Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly according to the invention can be used as a component of an implantable medical device (IMD) and/or or electrochemical cell. An IMD includes implantable pulse generators, cardioverter-defibrillators, physiologic sensors, drug-delivery systems, etc. Such assemblies require biocompatibility and resistance to degradation under applied bias current or voltage. In some forms of the invention, such assemblies are fabricated by using electrically common, multiply-interconnected electrical pathways including metallized vias and interlayer structures of conductive metallic material within bores and between ceramic layers. The layers are stacked together and sintered to form a substantially monolithic dielectric structure with at least one electrically common embedded metallization pathway extending through the structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic stent and stent graft delivery system utilizing at least two different structural materials to effectuate the easy retention and release of the stent and stent graft, while maintaining structural and sealing integrity for a pressurizable fluid chamber. An anti kinking spacer is disclosed which prevents buckling/kinking of the otherwise unsupported sheath containment section when the catheter assembly is bent such as for insertion a movement to the delivery site. A configuration according to the invention provides a flexible small or dual diameter delivery system that uses fluid pressure within the catheter to retract the stent/stent graft containment sheath and allow the delivery and deployment of the stent/stent graft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stent for delivering drugs to a vessel in a body, including a stent framework with a plurality of reservoirs formed therein, a drug polymer positioned in the reservoirs, and a polymer layer positioned on the drug polymer. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a drug-polymer stent and a method of treating a vascular condition using the drug-polymer stent.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead includes fiber optic cable. A human-implantable neurostimulator and neurostimulation lead each include an opto-electric transducer. The opto-electric transducers can be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an optical transducer, that converts: electrical energy to optical energy; optical energy to electrical energy; or both electrical energy to optical energy and optical energy to electrical energy. Neurostimulation-lead electrodes can be activated, and/or lead-status information can be transmitted, over the fiber optic cable, between the neurostimulator and the neurostimulation lead. A neurostimulation-lead power converter may be coupled to a pulse generator of the neurostimulator such that the power converter derives and stores power for the lead from stimulation pulses received from the stimulation-pulse generator.

Abstract: A system for applying a polymer (hydrogel) to the inner surface of a vessel by photopolymerization includes a catheter having a first inflatable member and a guidewire having a second inflatable member. The catheter has an extended tip distal to the first inflatable member that includes multiple perfusion ports. A light emission coil is disposed on the extended tip with individual coil loops interspaced with the perfusion ports. In a method, the guidewire is delivered to a treatment site within a vessel. The catheter is delivered to the treatment site over the guidewire. The inflatable members are inflated to form an enclosed treatment space within the vessel. A photoinitiator is delivered to the enclosed treatment space. Excess photoinitiator is flushed from the treatment space, and a prepolymer is delivered. The prepolymer is cured by light delivered by the light emission coil.

Abstract: A device and method for treating cardiac valve regurgitation. The device includes a tubular member including a lumen there through and a locking mechanism and a compression device carried on the tubular member. The compression device is transformable to a compression configuration in response to axial displacement and is locked in the compression configuration by the locking mechanism. The method includes positioning the compression device adjacent a cardiac valve and applying an axial displacement to the compression device to transform the compression device into a compression configuration and locking the compression device in the compression configuration to apply a compressive force to the cardiac valve.

Abstract: A manipulator joined to a distal end of a delivery system shaft includes a plurality of arms and a collar. A proximal portion of each of the arms is joined to the shaft and a distal portion of each of the arms is joined to the collar such that the collar is substantially aligned with a lumen of the shaft. The lumen and the collar slideably and rotatably engage a medical electrical lead while a plurality of control wires, adapted to manipulate the manipulator, join to each of the plurality of manipulator arms in proximity to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An ophthalmic implant having a body for positioning in a recess created in the sclera, feet for positioning in the anterior chamber, and a neck between the body and the feet for positioning in a scleral opening created between the scleral recess and the anterior chamber. The implant feet extend beyond the implant body and have a curvature approximating the curvature of the anterior chamber. The implant has drainage passageways for draining ocular fluid from the anterior chamber. The passageways are formed in outer surfaces or through the interior of the implant. Interior passageways are formed in surfaces of layers of the implant or by voids in inner layers of the implant. Related methods include creating undercuts that receive outer portions of the implant body and creating a scleral opening that is longer than the implant neck.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring respiration including sensing a signal that varies with respiration, deriving a respiration parameter, applying criteria for detecting a respiration disturbance and determining one or more respiratory disturbance metrics. The system preferably includes an implantable sensor with an associated implantable medical device such that chronic respiration monitoring is possible. The implantable medical device may execute methods for detecting and measuring respiratory disturbances or may store data to be transferred to an external device for detecting and measuring respiratory disturbances. Respiratory disturbance detection may trigger a responsive action such as physiological data storage, a change in therapy delivery, or a clinician warning. Assessment of cardiac function may be made based on metrics of respiratory disturbances or a measure of circulatory delay time following detection of a respiratory disturbance.

