Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The surgical apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion forms an orifice for distributing a conductive solution from the inner tube and further forms an electrode. The outer tube coaxially receives the inner tube such that the outer tube is slidable relative to the inner tube. With this configuration, the outer tube selectively blocks flow of conductive solution from the orifice. During use, conductive solution distributed from the orifice is subjected to a current from the electrode, thereby creating a virtual electrode.

Abstract: A monitoring device for implant in a patient's body and a method of its use. The monitoring device is provided with an electrogram amplifier, a sensing electrode coupled to the amplifier, and a memory for storing electrogram signals sensed by the electrogram amplifier. Responsive to detection of an arrhythmia, the monitor generates an internal electrogram storage trigger signal and initiates a patient trigger confirmation period. In response to receiving a patient trigger signal within the confirmation period, the monitor stores electrogram signals. The monitor preferably also defines an internal trigger confirmation period following a patient trigger signal and in response to an internal electrogram storage trigger signal within the internal trigger confirmation period, also stores electrogram signals.

Abstract: An implantable pump apparatus and method of operating the implantable pump for infusing a fluid into a body are described. The implantable pump apparatus includes a support member. A pressure sensitive resistor member is disposed on a first side of the support member. A spring member includes a first end which is adjacent to the pressure sensitive resistor member. An expandable fluid reservoir member includes a first end which is adjacent to a second end of the spring member. The level of fluid within the expandable fluid reservoir member is determined by measuring a force applied to the pressure sensitive resistor member.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.

Abstract: A device for monitoring temperature generated by an ablation apparatus on organic tissue is provided. The device comprises a temperature sensing pad; and an output device to receive and display a representation of a lesion found on the ablated organic tissue. Ablation systems incorporating the device and methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A prosthetic lamina that replaces a portion of the lamina bone structure. The prosthetic lamina may be configured to deliver a variety of medical therapies, such as electrodes for electrical stimulation, fluid channels for delivering drugs, catheters for dispensing drugs and various systems for healing bone tissue.

Abstract: A system is described for allowing medical data obtained at a local site to be transferred to a data processing system located at a remote site. This medical data may include video data and/or data obtained from one or more medical devices such as a fluoroscopy device or an electrocardiograph (ECG) signal monitoring device. The data may be viewed on one or more display windows of the remote data processing system to allow a remotely-located expert to participate in an examination or medical procedure being conducted at the local site. In one embodiment, the remote data processing system also receives screen data from an implantable medical device programmer that is located at the local site. This screen data may include data associated with the configuration of the programmer, the configuration of an implantable medical device, and other information obtained from a patient such as physiological waveforms. Routing of all data may be performed by a communication hub operating as a stand alone device.

Abstract: A pacemaker and a method of employing a pacemaker to pace a patient's heart. The method of operation of the pacemaker includes defining a post ventricular atrial refractory period having a first duration responsive to ventricular events, during which period the pacemaker does not initiate timing of an AV delay responsive to detected atrial depolarizations and in response to events which a may disrupt AV synchrony, such as PVC's, mode changes and the like, defining a post ventricular atrial refractory period having a second duration less than the first duration. The shortened post ventricular atrial refractory period remains in effect only temporarily, for example for one cardiac cycle, and may be initiated on a ventricular event which is the disrupting event or immediately follows the disrupting event, or may be initiated following a later ventricular event.

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: An implantable antiarrhythmia device which detects and classifies arrhythmias of the human heart, and delivers appropriate therapy. The device employs a method of arrhythmia classification based on a set of prioritized rules, each of the rules defining a plurality of criteria based upon characteristics of sensed depolarizations of heart tissue, each rule being met when the criteria associated with the rule are met. Some rules, when met, trigger delivery of antiarrhythmia therapy. Other rules, when met, inhibit delivery of antiarrhythmia therapy. The rules may be met simultaneously, and if so, the highest priority rule governs the behavior of the device.

Abstract: Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve through a lead. The lead features a lead body, a coupling for connecting a lead into a medical stimulator and a distal electrode assembly. The electrode assembly features a pair of oppositely disposed curved semi-circular cuffs disposed to conform a lumen therethrough. The ends of each cuff are mounted into a resilient hinge disposed upon the distal end of the lead body. The hinge biases the cuffs towards one another in such a manner that the lumen is maintained patent such that the nerve will remain therein. The hinge is further designed so as to be easily opened so as to spread the cuffs apart. Hinge opening is accomplished through a specialized implant tool, the implant tool being a generally cylindrical tube designed to meet about the lead body. A divergence in the lead body near the hinge permits the implant tool to engage the lead body in that section and thus forces the cuffs apart.

