Abstract: A programmer for an implantable medical device includes an adjustable kickstand. In one example, the kickstand is configured to combine with the base to support the programmer in an upright position when the kickstand is fully-collapsed to support the programmer in a reclined position when the kickstand is fully-extended. Further, the programmer housing may include a fan grate that allows airflow from a cooling fan to pass through the programmer housing. The fan grate is positioned behind the kickstand when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position. The kickstand includes an aperture adjacent the fan grate when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position, the aperture allowing airflow from the cooling fan to pass through the fan grate when the kickstand is in the fully-collapsed position.

Abstract: A pharmacological delivery implement for use with cardiac repair devices. The pharmacological delivery implement comprises a porous member defining an outer surface, an internal channel configured to selectively house a pharmacological agent, and a plurality of release holes each extending from the outer surface to the internal channel. Following implantation of the pharmacological delivery implement, at least a portion of the pharmacological agent exits the internal channel through the plurality of release holes.

Abstract: Medical leads include distal tip anchors that are retained by fixation mechanisms of implantation tools. The fixation mechanism may include a fixed body that has features retaining the distal tip anchor. The fixation mechanism may include a movable body that can apply tension to the distal tip anchor to force the distal tip anchor to be released from the features of the fixed body. The movable body may include an axial portion that is received by an axial hole of the fixed body to allow for axial movement of the movable body to release the distal tip anchor. The fixation mechanism may instead include an elongated flexible body that passes through the distal tip anchor and is attached to the fixed body. Tension applied to the elongated body creates a releasing motion of the distal tip anchor to free the distal tip anchor from the features of the fixed body.

Abstract: A stented valve having at least one leaflet made of pericardium or other material having a relatively thin profile at the annulus. The leaflets are attached via chords to a stent frame, where the chords are positioned to mimic the native valve anatomy and functionality. In particular, the valves of one exemplary embodiment of the invention are sized to replace a mitral valve and therefore the chords are arranged to prevent prolapse of the leaflets into the atrium. The stented valve has a relatively short height at its annulus due to the positioning of the chords. In addition, the stented valve is capable of being crimped to a small enough size that it can be delivered to the implantation site via transcatheter delivery systems and methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for verifying pacing capture of a ventricular chamber, particularly to ensure desired delivery of a ventricular pacing regime (e.g., “CRT”). The invention also provides ventricular capture management by delivering a single ventricular pacing stimulus and checking inter-ventricular conduction during a temporal window to determine if the stimulus captured. If a loss-of-capture LOC) signal results from the capture management testing, then the applied pacing pulses are modified and the conduction test repeated. If LOC, an alert message can issue.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an attachment stability of leadless pacing device (LPD) implanted within a patient are described. For example, the LPD may detect one or more stability metrics from one or more electrodes of the LPD and/or an activity sensor within the LPD. Based on one or more of these stability metrics, e.g., a mechanical motion of the LPD, a stability module within the LPD may determine the attachment stability of the LPD within the patient. If the attachment stability is insufficient to provide efficacious therapy or indicates at least partial dislodgement of the LPD from tissue, the LPD may wirelessly transmit stability information to an external device. In some examples, the LPD may be implanted within a chamber of the heart.

Abstract: A method for identifying oversensing in implantable medical devices (IMDs), such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), is described. A near-field electrogram signal and a far-field electrogram signal are obtained via a near-field electrode pair and a far-field electrode pair. The near-field electrogram signal is compared to the far-field electrogram signal and a determination of whether oversensing exists is made based on the comparison. In some instances, a scheduled therapy is withheld in response to determining that oversensing exists.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic valve using sheets of material, such as pericardium material, polymer or bioengineered film, or other material. The method provides an accurate and repeatable system of making pericardial valves in which sheets or pieces of material are held securely in place relative to each other throughout the steps of assembling the valve. In addition, methods of the present invention include maintaining consistent alignment of the fixtures and pericardium material throughout the valve assembly process and utilize features that make the tooling components easy to assemble and handle. Certain aspects of the invention can be used to help establish a repeatable sewing and cutting technique for creating a pattern shape for valve leaflets, establishing stitch lengths, and determining the exact placement of stitches.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for generation of proportional posture information over multiple time intervals. The techniques may include obtaining posture state data sensed by a medical device for a patient during delivery of therapy by the medical device, determining durations for which the patient occupied each of a plurality of posture states based on the posture state data, generating proportional posture information for a plurality of different time intervals based on the durations, wherein the proportional posture information for each of the time intervals indicates proportional amounts of the respective time interval in which the patient occupied the posture states, and presenting the proportional posture information to a user via a user interface.

Abstract: A surgical sutureless valve that is attached to a stent frame for delivery to a location in a patient using percutaneous implantation devices and methods.

Abstract: An external programming system for programming an implantable medical device includes a user display and a memory storing multiple intracardiac lead images. The intracardiac lead images correspond to lead types and includes electrodes spaced according to the spacing of electrodes of a particular lead type. The programmer selects one of the lead images for display based on an indication of which type of lead has been implanted in a patient. The selected image is displayed to a user as part of a graphical user interface for programming cardiac pacing therapy for the patient.