Abstract: A intracorporeal medical capsule is shown and described. The capsule includes an elastically deformable base having an anchor at one end and coupled to a capsule body at the opposite end. An energy harvesting element is elastically coupled to a seismic mass within the capsule body. The elastically deformable base increases energy harvested at the energy harvesting element due to elastic movement of the capsule body in the presence of blood flow around the capsule body.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead may include a conductive electrode shaft located near the distal end within the lead body, a coiled conductor extending within the lead body from the proximal end and coupled to a first end of the conductive electrode shaft, and an electrode located near the distal end of the lead body and coupled to an opposite end of the conductive electrode shaft as the coiled conductor. The lead may also include an energy dissipating structure located near the distal end of the lead body and defining a lumen through which a portion of the coiled conductor extends. The energy dissipating structure may include a region having one or more protrusions extending toward a central axis of the lumen to push the coiled conductor off center relative to the central axis of the lumen.

Abstract: A physiological sense amplifier achieves fast recovery times following receipt of a large voltage, such as when a defibrillation pulse is delivered, without blanking. The recovery time may be less than one millisecond when polarization of surrounding tissue or the housing of the device is not present. The sense amplifier uses a feedback network to clamp the input voltage to a gain amplifier at a predetermined value when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) or other cardiac performance parameters based on measured conduction delays. In particular, LAP is estimated based interventricular conduction delays. Predetermined conversion factors stored within the device are used to convert the various the conduction delays into LAP values or other appropriate cardiac performance parameters. The conversion factors may be, for example, slope and baseline values derived during an initial calibration procedure performed by an external system, such as an external programmer. In some examples, the slope and baseline values may be periodically re-calibrated by the implantable device itself. Techniques are also described for adaptively adjusting pacing parameters based on estimated LAP or other cardiac performance parameters. Still further, techniques are described for estimating conduction delays based on impedance or admittance values and for tracking heart failure therefrom.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a multipolar lead for implantation in a venous, arterial, or lymphatic network, and for use with an electric stimulation or detection device. The invention includes at least two microcables, each having a central conductor for connection to the electric stimulation or detection device. The invention further includes a first ring having at least two lumens, each sized to receive a microcable of the at least two microcables, wherein one of the at least two lumens is a connection lumen which receives a first microcable of the at least two microcables. The ring further includes a connection element movable into the connection lumen to pierce a sheath of the first microcable and to press into the central conductor of the first microcable received by the connection lumen, electrically connecting at least a portion of the first ring to the central conductor.

Abstract: The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (tLESRs). Individuals with tLESRs may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow and have improved energy storage requirements.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for treating migraine headaches and other conditions by non-invasive electrical stimulation of nerves and other tissue. A hand-held device includes a housing with a controller having a signal generator, an electrode for delivering electrical signals, and a conductive surface configured as a return path for the electrical signals. In certain implementations, the electrode is repositionable with respect to the housing. The patient can self-apply the hand-held device by pressing it against areas in need of pain relief. The device may include a pressure-sensitive gating switch to control delivery of the stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the electrode is a rollerball electrode. The device may include a chamber for retaining and dispensing conductive gel to the therapy site. In certain approaches, the device includes an electrode support for coupling an electrical stimulation system to the head for hands-free electrical stimulation therapy.

Abstract: An atrial fibrillation classification system collects celectrocardiogram signals and converts them to a frequency, time, or phase domain representation for analysis. An evaluation stage extracts energy density profile over a range of frequencies, time intervals, or phases, which is then summed and normalized to form dispersion metrics. The system then analyzes the dispersion metrics, in their respective domains, to determine whether a patient is experiencing an arrhythmia and then to classify the type of arrhythmia being experienced.

Abstract: A cochlear lead includes a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea and a flexible body supporting the plurality of electrodes along a length of the flexible body. A stiffening element is slidably encapsulated within the flexible body and positioned such that the stiffening element plastically deforms upon insertion into a curved portion of the cochlea.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are current output architectures for implantable stimulator devices. Current source and sink circuitry is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking an amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes of the device. The current source circuitry is distinct from the current sink circuitry, and the two share no common circuit nodes prior to connection to the electrodes. In other words, the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry do not share a common node other than the electrodes. Each stage is preferably formed of a current mirror for receiving a reference current and outputting a scaled version of current to that stage's switch bank. The scalar at each stage can be set by wiring a desired number of output transistors in parallel.

