Abstract: An implantable system acquires intracardiac impedance with an implantable lead system. In one implementation, the system generates frequency-rich, low energy, multi-phasic waveforms that provide a net-zero charge and a net-zero voltage. When applied to bodily tissues, current pulses or voltage pulses having the multi-phasic waveform provide increased specificity and sensitivity in probing tissue. The effects of the applied pulses are sensed as a corresponding waveform. The waveforms of the applied and sensed pulses can be integrated to obtain corresponding area values that represent the current and voltage across a spectrum of frequencies. These areas can be compared to obtain a reliable impedance value for the tissue. Frequency response, phase delay, and response to modulated pulse width can also be measured to determine a relative capacitance of the tissue, indicative of infarcted tissue, blood to tissue ratio, degree of edema, and other physiological parameters.

Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for using an implantable sensor for detecting body position and/or body movement, and using what is learned therefrom to improve accuracy of an implantable sensor that is sensitive to at least one of body position and/or body movement. Also provided are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, that detect body position and/or body movement in order to monitor a condition and/or detect specific episodes. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Anode foil, preferably aluminum anode foil, is etched using a process of treating the foil in an electrolyte bath composition comprising a sulfate and a halide, such as sodium chloride. The anode foil is etched in the electrolyte bath composition by passing a charge through the bath. The etched anode foil is suitable for use in an electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A method of monitoring myocardial stability includes determining a window length representing an acceptable time period between potential start times associated with at least two physiologic indices and monitoring multiple physiologic indices representative of myocardial stability. Predetermined variations in each of the physiologic indices denote the potential start times and potential end times for candidate events that are indicative of myocardial instability. The method further includes identifying the potential start times associated with at least two of the physiologic indices and declaring at least one of the candidate events to be an actual event of myocardial instability based on the window length and a time period between the potential start times identified by the identifying operation.

Abstract: An implantable system acquires intracardiac impedance with an implantable lead system. In one implementation, the system generates frequency-rich, low energy, multi-phasic waveforms that provide a net-zero charge and a net-zero voltage. When applied to bodily tissues, current pulses or voltage pulses having the multi-phasic waveform provide increased specificity and sensitivity in probing tissue. The effects of the applied pulses are sensed as a corresponding waveform. The waveforms of the applied and sensed pulses can be integrated to obtain corresponding area values that represent the current and voltage across a spectrum of frequencies. These areas can be compared to obtain a reliable impedance value for the tissue. Frequency response, phase delay, and response to modulated pulse width can also be measured to determine a relative capacitance of the tissue, indicative of infarcted tissue, blood to tissue ratio, degree of edema, and other physiological parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for assessing a patients' myocardial electrical stability. Implanted electrodes are used to obtain an electrogram (EGM) signal, which is used to identify periods when the patient experiences T-wave alternans. Additionally, the EGM signal is used to determine whether premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) cause phase reversals of the T-wave alternans. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is assessed based on whether, and in a specific embodiment the extent to which, PVCs cause phase reversals of the T-wave alternans. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are for use with implantable cardiac devices that discriminate between ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT). Discrimination between VT and SVT can be based on: a detected absence, presence or degree of T-wave alternans leading up to the onset of a detected tachycardia; a detected absence, presence or degree of T-wave variability leading up to the onset of the detected tachycardia; and/or a detected cardiac electrical stability leading up to the onset of the detected tachycardia.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are for use with implantable cardiac devices that have discriminator parameters that the devices use to discriminate between ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT). A user is allowed to select a balance setting that specifies a balance between sensitivity and specificity, where an increase in sensitivity results in a decrease in specificity, and vice versa. In response to the user selecting the balance setting, a value of at least one of the discriminator parameters and/or how at least one of the discriminator parameters is used is automatically adjusted. The more the balance setting favors sensitivity, then the more likely an actual VT will be characterized as VT, but the more likely an actual SVT may be characterized as VT. The more the balance setting favors specificity, then the less likely an actual SVT will characterized as VT, but the less likely an actual VT may be characterizes as VT.

Abstract: An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for influencing an amount of food ingested. The methods include applying stochastic resonance stimulation to a stomach to influence a nervous system response using an implantable stimulation device. In one embodiment, a device includes electrodes in communication with a gastric wall capable of delivering stimulation therapy, and a controller adapted to apply stochastic resonance stimulation to a stomach to influence a response of stomach receptors and/or interstitial cells of Cajal. In some embodiments, the implantable device is configured to apply a suprathreshold signal in addition to the stochastic resonance stimulation. In some embodiments, the implantable device is configured to apply an electrical signal in other areas of the nervous system besides the stomach. In some embodiments, the implantable stimulation device is an implantable cardiac stimulation device capable of providing therapy to a heart.

Abstract: An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured to transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart.

Abstract: A medical device detects certain patient activity based on a programmable activity threshold and determines the duration of detected activity. The activity threshold may be optimized by obtaining first and second duration measurements for at least one of a first activity session and second activity session. The first duration measurement is based on the activity threshold, while the second duration measurement is based on actual start and stop of the activity session. An adjustment of the activity threshold is suggested based on a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the first activity session, or a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the second activity session. One of the first and second activities is non-significant activity expected to be undetected by the device, while the other of the two activities is low-level activity expected to be detected by the device.

Abstract: Implantable systems that can monitor myocardial electrical stability, and methods for use therewith, are provided. Also provided are novel pacing sequences that are used in such monitoring. Such pacing sequences are designed to reveal alternans at low to moderate heart rates.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for rapidly optimizing control parameters of pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Briefly, the heart is paced using different sets of control parameters during a sequence of consecutive short evaluation periods of equal duration, which each last only about 5-12 seconds. Transient cardiac performance is monitored during each of the short evaluation phases and optimal parameter settings are then estimated based on changes in the transient cardiac performance from one parameter setting to another. By using a series of consecutive short evaluation periods of equal duration, rather than switching between short test periods and longer baseline periods, the overall duration of the test can be reduced as compared to predecessor techniques that require long intervening baseline periods.