Abstract: A physiological monitoring or therapy delivery system includes autonomous, wirelessly linked, implantable devices located at different areas to sense physiologic signals and deliver therapy. At least one of the implantable devices can trigger synchronized action (e.g. data capture or therapy delivery) by other implantable devices via a telemetry link.

Abstract: A method and system for programming settings of a medical device surgically implanted within a body of a patient. The system comprises a physician programmer, a patient programmer, an external neural stimulator, and a telemetry component being in communication with the implanted medical device, the external neural stimulator, and the physician programmer. The implantable medical device may be programmed using a two-phase process, a screening phase and an implant phase. During the screening phase, the physician and patient programmers may be used to roughly test the parameters of the stimulation to determine that the treatment therapy is efficacious. During the implant phase, the same physician and patient programmers may be used to fine tune the parameters of the stimulation.

Abstract: A method and system for programming settings of a medical device surgically implanted within a body of a patient. The system comprises a physician programmer, a patient programmer, an external neural stimulator, and a telemetry component being in communication with the implanted medical device, the external neural stimulator, and the physician programmer. The implantable medical device may be programmed using a two-phase process, a screening phase and an implant phase. During the screening phase, the physician and patient programmers may be used to roughly test the parameters of the stimulation to determine that the treatment therapy is efficacious. During the implant phase, the same physician and patient programmers may be used to fine tune the parameters of the stimulation.

Abstract: A software-controlled, external programmer for transcutaneously programming and receiving data from an implanted medical device providing enhanced discrimination and detection of pulse-interval-coded signals of interest telemetered out of the implanted medical device from undesirable transient and steady-state noise. The programmer incorporates a detector including an active mixer and a precision tuned active phase shifting network providing low level signal rectification, precise narrow bandpass filtering, and 30 decibels of amplification. At the detector, the received signal is mixed with a phase shifted version of itself to produce a detected DC component which is a function of frequency. The DC response emulates a system with a narrow 25 kHz bandpass filter operating at 175 kHz, but does not share its undesirable transient response. For signals in the reject band, the output produces a signal of the opposite polarity of the signals within the pass bands.

Abstract: A technique for improving detection of the pacing artifact in patients having artificially paced myocardial contractions. The improved detection is accomplished by sensing all three commonly monitored EKG leads. Each lead is differentially amplified and rectified to produce a signal of absolute value. The resulting three signals are algebraically summed and differentiated. Because the pacing artifact consists of higher frequency components than the naturally occurring QRS complex, it can easily be detected by its much larger first derivative.Reliable detection of the artificial pacing artifact is extremely important in monitoring and programming implantable pacers. It is necessary to accurately determine whether a pacing pulse has been delivered and precisely measure the time of its occurrence.

Abstract: A technique for improving the radio frequency coupling between an external programming device and a medical device implanted within a patient. The radio frequency coupling is typically used to non-invasively change the operating parameters of the implanted device, such as a cardiac pacer. A common frequency for transmission is 175 khz. At this frequency, in view of the low power and the short distances involved, positioning of the external antenna with respect to the implanted antenna becomes critical. This criticality is heightened because of the great change in transmitter antenna loading and tuning with small changes in relative position.To assist the attending medical personnel, the transmitter antenna is ordinarily mounted within a paddle-like structure. A feedback coil is placed within the same physical package. The signal induced within the feedback coil is amplified, filtered, and integrated to produce a signal which controls the output amplifier of the transmitter.