Abstract: A non-contact electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having an ECG electrode and guard electrode coupled to an electronic circuit that actively gain-corrects the electrocardiogram signal based on fringe capacitance signal and filters the gain-corrected signal based on a static charge reference signal. The compensation system first makes a gain correction for the preamplifier to address ECG electrode-to-subject motion and then removes any additive static common mode interference from motion-induced static charge generation.

Abstract: A cochlear lead includes a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate an auditory nerve from within a cochlea and a flexible body supporting the plurality of electrodes along a length of the flexible body. A stiffening element is slidably encapsulated within the flexible body, the stiffening element extending past a most distal electrode at the tip of the cochlear lead, wherein a distal portion of the stiffening element plastically deforms upon insertion into a curved portion of the cochlea.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) identifies suspected non-lethal ventricular arrhythmia, and takes one or more actions in response to the identification to avoid or delay delivery of a defibrillation or cardioversion shock. The IMD employs number of intervals to detect (NID) thresholds for detection of ventricular arrhythmias. When a NID threshold is met, the IMD determines whether the ventricular rhythm is a suspected non-lethal rhythm despite satisfying a NID threshold. In some embodiments, the IMD increases the NID threshold, i.e., extends the time for detection, in response to identifying a rhythm as a suspected non-lethal rhythm, and monitors subsequent ventricular beats to determine if the increased NID threshold is met before detecting a ventricular arrhythmia and delivering therapy. The IMD can determine whether a rhythm is a suspected non-lethal arrhythmia by, for example, comparing the median ventricular cycle length (VCL) to the median atrial cycle length (ACL).

Abstract: The present specification discloses devices and methodologies for the treatment of GERD. Individuals with GERD may be treated by implanting a stimulation device within the patient's lower esophageal sphincter and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's lower esophageal sphincter, in accordance with certain predefined protocols. The presently disclosed devices have a simplified design because they do not require sensing systems capable of sensing when a person is engaged in a wet swallow, have improved energy storage requirements, enable improved LES function while concurrently delivering additional health benefits, and enable improved LES function post stimulation termination.

Abstract: An improved technique is described for dealing with the detection of fusion beats when capture verification is performed by a cardiac pacing device such as during a capture threshold determination procedure. Schemes for classifying heart beats may misclassify beats as fusion beats due to feature/morphology changes in the test electrogram waveform that may occur even when capture is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising repetitive electromagnetic field shock to at least one living cell, wherein the repetitive electromagnetic field shock improves HSF1 and/or HSR function, and producing delaying and reversal of aging and age related diseases. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus adapted to deliver repetitive electromagnetic field shock to at least one living cell, wherein the repetitive electromagnetic field shock improves HSF1 and HSR function.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a medical device, such as a defibrillator, for use with an accessory capable of collecting a parameter of a patient. The medical device is capable of at least performing a basic functionality, an advanced functionality, and of defibrillating the patient. The medical device includes an energy storage module within a housing for storing an electrical charge that is to be delivered to the patient for the defibrillating. The medical device includes a processor structured to determine whether a data set received from the accessory confirms or not a preset authentication criterion about the accessory. Although when the accessory is coupled to the housing the medical device is capable of the defibrillating and the basic functionality, the medical device is capable of the advanced functionality only when the accessory is coupled to the housing and it is determined that the preset authentication criterion is confirmed. Embodiments also include methods of operation and a programmed solution.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device includes a sensor for sensing patient activity and detecting phrenic nerve activation. A first filter channel attenuates first frequencies of the sensor signal to produce a first filtered output. A second filter channel attenuates second frequencies of the accelerometer signal to produce a second filtered output. Patient activity is evaluated using the first filtered output and phrenic nerve activation caused by cardiac pacing is detected using the second filtered output.

Abstract: A implantable pump system comprises an implantable pump motor and an external unit. An inverter comprises respective phases couple to the motor via a cable with redundant conductors for each phase. A controller receives power measurements for all the redundant conductors, which are combined and compared in order to detect failures in the non-redundant components within the motor and windings.