Abstract: The invention is directed to a communication system for a wireless message transfer between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device. A communication system is disclosed that effectively throttles/manages messages in a limited resource communication scheme, wherein the IMD is configured to monitor the health status of a patient and/or configured to deliver a therapy signal to the patient, wherein the IMD comprises a processor and a transceiver module configured to bi-directionally exchange the messages with the external device, wherein the processor adopts at least a predefined active state and a predefined processing state, wherein the processor of the IMD is configured to produce response messages in order to send these response messages from the transceiver module to the external device. The invention is further directed to a respective communication method, computer program product and computer readable data carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for replacing an implanted medical device with an implantable medical replacement device, wherein a programming device sends a command signal to the medical device to change an address of the medical device to a new address being different from an address of the replacement device to allow independent communication of the programming device with both the medical device and the replacement device.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker, and method for storing event data therein, comprising a central processing unit, a first logic circuit configured to generate event data based on a first event occurring during operation of the leadless pacemaker, a first hardware event counter configured to be incremented if specific event data are generated by said first logic circuit, a first memory unit comprising a first bit configured to be set if said first hardware event counter is incremented to a first maximum number of counts, a second memory unit communicating with said first memory unit, wherein said central processing unit is configured to transfer said first bit to said second memory unit, a first RAM event counter in a random access memory of said leadless pacemaker, wherein said central processing unit is configured to increment said first RAM event counter if said first bit is transferred to the second memory unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, comprising: an implantable medical device, wherein the implantable medical device comprises an ultrasound transducer configured to receive an ultrasound wave, a packaging, wherein the packaging encloses an internal space, wherein the implantable medical device is arranged in the internal space, and a device mount arranged in the internal space, wherein the implantable medical device is fastened to the device mount in a releasable fashion, and wherein the device mount contacts an inner side of a portion of the packaging and forms an acoustic coupler configured to pass an ultrasound wave applied to an outer side of the portion of the packaging to the ultrasound transducer of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An intracardiac pacemaker device, comprising a housing that is configured to be implanted entirely within a ventricle (V) of a heart (H), an electronic module for generating pacing pulses, a battery for supplying energy to the electronic module, an elongated lead extension protruding from the housing, at least a first electrode arranged on the elongated lead extension, and a pacing electrode and a return electrode for applying the pacing pulses to cardiac tissue, wherein the pacing electrode is arranged on the housing. The electronic module is electrically coupled to the pacing electrode via the housing, and wherein the electronic module is configured to carry out measurements of electrical activity via the at least one first electrode of the elongated lead extension.

Abstract: A catheter device for repositioning or explanting an implantable medical device comprises an outer catheter, and a steerable catheter extending through the outer catheter, wherein the outer catheter is axially movable with respect to the steerable catheter. A snare catheter extends through the steerable catheter, wherein the snare catheter is axially movable relative to the steerable catheter. A mandrel may extend through the snare catheter and comprising a distal end, wherein the mandrel is axially movable relative to the snare catheter. A snare may be arranged on the distal end of the mandrel for establishing a connection to the implantable medical device, wherein the snare, by moving the mandrel with respect to the snare catheter, is at least partially retractable into the snare catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a medical system, comprising at least an implantable medical device, and a multi-axis accelerometer comprised by the implantable medical device for measuring an acceleration of the implantable medical device along a plurality of vectors, wherein the multi-axis accelerometer is configured to provide for each vector a signal indicative of the acceleration of the implantable medical device in the direction of the respective vector. The medical system is configured to assess said signals to automatically select or propose a vector of said plurality of vectors that comprises the best alignment with a pre-defined vector.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The implantable medical device is placeable on cardiac tissue in the region of the distal end. An anchoring device is fixedly attached to the housing in the region of the distal end. The anchoring device includes at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is disposed on the housing. The at least one anchoring member longitudinally extends between the first end and the second end along an axis of extension and is formed by a flat strip which is twisted by a twist angle about the axis of extension between the first end and the second end. A method for manufacturing an implantable medical device is also provided.

