Abstract: A method and system for pacing cardiac tissue is provided. An implantable medical device is implanted having an initial pacing function value based on a current cardiac rate of the cardiac tissue at implantation. A target pacing function value, a training increment and a training period are determined. The initial pacing function value is gradually increased to the target pacing function value by the training increment during the training period.

Abstract: A method of pacing cardiac tissue using an implantable medical device is provided. A first fibrillation-indicative interval is determined based on a first fibrillation-indicative event. A first adjusted pacing interval, wherein the first adjusted pacing interval is shorter than the first fibrillation-indicative interval, is determined and the cardiac tissue is paced based on the first adjusted pacing interval. If the cardiac tissue is not captured by pacing at the first adjusted pacing interval, an additional fibrillation-indicative interval is determined based on an additional earlier fibrillation-indicative event. An additional adjusted pacing interval, wherein the additional adjusted pacing interval is shorter than the additional fibrillation-indicative interval is determined and the cardiac tissue is paced based on the additional adjusted pacing interval.

Abstract: Programming wands, systems and methods are provided for programming implantable medical devices (IMDs). The programming wands of the present invention preferably include one or more input devices which may be manipulated to control the programming process. In some embodiments, the input device includes one or more of a trackball, a button, and a scrolling wheel. By providing input devices on the programming wand, a physician or medical technician may control the programming process with the same hand that supports the programming wand.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heart failure is provided. A baseline heart rate change value is determined, wherein the baseline heart rate change value comprises a speed at which a first initial heart rate changes to a second initial heart rate. At least one subsequent heart rate change value is also determined, wherein the subsequent heart rate change value comprises a subsequent speed at which a first subsequent heart rate changes to a second subsequent heart rate. The subsequent heart rate change value is compared to the baseline heart rate change value to obtain at least one heart failure value. Systems and programs for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: Heparin-polyoxyalkylenepolyamine adducts, and methods of making and using such adducts are disclosed. Compositions including a quaternary ammonium heparin complex, a moisture curable polysiloxane, and an organic solvent are also disclosed, along with methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system for regulating a heart of a patient. The system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a processor, and a medical device. The first sensor is capable of sensing activity of a heart atrium. The second sensor is capable of sensing activity of a heart ventricle. The processor is coupled to the first and second sensors and is capable of determining an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time based upon signals from the first and second sensors. The processor is further capable of generating a hemodynamic baseline ratio based upon an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time of a hemodynamic heartbeat, as well as an active ratio based upon an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time of an active heartbeat. The processor is further capable of comparing the hemodynamic baseline ratio and the active ratio, and determining a corrective action based upon this comparison.

Abstract: A biventricular pacing system incorporates a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) response. The biventricular pacing system also includes a programmable ventricular blanking period (VBP) that is initiated with the PVC response. During the programmed VBP, ventricular events are effectively blanked out. This prevents both ventricular leads from each independently initiating a dual PVC response, based on the same PVC event.

Abstract: A sensing methodology is used based on measuring a physical response from a living structure as a result of a chemical compound stimulating this structure on the cellular level. Measurement of the heat response (calorimetry) from a group of pancreatic islets of Langerhans stimulated by glucose is proposed as a glucose biosensor. A novel biosensor concept is proposed acquiring physical response from living cells or cell clusters. In this particular case, membrane impedance of pancreatic B-cells, as a result of glucose stimulated cellular metabolism is used as physical readout. This method of physical assessment is made possible by growing genetically engineered pancreatic beta cells onto a substrate equipped with a set of interdigitated electrodes (IDEs).

Abstract: Techniques for pacing the heart of a patient as a function of an intra-cardiac pressure make use of a pressure monitor that receives a pressure signal from a pressure sensor in the patient's right ventricle. The pressure monitor estimates the patient's pulmonary artery diastolic pressure. A rate-responsive pacemaker paces the patient's heart as a function of the estimated pulmonary artery diastolic pressure.

Abstract: Information derived from ECG signals and EEG signals may be employed in combination to reliably predict the onset, or to indicate the presence of, hypoglycemia in a human patient. In one embodiment, ECG and EEG signals are processed and the information derived from them is combined to determine whether a patient suffering from diabetes is undergoing a hypoglycemic event, or whether such an event is imminent. Input data from the patient or a health care provider may also be used to increase the accuracy and reliability of the system. Detection of a hypoglycemic event by the system can result in the output of an alarm signal and/or the delivery or administration of a beneficial agent such as insulin, glucagon or diazoxide to the patient. The system may be implantable, external, or a combination of external and implantable components. The control strategy of the present system is preferably microprocessor based and/or implemented using dedicated electronics.

Abstract: A method of discriminating a captured beat is provided. A pulse is transmitted and an evoked response signal is received. The evoked response signal is filtered and the filtered response signal is analyzed for at least one positive signal component. Systems and devices for discriminating a captured beat are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing a pacer function of an implantable medical device disposed within a mammalian heart is provided. Generally speaking, the present invention provides pacing the mammalian heart according to a first pacing rate. A command to increase the first pacing rate is then received. Additionally, an upper pacing rate is received. A time interval is then received. Finally, the first pacing rate of the mammalian heart is increased to the second pacing rate during the time interval.

Abstract: There is provided an implantable system and method for monitoring pancreatic beta cell electrical activity in a patient in order to obtain a measure of a patient's insulin demand and blood glucose level. A stimulus generator is controlled to deliver stimulus pulses so as to synchronize pancreatic beta cell depolarization, thereby producing an enhanced electrical signal which is sensed and processed. In a specific embodiment, the signal is processed to determine the start and end of beta cell depolarization, from which the depolarization duration is obtained. In order to reduce cardiac interference, each stimulus pulse is timed to be offset from the QRS signal which can interfere with the pancreas sensing. Additionally, the beta cell signals are processed by a correction circuit, e.g., an adaptive filter, to remove QRS artifacts, as well as artifacts from other sources, such as respiration.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for preparing articles having modified surfaces. Preferably the articles are medical devices. Preferably the surfaces are elastomeric. Preferably the articles having modified surfaces are useful for immobilizing biologically active agents on the surfaces.

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: A system for a method of classifying distinct signals sensed from an electrode of an implantable cardiac pacing system positioned within an atrium of a heart of a patient is disclosed. The cardiac pacing system includes a pulse generator for generating pacing pulses and a controller for controlling the operation of a pacemaker. The method includes collecting atrial event signals consisting of P-wave signals and far field R-wave signals. An interim form factor histogram is generated based upon a form of collected atrial event signals. The interim form factor histogram includes an interim P-wave form factor histogram and an interim far field R-wave form factor histogram, each having bins of atrial event signals. A previously generated form factor histogram is weighted and combined with the interim form factor histogram to create a representative form factor histogram.

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: 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.