Abstract: In general, channel occupancy techniques for multi-channel medical device communication are provided. More specifically, techniques are described for maintaining a communication session between an external device and an implantable medical device (IMD) to reduce the potential for conflict with other programmers. A device, such as an external device, includes a transmit module to transmit telemetry signals to an implantable medical device over a communication channel, and a control unit that communicates data to the IMD via the transmit module. The control unit communicates idle messages over the communication channel during gaps within the data communication to the IMD.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direct coronary revascularization wherein a transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary blood vessel to permit blood to flow therebetween. In some embodiments, the transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary vein. The invention includes unstented transmyocardial passageways, as well as transmyocardial passageways wherein protrusive stent devices extend from the transmyocardial passageway into an adjacent coronary vessel or chamber of the heart. The apparatus of the present invention include protrusive stent devices for stenting of transmyocardial passageways, intraluminal valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, intracardiac valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, endogenous tissue valves for valving of transmyocardial passageways, and ancillary apparatus for use in conjunction therewith.

Abstract: In general, the invention facilitates improved inter-module communication within a medical device system, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED), by using a serial data interface based on the USB specification to transfer data between modules. As a result, data transmission rates may be improved significantly, thereby providing ample communication bandwidth for a variety of medical device applications. Further, the serial interconnect nature of the USB interface reduces the number of physical interconnects that are needed to support the interface, thereby reducing the design constraints on the medical device system.

Abstract: A system and method for an implantable cardiac pacing device provide for delivery of anti-tachycardia pacing of the atrium upon detection of atrial tachycardia combined with automatic re-synchronization of ventricular pacing directly following the last atrial pulse of the anti-tachycardia scheme. At the onset of delivery of the ATP train or like scheme of ATP, an appropriate ventricular pacing interval is calculated to enable asynchronous pacing of the ventricle during the ATP and synchronous delivery of the next ventricular pulse at a delay following the end of the ATP train. Upon determination of AT, an algorithm is used to calculate if a ventricular pacing interval can be found that meets maximum and minimum pacing criteria and also provides that the next ventricular pace pulse following the end of the ATP train will follow the last atrial pulse of the train by a suitable AV delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the integrity of an implantable sensor. Voids formed between an outer tubing and a sensor substrate or spacing element may be back-filled with a curable, implantable material, minimizing the extent to which unwanted fluids diffuse within the sensor. An enzyme or protein matrix pellet below the sensor window may be pre-treated with a reducing agent to enhance its bond stability, and to reduce undesired swelling that may cause the sensor window to detach or leak. The bonding between the enzyme pellet and a hydrogel layer may be reinforced by application of an intervening bonding layer of a protein material, such as human serum albumin (HSA). The size of the window may be minimized by minimizing the size of an underlying electrode, providing reduced flux and lengthening sensor. A coating may be deposited on the surface of the sensor leads, providing stiffening and lubrication.

Abstract: In a medical treatment device implanted within the body of a patient, a system and method using volatile and non-volatile memory devices within an implanted drug infusion pump to provide a safe and robust programmable system, able to back-up and restore the device's hardware and software operating parameters in the event of RAM corruption and as an alternative to hardware trim techniques. The pump includes a processor, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM. The RAM serves as a main memory and the EEPROM serves a back-up memory in the event of RAM corruption. The ROM serves as an additional layer of back-up memory in the event of RAM and EEPROM corruption.

Abstract: A helical ablation electrode extends from a distal end of the shaft and includes a first portion extending from a first end winding about a first diameter, a second portion extending from the first portion and winding about a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a second end terminating the second portion. The electrode further includes a fluid lumen extending from a location in proximity to the first end of the electrode to a location in proximity to the second end of the electrode and in fluid communication with a fluid delivery lumen of the catheter shaft. An irrigation fluid delivered through the fluid delivery lumen of the catheter shaft, from a fluid port, passes through the fluid lumen of the ablation electrode to cool the electrode.

Abstract: An introducer system and method for positioning and fixedly engaging a lead at an implantation site that includes a torque transfer sheath, extending from a proximal end to a distal end, receiving the lead, an outer sheath, having a distal end, receiving the lead positioned within the torque transfer sheath, and a handle operable between a first position enabling advancement and retraction of the lead through the handle and a second position fixedly engaging a proximal end of the lead within the handle. The lead is advanced through the outer sheath to extend outward a predetermined distance from the distal end of the outer sheath and the fixation helix is rotated through the predetermined distance to be fixedly engaged at the implantation site in response to simultaneous rotation and advancement of the lead and the torque transfer sheath through rotation and advancement of the handle in the second position.

Abstract: Techniques for stabilizing the rate of a ventricle, during conducted atrial fibrillation for example, adjust the escape interval of an implantable medical device to increase or decrease the pacing rate. In some embodiments, the escape interval is adjusted to achieve and maintain a percentage of pacing. In other embodiments, the stability of the ventricular rate is quantified as a function of measured R-R intervals, and the escape interval is adjusted to achieve and maintain a level of stability. In still other embodiments, a mean compensatory pause length is determined, and the escape interval is adjusted as a function of the mean compensatory pause length, to maintain the escape interval at or near the mean compensatory pause length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a first electrode, an inner tube and a second electrode. The outer tube is fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defines a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the outer tube. The first electrode is disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially received within the outer tube and is connected to a source of conductive fluid. The inner tube defines a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end forming an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the inner tube. Finally, the second electrode is disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube.

Abstract: A holding device for treating mitral valve regurgitation includes an anchoring portion and flexible arm portions. Upon deployment in the mitral valve, the arm portions assume a hook-shaped configuration and hold the leaflets in proximity to each other. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for preloading the holding device in a delivery catheter and deploying the device through the transverse axis of the mitral valve, allowing the arm portions of the holding device to grasp the mitral valve leaflets and hold them in proximity to each other, and thereby reduce both the cross sectional area of the mitral valve and regurgitation of blood through the valve.