Abstract: A catheter includes a cryoablation tip with an electrically-driven ablation assembly for heating tissue. The cryoablation tip may be implemented with a cooling chamber through which a controllably injected coolant circulates to lower the tip temperature, and having an RF electrode at its distal end. The RF electrode may be operated to warm cryogenically-cooled tissue, or the coolant may be controlled to conductively cool the tissue in coordination with an RF treatment regimen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system in which a medical device selects less than all of its stored information and provides the selected subset of information to a data mart for storage, processing, and/or communication to one or more interested parties. In many embodiments, customers, patients, or even components of the medical device or of the remote patient management system can access selected medical device information (e.g., customers can access medical device information tailored to the care they are providing to one or more patients). In many embodiments, customers can receive such medical device information according to a schedule that best suits their care (or whenever they desire such information, irrespective of a schedule). In many embodiments, providing less than full transmissions to the data mart reduces the strain on medical device batteries.

Abstract: A feedthrough assembly includes a ferrule, an insulating structure, at least one terminal pin and a glass seal that fixedly secures the insulating structure within the ferrule. The insulating structure has a top portion, a bottom portion, and an inner diameter portion. The inner diameter portion defines at least one aperture extending from the top portion to the bottom portion of the insulating structure. The at least one terminal pin extends through the at least one aperture. The glass seal comprises about 30% B2O3, about 30% to about 40% of a member selected from the group consisting of CaO, MgO, SrO, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that the individual amounts of CaO and MgO are each not greater than about 20%, about 5% La2O3, about 10% SiO2, and about 15% Al2O3, wherein all percentages are mole percentages.

Abstract: A therapy program is selected based on a patient state, where the patient state comprises at least one of a movement state, sleep state or speech state. In this way, therapy delivery is tailored to the patient state, which may include specific patient symptoms. The therapy program is selected from a plurality of stored therapy programs that comprise therapy programs associated with a respective one at least two of the movement, sleep, and speech states. Techniques for determining a patient state include receiving volitional patient input or detecting biosignals generated within the patient's brain. The biosignals are nonsymptomatic and may be incidental to the movement, sleep, and speech states or generated in response to volitional patient input.

Abstract: A method of seating a fluid reservoir in a housing of a fluid infusion device is presented here. The method is performed prior to establishing an outgoing fluid flow path from the fluid reservoir. The method begins by detecting insertion of the fluid reservoir into the housing of the fluid infusion device. In response to detecting the insertion, the method determines whether the fluid reservoir is in need of depressurization. When the fluid reservoir is in need of depressurization, the drive motor assembly of the fluid infusion device is rewound to depressurize the fluid reservoir. After depressurizing the fluid reservoir, an equalization state for the fluid reservoir is achieved. After achieving the equilibrium state, the drive motor assembly is advanced to obtain an initial seated state for the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis is provided having a self-expanding multi-level frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and plurality of coapting leaflets. The frame transitions between a contracted delivery configuration that enables percutaneous transluminal delivery, and an expanded deployed configuration having an asymmetric hourglass shape. The valve body skirt and leaflets are constructed so that the center of coaptation may be selected to reduce horizontal forces applied to the commissures of the valve, and to efficiently distribute and transmit forces along the leaflets and to the frame. Alternatively, the valve body may be used as a surgically implantable replacement valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of recanalizing a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is disclosed. A catheter with a guidewire slidingly received therein is positioned proximally adjacent to the CTO. An occlusion weakening therapy effective to quickly soften and/or loosen the CTO is delivered to the CTO via the catheter. The occlusion weakening therapy includes at least one enzyme and a chelating agent which are selectively deliverable either together or separately depending on the type of material encountered by the guidewire. According to various methods, the enzyme(s) may be delivered if tissue is encountered, the chelating agent may be delivered if calcification is encountered, and both enzyme(s) and chelating agent(s) may be delivered if a fibrous cap is encountered. The distal end of the guidewire may be advanced into the CTO shortly after delivery of the occlusion weakening therapy and is manipulated through the CTO until the guidewire successfully crosses the CTO.

Abstract: An infusion system is for infusing a fluid into the body of a patient. The infusion system includes at least one sensor for monitoring blood glucose concentration of the patient and an infusion device for delivering fluid to the patient. The sensor produces at least one sensor signal input. The infusion device uses the at least one sensor signal input and a derivative predicted algorithm to determine future blood glucose levels. The infusion device delivers fluid to the patient when future blood glucose levels are in a patient's target range. The infusion device is capable of suspending and resuming fluid delivery based on future blood glucose levels and a patient's low shutoff threshold. The infusion device suspends fluid delivery when future blood glucose levels falls below the low shutoff threshold. The infusion device resumes fluid delivery when a future blood glucose level is above the low shutoff threshold.

