Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering corrective therapy through hormone regulation is provided. Inhibition of sympathetic fibers by spinal cord stimulation is used to regulate the levels of hormones such as catecholamines, renin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The invention utilizes a closed or open loop feedback system in which physiological parameters such as the concentrations of hormones and sympathetic indicators such as heart rate and urine production are monitored and used to determine the appropriate level of neurostimulation.

Abstract: Pacing parameters are provided to address cross talk and intrinsic ventricular events occurring within a predefined blanking period following an atrial event. The parameters are used in conjunction with protocol for minimizing or reducing ventricular pacing, wherein ignoring intrinsic ventricular events during the blanking period might otherwise affect the performance of the protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering corrective therapy through hormone regulation is provided. Inhibition of sympathetic fibers by spinal cord stimulation is used to regulate the levels of hormones such as catecholamines, renin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The invention utilizes a closed or open loop feedback system in which physiological parameters such as the concentrations of hormones and sympathetic indicators such as heart rate and urine production are monitored and used to determine the appropriate level of neurostimulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide therapy to a patient for protecting cardiac tissue from insult is disclosed. The method comprises delivering closed loop electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined portions of a portion of excitable tissue of the spinal cord of a patient; and monitoring one or more physiologic indices of the body. That is, a closed-loop feedback controller is used to apply electrical stimulation to preselected regions of the spinal cord of a patient's body based upon one or more aspects of the physiologic indices.

Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a P-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.

Abstract: The bi-ventricular implantable pulse generator described and depicted herein enables hemodynamic efficiencies for patients suffering from intraventricular conduction delays or conduction blockage. The pulse generator effectively overcomes such conduction delay or block (e.g., left bundle branch block, “LBBB,” or right bundle branch block, “RBBB”) by delivering a novel form of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Specifically, a single ventricular pre-excitation pacing stimulus is triggered from an atrial event (e.g., intrinsic or evoked depolarization). The triggering event may emanate from the right atrium (RA) or the left atrium (LA). A single ventricular pre-excitation pacing stimulus is delivered prior to the intrinsic depolarization of the other ventricle and thus promotes intraventricular electromechanical synchrony during CRT delivery.

Abstract: Neurostimulation is delivered to one or more predetermined locations on or within a patient in order to treat effects of sleep apnea by modulating autonomic nervous activity. Delivery of neurostimulation at predetermined locations can decrease sympathetic nervous activity and/or increase parasympathetic nervous activity, countering the increased intrinsic sympathetic activity associated with apnea-arousal cycles. In some embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered to the spinal cord of the patient via an implanted electrode. In other embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered transcutaneously to the spinal cord or other locations via electrodes located on the surface of the patient. In some embodiments, delivery of neurostimulation is initiated or modified in response to detection of apneas.

Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial-based pacing).

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a microprocessor that characterizes cardiac activity of a patient to enable the implantable medical device to deliver therapy in response to an identified arrhythmia event. A monitor/controller monitors the characterized cardiac activity and the delivered therapy, and controls activation of triggered overdrive pacing subsequent to the delivered therapy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided at the spinal canal or on the chest wall of the patient through cutaneous electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering corrective therapy through hormone regulation is provided. Inhibition of sympathetic fibers by spinal cord stimulation is used to regulate the levels of hormones such as catecholamines, renin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The invention utilizes a closed or open loop feedback system in which physiological parameters such as the concentrations of hormones and sympathetic indicators such as heart rate and urine production are monitored and used to determine the appropriate level of neurostimulation.

Abstract: Neurostimulation is delivered to one or more predetermined locations on or within a patient in order to treat effects of sleep apnea by modulating autonomic nervous activity. Delivery of neurostimulation at predetermined locations can decrease sympathetic nervous activity and/or increase parasympathetic nervous activity, countering the increased intrinsic sympathetic activity associated with apnea-arousal cycles. In some embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered to the spinal cord of the patient via an implanted electrode. In other embodiments, neurostimulation is delivered transcutaneously to the spinal cord or other locations via electrodes located on the surface of the patient. In some embodiments, delivery of neurostimulation is initiated or modified in response to detection of apneas.

Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.

Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a microprocessor that characterizes cardiac activity of a patient to enable the implantable medical device to deliver therapy in response to an identified arrhythmia event. A monitor/controller monitors the characterized cardiac activity and the delivered therapy, and controls activation of triggered overdrive pacing subsequent to the delivered therapy.

Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial-based pacing).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided to peripheral nerves, intrinsic cardiac nerves, sympathetic ganglia, cranial nerves, and may generally be directed to the vertebral column, or within the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide therapy to a patient for protecting cardiac tissue from insult is disclosed. The method comprises delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined portions of the nervous system in a patient's body; and monitoring one or more physiologic indices of the body to determine whether the delivered therapy is effective. That is, a closed-loop feedback controller is used to apply electrical stimulation to preselected regions of the patient's body, and then the physiologic response of the patient is monitored to determine the efficacy of the stimulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided at the spinal canal or on the chest wall of the patient through cutaneous electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to provide therapy to a patient experiencing ventricular dysfunction or heart failure. At least one electrode is located in a region associated with nervous tissue, such as nerve bundles T1-T4, in a patient's body. Electrical stimulation is applied to the at least one electrode to improve the cardiac efficiency of the patient's heart. One or more predetermined physiologic parameters of the patient are monitored, and the electrical stimulation is adjusted based on the one or more predetermined physiologic parameters.