Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: An elongated coronary vein lead having a variable stiffness lead body and most preferably adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing or defibrillation signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle is disclosed. A method of pacing and/or defibrillating a patient's heart using the lead is also described. The method of pacing or defibrillating the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a variable stiffness lead body that enhances the ability of the lead to be retained in a coronary vein after the lead has been implanted therein.

Abstract: An improved system and method for analyzing far-filed R-waves detected by a sensing device located in the atrium of a patient's heart are provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system for detecting cardiac conditions such the long-term ischemic heart disease, an occlusion of a coronary artery by a thrombus or an impending as a myocardial infarction. The implantable medical device (IMD) system includes a sensor that outputs a blood flow rate signal representing a rate of blood flow through a coronary sinus of a patient's heart. An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a microcomputer circuit configured to analyze the blood flow rate signal and detect a cardiac condition as a function of the blood flow rate signal. The system can also includes an implantable lead that senses electrical activity from the patient's heart. The microcomputer circuit monitors an ST segment of the electrical activity signal and detects a cardiac condition as a function of blood flow rate signal in conjunction with the electrical activity signal.

Abstract: A medical instrument for obtaining access to a site within the body directly inserted through the skin or through an incision in the skin to enable introduction of further medical instruments to the percutaneously accessed site or from the percutaneously accessed site to a more remote site in the body. The instrument comprises a combined medical probe and flexible guide wire for introduction of the further elongated diagnostic or surgical or therapy delivery devices over the guide wire and probe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of and a system for preventing unwanted alternating current magnetic fields transmitted from an external source from disrupting electrical circuitry within an implantable medical device, while permitting desired communications between the implantable medical device and a programmer detected in proximity to the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device is capable of communication with at least one implantable lead position within a heart of a patient. The method includes activating an electrical device to create a short circuit in parallel with an inductive transreceiver coil of the implantable medical device, thereby shorting out the inductor transreceiver coil. In this mode, alternating current magnetic fields do not effect electrical circuitry within the implantable medical device. The method further includes detecting a direct current magnetic field indicating the presence of a programmer located in proximity to the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Rate responsive pacing systems that employ a time-dependent AV delay in the pacing hearts in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) (a CHF/DCM heart) during a post-implant Time-Adaptive period are disclosed. A starting or initial AV delay is set to an intrinsic AV delay time interval exhibited by the patient's heart at the time of implant. A chronic AV delay is then set to a therapeutic AV delay time interval that is shorter than the intrinsic AV delay time interval and alleviates symptoms of the CHF/DCM heart. A Time-Adaptive AV delay (TA-AV delay) is employed during a post-implant Time-Adaptive period that gradually changes the initial AV delay to the chronic AV delay at the end of the post-implant Time-Adaptive period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for minimizing calcification of a heart valve wherein electric energy is supplied to the heart in the region of the aortic valve during the refractory period of the heart.

Abstract: An implantable beneficial agent infusion device featuring a unique safety valve assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a seal in the safety valve assembly is normally closed and only opens upon a deflectable or moveable member to which the seal is attached being electrically, magnetically or electromagnetically activated. The valve assembly is preferably small in size and made of corrosion resistant materials. The valve assembly may be employed in either a passive or an active implantable drug or beneficial agent infusion system.

Abstract: A prosthetic lamina that replaces a portion of the lamina bone structure is described. The prosthetic lamina may be configured with means for delivering a variety of medical treatments, such as electrodes for electrical stimulation, fluid channels, catheters for dispensing drugs and means for healing bone tissue.

Abstract: Floating and non-floating on-chip capacitors are formed by vertical walls and/or large aspect ratio deep trenches disposed in semiconductor material. By optimizing the through spacing and substrate voltage, a very small parasitic to intended capacitance ratio may be obtained. Capacitors so formed may be used as on-chip charge storage and other types of on-chip capacitors, and eliminate or reduce the number of off-chip capacitors that would otherwise be required. The deep trench capacitors find particularly efficacious application in implantable medical devices where volume, cost and electrical energy consumption must be minimized, and preferably have capacitances which range between about 10 nF and about 1000 uF.

