Abstract: A data storage device, e.g., a disc drive, includes one or more heads including a transducer. Each head also includes a deformable material that allows the spacing adjustments between the transducer and a data storage medium, e.g., a data storage disc, according to each of a plurality of settings. The device calculates a response function of a spacing change to a setting change for each head by measuring a change in the pole tip-data storage medium spacing corresponding to at least two settings. The device also determines an optimal setting. The device may also repeat response function calculations and/or determination of optimal settings to ensure continued optimal performance of the device. In summary, the device sets an optimal setting for each head according to a calculated response function particular to each head.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a Cr-doped Fe-alloy-containing underlayer containing about 8 to 18 at % Cr and a perpendicular recording magnetic layer, and a process for improving corrosion resistance of the recording medium and for manufacturing the recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A guiding catheter for use in medical procedures includes a flexible shaft with one or more audio transducers and a distal tip. An audio signal may be sent to one or more of the transducers and a reflected signal is received at one or more transducers. The reflected signal is used to detect the presence of an anatomical structure to assist in navigating the catheter to its destination. In another arrangement, the transducer can be used passively to detect physical characteristics of the heart such as sound, subsonic energy or temperature, that indicate relative proximity of a destination vessel.

Abstract: Cardiac stimulation methods and systems provide for multiple pulse defibrillation, and involve sensing a fibrillation event, determining a fibrillation cycle length associated with the fibrillation event, and delivering a plurality of defibrillation pulses to treat the fibrillation event. Defibrillation pulses are delivered using a combination of subcutaneous non-intrathoracic electrodes. Delivery of each defibrillation waveform subsequent to a first defibrillation waveform is separated in time by a delay associated with the fibrillation cycle length. Delays between defibrillation waveform delivery may be associated with a percentage of the fibrillation cycle length.

Abstract: Systems and methods involve use of a medical device comprising sensing circuitry. One or more respiratory parameters are detected using the device. Patient baseline weight is provided, and an output signal indicative of a patient's congestive heart failure status is generated based on a change in the one or more respiratory parameters and a change in the patient's measured weight or predicted weight relative to the patient baseline weight. The respiratory parameters may include one or more of respiration rate, relative tidal volume, an index indicative of rapid shallow breathing by the patient, an index derived by computing a respiration rate and a tidal volume for each patient breath, and an index indicative of dyspnea, for example.

Abstract: Cardiac sensing and/or stimulation devices and methods that adapt to implant location and positioning, and may employ automated vector selection from multiple electrodes. Devices include a housing having a first face opposing a second face, and an edge extending around the perimeter. A pulse generator and controller are coupled to three or more electrodes. Electrode arrangement facilitates selection of the particular electrodes that sense cardiac activity irrespective of one or more of positioning of the device, rotation of the housing, and which of the first and second faces of the housing is orientated toward the patient's skin. A first vector may be selected that provides for sensing cardiac activity, and a second vector may sense skeletal muscle activity. The vectors may be selected based on amplitude or signal-to-noise ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold. Methods may involve delivering defibrillation or cardioversion energy and/or determining cardiac rhythm states using selected vectors.

Abstract: An implantable device is used to monitor one or more conditions associated with an external breathing therapy delivered to the patient. The device may monitor therapy parameters including therapy effectiveness, impact of the therapy on the patient, therapy usage, compliance with a prescribed usage, therapy interactions, and/or other parameters.

Abstract: Cardiac methods and devices that separate signals using at least two composite signals acquired at least at two input impedances. A target source impedance may be selected, and a cardiac signal may be separated from composite signals using the selected target source impedance. Medical systems include a cardiac device having a housing that provides amplification circuitry configured to have a first amplifier input impedance and a second amplifier input impedance, such as using two separate circuits or switching between two input impedances. One or more electrode assemblies are coupled to the amplification circuitry. A signal processor is provided in the housing configured to separate a source signal using a first composite signal detected at the first input impedance and a second composite signal detected at the second input impedance. The phase response of the first input amplifier circuit is about equal to that of the second input amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Controlling supplementary data channels using display state information involves processing, at a user device, a first broadcast signal having a content channel and a second signal having a supplementary data channel. The supplementary data channel is related to the content channel. The broadcast channel and supplementary channel are rendered to a user via the user device. The supplementary channel is at least partially rendered on a display of the user device. An event is determined that causes the display to be no longer viewable by the user. In response to determining the event, processing and rendering the supplementary data channel is ceased. The action of ceasing to process the supplementary data channel results in lowering power consumption of the user device.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide an integrated approach to respiratory and cardiac monitoring, diagnosis and/or therapy. A medical system includes one or more cardiac electrodes coupled to an external respiratory therapy device. The cardiac electrodes sense cardiac electrical activity that is used to generate an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Cardiac events, such as arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and/or ischemia, may be detected based on the sensed cardiac electrical activity.

