Abstract: An medical device for stimulating the heart using biventricular stimulation. The device includes a sensor for detecting an endocardial acceleration parameter and a processing circuit configured to receive the endocardial acceleration parameter. The device further includes stimulation electronics coupled to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to use the EA parameter to evaluate the biventricular stimulation. The evaluation includes comparing the value of the EA parameter in biventricular mode to the value of the EA parameter in left only mode or right only mode, and using the comparison and an assessment of the variability of the EA parameter as a function of the AVD in the left or right mode to distinguish between cases comprising: (a) normal operation, (b) a loss of RV or LV capture, (c) possible anodal stimulation. The processing circuit is further configured to conduct at least one update to operational parameters of the device based on the determined case.

Abstract: A method of determining desynchronization between a first implantable medical device and a second implantable medical device. The method includes receiving a synchronization query from the first device at the second device, that is transmitted in response to the first device detecting a predetermined transition of a first clock of the first device, the first clock having a first pulse rate. The method further includes determining a number of pulses of a second clock of the second device occurring between reception of the synchronization query and a predetermined transition of a third clock of the second device, the third clock having the first pulse rate. The second clock has a second pulse rate higher than the first pulse rate. The method further includes determining the desynchronization between the first device and the second device based on the determined number of pulses of the second clock.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device includes digital processor circuits configured to sense right and left atrial depolarizations and deliver left atrial stimulation pulses according to a stimulation protocol. The stimulation protocol includes delivering a left atrial stimulation pulse at an inter-atrial coupling interval. The inter-atrial coupling interval is a coupling interval shorter than the sinus rhythm coupling interval, so as to deliver a premature pulse. The protocol further includes delivering a not premature left-atrial stimulation pulse during an immediately subsequent cardiac cycle, at an inter-atrial coupling interval corresponding to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. The protocol also includes assessing the right atrial coupling interval between the right atrial depolarizations and comparing the right atrial coupling interval to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. And finally, modifying an adjustable controlling parameters if necessary according to the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A lead for an implantable cardiac prosthesis is disclosed. The lead has integrated protection against the effects of magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) fields. A protection circuit (26) may be placed at the distal end of the lead comprises a resistive component (28) interposed between the electrode (E1, E2) and the distal end of the conductor (22, 24) associated with this electrode. A normally-open controlled active switch (34, 36) may allow in its closed state to short-circuit the resistive component. A control stage (32) may be coupled to the conductors and detect the voltage of a stimulation pulse applied on the conductor(s), and selectively control by this voltage the closing of the active switch for a duration at least equal to the duration of detected stimulation pulse.

Abstract: A device includes a hemodynamic sensor measuring blood flow in the left chambers of a myocardium, at least one motion sensor measuring a displacement of the walls of the left ventricle of the myocardium, a first analysis module determining a time of closure of the aortic valve based on a signal of the hemodynamic sensor, a second analysis module determining a time of peak contraction of the left ventricle based on a signal from the motion sensors, and a third analysis module determining a time between the moment of peak contraction of the left ventricle and the moment of closure of the aortic valve. If the peak of contraction of the left ventricle is after the instant of closure of the aortic valve, the device adjusts the inter-ventricular delay and/or the atrioventricular delay to minimize or cancel the time disparity.

Abstract: A device includes a lead configured to for use in applying an atrioventricular delay (“AVD”), an acceleration sensor adapted to output an endocardial acceleration signal, and circuitry configured to receive and process said endocardial acceleration signal to provide ventricular pacing by varying, in a controlled manner, the AVD in a range having a plurality of AVD values. The circuitry derives from said endocardial acceleration signal a value of a parameter representative of an component of the endocardial acceleration signal corresponding to the first endocardial acceleration peak associated with an isovolumetric ventricular contraction (“EAX component”), and evaluates a degree of variation of said parameter values as a function of said plurality of AVD values to detect atrial and ventricular events.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detection/stimulation lead for implantation into a venous, arterial, or lymphatic network is shown and described. The method includes providing a microcable comprising a sheath of insulating material covering an electrically conductive core. The method further includes surrounding a portion of the microcable with an electrically conductive metal ring. The method also includes crimping the ring such that the thickness of the sheath is penetrated by a portion of the metal ring and such that an electrical connection is formed between the metal ring and the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: An atraumatic detection/stimulation lead is disclosed. The lead includes at least one microcable having a core cable comprising a plurality of elementary metal strands. One of the microcables has provided at its distal end an atraumatic protection device. The atraumatic protection device includes a protective coating on the distal ends of the elementary strands of the microcable, and the protective coating is covered by a protective cap of deformable material. The protective cap may be a conical distal end adapted to deform and axially flatten out. The microcable may have an overall diameter less than or equal to 1.5 French (0.50 mm).

Abstract: An active implantable medical device provides atrial stimulation for resynchronization of the heart chambers. After a first cycle without stimulation, a premature left atrial stimulation is delivered with application of a short left inter-atrial delay, shorter than the sinus rhythm coupling interval. During the next cycle a non-premature left atrial stimulation is delivered, and the atrioventricular interval between the left atrial depolarization and the ventricular depolarization is evaluated and compared to its value in sinus rhythm to modify as necessary a parameter of the left atrial stimulation, such as the short left inter-atrial delay.

Abstract: A microlead includes exposed areas forming stimulation electrodes. The microlead further includes a stimulation zone (ZS) defined by a first preshape of the microcable at the distal end thereof, in a region including the electrodes (30). The microlead further includes a retention zone (ZR) including a retainer shape adapted to abut the wall of the target vessel. The microlead further includes a stretching zone (ZEL) proximal to the retention zone. The stretching zone may be defined by a shape adapted to make the region elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction under the effect of an axial traction/compression stress. The axial traction/compression stiffness in the elongation zone is lower than that in the retention and stimulation areas.

