Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for performing a lead condition assessment and/or a lead orientation determination associated with an implantable medical device (IMD). A first impedance is determined. The first impedance relates to the impedance relative to a first electrode and a portion of the IMD. A second impedance is determined. The second impedance relates to the impedance relative to a second electrode and the portion of the IMD. The first impedance is compared with the second impedance to determine an impedance difference. A determination is made whether the impedance difference is outside a predetermined tolerance range. Furthermore, artifact measured during impedance measurements or test pulses may be compared to assess lead orientation. An indication of a lead condition error is provided in response to determining that the impedance difference is outside the predetermined tolerance range.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may include a lead circuit including a first node configured to be coupled to a first lead that may be coupled to a first target tissue and including a second node configured to be coupled to a second lead that may be coupled to a second target tissue. The IMD may include an impedance unit that may determine at least one characteristic of coupled energy associated with the lead circuit, where the coupled energy may be produced by a source external to the IMD. The impedance unit may provide an impedance between the first node and the second node, where the impedance is selected based at least in part on a characteristic of the coupled energy. The impedance is selected to reduce the coupled energy or a negative effect associated with functionality of the IMD induced by the coupled energy.

Abstract: A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for projecting an end of service (EOS) and/or an elective replacement indication (ERI) of a component in an implantable device is provided. The method comprises measuring the measured voltage of the energy storage device, and determining whether the measured voltage is less than a transition voltage. When the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the measured voltage. When the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the total charge depleted. The transition voltage is a voltage associated with the transition point of non-linearity in the battery voltage depletion curve.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.

Abstract: A vacuum mandrel for use in fabricating an implantable electrode comprises a hollow body member and a first groove provided radially on an outer surface of the hollow body member. The first groove is adapted to receive an implantable electrode and retain the electrode in place with a vacuum pressure during an elastomeric encapsulation of the electrode. The vacuum mandrel further comprises a vacuum port provided in the first groove.

Abstract: A lead tie-down for limiting movement of an electrical lead from an implantable medical device is disclosed. Some system embodiments include a lead assembly having an electrical lead and a stimulating electrode and a lead tie-down coupled to the electrical lead and configured for coupling to surrounding tissue. The lead tie-down permits rotational movement of the electrical lead relative to the lead tie-down. In some embodiments, the lead tie-down includes a clamping member having a bore therethrough. The bore is configured to receive an electrical lead extending from an implantable medical device and to permit rotation of the lead within the clamping member.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing current spread in nerve stimulation therapy are described herein. The disclosed methods and devices utilize a novel neural conductor placed between electrodes in an implantable medical device. The neural conductor provides a path for the current to pass through rather than allowing current to spread to neighboring tissues. In an embodiment, an electrode assembly for reducing current spread in nerve stimulation therapy comprises a first and a second electrode adapted to be coupled to a target nerve. In addition, the electrode assembly comprises a neural conductor which is spaced apart from the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating obese or other patients with compulsive overeating disorder includes unilaterally or bilaterally stimulating one or both of the left and right branches of a patient's vagus nerve directly or indirectly with an electrical pulse signal generated by an implantable neurostimulator with at least one operatively coupled nerve electrode to apply the pulse signal to the selected nerve branch at a location below the patient's diaphragm. The implantable neurostimulator is programmable to enable physician programming of electrical and timing parameters of the pulse signal, to induce weight loss of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the heating of an implantable medical device due to RF energy. An RF shield is disclosed which provides localized RF shielding of an implantable medical device while allowing other portions of a patient's body to be exposed. The RF shield described is made from an RF energy absorbing fabric which circumferentially wraps around a portion of a patient's body. The RF energy absorbing fabric can be composed of carbon fibers, conductive metal fibers, or combinations thereof. An advantage of the disclosed RF shield is that it need not be implanted within a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a neurostimulator system for alleviating cerebellar tremor, in particular, associated with multiple sclerosis, comprising a programmable electrical pulse generator; and at least one electrode connected with the programmable electrical pulse generator; and wherein the programmable electrical pulse generator is programmed to generate electrical signals with the following parameters: a current magnitude of not above 3 mA, in particular, not above 1 mA, a stimulation signal on-time to signal off-time ratio in the range of about 2:1 to about 1:2, and signal on-times and off-times in the range of about 10 seconds to about 5 minutes, a signal frequency below 30 Hz, and a pulse width within the interval of 50 ?s to 500 ?s. A method for manufacturing a neurostimulator system for alleviating cerebellar tremor associated with multiple sclerosis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided including delivering at least one electrical signal to tissue of a patient through an electrode. The method further includes assessing whether a net charge remains on the electrode a predetermined period of time after the delivery of the electrical signal. Systems for delivering such a signal, and assessing whether a net charge remains on the electrode providing the signal, are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating patients suffering from severe, unrelenting pain. A therapeutic stimulation signal is selectively applied from a stimulus generator, when activated, to at least some of plural electrodes implanted in stimulating relation to at least two nerves among the patient's trigeminal, vagus, glossopharyngeal and sympathetic nerves, and the stimulus generator is activated to generate the therapeutic stimulation signal to alleviate the pain under treatment. Alternatively, the therapeutic stimulation signal is selectively applied to at least one electrode implanted in stimulating relation to at least one of the patient's trigeminal, vagus, glossopharyngeal and sympathetic nerves, and if the selected nerve is the vagus nerve, the signal is applied to a supra-diaphragmatic or sub-diaphragmatic site, either unilaterally or bilaterally to one or both branches, respectively, of the vagus nerve.