Abstract: A medical device system comprises a reservoir configured to store a therapeutic fluid and a medical pump configured to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir to a patient. The system also comprises a reservoir fill level detector configured to detect a fill status of the reservoir, the reservoir fill level detector including a contact pad operably attached to the reservoir whereby the contact pad moves in a predetermined path during the emptying and filling of the reservoir. A resistor strip mounted on the inside of the chamber is in continual contact with the contact pad and the resistance of an electric current passed through the resistor strip is monitored by a processor to determine the position of a selected portion of the reservoir. The position of the reservoir is directly related to the fill status.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for data rejection for posture state analysis. The techniques may include storing posture state data sensed by a medical device for a patient, rejecting any portion of the posture state data that was stored during a session that was shorter than a session threshold, and generating posture state output for the patient based on a portion of the posture state data that was not rejected.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect structure for an implantable medical device includes a feedthrough that has a pin extending therefrom. The pin defines a first end and a middle portion. A bonding surface is formed at the first end of the pin, and the bonding surface has a surface area greater than a cross-sectional area of the pin at its middle portion.

Abstract: A container for housing a fluid therapeutic composition includes a rigid housing, a collapsible bag and a seal. The housing has an opening and an interior surface. The interior surface forms a cavity having a volume. The bag is disposed in the housing and is expandable to contact the interior surface of the housing and occupy the entire volume of the cavity when filled with the fluid therapeutic composition. The bag has an opening that is fixed in proximity to the opening of the housing. The seal is configured to prevent air from entering the bag via the bag opening and to prevent air from entering the cavity of the housing via the housing opening.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for producing a variable therapeutic output to a patient. A therapeutic output delivery module requires replenishment following delivery of a predetermined amount of the therapeutic output. A calculator is responsive to a measure of an amount of the therapeutic output actually delivered to the patient for determining a parameter representative of a time at which the therapeutic output delivery module of the implantable medical device should be replenished with the therapeutic substance based at least in part upon the amount obtained from the measure. A method determines a parameter representative of a time at which a therapeutic output module of an implantable medical device should be replenished following delivery of a predetermined amount of therapeutic output. An amount of the therapeutic output actually delivered to the patient is measured. The parameter is calculated based at least in part upon the amount obtained in the measuring step.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to provide an offset weld and crimp in a coupling component that can be located entirely within a lumen of a lead body. This end is accomplished by providing an asymmetric coupling component is provided with a crimp recess, for example a groove or a bore extending along one side of the component and a thickened portion offset laterally from the groove or bore and having a welding surface displaced laterally from the groove or bore. While the embodiments illustrated herein are those employing a crimping groove, for purposes of understanding the invention it should be understood that a bore may be substituted. In preferred embodiments, the crimp recess is used to receive a stranded or cabled conductor within the lead body and the offset portion is used to attach to one or more filars of an electrode coil by welding thereto.

Abstract: External power source for an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, the implantable medical device having a secondary coil operatively coupled to therapeutic componentry and method therefore. A modulation circuit is operatively coupled to a power source. A plurality of primary coils are operatively coupled to the modulation circuitry and physically associated with an article into which the patient may come into proximity. The modulation circuit drives at least one of the plurality of primary coils. A sensor is coupled to modulation circuit and is adapted to sense proximity of a component related to the implantable medical device. The modulation circuit commences operation to drive at least one of the plurality of primary coils when the sensor senses proximity with the component related to the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fluid includes a housing, an inlet in the housing for receiving the fluid, and an outlet in the housing for discharging the fluid. A piston channel is provided within the housing through which the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet. An actuator is positioned within the housing and is moveable between a retracted position and a forward position, the actuator defining a piston chamber for storing fluid received through the inlet when the actuator is in the retracted position and for driving the fluid stored in the piston chamber toward the outlet when the actuator transitions from the retracted position to the forward position. The actuator includes an armature and a piston coupled to the armature and moveable within the piston channel. The piston is provided with a groove in an outer surface for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first conductor having a first surface and a second surface. The energy storage device also includes a second conductor and a separator assembly that encloses the first conductor and that is disposed between the first and second conductors. The separator assembly also includes a first portion that covers the first surface and a second portion that covers the second surface. The first and second portions are attached to one another, and at least one of the first and second portions includes a first sheet and a second sheet that are attached to one another. The first sheet includes a first material, and the second sheet includes a second material that is different from the first material.

Abstract: An airway stent graft includes a plurality of openings through the surface of the graft material and one-way valves at the openings to permit air from outside of the stent graft to enter a lumen thereof during exhalation and to prevent air from exiting the lumen through the openings during inhalation. The stent graft may be of variable length such that the stent graft may be cut to the desired length in vivo. A delivery system includes a cutter assembly to cut graft material of the stent at the desired location in vivo.

Abstract: A system for navigating a catheter probe through a body cavity includes a sensing coil affixed to a distal end of the probe. Magnetic fields are projected into the body cavity to induce voltage signals in the sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the orientation and position of the probe. A set of magnetic coils each generates a substantially uniform field in a single respective dimension. The orientation angles of the sensing coil may be determined from known values of the unidirectional fields and the measured induced voltage signals. Gradient magnetic fields with components in two dimensions are projected into the body cavity to induce another group of voltage signals. The geometrical intersection of constant voltage surfaces developed by certain gradient fields that produce the measured induced voltage signals is a set of lines on which the catheter is located. The point of intersection of such lines yields the positional coordinates.