Abstract: Filtering assembly for a feedthrough, for implantable medical devices, having operating conductive pin(s) and a ground conductive pin. The filtering assembly has: first insulating substrate, first conductive layer accommodated at first side of first insulating substrate and second conductive layer accommodated at second side of first insulating substrate opposing first side, first conductive layer comprises a conductive ground ring accommodated that surrounds the circumference of one end of the operating conductive pins and capacitive element(s), wherein each of the capacitive element(s) provides on the first side a connection to the operating conductive pin(s) and on the second side a connection to the ground ring, wherein the ground ring is connected to the ground pin, the second conductive layer comprises a ground plane providing connection to the ground ring of the first conductive layer and a connection to the ground pin.

Abstract: Filtering assembly for a feedthrough, for implantable medical devices, having operating conductive pin(s) and a ground conductive pin. The filtering assembly has: first insulating substrate, first conductive layer accommodated at first side of first insulating substrate and second conductive layer accommodated at second side of first insulating substrate opposing first side, first conductive layer comprises a conductive ground ring accommodated that surrounds the circumference of one end of the operating conductive pins and capacitive element(s), wherein each of the capacitive element(s) provides on the first side a connection to the operating conductive pin(s) and on the second side a connection to the ground ring, wherein the ground ring is connected to the ground pin, the second conductive layer comprises a ground plane providing connection to the ground ring of the first conductive layer and a connection to the ground pin.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises an electronic control unit and a magnetic resonance imaging magnetic field detector that is connected to the control unit. The magnetic resonance imaging magnetic field detector is adapted to generate a signal being characteristic for a magnetic field as used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the control unit is adapted to positively recognize a presence of a magnetic field as used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to cause the implantable medical device to enter an MRI-safe mode of operation.

Abstract: An electrically active medical implant has a circuit (5), at least one first battery (1) to supply low current, and a second battery (2) to supply high current into the circuit (5), and a control device (4) designed to disconnect the at least one first battery (1) from circuit (5), and to connect second battery (2) to circuit (5), where a capacitor (3) connected in a parallel arrangement with battery (1), where the capacitor can be charged by the first battery both during a first circuit status, during which the first battery is connected to circuit (5), and during a second circuit status, during which circuit (5) is connected only to second battery (2), where control device (4) again disconnects second battery (2) from circuit (5) at the end of the second circuit status, and connects the parallel arrangement consisting of first battery (1) and capacitor (3) to circuit (5) for further energy supply.

Abstract: An electrically active medical implant has a circuit (5), at least one first battery (1) to supply low current, and a second battery (2) to supply high current into the circuit (5), and a control device (4) designed to disconnect the at least one first battery (1) from circuit (5), and to connect second battery (2) to circuit (5), where a capacitor (3) connected in a parallel arrangement with battery (1), where the capacitor can be charged by the first battery both during a first circuit status, during which the first battery is connected to circuit (5), and during a second circuit status, during which circuit (5) is connected only to second battery (2), where control device (4) again disconnects second battery (2) from circuit (5) at the end of the second circuit status, and connects the parallel arrangement consisting of first battery (1) and capacitor (3) to circuit (5) for further energy supply.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the heart rate (f.sub.RR) or the refractory ime of the cardiac tissue, particularly for detecting tachycardia or fibrillation, has an electrode (E) for sensing heart action signals (SIG), an input stage, connected to the electrode, for processing the heart action signals, a refractory member for ascertaining a refractory time value of the arrangement, in each case after a predetermined segment of a heart action signal, and a processing device, connected to the output of the input stage or of the refractory member, for determining the rate of the heart action signals, processed with blanking of the component that occurs during the refractory time, or for determining the refractory time value of the cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A method for processing a signal characteristic of cardiac activity in the atrium (A) and/or ventricle (V) of a heart (H) and for evaluating this signal with a view to obtaining a control signal for a cardiac pacemaker and/or defibrillator (3) can be carried out by: receiving a time dependent signal from at least one intracardial signal sensor (1, 2) in the atrium and/or ventricle; feeding the signal picked up by each signal sensor (1, 2) to a read and evaluation circuit (6) with a threshold characteristic; comparing the signals with a detection threshold; evaluating the result of the comparison to obtain an indication as to the presence of normal sinus-type cardiac activity or fibrillations; and producing the control signal, which characterizes the comparison result.

