Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for managing tachyarrhythmias through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator, including a pulse generator, is configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in a manner that results in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within neuronal fibers of a patient's cervical vagus nerve. Operating modes of the pulse generator are stored. A maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to the vagus nerve via the pulse generator to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. A restorative dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to prevent initiation of or disrupt tachyarrhythmia through periodic electrical pulses delivered at higher intensity than the maintenance dose.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a seizure event, including receiving heart beat data versus time for a patient, detecting an increase in the heart rate of a patient from a baseline heart rate to an elevated heart rate, detecting a decrease in heart rate from the elevated heart rate, for a time interval occurring during said decrease in heart rate, determining at least one of a) a rate of decrease in heart rate and b) a rate of change in a rate of decrease in heart rate, and detecting a seizure event in response to determining at least one of a) a rate of decrease in heart rate greater than a threshold rate of decrease, and b) a rate of change in the rate of decrease less than a threshold rate of change in a rate of decrease.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for managing epilepsy. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention characterize a patient's propensity for a future epileptic seizure and communicates to the patient and/or a health care provider a therapy recommendation. The therapy recommendation is typically a function of the patient's propensity for the future epileptic seizure.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a hypogossal nerve including chronically implanting a nerve cuff electrode on a portion of the hypoglossal nerve. The method may further include sensing a signal corresponding to respiration and detecting expiratory onset from the sensed signal. Moreover, the method may include delivering a stimulus to the portion of the hypoglossal nerve via the nerve cuff electrode, wherein the stimulus is delivered as a function of the detected expiratory onset.

Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.

Abstract: A particular method of providing power to an implantable medical device includes providing a first signal to a primary coil that is inductively coupled to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device. The method also include determining a first alignment difference between a voltage corresponding to the first signal and at least one of a current corresponding to the first signal and a component voltage at a component of a primary coil circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency sweep range based on the first alignment difference. The method also includes performing a frequency sweep over the frequency sweep range.

Abstract: An electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor system is disclosed that includes one or more interface connectors configured to be coupled to one or more electrodes. The ECG sensor system includes a processor configured to receive an ECG signal via the one or more interface connectors. The processor may be configured to determine one or more noise values associated with the ECG signal. Each of the one or more noise values may be indicative of a measurement of a component of the ECG signal that is potentially related to a non-heart beat source. The processor may be configured to send one or more noise values to an automated troubleshooting system.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient with at least one substance addiction, which comprises directly stimulating a cranial nerve, such as the vagus nerve, of a patient with an electrical pulse signal defined by a plurality of parameters to provide a therapy regimen for alleviating a symptom associated with the substance addiction.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction with bounded titration is provided. The system includes a patient-operable external controller to transmit a plurality of unique signals. The system further includes an implantable neurostimulator, which includes a pulse generator to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation tuned to restore autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses that result in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within the cervical vagus nerve of a patient through a pair of helical electrodes via an electrically coupled nerve stimulation therapy lead.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing a stimulation signal comprising a variable ramping portion using an implantable medical device (IMD). The first electrical comprises a first ramping portion. The first ramping portion comprises a first parameter selected from the group consisting of an amplitude, a rate of change of the amplitude, a time period of a rate of change of the amplitude, a pulse width, a rate of change of the pulse width, a time period of a rate of change of the pulse width, a frequency, a rate of change of the frequency, a time period of a rate of change of the frequency, and a duration of a time period of the ramping portion, the first parameter having a first value. The first electrical signal is applied to a target location of the patient's body. A second electrical signal comprising a second ramping portion is generated. The second ramping portion comprises the first parameter having a second value that is different from the first value.

Abstract: A method for managing bradycardia through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in both afferent and efferent directions of a patient's cervical vagus nerve is provided. An operating mode is stored, which includes parametrically defining a maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation tuned to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. The maintenance dose is delivered via a pulse generator through a pair of helical electrodes via an electrically coupled nerve stimulation therapy lead independent of cardiac cycle. The patient's physiology is monitored, and upon sensing a condition indicative of bradycardia, the delivery of the maintenance dose is suspended.

Abstract: A device includes a primary antenna configured to communicate a signal to an antenna of an implantable medical device (IMD). A circulator is coupled to the primary antenna. The circulator enables the signal to pass from a transmitter to the primary antenna. The circulator also enables a backscatter signal from the IMD to pass from the primary antenna to a receiver. A processor coupled to the receiver. The processor configured to determine, based on the backscatter signal, an improved impedance value for a component of the IMD and/or an improved frequency for the signal communicated to the IMD, to improve communication efficiency of the signal to the IMD.

Abstract: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function for treating depression using an implantable medical device. At least one patient parameter relating to an electrical signal provided by the implantable medical device for treating depression is acquired. At least one therapy parameter defining the electrical signal is correlated with at least one patient parameter. An indication relating to the correlation of the therapy parameter and the patient parameter is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable neurostimulator comprises a pulse generator that generates an electrical pulse signal to stimulate a neural structure in a patient, a stimulation lead assembly coupled to the pulse generator for delivering the electrical pulse signal to the neural structure, a plurality of sensors coupled to the pulse generator, and sensor select logic. Each sensor is individually selectable and the sensor select logic selects any two or more of the plurality of sensors for sensing a voltage difference between the selected sensors. In other embodiments, two or more physiologic parameters are sensed. In yet another embodiment, a method comprises sensing intrinsic electrical activity on a person's nerve and stimulating the nerve based on the sensed intrinsic electrical activity of the nerve.

Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed that includes a charging coil configured to inductively couple to a first external coil to receive a charging signal to charge a charge storage element of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device also includes a circuit coupled to the charging coil. The circuit includes a circuit component that, in response to the charging signal, generates a backscatter signal. The implantable medical device also includes a communication coil orthogonal to the charging coil and coupled to the circuit component. The communication coil is configured to inductively couple to a second external coil to communicate the backscatter signal to the second external coil.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a pulmonary disorder is provided. At least one electrode is coupled to at least one portion of a left vagus nerve and/or a right vagus nerve of the patient. An electrical signal is applied to the portion of the vagus nerve using the electrode to treat the pulmonary disorder. The electrical signal may perform a blocking of an intrinsic neural activity on said at least one portion of the left vagus nerve and said right vagus nerve.

Abstract: A particular method of providing power to an implantable medical device includes providing a first signal to a primary coil that is inductively coupled to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device. The method also include determining a first alignment difference between a voltage corresponding to the first signal and at least one of a current corresponding to the first signal and a component voltage at a component of a primary coil circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency sweep range based on the first alignment difference. The method also includes performing a frequency sweep over the frequency sweep range.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the quality of a fiducial time marker for a candidate heart beat, quantifying the quality of a candidate heart beat, or determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart. A fiducial time marker is obtained for a candidate heart beat. A quality index of said candidate heart beat is set to a first value. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least one beat validity test. At least a second value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least one beat validity test. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least a second heart beat validity test. At least a third value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least second heart beat validity test.

Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.