about 75 degrees and about 200 degrees, and diagnosing cardiac memory if the T-wave vector is between about zero degrees and minus 90 degrees. Also presented is a system for discriminating between ischemic and cardiac memory effects in a heart comprising means for performing an electrocardiogram, means for calculating a direction of a T-wave vector, means for diagnosing ischemia if the T-wave vector is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees, and means for diagnosing cardiac memory if the T-wave vector is between about zero degrees and minus 90 degrees.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing orthostatic hypotension are described. One technique detects an incident of orthostatic hypotension in a patient, and in response, increases cardiac stroke volume, at least in part, by stimulating the patient's phrenic nerve.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for operating a cardiac rhythm management device may include one or more of the following steps: (a) sensing atrial depolarizations through an implanted atrial electrode, (b) administering a sequential CRT pacing therapy in a sequential CRT pacing mode to a left and right ventricle of a heart of a patient via implanted ventricular electrodes in a sequential bi-ventricular fashion, (c) switching from the sequential CRT pacing mode to a simultaneous CRT pacing mode, (d) administering a simultaneous CRT pacing therapy in the simultaneous CRT pacing mode to the left and right ventricle in a simultaneous bi-ventricular fashion, (e) analyzing the sensed atrial depolarizations to detect the presence of an atrial arrhythmia, (f) analyzing the sensed atrial depolarizations while in the sequential CRT pacing mode to detect the presence of atrial arrhythmia, and (g) sensing ventricular depolarizations of the left and the right ventricle.

Abstract: External energy source, external charger, system of transcutaneous energy transfer, system of transcutaneous charging and method thereof. An implantable medical device has a secondary coil operatively coupled to therapeutic componentry. An external power source has a housing, a primary coil carried in the housing with the primary coil being capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil when the housing is externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil with a first surface of the housing positioned closest to the secondary coil and a thermo-electric cooling device placed associated with the first surface of the housing.

Abstract: An automated adaptive muscle stimulation system and method are disclosed. The stimulation system includes at least one electrode assembly adapted to deliver a muscle stimulation signal to the tissue of a user, a sensor system adapted to detect a muscle response, and an electrical stimulation device operably coupled to the at least on electrode assembly and the sensor system, the electrical stimulation device including a control system operable to automatically diagnose at least one characteristic of a muscle from the detected muscle response and adjust at least one parameter of the muscle stimulation signal in response thereto to deliver an adjusted muscle stimulation signal. A dual mode muscle stimulation system adapted to accept first and second data sets and provide first and second levels of treatment data is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technique provides for the detection of pace pulses in electrocardiogram data. The technique provides for processing one or more sets of electrocardiogram data via a non-linear algorithm. Furthermore, the technique provides for detecting one or more pace pulses in the one or more sets of electrocardiogram data via a non-linear detection algorithm. Systems and computer programs that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also provided by the present technique.

Abstract: An implantable device is used to monitor one or more conditions associated with an external breathing therapy delivered to the patient. The device may monitor therapy parameters including therapy effectiveness, impact of the therapy on the patient, therapy usage, compliance with a prescribed usage, therapy interactions, and/or other parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of measuring pressure through a septum in a patient's heart is disclosed. A lead inserted into the right side of a heart is routed through the septum to gain access to the left side of the heart. The lead includes an attachment structure that secures the lead to one or both of the septal walls. The attachment structure may include at least one protruding tine, membrane, inflatable balloon, involuted spiral or J-lead that engage one or more sides of the septum. The lead also includes one or more sensors for measuring cardiac pressure on the left side of the heart and, as necessary, the right side of the heart.