Abstract: In one embodiment, a testing regimen is implemented to reduce test time. Specifically, a structure and method to power up and stabilize all die on the wafer prior to testing each die is implemented. More specifically, parallel powering schemes including die stabilization procedures are used to ready the wafer for testing. A wafer probe tester is indexed from one die to the next for an uninterrupted testing of all die in the wafer subsequent to all die power up and stabilization.

Abstract: Multi-site cardiac pacing systems that pace and sense in at least a first site in the heart and sense conducted electrical signals at a second site in the heart and measure and accumulate electrical conduction times between the first and second sites to derive trend data indicative of the state of heart failure. Preferably the sites are right heart chamber and left heart chamber sites, e.g., right and left atrial sites or right and left ventricular sites. In a ventricular embodiment, a V-V conduction time is measured from a ventricular sense (VS) event or a ventricular pace (VP) pulse delivered to a selected one of first and second ventricular sites to the VS event at the other one of the first and second ventricular sites. The measured V-V conduction time can be one or more of a VS-VS conduction time, a VP-VS conduction time and a VS/VP-VS conduction time.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, particularly a simplified, miniature capacitor connector block and wiring harness utilizing an epoxy droplet and method of making same are disclosed. An electrode stack comprises a plurality of capacitor layers stacked in registration upon one another, each capacitor layer comprising a cathode layer having a cathode tab, an anode sub-assembly comprising at least one anode layer having an anode tab, and a separator layer located between adjacent anode and cathode layers. A connector assembly is electrically attached to the anode connection terminal for making electrical connection with anode tabs and to the cathode connection terminal for making electrical connection with cathode tabs. The connector block is formed on an encapsulation area of a case side wall of epoxy that is cured for a period of time under elevated temperature conditions while rotating the capacitor assembly.

Abstract: Rate responsive pacing systems that employ a time-dependent AV delay in the pacing hearts in Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) (a CHF/DCM heart) during a post-implant Time-Adaptive period are disclosed. A starting or initial AV delay is set to an intrinsic AV delay time interval exhibited by the patient's heart at the time of implant. A chronic AV delay is then set to a therapeutic AV delay time interval that is shorter than the intrinsic AV delay time interval and alleviates symptoms of the CHF/DCM heart. A Time-Adaptive AV delay (TA-AV delay) is employed during a post-implant Time-Adaptive period that gradually changes the initial AV delay to the chronic AV delay at the end of the post-implant Time-Adaptive period.

Abstract: In a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid into an individual's body, a leak detection system indicates that the fluid has leaked outside a normal fluid path of the fluid delivery system, such as near an infusion site or a fluid-filled reservoir. Preferably, the leak detection system includes a chemical positioned near the infusion site that reacts with preservatives in the leaking fluid to generate a highly visible, brightly colored, chemical complex. Alternatively, mechanical, electro-optical, electrochemical, electrical or other chemical systems may be used to detect the presence of fluid that is leaking near the infusion site. Further, the leak detection systems may be used to detect the presence of fluid that is leaking from or near other locations within the fluid delivery system, such as on or near a fluid-filled reservoir, or a flexible tube coupled between the reservoir and the infusion site.

Abstract: A surgical micro-shaving instrument including an outer tubular member coaxially maintaining an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member is an elongated body defining a distal section, a proximal section and a central lumen extending from the distal section to the proximal section. The distal section forms an elevator tip and a cutting window. The cutting window is positioned proximal the elevator tip and is connected to the central lumen. The elevator tip terminates at a blade-like edge and is non-blunt. In one preferred embodiment, the elevator tip terminates in a knife edge. Regardless, the elevator tip defines a top surface extending from the elevator window. In one preferred embodiment, the top surface extends in an angular fashion, planar with a plane of the cutting window. In another preferred embodiment, the top surface includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. With this configuration, the proximal portion is planar with a plane of the cutting window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating Alzheimer's disease is disclosed. The method comprises delivering indomethacin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents having cyclooxygenase inhibitor action directly to the hippocampus or the lateral ventricle through an implanted catheter. The catheter has a flexible distal end that is implanted directly in the hippocampus or lateral ventricle as the preferred embodiment. The distal end has either a porous tip or a closed end. Where the distal end is closed, or a plurality of elution holes are present indomethacin is delivered to the hippocampus or lateral ventricle through either the porous tip or the elution holes.

Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for minimizing calcification of a heart valve wherein electric energy is supplied to the heart in the region of the aortic valve during the refractory period of the heart.