Abstract: An implantable pump apparatus and method of operating the implantable pump for infusing a fluid into a body as described. An expandable fluid reservoir member includes a first end, a second end, an inlet for receiving the fluid from an outside source and an outlet for dispensing the fluid into the body. A first conductor is operably attached to the first end of the expandable fluid reservoir member. A second conductor is operably attached to the second end of the expandable fluid reservoir member. The level of fluid within the expandable fluid reservoir member is determined by measuring an inductance value at the first conductor that is proportional to the distance between the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus and a method for testing to optimally place a deep brain lead, particularly for stimulating the GPi or other deep brain target to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and the like. The invention embraces determining the location of a feedback target such as the motor cortex, the location of the deep brain target, and inserting a test lead along a substantially linear trajectory so as to be able to stimulate both concurrently. The test lead has an electrode at about its distal end for stimulation of the deep brain target, and an electrode adjustably positioned 3-8 cm proximal for stimulation of the motor cortex. When stimulation is applied concurrently through both electrodes, the affected body portion, e.g., limb, can be made to move when and if the deep brain electrode is optimally positioned. The position can be checked during surgical implant of the system, and the lead position adjusted until the optimum position is found.

Abstract: Implantable medical device telemetry control systems and methods are used to coordinate medical therapy delivery from an implantable medical device (IMD) to a patient-driver of a vehicle, e.g., automobile. In one embodiment, the control system alerts the patient-driver to stop the vehicle after a medical event is detected by the IMD. Once the vehicle is stopped, the therapy is delivered. In another embodiment, a vehicle control module is provided which actively controls various subsystems of the car in response to a detected medical event. For example, the vehicle control module may control vehicle engine speed or vehicle braking to slow or stop the vehicle or, alternatively, assist the patient-driver in stopping the vehicle, prior to or simultaneously with therapy delivery. In still other embodiments, an emergency communication is automatically transmitted to emergency personnel informing the same of the medical event.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and method of pacing provide for switching from a first pacing mode to second pacing mode upon detection of a period of accelerated atrial arrhythmia. Generally, the second pacing mode has an associated predetermined lower pacing rate. At least initially, upon switching from the first pacing mode to the second pacing mode, the predetermined lower pacing rate is adjusted to an elevated adjusted lower rate. Further, this elevated adjusted lower rate may then be decelerated towards a programmed basic pacing rate during a deceleration period. Generally, the programmed basic pacing rate is elevated relative to the predetermined lower pacing rate.

Abstract: A bi-atrial and/or bi-ventricular patient safety cable includes a multi-conductor insulated external cable having a Y-connector portion, an external lead connector assembly, and two or more lead adaptors. The patient safety cable is used to electrically connect one or more implantable leads “in parallel” to an external medical device.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac electrical stimulating lead is disclosed having a stimulating electrode mounted in or on an electrode mounting pad disposed at a distal end of the lead, the pad having a biodegradable adhesive disposed thereon and/or therewithin. The adhesive, and preferably also the electrode mounting pad, are capable of biodegradably dissolving over time in human body fluids. The adhesive permits the electrode mounting pad to be attached to a patient's epicardium without the use of sutures, or with fewer sutures than have heretofore been required to suitably affix an electrode mounting pad to a patient's heart. In a preferred embodiment, when the lead body is pulled away from the electrode mounting pad and removed from a patient, any portion of the electrode mounting pad and the adhesive remaining within the patient dissolves over time and disappears.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable medical device is provided. A plurality of atrio-ventricular (AV) measurement signals is received. A QT interval is determined. The QT interval is a function of the AV measurement signals. Each of the plurality of AV measurement signals is compared with the QT interval. Finally, if one of the plurality of AV measurement signals is less than the QT interval, a difference between the one of the plurality of AV measurement signals and the QT interval is stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ablation lead for treating atrial flutter wherein the tip of the lead is fixed in the patient's heart by screwing and wherein the electrodes are arranged on the lead so as to overlie the area between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava. Radiofrequency energy is applied through the electrodes to cause ablation of the tissue. With the tips screwed in position, the lead can then be manipulated so that the RF energy can be applied to the area between the coronary sinus the tricuspid annulus to cause ablation of the tissue in that area also.

Abstract: Programmers, systems and methods utilizing body-wearable components, such as a head-mounted video display apparatus, are provided to program implantable medical devices (IMDs). The head-mounted video display apparatus provides information regarding programming parameters as well as information regarding the patient and/or the IMD. By being worn on the body, programmers of the present invention are highly portable. Further, by providing a head-mounted video display apparatus, programmers of the present invention provide a display that remains viewable even in crowded environments.