Abstract: An apparatus for treating an occlusion in a vessel inside of a patient. The apparatus includes an external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned outside of the vessel and to emit ultrasonic waves of energy to the occlusion and to detect ultrasonic waves of energy, an internal ultrasound transducer configured to be positioned inside of the vessel at a position adjacent to or inside the occlusion and to emit ultrasonic waves of energy for detection by the external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer, and a controller configured to control the ultrasonic waves of energy emitted by the external high intensity focused ultrasound transducer based on an electrocardiogram of the patient.

Abstract: A probe for detecting at least one property of a chronic total occlusion in a lumen. The probe includes an elongated member having a distal end configured to be inserted into the lumen, and an ultrasound transducer mounted at the distal end of the elongated member. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasonic signal and to receive a reflected signal from the chronic total occlusion. The probe also includes a processor configured to receive the reflected signal from the ultrasound transducer and convert the reflected signal to at least one property of the chronic total occlusion.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (MEMS) switch suitable for use in medical devices is provided, along with methods of producing and using MEMS switches. In one aspect, a micro electromechanical switch including a moveable member configured to electrically cooperate with a receiving terminal is formed on a substrate. The moveable member and the receiving terminal each include an insulating layer proximate to the substrate and a conducting layer proximate to the insulating layer opposite the substrate. In various embodiments, the conducting layers of the moveable member and/or receiving terminal include a protruding region that extends outward from the substrate to switchably couple the conducting layers of the moveable member and the receiving terminal to thereby form a switch. The switch may be actuated using, for example, electrostatic energy.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cardiac arrhythmia from an electrocardiogram includes the steps of identifying a plurality of R-waves in the electrocardiogram during a predetermined time interval; extracting heartbeat complexes corresponding to the identified R-waves; identifying a key region within each heartbeat complex that is morphologically altered in the event of the cardiac arrhythmia; calculating a statistical measurement of an ensemble of the key regions from each of the heartbeat complexes; and determining from the statistical measurement whether the cardiac arrhythmia occurred during the predetermined time interval. An apparatus is also provided that includes a processor that is coupled to receive an electrocardiogram, and is configured in response thereof to perform the method for detecting a cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: An implanted medical device may detect the onset of impaired glucose tolerance or Type II diabetes. The implanted medical device may have additional functionality. For example, the implanted medical device may be a pacemaker or a pressure monitor, but may also monitor insulin-mediated glucose uptake by processing electrical signals from the heart. An implanted medical device that monitors insulin-mediated glucose uptake may be implanted in a patient who has not been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance or Type II diabetes, and may give the patient early warning if these conditions develop.

Abstract: A sensor is provided on a lead and senses various physical parameters that are indicative of a desired anatomical target, such as the coronary sinus. The data from the sensor is used to navigate to the anatomical target and/or confirm that the anatomical target has been reached. In one embodiment, the sensor is a temperature sensor and increased temperature values in and around the coronary sinus are used for navigational purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the condition of a septum in an implantable medical device are disclosed. Monitoring of the septum provides the ability to determine whether a needle has pierced the septum to effect the transfer of fluids into or out of a reservoir in the implantable medical device. Septum monitoring may provide the ability to determine whether the septum is maintaining its ability to seal the reservoir against leakage. The systems of the present invention include an ultrasonic transducer acoustically coupled to the septum to emit ultrasonic energy directly into the septum. Insertion of a needle through the septum can be detected by the acoustical changes caused by the needle located within the septum.

Abstract: An implanted medical device may detect the onset of impaired glucose tolerance or Type II diabetes. The implanted medical device may have additional functionality. For example, the implanted medical device may be a pacemaker or a pressure monitor, but may also monitor insulin-mediated glucose uptake by processing electrical signals from the heart. An implanted medical device that monitors insulin-mediated glucose uptake may be implanted in a patient who has not been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance or Type II diabetes, and may give the patient early warning if these conditions develop.

Abstract: A sensing methodology is used based on measuring a physical response from a living structure as a result of a chemical compound stimulating this structure on the cellular level. Measurement of the heat response (calorimetry) from a group of pancreatic islets of Langerhans stimulated by glucose is proposed as a glucose biosensor. A novel biosensor concept is proposed acquiring physical response from living cells or cell clusters. In this particular case, membrane impedance of pancreatic B-cells, as a result of glucose stimulated cellular metabolism is used as physical readout. This method of physical assessment is made possible by growing genetically engineered pancreatic beta cells onto a substrate equipped with a set of interdigitated electrodes (IDEs).

