Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning over a patient's ribcage, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator including a housing, wherein the housing conforms to the patient's ribcage when subcutaneously positioned; an electrode disposed upon a portion of the housing; and an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning over a patient's ribcage, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator includes a housing having a first end and a second end; a first electrode disposed upon the first end of the housing; a second electrode disposed upon the second end of the housing; an electrical circuit located within the housing, wherein the electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode; and a lead electrode electrically coupled to the electrical circuit located within the housing.

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: The present invention is directed toward a detection architecture for use in implantable cardiac rhythm devices. The detection architecture of the present invention provides methods and devices for discriminating between arrhythmias. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced specificity in the origin of the identified arrhythmia, the detection architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode assemblies having openings for receiving an electrode insertion tool, and methods of inserting such electrode assemblies. The opening(s) are defined on the electrode assemblies to allow an insertion tool to be coupled to the electrode assembly and then used to push the electrode assembly into place.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having first and second insertion tool receivers. The insertion tool receivers may be attached to an electrode and/or an electrode cover assembly. A lead assembly having first and second insertion tool receivers may be used in conjunction with an insertion tool having means, such as tines, for coupling with the insertion tool receivers. A lead assembly system may include both an insertion tool and a lead assembly. A treatment system further includes an implantable housing along with the lead assembly and insertion tool.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode lead assemblies having appendages coupled to an electrode. The appendage may take the form of a riser and a head having various characteristics. A further embodiment may include a cover and/or other features coupling the electrode to the riser. A lead may be provided for electrical coupling to the electrode. The lead may couple to the electrode exclusive of the riser and head. An implantable housing containing electrical circuitry for using the electrode to stimulate cardiac activity is also illustrated.

Abstract: A unitary subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator 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: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including electrode assemblies having openings for receiving an electrode insertion tool, and methods of inserting such electrode assemblies. The opening(s) are defined on the electrode assemblies to allow an insertion tool to be coupled to the electrode assembly and then used to push the electrode assembly into place.

Abstract: In a cardioverter/defibrillator system, an electrical circuit includes an energy storage device, an output circuit for controlling delivery of pulse therapy from the energy storage device to a patient, and a sensing circuit coupled across the patient to sense the patient's heart signal. The output circuit may be in the form of an H-bridge switching circuit wherein a pair of switches of the output circuit is simultaneously turned on to discharge residual voltage across the patient that remains after delivery of pulse therapy. Thus, interference with sensing of the patient's heart signal is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a sensing architecture for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The sensing architecture of the present invention provides 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 of the present invention can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not.

Abstract: Electrical cardiac therapy devices including lead electrode assemblies for implantation into a patient comprising an electrode having a first face and a second face, and an appendage extending opposite the second face of the electrode, the appendage including an eyelet for securing an insertion device thereto. The assembly may further include an electrode frame assembly to which the appendage may be attached. Alternatively, the appendage may be formed as part of a molded electrode frame assembly. A backing piece may be provided between the electrode frame assembly and the electrode. The frame assembly may cover a portion of a front side of the electrode. Further embodiments include an electrode lead assembly including an appendage with an eyelet and an electrode insertion tool adapted to engage the eyelet.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cardiac device includes two electrodes and a stimulator that generates a pulse to the electrodes. The electrodes are implanted between the skin and the rib cage of the patient and are adapted to generate an electric field corresponding to the pulse, the electric field having a substantially uniform voltage gradient as it passes through the heart. The shapes, sizes, positions and structures of the electrodes are selected to optimize the voltage gradient of the electric field, and to minimize the energy dissipated by the electric field outside the heart. More specifically, the electrodes have contact surfaces that contact the patient tissues, said contact surfaces having a total contact area of less than 100 cm2. In one embodiment, one or both electrodes are physically separated from the stimulator. In another embodiment, a unitary housing holds the both electrodes and the stimulator.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cardiac device includes two electrodes and a stimulator that generates a pulse to the electrodes. The electrodes are implanted between the skin and the rib cage of the patient and are adapted to generate an electric field corresponding to the pulse, the electric field having a substantially uniform voltage gradient as it passes through the heart. The shapes, sizes, positions and structures of the electrodes are selected to optimize the voltage gradient of the electric field, and to minimize the energy dissipated by the electric field outside the heart. More specifically, the electrodes have contact surfaces that contact the patient tissues, said contact surfaces having a total contact area of less than 100 cm2. In one embodiment, one or both electrodes are physically separated from the stimulator. In another embodiment a unitary housing holds the both electrodes and the stimulator.

Abstract: Packaging techniques for a non-transvenous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator include a housing and a frame within the housing for holding electronic components. A header is disposed on the housing and includes at least one feedthrough extending through the housing for providing electrical communication to and from the electronic components within the housing.

Abstract: In a cardioverter/defibrillator system, an electrical circuit includes an energy storage device, an output circuit for controlling delivery of pulse therapy from the energy storage device to a patient, and a sensing circuit coupled across the patient to sense the patient's heart signal. The output circuit may be in the form of an H-bridge switching circuit wherein a pair of switches of the output circuit is simultaneously turned on to discharge residual voltage across the patient that remains after delivery of pulse therapy. Thus, interference with sensing of the patient's heart signal is avoided.

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 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 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 power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib and using a lead system that does not directly contact a patient's heart or reside in the intrathoracic blood vessels and for providing anti-bradycardia pacing energy to the heart, comprising a capacitor subsystem for storing the anti-bradycardia pacing energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing the anti-bradycardia pacing energy to the capacitor subsystem.