Abstract: A system and method for determining a remaining life estimate of the remaining battery life of a battery of an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD battery preferably exhibits a highly reproducible monotonically decreasing discharge curve. The estimated remaining life estimates are derived by periodically measuring battery voltage, and estimating the estimated past current drain of the IMD comprising an average of the sum of the quiescent current drain and therapy delivery current drain, and determining the estimated remaining longevity from the measured voltage and the estimated past current drain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation includes selecting a desired ventricular rate, pacing the ventricle of the heart at the desired ventricular rate, and pacing the atrium of the heart at twice the desired ventricular rate while the desired ventricular rate is less than a preferred rate. Some methods of the present invention include pacing the atrium of the heart at the desired ventricular rate while the desired ventricular rate is greater than the preferred rate. Other methods of the present invention include pacing the atrium of the heart at a predetermined/preferred atrial rate while the desired ventricular rate is greater than the preferred rate.

Abstract: A method and a system for conducting failure mode recovery of an implanted medical device. The embodiments described reduce the risk of leaving an IMD in an undesirable state when conditions during programming of the IMD unexpectedly change. In an example embodiment, failure mode recovery in an implanted device is facilitated when a communications link with a medical communications system having an application program is interrupted. The failure mode recovery method includes establishing a communications link between the medical communications system and an extender module configured to receive an application proxy from the application program. An application proxy is then loaded into the extender module via the application program. The application proxy is configured to transition the implanted device to a recovery state in response to a set of conditions. The implanted device then transitions to a completed state via the application program, while transitioning of the completed state is monitored.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) issues a notification when it has been left in a programmed state for some time, possibly inadvertently. The patient or another person may then initiate a course of corrective action, such as programming the device to an appropriate state.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.

Abstract: A capacitive filtered feedthrough assembly is formed in a solid state manner to employ highly miniaturized conductive paths each filtered by a discoid capacitive filter embedded in a capacitive filter array. A non-conductive, co-fired metal-ceramic substrate is formed from multiple layers that supports one or a plurality of substrate conductive paths and it is brazed to a conductive ferrule, adapted to be welded to a case, using a conductive, corrosion resistant braze material. The metal-ceramic substrate is attached to an internally disposed capacitive filter array that encloses one or a plurality of capacitive filter capacitor active electrodes each coupled to a filter array conductive path and at least one capacitor ground electrode. Each capacitive filter array conductive path is joined with a metal-ceramic conductive path to form a feedthrough conductive path.

Abstract: Medical device data is transferred using a universal adaptor between an implanted medical device and hospital monitoring systems. The universal adaptor is an interface compatible with various built-in hospital monitoring network comprised of equipment from a variety of manufacturers. The universal adaptor includes a telemetry circuitry, a calibration system for atmospheric pressure and an analog interface. The calibration system relates to barometric correction and includes an external pressure reference system.

Abstract: A method and a system for retrieving information from an IMD so that a physician may better use the time allotted to a patient. In an example embodiment, a method for communicating between an implanted device and a medical data processing system occurs via a communications module coupled to an antenna member and to the medical data processing system. The communication module and the antenna are arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within a given range or space such as in a room. The method includes broadcasting interrogation requests in the range via the communications module and antenna arrangement and establishing a communications link between the implanted device present in the range and the communications module. A set of patient diagnostic data is then transmitted from the implanted device to the communications module in response to an encoded radio frequency signal from the communications module.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having a dual cell power source powering a high-power output circuit and a low-power control circuit. The power source includes a first, high-rate cell and a second, lower-rate cell having a rate capability less than a rate capability of the first, high-rate cell. The first and second cells are electrically connected to the output circuit and control circuit by circuitry. In one embodiment, the circuitry connects the first and second cells in parallel to the output circuit and the control circuit, and includes a switching circuit for selectively uncoupling the first, high-rate cell from the control circuit during a transient high power pulse. In another embodiment, the first and second cells are formed within a single case and are connected in parallel to the output circuit and the control circuit.

Abstract: A method for cardioverting or defibrillating a human heart, performed by placing a transvenous lead having a cardioversion or defibrillation electrode such that the electrode is located at least partially within the middle cardiac vein of a patient's heart and placing an additional cardioversion or defibrillation electrode in the superior vena cava of the patient's heart and thereafter delivering a cardioversion or defibrillation pulse between the first and second electrodes. The method may be practiced by placing the transvenous such that the defibrillation electrode it carries extends around the apex of the patient's heart, and the transvenous lead may be advanced through one cardiac vein toward the apex of the patient's heart and thereafter advanced upward through a different cardiac vein.

Abstract: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection scheme includes a divided rail structure to route damaging ESD away from sensitive circuitry. Specifically, Vdd and Vss rails are divided to segregate the ESD current within a circuit, thus isolating the sensitive circuitry from ESD exposure. In an exemplary embodiment, Vdd is divided into Vdd-esd and Vdd core, while Vss is divided into Vss-esd and Vss core. The structure in cooperation with diodes, clamps and resistors enables to isolate the rails (Vdd core and Vss core) associated with sensitive circuitry from ESD current.

Abstract: A message is provided to a tracking server system in response to a client system referencing a predetermined resource locator that corresponds to a resource external to the tracking server system. The tracking server system indirectly provides for the client system to have an informational element selectable by the client system, where the informational element is graphically identified on the client system with informational content obtainable from a content server system through use of a content resource locator. The informational element includes a tracking resource locator, referencing the tracking server system, and data identifying the informational element. The selection of the informational element causes the client system to use the tracking resource locator to provide the data to the tracking server system and to use the content resource locator to obtain the informational content from the content server system.

Abstract: The present invention is a snowplow diagnostic and connection system for connecting a snowplow to a vehicle. The system includes an diagnostic circuit and an indicator which detects and indicates the status of various components of the snowplow and its controls. The indicator includes a specific indication of the status of each detected subsystem or each component, as well as providing a general warning if any problem is detected. The indicator has a plurality of LED's which individually represent the various subsystems or components. If a problem is detected with any of the subsystems or components, the vehicle's headlights are caused to flash, thus alerting the operator.

Abstract: The present invention is a membrane switch. The membrane switch includes a switch assembly having a switch frame coupled to the switch assembly. The switch frame is sandwiched between various layers of the membrane, thus holding it in place. The lower surface of the membrane is coated with an adhesive. Once installed in an electronic device, the adhesive layer secures the membrane as well as the switch assembly in place. The adhesive layer serves to form a waterproof barrier between the membrane and the switch assembly.