Abstract: A self-centering epidural lead is configured to center itself in an optimal location in respect of the midline of the spinal cord for stimulation of the cord. A method for using the lead in spinal cord stimulation is also described. The self-centering epidural lead includes a front side configured to face the spinal cord and a back side to which a pivot member or other self-centering device is operably attached. The pivot member or other self-centering device stabilizes the lead in an optimal position adjacent the spinal cord and aids in preventing spatial migration of the lead.

Abstract: A system and method for locating an implantable medical device. The system consists of a flat “pancake” antenna coil positioned concentric with the implantable medical device target, e.g. the drug reservoir septum. The system further features a three location antenna array which is separate from the implantable device and external to the patient. The antenna array features three or more separate antennas which are used to sense the energy emitted from the implanted antenna coil. The system further features a processor to process the energy ducted by the antenna array. The system senses the proximity to the implant coil and, thus, the implant device by determining when an equal amount of energy is present in each of the antennas of the antenna array and if each such ducted energy is greater than a predetermined minimum. When such a condition is met, the antenna array is aligned with the implant coil. Thus the needle port through the antenna array is lined up with the septum of the drug reservoir.

Abstract: A data communication system is provided which permits collaboration between distributed clinicians regarding distributed or remote implantable medical devices (IMDs). A central computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient device and clinician location and contact data is provided, as well as a network providing communication with the computing resource. A deployed IMD may be polled by an interface device external to the host patient, and data may be transmitted to the interface device by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a central computer for storage and distribution. The data may be distributed to various clinicians in communication with the central computer. These clinicians may use this information, either directly or indirectly, to contact remote clinicians and medical devices in communication with the network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a graphical display method and apparatus relating to an electrogram signal received from at least one lead used in conjunction with an implantable medical device. The present invention provides a time-expanded waveform of a portion of a signal relating to a single heartbeat. Sensitivity threshold information is also graphically displayed on the waveform. The programmer assembly of the present invention comprises an analyzer for locating marking desired characteristics of the electrogram signal with a plurality of markers to produce a marked electrogram signal. A processor receives the electrogram signal from the analyzer and recognizes the marked desired characteristics of the electrogram signal. The processor also receives sensitivity threshold information from a particular lead.

Abstract: The need for a venous reservoir in a heart-lung machine is obviated by using a vacuum-purged negative-pressure air filter in the venous return line ahead of the main blood pump. The purging vacuum for the venous air filter can also be used to purge air from the cardiotomy reservoir if a backflow-preventing valve is used on the venous air filter.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a substrate having a surface with an amide-functional polymer thereon. The method involves contacting the amide-functional polymer with a source of hydroxide ions and a source of hypohalite ions at a temperature of at least about 20° C. for a time effective to convert at least a portion of the amide-functional groups to amine-functional groups to form a substrate surface comprising an amine-functional polymer, wherein the hydroxide ions are present in a molar excess relative to the hypohalite ions and at a concentration of no more than about 0.1 M, based on the total volume of the reaction mixture. A biomolecule is attached to the resultant amine-functional polymer.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering a conductive fluid to a target site for ablating bodily tissue. The apparatus includes a tube fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid. The tube defines a proximal portion, a distal portion and a central pathway. The central pathway extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion and is configured to direct flow of conductive fluid to the distal portion. The distal portion is configured for placement at a target site of bodily tissue and forms a helical slot. The helical slot is configured to allow flow of conductive fluid from the central pathway. Following delivery of the conductive fluid, an electrical current is applied to create a virtual electrode for ablating bodily tissue at the target site.

Abstract: An infusion catheter for delivering drugs or other agents to selected sites in an organism, such as a human. In an alternate embodiment, a catheter system is disclosed having an infusion catheter and a pump that may be implanted or disposed outside the organism. In either embodiment, the free end of the catheter bears a rounded tip that has at least one elution hole for discharging an agent or drug to a selected site. The catheter has a tubular inner liner that is integral with the tip. The inner liner and tip are formed from a drug compatible polymeric material that is relatively nonporous and unreactive with the agent to be infused. A biocompatible flexible elastomeric tubular jacket surrounds the inner liner and a portion of the tip excluding that portion containing the elution hole or holes.