Abstract: A rechargeable implantable medical device with an improved external recharging coil electrical connection resistant to corrosion is disclosed. The electrical connection couples the external recharging coil to a recharge feedthrough. The rechargeable implantable medical device can be a medical device such as a neuro stimulator, drug delivery pump, pacemaker, defibrillator, diagnostic recorder, cochlear implant, and the like. The implantable medical device has a housing, electronics carried in the housing configured to perform a medical therapy, a rechargeable power source, and a recharging coil.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a virtual physiologic voltage signal between a first predetermined point in a second selected point in the body is disclosed. At least three electrodes are used to measure two voltage signals S1 and S2 in a body. In one embodiment, the signal S1 is measured between a first electrode and a common electrode, and the signal S2 is measured between a second electrode and the common electrode. A selected point within the body may be chosen to define a pair of virtual electrodes existing between this selected point and the common electrode. An approximation of the voltage signal S as could be measured between electrodes positioned at these virtual electrode locations may be derived as a function of S1, S2, and &thgr;, wherein &thgr; is the angle between the directional vector U1 for the signal S1 and the directional vector U for the signal S.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator includes an active can electrode and a high-voltage lead that can be electrically isolated from one another by opening a switch between them. The performance of the high-voltage lead and the can electrode can then be independently monitored, thus indicating which lead is inoperable, should one become inoperable. If a lead becomes inoperable, the implantable device can then reconfigure an electrical pathway such as a cardioversion and/or a defibrillation pathway by excluding the inoperable lead. By separating the high-voltage lead from the can electrode, pseudo ECG measurements can also be taken and utilized by the implantable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting cardiac tissue from insult. The method comprises identifying the occurrence of an insult, such as a heart attack, and delivering electrical stimulation to one or more predetermined nerves in a patient's body in response to identifying the occurrence of the insult. The stimulation may be provided to peripheral nerves, intrinsic cardiac nerves, sympathetic ganglia, cranial nerves, and may generally be directed to the vertebral column, or within the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the impedance of the tissue to be ablated. Rather than attempting to detect a desired drop or a desired increase impedance, completeness of a lesion is detected in response to the measured impedance remaining at a stable level for a desired period of time, referred to as an impedance plateau. The mechanism for determining transmurality of lesions adjacent individual electrodes or pairs may be used to deactivate individual electrodes or electrode pairs, when the lesions in tissue adjacent these individual electrodes or electrode pairs are complete, to create an essentially uniform lesion along the line of electrodes or electrode pairs, regardless of differences in tissue thickness adjacent the individual electrodes or electrode pairs.

Abstract: Bi-Ventricular or AV synchronous cardiac pacing systems that pace and sense in at least one atrial heart chamber and deliver ventricular pacing pulses to right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) sites separated by a V-V delay for treatment of heart failure are disclosed that optimize one or more of the AV delay and V-V delay to enhance left ventricular filling and cardiac output as a function of QRS duration.

Abstract: An inline oiler cartridge assembly for a pneumatically powered instrument includes a housing, a first conduit and a second conduit. The housing includes a lower portion removably attached to an upper portion. The lower portion defines an inner cylindrical cavity and an outer cylindrical cavity. A source of oil is disposed in the inner cylindrical cavity. A dry fiber cellulose material is disposed in the outer cylindrical cavity. The first conduit has a first end for attachment to a source of pressurized air and a second end for attachment to a pneumatically powered instrument. The first conduit passes through a portion of the upper portion of the housing and defines a channel for transmission of the source of pressurized air. The channel is in fluid communication with the inner cylindrical cavity such that the source of pressurized air draws oil into an air stream for delivery to the pneumatically powered instrument.

Abstract: A balloon catheter having improved flexibility in and about its distal end is provided. The flexibility of the catheter is determined in part by improving the properties of a wire or catheter located within the area where the balloon is mounted. In one aspect of the present invention, connecting wires extend through the balloon from the distal end of a catheter body to the proximal end of a core wire. The core wire extends distally away from the connecting wires and the catheter body. In another aspect of the present invention, a core wire is provided having a proximal end extending within the balloon into the catheter tubular body but is not mounted therein. This allows the proximal end of the core wire to “float” within the tubular body, such that when the catheter is advanced through the vasculature of a patient, the core wire may move longitudinally within the tubular body.

Abstract: A multi-conductor lead body having improved mechanical characteristics and improved manufacturability is disclosed. The lead body includes multiple conductors wound around a generally cylindrical or tubular, insulative core member. Ones of the conductors are spaced from other ones of the conductors by means of insulative strands or tubes wound around the core intermediate the conductors. The conductors may be stranded or cabled conductors. The core may be an insulative cylindrical or tubular member having a centrally located tensile reinforcement member, or may take the form of an insulated coiled conductor, allowing the use of a centrally located stylet to place the lead. Preferably, conductors and insulative strands or tubes separating the conductors are sized relative to the core member such that a gap is allowed between the conductors and associated insulative strands or tubes.

Abstract: A cardiac transvenous defibrillation lead has a continuous coil conductor within a layer of insulation. A portion of the coil conductor is exposed as a defibrillation electrode. In order to enhance fluoroscopic visualization of the exposed electrode during implant, the end of the exposed electrode is marked with a radiopaque element. The element may be in the form of an adhesive filled with radiopaque material that is used to backfill under the layer of insulation. Alternatively, a tube made of radiopaque material may be installed between the layer of insulation and the coil conductor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser welding a section of a ribbon to a substrate or substrate pad uses a laser beam that passes through an aperture in a bond head. The laser beam may be supplied to the bond head using an optic fiber. This method is useful for bonding conductive ribbons in microelectronic circuits.