Abstract: Implementations of various technologies described herein are directed toward a sensing architecture for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The sensing architecture may provide a method and means for certifying detected events by the cardiac rhythm management device. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced capability to accurately identifying only those sensed events that are desirable, and preventing the use of events marked as suspect, the sensing architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.

Abstract: Reigniting a flame in a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector in the event that the flame has gone out. In one implementation, a signal is received at a handheld personal computer indicating that a flame in the VOC detector has gone out. The flame in the VOC detector may then be reignited using the handheld personal computer and a Bluetooth enabled device facilitating communication between the handheld personal computer and the VOC detector.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a lead electrode assembly for use with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator subcutaneously implanted outside the ribcage between the third and twelfth ribs comprising the electrode.

Abstract: Method for collecting video files of one or more Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) components, including receiving information pertaining to the one or more LDAR components within a specified area, recording a video of the LDAR components for a predetermined amount of time using a camera, associating the video with the information, and storing the video along with the information to a memory located in a computer.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a flame ionization detector (FID). The method includes receiving a request to schedule a calibration. After scheduling the calibration, a flow request command is sent to a gas distribution system at a scheduled calibration. The flow request command instructs the gas distribution system to provide a gas at a gas concentration level to the FID. After the gas distribution system provides the gas at the gas concentration level to the FID, the method includes receiving a raw count from the FID and correlating the raw count with the gas and the gas concentration level provided to the FID. The method then stores the results of the correlation in a calibration log.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data. New methods for organizing the use of morphology and rate analysis in an overall architecture for rhythm classification and cardiac signal analysis are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, sensed data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data.

Abstract: Adaptive methods for initiating charging of the high power capacitors of an implantable medical device for therapy delivery after the patient experiences a non-sustained arrhythmia. The adaptive methods adjust persistence criteria used to analyze an arrhythmia prior to initiating a charging sequence to deliver therapy.

Abstract: Methods and devices that are configured to deliver cardiac stimuli in a particular fashion. In an illustrative embodiment, a method is used wherein a first stimulus is delivered using a first polarity, and, if the first stimulus fails to successfully convert an arrhythmia, a second stimulus having a second polarity that is different from or opposite of the first polarity is then delivered. Subsequent stimuli, if needed, are delivered in a continuing alternating-polarity manner. The first polarity may be determined by observing whether successfully-converting stimulus has been delivered previously and, if so, the polarity of the most recent stimulus that resulted in successful conversion is used as the first polarity. In additional embodiments, electrode configuration may be changed instead of or in addition to polarity, following unsuccessful stimulus delivery. Devices configured to perform such methods are included in additional illustrative embodiments.

Abstract: EMI shields for use in implantable medical devices that include inner and outer metal layers separated by a dielectric layer. When assembled as medical devices, the outer metal layer of an illustrative EMI shield is placed into electrical contact with a conductive inner surface of an associated canister for an implantable medical device.

Abstract: Devices configured to perform an adaptive method for initiating charging of high power capacitors and delivering therapy to a patient after the patient experiences a non-sustained arrhythmia. The adaptive methods adjust persistence criteria used to analyze an arrhythmia prior to initiating a charging sequence to deliver therapy.

Abstract: Methods, implantable medical devices and systems configured to perform analysis of captured signals from implanted electrodes to identify cardiac arrhythmias. In an illustrative embodiment, signals captured from two or more sensing vectors are analyzed, where the signals are captured with a patient in at least first and second body positions. Analysis is performed to identify primary or default sensing vectors and/or templates for event detection.

Abstract: Implementations of various technologies described herein are directed toward a sensing architecture for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The sensing architecture may provide a method and means for certifying detected events by the cardiac rhythm management device. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced capability to accurately identifying only those sensed events that are desirable, and preventing the use of events marked as suspect, the sensing architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.

Abstract: Devices and methods for electrode implantation. A first embodiment includes an electrode insertion tool adapted to tunnel through tissue and attach, at its distal end, to a lead, such that the lead may be pulled into the tunneled space as the electrode insertion tool is removed. Additional embodiments include methods for inserting electrode/lead assemblies, including a method wherein an insertion tool is first used to tunnel through tissue, then to pull an electrode/lead into the tunneled space. In a further embodiment the insertion tool is next used, with a splittable sheath disposed thereon, to create an additional path into tissue, after which the insertion tool is removed, leaving the sheath in place; a lead is inserted to the sheath, and, finally, the splittable sheath is removed over the lead.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib within a patient, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing; a first electrode coupled to the electrical circuit and located on the housing; and a second electrode coupled to the electrical circuit.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In illustrative examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data. New methods for organizing the use of morphology and rate analysis in an overall architecture for rhythm classification and cardiac signal analysis are also discussed.

Abstract: Adaptive methods for initiating charging of the high power capacitors of an implantable medical device for therapy delivery after the patient experiences a non-sustained arrhythmia. The adaptive methods adjust persistence criteria used to analyze an arrhythmia prior to initiating a charging sequence to deliver therapy.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cardiac device includes a subcutaneous electrode and a housing coupled to the subcutaneous electrode by a lead with a lead wire. The subcutaneous electrode is adapted to be implanted in a frontal region of the patient so as to overlap a portion of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator which has a long thin housing in the shape of a patient's rib. The housing contains a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms. Provided on the housing are cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes located to deliver electrical cardioversion-defibrillation energy when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm. The unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator does not have a transvenous, intracardiac, epicardial, or subcutaneous electrode.

Abstract: The present invention, in illustrative embodiments, includes methods and devices for analyzing cardiac signals in an implantable cardiac stimulus system. Within the analysis, a threshold may be defined related to a cardiac event rate. If the cardiac event rate does not exceed the threshold, filtering of captured cardiac signals occurs, including attenuating T-waves. If the cardiac event rate does exceed the threshold, circuitry for analog filtering or programming for digital filtering is bypassed to avoid attenuating low frequency components of the captured cardiac signals.