Abstract: Information derived from ECG signals and EEG signals may be employed in combination to reliably predict the onset, or to indicate the presence of, hypoglycemia in a human patient. In one embodiment, ECG and EEG signals are processed and the information derived from them is combined to determine whether a patient suffering from diabetes is undergoing a hypoglycemic event, or whether such an event is imminent. Input data from the patient or a health care provider may also be used to increase the accuracy and reliability of the system. Detection of a hypoglycemic event by the system can result in the output of an alarm signal and/or the delivery or administration of a beneficial agent such as insulin, glucagon or diazoxide to the patient. The system may be implantable, external, or a combination of external and implantable components. The control strategy of the present system is preferably microprocessor based and/or implemented using dedicated electronics.

Abstract: Floating and non-floating on-chip capacitors are formed by vertical walls and/or large aspect ratio deep trenches disposed in semiconductor material. By optimizing the through spacing and substrate voltage, a very small parasitic to intended capacitance ratio may be obtained. Capacitors so formed may be used as on-chip charge storage and other types of on-chip capacitors, and eliminate or reduce the number of off-chip capacitors that would otherwise be required. The deep trench capacitors find particularly efficacious application in implantable medical devices where volume, cost and electrical energy consumption must be minimized, and preferably have capacitances which range between about 10 nF and about 1000 uF.

Abstract: A sensing methodology is used based on measuring a physical response from a living structure as a result of a chemical compound stimulating this sf-acture on the cellular level Measurement of the heat response (calorimetry) from a group of pancreatic islets of Langerhans stimulated by glucose is proposed as a glucose biosensor. A novel biosensor concept is proposed acquiring physical response from living cells or cell clusters. In this particular case, membrane impedance of pancreatic B-cells, as a result of glucose stimulated cellular metabolism is used as physical readout. This method of physical assessment possible by growing genetically engineered pancreatic beta cells onto a substrate equipped with a set of interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). A glucose stimulus triggers cell depolarization (bursting) of the B-cells associated with opening and closing of ion specific channels as well as the exocytosis of insulin.

Abstract: Floating and non-floating on-chip capacitors are formed by vertical walls and/or large aspect ratio deep trenches disposed in semiconductor material. By optimizing the through spacing and substrate voltage, a very small parasitic to intended capacitance ratio may be obtained. Capacitors so formed may be used as on-chip charge storage and other types of on-chip capacitors, and eliminate or reduce the number of off-chip capacitors that would otherwise be required. The deep trench capacitors find particularly efficacious application in implantable medical devices where volume, cost and electrical energy consumption must be minimized, and preferably have capacitances which range between about 10 nF and about 1000 uF.

Abstract: There is provided a telemetry system with a receiver which enables detection of pulsed high frequency data (hf) signals in a manner which suppresses noise which may be present within the high frequency bandwidth. The transmitter carrier, which may be subject to some instability, is encoded at a symbol rate which is generated at a lower frequency than the hf, but which is reliably stable. The receiver detects the phase of each received hf pulse, and generates a phase-locked signal which is synchronized to the transmitter symbol signal. The phase-locked signal in turn is used to demodulate the received pulsed signals. In a specific DSP embodiment, the phase-lock loop has a numerically controlled oscillator which has a center frequency which corresponds to the aliased phase difference between the hf carrier phase and the phase of each pulse, thereby obtaining a signal which carries information as to the exact symbol rate.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and providing an indication of one or more diabetes-related blood constituents of a patient, the system being based upon an ECG sensor which processes patient ECG signals, either surface, or intracardiac or epicardial, for determining a measure of a blood constituent such as insulin or glucose, or both insulin and glucose. The system has processing capability for correlating selected parameters of the ECG signal with patient blood insulin or blood glucose, to provide the insulin or glucose level. Additionally, the system is provided with input capability for enabling the patient to input data such as the time of meal intake, which is representative of glucose intake, which data is incorporated in making a determination of patient insulin need. The system can be in a first external wearable embodiment, or in a second implantable embodiment which utilizes a pacing-type lead for picking up intracardiac or epicardial signals.