Abstract: A therapy device having at least one sensor for detecting a variable that n be measured on the body of a patient in the application of a predetermined therapy, and for outputting a corresponding measured value, an evaluating and control device that is connected to the output of the sensor, and a therapy device that is connected to the output of the evaluating and control device and is configured for realizing different therapies as a function of the association of the value of the measured variable with a predetermined value range, with the evaluating and control device having a range-limit memory, a comparator unit for associating the measured value of the variable with one of the value ranges, a therapy memory having at least two separately-addressable memory regions for storing at least two different values of the therapy-control variable in association with the values of the measured variable within an overlap zone between two value ranges, a past-history memory and past-history evaluation means for trans

Abstract: A medical therapy device includes at least one sensor for detecting a varle that can be measured on the body of a patient. An evaluating and control device is connected to the output of the sensor. A therapy device is connected to the output of the evaluating and control device and provides different therapies or therapy variables as a function of the value of the therapy control variable. A processing unit has an input connected to the output of a time controlled fluctuation-value generator which is connected between the output of the sensor and the input of the evaluating and control device.

Abstract: Improved ambulatory heart data monitoring and recording apparatus and method are described. The apparatus provides a power partitioning and management circuit that enables the extended, continuous ECG monitoring of an ambulatory patient's cardiovascular performance and selective recording of arrhythmic events that transpire during such extended monitoring, wherein the circuit supplies reduced, unregulated DC power to potentially volatile data storage circuit elements in the event of the failure of the primary DC power source. An improved method validates QRS complexes by determining, during a learning period, characteristic criteria of the individual patient's QRS waveform most representative of a valid QRS complex as opposed to motion or other artifacts, and thereafter uses such learned criteria in heart rate monitoring.

Abstract: Improved ambulatory heart data monitoring and recording apparatus and method are described. The apparatus provides a power partitioning and management circuit that enables the extended, continuous ECG monitoring of an ambulatory patient's cardiovascular performance and selective recording of arrhythmic events that transpire during such extended monitoring, wherein the circuit supplies reduced, unregulated DC power to potentially volatile data storage circuit elements in the event of the failure of the primary DC power source. An improved method validates QRS complexes by determining, during a learning period, characteristic criteria of the individual patient's QRS waveform most representative of a valid QRS complex as opposed to motion or other artifacts, and thereafter uses such learned criteria in heart rate monitoring.

Abstract: A plurality of programming bits are placed into a parallel in-serially out register. When the programmer is activated, a monostable resets a counter, and energizes an oscillator which clocks the counter. Three subintervals from the counter are utilized for pulse width modulation of the programming signals. Once for each bit, the output is energized and begins transmitting pulses at the lowest subinterval rate. Depending upon the logic state of each bit, the transmission pulse is terminated either at the second or the third subinterval time.

Abstract: A counter functions in response to an oscillator to control generation of stimulating pulses in the demand mode, via an adjustable rate decoder. The rate decoder may be predetermined under the control of a dual input, a first of which is a magnetic enabling switch, and the second of which is a pulse width modulated magnetic transmission. Once the enabling switch is actuated, plural successive reprogramming bits are coupled to the pacer. Integral logic allows these bits actually to accomplish the programming alteration if and only if the predetermined number of bits occur during a predetermined interval. The reprogramming is further synchronized with the generation of stimulating pulses.

Abstract: Oscillator pulses are coupled to a counter, the ultimate count interval of which causes an output amplifier to produce a stimulating pulse and also to reset itself. A refractory control flip-flop is also thereby reset, and blocks demand mode resetting pulses for the refractory period. A second counter is resettable by the input amplifier, and defines a count interval during which noise pulses are rejected. A second flip-flop is responsive to the second counter and to the refractory flip-flop selectively to reset the first counter based on demand pacing criteria.

Abstract: In a demand pacer, an input amplifier senses stimulating pulses and natural heart beat signals, and responsively thereto establishes control of a subsequent stimulating pulse. Charge accumulation on an output capacitor governs recovery time after each generated stimulating pulse. Respective first and second flip-flops, responsive to the input amplifier and the demand pacing logic, establishes a reduced recovery time, after each generated pulse, wherein charge accumulated on the output capacitor is dissipated.

Abstract: A demand pacer has a local memory element, programmable from a remote source, which detects whether or not the hysteresis rate adjustment is to be employed. When hysteresis is disabled, the pacer operates in the normal demand mode, at a rate optionally selected by the same memory. In the hysteresis mode, a flip-flop controls gating means, ultimately operable at conventional or hysteresis rates, ultimately for controlling the output amplifier. An input amplifier senses natural heart beat signals, and enables a gating means, which has been conditioned for hysteresis mode operation, to reset the flip-flop and in turn the output controlling gates.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the heart rate (fRR) or the refractory time of the cardiac tissue, particularly for detecting tachycardia or fibrillation, has an electrode (E) for sensing heart action signals (SIG), an input stage, connected to the electrode, for processing the heart action signals, a refractory member for ascertaining a refractory time value of the arrangement, in each case after a predetermined segment of a heart action signal, and a processing device, connected to the output of the input stage or of the refractory member, for determining the rate of the heart action signals, processed with blanking of the component that occurs during the refractory time, or for determining the refractory time value of the cardiac tissue.