Abstract: An active medical device is configured to receive inputs and to calculate a hemodynamic parameter representative of myocardium contractility determined from an endocardial acceleration signal. The microcontroller acquires heart rate and hemodynamic parameter pairs of values during a plurality of cardiac cycles. The microcontroller is configured to distribute the pairs of values into discrete bins to develop a profile for analysis. The microcontroller is configured to conduct an analysis comprising calculating an index representative of the patient's clinical status. The hemodynamic parameter representative of the myocardial contractility is a time interval separating the first and the second peak of endocardial acceleration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode (30,30?) for implantation in contact with a neural tissue, said electrode extending along an axis, said neural tissue being capable of generating one or more action potentials, and said one or more action potentials propagating with a given speed in said neural tissue. The electrode comprises a carrier (31, 31?) of biocompatible electrically insulating material; stimulation electrode contacts (32a; 32?a; 32b; 32?b) deposited on a surface of said carrier (31, 31?) for applying an electrical stimulation to said neural tissue so as to generate, after a given latency time, a compound action potential when stimulated by said electrical stimulation; one or more sensing electrode contacts (33a; 33b; 33c; 33?a; 33?b; 33?c) deposited on said surface of said carrier and provided at a distance from said stimulation electrode contacts, said sensing electrode contacts being adapted to be connected to measuring means (23) having a given inactive period.

Abstract: A handheld device (10) has a graphic display (12), an interface (18) for wireless data transmission, an input unit (14) for input of control commands, and a control unit (16) connected to the display (12), the interface (18), and the input unit (14). The control unit (16) is designed to display a schematic diagram of a human body on the graphic display (12) and to allow a selection of partial regions of the diagram with the help of the input unit (14).

Abstract: A method for constructing a plug for an electrical connection to a multipolar lead for an active implantable medical device includes providing a plug body having an insulating monobloc central core, the monobloc central core having a generally cylindrical shape, a cylindrical side surface, and a housing, providing a connection wire and a conductive pod, attaching the connection wire to the conductive pod, placing the conductive pod into the housing with connection wire extending therefrom, placing a conductive cylindrical ring on the cylindrical side surface, wherein the cylindrical side surface centers the conductive cylindrical ring coaxially about the monobloc central core, attaching the conductive pod to the cylindrical ring to create an electrical contact zone on a cylindrical outer surface of the plug body.

Abstract: A multi-area pacing lead implantable in a target vein of the coronary network for stimulating a left cavity of the heart, comprising an electrically conductive microcable (12), an electrically insulating outer coating, and carrying at its distal end a free active portion containing a plurality of separate denuded areas forming a network of active stimulation electrodes (14, 16), intended to contact the wall of target veins. The active free portion has a proximal corrugated portion carrying a first set of electrodes (14), a distal corrugated portion carrying a second series of electrodes (16) and an intermediate portion (20) that traverses an anastomosis (22) connecting the ends of two veins (VA, VPL). Both sets of electrodes (14, 16) can thus be placed in two different veins, defining two remote stimulation areas.

Abstract: A signal line for an implantable electromedical configuration, having an electric line segment or line end and a mechanoelectric converter for converting an electric AC voltage signal into a mechanical oscillation. The oscillation can in turn be converted back into an electrical signal for delivery to a part of a human or mammal body, e.g., a heart.

Abstract: A method for use by an active medical device includes using a stimulation device and an endocardial acceleration sensor to obtain a plurality of hemodynamic parameters associated with at least three atrioventricular delays. The method further includes using the plurality of hemodynamic parameters to find a second derivative associated with the atrioventricular delays. The method further includes using interpolation to estimate an atrioventricular delay which will reduce the second derivative associated with the atrioventricular delays. The method further includes using the estimated atrioventricular delay in a subsequent stimulation.

Abstract: A connector for a multipolar lead has a cavity that contains a stack of alternating annular electrical contact elements and annular isolation elements. The isolation elements comprise an annular rigid sleeve and an annular flexible seal disposed against an annular face in an interior region of the rigid sleeve. The flexible seal extends axially from one lateral side of the rigid sleeve to the other in the interior region of the rigid sleeve. The sleeve and the seal include are immobilized relatively to each other in the axial direction by use of mating surface profiles respectively defined on an inner annular side of the sleeve and on an outer annular side of the flexible seal.

Abstract: A method, a system and an arrangement for predicting at least one system event and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium are configured so that it is possible to predict a system event based on trends in observables over a certain period of time prior to the event occurring. One example of a system event is the failure of a system because the abnormal behavior of a component is reflected in irregularities in one or a plurality of observables. Another example of a system event is the early recognition or pre-acute prediction of a specific critical condition of a patient.

Abstract: A dissipation device having a proximal end, which is located outside the body, and a distal end, which is suited in particular for elongate medical instruments, in particular electrophysiological catheters or temporary electrode leads, placed temporarily in the body. The dissipation device including a dissipation sleeve which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the dissipation device, and a lumen which extends from the proximal end to the distal end, and in which the instrument can be displaceably guided, wherein the lumen is enclosed by the dissipation sleeve. The dissipation device is characterized in that the dissipation sleeve is composed, at least partially, of electrically conductive material, and/or the dissipation sleeve includes dissipation means composed of electrically conductive material and, therefore, the dissipation sleeve is designed to dissipate or divert electrical energy induced by electromagnetic radiation.