Abstract: Medical system and method for operation of an active implantable medical device (IMD) and an extracorporeal device attached to a patient's skin, comprising: determining data regarding a bodily parameter of the patient by the IMD, processing the determined data and detecting a condition from a plurality of predefined conditions based on the determined data, periodically sending an intra-body communication signal representing the detected condition by the IMD to the extracorporeal device, receiving the intra-body communication signal by the extracorporeal device, providing a predefined notification signal by the extracorporeal device to the patient to motivate the patient to perform a predefined action based on the received intra-body communication signal, sending a termination signal by the extracorporeal device to the IMD, and receiving the termination signal by the IMD and subsequently terminating sending the intra-body communication signal which was initiated by the previously detected condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for explanting an intracardiac medical device that comprises a casing, a proximal end and a distal end comprising an anchor element, wherein the intracardiac medical device is anchored to a heart tissue of a patient via the anchor element, wherein heart tissue adheres to the casing. The apparatus comprises a protector device that extends along an extension direction and is configured to surround the casing, when the protector device is positioned at the casing. Further, the apparatus comprises an alignment device configured to align the protector device and the casing with each other, when the alignment device engages the intracardiac medical device. The apparatus also comprises a shearing element. The shearing element is configured to move along the casing, when the protector device is moved along the casing in a moving direction towards the distal end, for shearing off heart tissue adhered to the casing.

Abstract: A delivery system for implanting a medical device comprises a delivery catheter having an inner lumen, a mandrel received in the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and movable with respect to the delivery catheter, and an adapter piece connected to the mandrel, wherein the adapter piece, by moving the mandrel with respect to the delivery catheter, is displaceable between a first position in which the adapter piece is received within the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and a second position in which the adapter piece is arranged outside of the inner lumen of the delivery catheter. A tethering member comprises a positive-locking member adjoining a tether portion, wherein the positive-locking member in a connection state is received on the adapter piece, but is releasable from the adapter piece by displacing the adapter piece from the first position towards the second position.

Abstract: A catheter system for explanting an intracardiac medical device, comprising: a catheter having a distal catheter tip configured to surround the intracardiac medical device and an encapsulation tissue that has grown around the intracardiac medical device, and a deployable cutting element at the distal catheter tip.

Abstract: Technology for near infrared (NIR) based communication and/or sensing of implantable medical devices and systems as well as method of operating the same.

Abstract: A system and method for installing/implanting a leadless implant can include a leadless implant with shortened tine-based anchors and an implantation tool with a modified tip. The tines can extend from a surface of the leadless implant and may include a preformed curve or other shape to enable the tine to hook into or grapple tissue. The implantation tool may be provided with a modified tip to assist with proper alignment, insertion, and anchoring of the shortened tines. A tip of the implantation tool can have a reduced inner diameter to cause the tine tips to be approximately normal to the surface of the tissue to which the implant is being anchored. Upon deployment of the leadless implant, the tines of the anchoring mechanism are appropriately aligned for proper insertion so that robust anchoring is achieved.

Abstract: An implantable medical system for intra-body communication, comprising an implantable first device. The first device comprises a plurality of capacitors and a DC blocking capacitor. The first device is configured to discharge the plurality of capacitors via the DC blocking capacitor in an encoded sequence to generate a signal.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker, and method for storing event data therein, comprising a central processing unit, a first logic circuit configured to generate event data based on a first event occurring during operation of the leadless pacemaker, a first hardware event counter configured to be incremented if specific event data are generated by said first logic circuit, a first memory unit comprising a first bit configured to be set if said first hardware event counter is incremented to a first maximum number of counts, a second memory unit communicating with said first memory unit, wherein said central processing unit is configured to transfer said first bit to said second memory unit, a first RAM event counter in a random access memory of said leadless pacemaker, wherein said central processing unit is configured to increment said first RAM event counter if said first bit is transferred to the second memory unit.

Abstract: Technology for near infrared (NIR) based communication and/or sensing of implantable medical devices and systems as well as method of operating the same.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The implantable medical device is placeable on cardiac tissue in the region of the distal end. An anchoring device is fixedly attached to the housing in the region of the distal end. The anchoring device includes at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is disposed on the housing. The at least one anchoring member longitudinally extends between the first end and the second end along an axis of extension and is formed by a flat strip which is twisted by a twist angle about the axis of extension between the first end and the second end. A method for manufacturing an implantable medical device is also provided.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system contains an implantable medical device and a delivery device for delivering the implantable medical device to an implantation site within a body of a patient. The medical device delivery system contains a reservoir for accommodating an adhesive in a liquid state. The medical device delivery system is configured to discharge the liquid adhesive from the reservoir so as to bond the implantable medical device to tissue of the patient at the implantation site.

Abstract: A biventricular (BiV) implantable cardiac stimulator contains a stimulation control unit, one or more stimulation units, an impedance measurement unit and an impedance evaluation unit. The stimulation control unit is operatively connected to one or more stimulation units to control delivery of stimulation pulses by the one or more stimulation units. The stimulation control unit is configured to assess ventricular contractility based on an impedance signal generated by the impedance evaluation unit and to switch between at least a univentricular left ventricular stimulation mode and a biventricular stimulation mode and to evaluate the ventricular contractility in relation to the respective ventricular stimulation mode.