Abstract: Various approaches are described for managing refractory periods based on the detection of an evoked response. The heart is paced and an evoked response is detected. At least one refractory period is adapted based on the detected evoked response. Adapting the refractory period may involve, for example, initiating a refractory period, terminating a refractory period, extending a refractory period or modifying one or more parameters of the refractory period. Adapting the refractory period may involve modifying a sensing threshold based on the detected evoked response. The sensing threshold of an atrial sensing channel may be adjusted, for example, to avoid sensing a ventricular evoked response on the atrial channel while allowing sensing of a P-wave on the atrial channel.

Abstract: A method and device provide for determining capture in multiple chambers of a patient's heart using an electrode inserted into a coronary vein of the patient's heart. The coronary vein electrode is positioned adjacent to multiple heart chambers and is responsive to cardiac signals originating in the multiple chambers. The coronary vein electrode may be coupled to a single sense amplifier to detect the cardiac signals. Pace pulses may be applied to multiple heart chambers simultaneously or according to a phased timing sequence. Cardiac signals responsive to the pace pulses sensed using the coronary vein electrode may be used to verify capture in the multiple chambers of the heart.

Abstract: Preventing sudden cardiac death involves providing an implantable device configured to deliver only two forms of cardiac therapy, the two forms of cardiac therapy including an anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy and an asystole prevention pacing therapy. The tachyarrhythmia therapy is delivered in response to detecting a tachyarrhythmia, and the pacing therapy is delivered in response to detection of cardiac asystole. An implantable cardiac device for preventing sudden cardiac death may be configured to be fully operational upon setting a therapy On/Off parameter and two or less programmable parameters associated with therapy delivery. Control circuitry configures the device for operation to prevent sudden cardiac death after programming the two or less programmable parameters and enabling the therapy On/Off parameter.

Abstract: A optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a string of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to string vibrations. A number of dissimilar filter approaches are included to control undesired effects of spurious light, the filter approaches may be structure-based, signal processing-based, and/or optics-based.

Abstract: A user terminal of a radio system arranged to operate a frequency band subdivided into one or more carrier bands, each of which carries a cyclic set of consecutive time slot. The user terminal comprises a first receiver part adjustable to a defined carrier band, and a second receiver part adjustable to a defined carrier band; wherein the first and the second receiver parts are separately operable. The user terminal comprises also allocation means for allocating to a radio channel at least a first timeslot and a second timeslot, wherein the first timeslot and the second timeslot may belong to different carrier bands. The first receiver part and the second receiver part are adjusted to the carrier bands of the first timeslot and of the second timeslot according to a predetermined scheme. The invented structure improved data throughput of the transmission by providing improved quality of transmission through diversity and added capacity through the multicarrier operation.

Abstract: A portable patient communicator (PPC) includes a portable housing that supports a processor coupled to memory for storing medical firmware and wireless radio firmware, first and second radios, a processor, and a power source. Communications between a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and the first radio of the PPC are effected in accordance with program instructions of the medical firmware, and communications between the second radio of the PPC and the wireless network are effected in accordance with program instructions of the wireless radio firmware. Data from the PIMD is received via the first radio to which a priority level is assigned, such as in a tiered manner. A data transport mechanism is selected among disparate data transport mechanisms based at least in part on the priority level. PIMD data is transmitted to the wireless network using the selected transport mechanism via the second radio.

Abstract: Methods and systems involve classifying the cardiac response to pacing using a multi-channel approach. Multiple cardiac response signals are sensed via multiple sense channels. Each sense channel comprises a distinct combination of electrodes and sensing circuitry. The cardiac response to the pacing pulse is classified based on the morphology of the cardiac response signals. Classifying the cardiac response involves discriminating between capture, fusion, non-capture, and non-capture with intrinsic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for entering characters in a user interface of an electronic device. The method according to the invention comprises: detecting the direction of movement indicated by the input device when the start of the character entering function has been detected; showing the character of the character area on the display, towards which character area the direction of movement indicated by the input device is proceeding; detecting the termination of the character entering function; interpreting the character towards whose character area the direction of movement was last detected to proceed as the character to be entered next, when the termination of the character entering function is detected.

Abstract: A cardiac lead system includes a cardiac lead having a lumen, and a guide member displaceable within the lumen. The guide member includes a guide wire extension that extends distal to the elongated body of the guide member. The guide wire extension is dimensioned to pass through an external distal opening of the cardiac lead lumen. Engagement of stop features or a stop mechanism of the cardiac lead system provides a push point for advancing the cardiac lead system through the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing disorders, including, for example, disordered breathing, involve sensing one or more of a blood chemistry parameter and/or an expired gas parameter, such as expired respiratory gas concentration, blood gas concentration, and blood pH. Diagnosis of the disorder may be performed by a medical device, such as a respiratory therapy device or a cardiac therapy device, based on implantably detected blood gas/pH concentration/level or externally detected expired respiratory gas concentration. Cardiac and respiratory therapies for addressing the disorder may be adjusted based on the detected parameters.