Abstract: A method of detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes forming a first sensing vector and a second sensing vector, and determining first heart rate estimates associated with cardiac signals sensed from the first sensing vector and cardiac signals sensed from the second sensing vector in response to a metric of heart rate associated with the sensed cardiac signals. Second heart rate estimates associated with the first sensing vector and with the second sensing vector are generated in response to the determined first heart rate estimates, and a determination is made as to whether both of the second heart rate estimates are greater than a predetermined heart rate threshold.

Abstract: An electrocardiogram (ECG) chart device and method capable of easily assisting with the diagnosis of heart disease. Hexagonal radar charts displayed on a screen act as indicators of feature values corresponding to data obtained from each of 12 electrode leads and correlated with the related portions of the heart. For example, a (V1, V2) lead is an indicator of a right ventricle. Each of the radar charts is schematically arranged to correspond with the related portion of the heart. Each vertex of the hexagonal radar charts acts as an indicator of the recognized value. More specifically, each vertex of the radar chart is based on a value obtained by extracting a waveform critical point, a waveform start point, a waveform end point, or the like, of constituent elements of the ECG waveform as the P wave, the Q wave, the R wave, the S wave, the ST segment, the T wave, or the like. Therefore, a user of the ECG radar chart device can intuitively and easily carry out interpretation of ECG data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.

Abstract: An implantable pericardial device provides therapy to a heart of a patient. In one embodiment electronics, electrodes and other components are provided in a unitary assembly. These components may be implemented such that the unitary assembly has a sufficient degree of flexibility. The implantable pericardial device may be implanted into the pericardial space using a relatively low-invasive technique such as a sub-xiphoid approach.

Abstract: Systems and methods use an external and/or implantable pulse generator system for neuromodulation stimulation to treat sexual dysfunction by the unilateral or bilateral stimulation of a target nerve A and/or a target nerve B using one or more leads and electrodes implanted in tissue in the pelvic region. The electrical stimulation waveform may be conveyed to the target nerve A electrode for a first predetermined amount of time, and conveyed to the target nerve B electrode for a second predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: An improved hemodynamic device may be collapsed and implanted percutaneously. The device includes at least one collapsible blade member and a rotary mover for rotating the blade member to provide hemodynamic circulation. In one embodiment of the invention, the blade member rotates within a basket after implantation. The basket may be formed of shape-memory wires.

Abstract: The cardiac rhythm management system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) with leads carrying electrodes for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and a physiologic sensor for sensing cardiac mechanical activity. The IMD measures electromechanical delays between electrical activity sensed by the electrodes and mechanical activity sensed by the physiologic sensor. The measured electromechanical delays can be used to detect lead dislodgement and to assess dyssynchrony between two areas of the heart, such as the right ventricle and the left ventricle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart.

Abstract: Disclosed herein methods, devices, and systems for detecting and diagnosing a heart disease or disorder in a subject from a prime electrocardiogram which comprises calculating at least one distribution function of the prime electrocardiogram and determining whether the distribution function is indicative of the presence of absence of the heart disease or disorder.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable tissue stimulation therapy system, comprising an implantable tissue stimulation device including a power source of a known stored energy amount, a programmer communicably coupled to the device and adapted to propose one or more therapy parameters for the device, each therapy parameter having a known energy consumption associated therewith, wherein a predicted elective service date of the power source based on the one or more proposed therapy parameters and the known energy amount of the power source is automatically determined, and a display communicatively coupled to the activation device, the display being configured to indicate the predicted elective power source service date to an operator, wherein the operator may choose to select the one or more proposed therapy parameters based on the indicated predicted elective service date and the selected one or more therapy parameters are transmitted to the device.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable medical device that delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP) and at least one hemodynamic sensor that senses a hemodynamic signal. When a tachyarrhythmia episode is detected, the CRM system analyzes the hemodynamic signal to determine whether and/or when to deliver an ATP. In one embodiment, a hemodynamic parameter extracted from the hemodynamic signal is used to predict the potential effectiveness of ATP in terminating the detected tachyarrhythmia episode. In another embodiment, a characteristic feature detected from the hemodynamic signal is used to determine an ATP window during which a delivery of ATP is initiated.

Abstract: An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.

Abstract: A generic device programmer network interface is disclosed. Some embodiments include multiple connectors that are configured to connect to output hardware of multiple programmers and a transmitter that is configured to automatically transmit data received from the programmers to a server. Many embodiments serve to reduce or eliminate barriers to storing IMD and patient data on a server.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a lead assembly including a lead body, at least one conductor extending through the lead body, and a covering having varied material properties. In an example, the covering is made by forming pieces of material having varied material properties. In another example, the covering is made by varying parameters such as heat or tension during wrapping of a piece of material onto a lead assembly.

Abstract: A floating adapter is configured to electrically couple an auxiliary lead assembly to an implantable medical device including a canister. The floating adapter comprises a connector configured to receive an end of the auxiliary lead assembly, and a conductor having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the conductor is coupled to the connector, and the proximal end of the conductor is coupled to a collector. The collector, the connector, and the conductor form a current flow path between the canister and the auxiliary lead assembly when the conductive body is implanted proximate the canister.

Abstract: A medical device detects certain patient activity based on a programmable activity threshold and determines the duration of detected activity. The activity threshold may be optimized by obtaining first and second duration measurements for at least one of a first activity session and second activity session. The first duration measurement is based on the activity threshold, while the second duration measurement is based on actual start and stop of the activity session. An adjustment of the activity threshold is suggested based on a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the first activity session, or a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the second activity session. One of the first and second activities is non-significant activity expected to be undetected by the device, while the other of the two activities is low-level activity expected to be detected by the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-storing medical electrode (10) that does not require packaging, enclosures, or other means to house and to protect various electrode components. According to one aspect, the invention provides an electrode comprising an electrode body having first and second sides, wherein the first side comprises a barrier layer (15) comprising a heat-sealable material and the second side comprises a conductive layer (16). The electrode further comprises an electrically conductive gel layer (18) disposed on the electrode body and which is further in electrical communication with the conductive layer (16).

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. The perceptual response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the relationship between current and perceived brightness is often non-linear. It is necessary to determine this relationship to fit the prosthesis settings for each patient. It is advantageous to map the perceptual responses to stimuli. The method of mapping of the present invention is to provide a plurality of stimuli that vary in current, voltage, pulse duration, frequency, or some other dimension; measuring and recording the response to those stimuli; deriving a formula or equation describing the map from the individual points; storing the formula; and using that formula to map future stimulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart.