Abstract: Anchors for securing a therapy device such as a therapy catheter relative to a burr hole, and systems and methods for using the same. Anchors in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include a connector for securing the therapy catheter to a delivery catheter, wherein the connector is independently and removably attachable to the anchor. The connector may secure the therapy catheter relative to the burr hole and isolate forces that may otherwise tend to disrupt the placement of the therapy catheter.

Abstract: Generally, the disclosure is directed one or more methods or systems of cardiac pacing employing a plurality of left ventricular electrodes. Pacing using a first one of the left ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left and right ventricular electrodes. Pacing using a second one of the ventricular electrodes and measuring activation times at other ones of the left ventricular electrodes. Employing weighted sums of the measured activation times to measure a fusion index and select one of the left ventricular electrodes for delivery of subsequent pacing pulses based on comparing fusion indices during pacing from different LV electrodes. One or more embodiments use the same fusion index to select an optimal A-V delay by comparing fusion indices during pacing with different A-V delays at resting atrial rates as well as rates above the resting rate.

Abstract: An elastic percutaneous elastic introducer sheath is disclosed which can locally expand and reduce to accommodate a transcatheter medical device. The elastic introducer sheath includes a non-circumferentially continuous elastic frame, a liner, and a jacket.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: A method of preventing paravalvular leakage includes concurrent delivery of a heart valve prosthesis and an annular sealing component. During delivery, the sealing component is moved from a first position to a second position of the heart valve prosthesis which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first position of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component is secured around the heart valve prosthesis at the second position by a contoured outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis. The sealing component may be a flexible ring or may be a cylindrical flexible sleeve having a plurality of ribs longitudinally extending over the cylindrical sleeve. The ribs operate to deploy the sealing component such that at least a portion of the cylindrical sleeve buckles outwardly away from the outer surface of the heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures without cardiac bypass. The devices include various embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves. The temporary filter devices have one or more cannulae which provide access for surgical tools for effecting repair of the cardiac valves. A cannula may have filters of various configurations encircling the distal region of the cannula, which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta. The temporary valve devices may also have one or more cannulae which guide the insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel. In one embodiment, the temporary valve is a disc of flexible, porous, material that acts to filter blood passing therethrough. A set of valve leaflets extend peripherally from the disc.

Abstract: A fluid infusion system including a pocketable pump housing with a reservoir cavity with helical coupling features. The system further has a reservoir with an open end that is removable from the reservoir cavity. A removable cap coupled to the housing is also included in the system. The cap has corresponding coupling features, an exterior surface and a tab. The corresponding coupling features couple the cap to the housing while the tab is a ridge that extends away from the exterior surface. The tab has a port to accommodate flow from the reservoir and the port defines an axis of rotation such that torque applied to the tab about the axis of rotation disengages the coupling between the cap and the housing. The system further has a removably coupled guard with a slot defined to immobilize rotation of the tab about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having optimized elements such as electrodes formed from sputtered platinum compositions as well as layers of material selected to optimize the characteristics of a wide variety of sensor elements and sensors. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.

Abstract: An indicator element of a percutaneous needle guide for a medical scanning device includes a pointer for pointing to a percutaneous needle entry site on an epidermis of a body, when the guide is attached to the device and the device is positioned over the epidermis for scanning. A user may orient and insert a needle into the entry site according to the direction of the pointer, by just viewing the pointer, without the needle being constrained by the pointer. The guide may include an adjustment mechanism for moving the indicator element with respect to the device, when the guide is attached to the device; the adjustment mechanism moves the indicator element, without changing an orientation of the pointer, in a direction approximately parallel to a plane that is approximately tangent with an apex of the device transducer surface and approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system that has been calibrated. The imaging system can include an ultrasound imaging system that collects one of more images based on a plane of image acquisition. The plane of image acquisition can be calibrated to a tracking device associated with the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to controlling therapy delivery based on a relative motion between a first and second activity sensor. The relative motion between the activity sensors is representative of the relative motion between the locations of the body of the patient at which the respective activity sensors are located. The use of relative motion, however, may substantially remove motion experienced by both the activity sensors, e.g., motion caused by the environment in which patient is located, thus providing a new reference frame from which to analyze the motion measurements. The relative motion may be used to detect a condition of a movement disorder and/or control delivery of the therapy delivered to patient to treat or reduce the condition.

Abstract: A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (“ICD”) comprises a battery, control circuitry and a capacitor assembly. The capacitor assembly includes at least one capacitor, a flex circuit for connection to the control circuitry of the ICD and a first and second support portions. The flex circuit is arranged between the first and second support portions and includes a plurality of tangs for connecting to the anode and cathode of the capacitor(s), as well as to the control circuitry of the ICD.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises handle assemblies for intravascular treatment devices. In one embodiment, a handle assembly comprises an actuator for deflecting a distal region of an intravascular treatment device. In one embodiment, a handle assembly comprises a rotator for rotating an intravascular treatment device independently of the handle assembly. In one embodiment, a handle assembly comprises a rotation limiting element for limiting independent rotation of an intravascular treatment device relative to the handle assembly. Methods and systems for intravascular delivery, deflection and placement of an intravascular treatment device via a handle assembly of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: In some examples, systems, devices, and techniques for determining a particular sleep stage of a patient, determining a seizure state of the patient during the particular sleep stage, and generating a seizure probability metric for the particular sleep stage based on the sleep stage and seizure state are described. In some cases, a patient may be more susceptible to seizure events during particular sleep stages. One or more seizure probability metrics indicative of a patient's susceptibility to seizure events during a particular sleep stage may be useful in creating a patient-specific treatment regimen.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related control systems and methods. An infusion device includes a voided portion adapted to receive a shaft portion that includes a shaft coupled to a plunger of a reservoir and a sensing arrangement proximate the voided portion to sense a detectable feature. A control module may determine a remaining amount of fluid in the reservoir or identify an anomalous condition based at least in part on the sensed position of the detectable feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices include elongated conductor bodies and related features including an attachment to the medical device at one end and a connector that receives a medical lead at the other end. The connector may have various features such as a modular design whereby the connector is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Other features of the connector include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors or the order of 0.040 inches or less and that may include radial protrusions to establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the connector in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion. Additional features include a feedthrough where conductors exposed beyond a housing of the implantable medical device make direct electrical connection to conductors present within the elongated body.