Abstract: Operating techniques and methodologies for a body area network of medical devices are provided. One technique relates to an intelligent channel hopping scheme that detects loss of wireless synchronization on an initial wireless channel, thereafter obtains a measure of quality for the initial wireless channel, and then selects a new wireless channel when the obtained measure of quality fails to satisfy a threshold criteria. Another operating technique dynamically adapts an ordered list of available wireless channels in accordance with a quality measure of the available wireless channels. Thus, when quality degradation associated with a first wireless channel is detected, the ordered list can be updated to indicate a lower preference for the first wireless channel and to indicate a higher preference for a second wireless channel that does not suffer from quality degradation.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having an elongated lead body and a fixation helix extending along a generally helical axis, mounted around the outer circumference of the lead body. The fixation helix has a free end spaced from and extending from the lead body for less than the circumference of the lead body. The lead body includes an additional component which provides a rotation stop extending from the outer circumference of the lead body and provides stop surface generally perpendicular to the axis of the helix.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to equalizing pressure in a reservoir containing fluidic media, possibly due to imperfect installation of the reservoir or an external influence such as an altitude or a temperature change. In various embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled from the reservoir through a needle and contained in an interior volume of a pierceable member before the needle pierces the pierceable member to establish a flow path to a user. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a port of the reservoir into a chamber. In further embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a channel in a plunger head and out a passage in the reservoir when the channel and passage are aligned. In other embodiments, fluidic media may be expelled through a valve, and the valve may be pierceable by a needle to establish a flow path to the user.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting pacing therapy based on ventriculo-atrial delay are described herein. These techniques may be used to control ventricular filling times during the delivery of pacing therapy. In some examples, a device or system delivers pre-excitation fusion pacing therapy to a ventricular chamber, determines a ventriculo-atrial delay interval for the ventricular chamber for at least one cardiac cycle, and adjusts the pacing therapy delivered by the implantable medical device to compensate for decreased ventricular filling time when the ventriculo-atrial delay interval is less than a threshold. In some examples, the device or system may adjust the pacing therapy by decreasing a pacing rate of the implantable medical device, increasing a pre-excitation interval for pacing of the ventricular chamber, and/or switching from a fusion pacing mode to a biventricular pacing mode.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed that includes a valve body and a valve rotor adjustable with respect to the valve body. A tool can be utilized to determine and control a position of the valve rotor with respect to the valve body. The tool can include a valve body position reader, a valve rotor position reader and a valve rotor position controller to determine a valve setting for the device and adjust the valve setting as desired.

Abstract: A syringe adapter tool facilitates inline connection of a syringe with a catheter lumen, as well as torque transfer between the syringe and catheter. The adapter tool may further facilitate passage of an instrument through a seal zone portion of the catheter lumen, which seal zone portion is located in a proximal section of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices such as pacemakers, pulse generators, cardioverter-defibrillators and the like and more particularly relates to modular and reconfigurable medical system platforms and methods of designing, testing, controlling and implementing diverse therapies, diagnostics, physiologic sensors and related instrumentation using said medical system platforms. Methods, systems and devices provide a new design platform for implantable and external medical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, heart monitors, etc. A real-time, highly flexible system of software and hardware modules enables both prototypes and products to respond to patient and customer needs with greater design and manufacturing efficiency. Certain embodiments integrate a general-purpose processor with interface circuitry to provide a standard platform for implementing new and conventional therapies with software models rather than custom circuitry.

Abstract: The inventions described in this patent application include i) a torqueable introducer sheath which is useable in conjunction with a transvascular passageway forming catheter to effect precise rotational control of the catheter; ii) an anchorable guide catheter which is useable in conjunction with an intravascular imaging catheter and a transvascular passageway-forming catheter to effect precise positioning and aiming of the passageway-forming catheter; iii) a passageway forming catheter having a torqueable proximal portion to facilitate precise rotational positioning of the distal portion of the catheter; iv) a deflectable-tipped passageway forming catheter, v) various markers and other apparatus useable in conjunction with any of the passageway-forming catheters to facilitate precise positioning and aiming of the catheter, and vi) an apparatus which may be formed within a catheter to prevent a member, apparatus of flow of material from being inadvertently advanced through a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed towards posture-responsive therapy. To avoid interruptions in effective therapy, an implantable medical device may include a posture state module that detects the posture state of the patient and automatically adjusts therapy parameter values according to the detected posture state. A system may include an implantable medical device that delivers therapy to a patient according to a set of therapy parameter values while the patient occupies a first posture state, a user interface that receives patient input associating one or more of the therapy parameter values with a second posture state different from the first posture state, and a processor that automatically defines therapy for delivery to the patient when the patient occupies the second posture state based on the associated therapy parameter values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The apparatus includes a pulse generator having an adjustable pulse output parameter and adapted to be electrically coupled to the vagus nerve. The pulse generator generates pulses for a burst period that is followed by a rest period. The apparatus also includes a respiration sensor coupled to the pulse generator. The respiration sensor detects the inspiration and the expiration phases of the respiration. The pulse generator generates stimulation pulses during both the detected inspiration and expiration phases. The pulses are delivered with the output parameter adjusted to provide greater stimulation strength during the inspiration phase than during the expiration phase.

Abstract: A medical device including a catheter having a shaft with a distal portion; a first plurality of substantially hemispherical electrodes coupled to the distal portion; a second plurality of substantially hemispherical electrodes coupled to the shaft proximal of the first plurality, where the second plurality of electrodes are oriented substantially orthogonal to the first plurality of electrodes; and an additional electrode coupled to the shaft. A console may have a processor in electrical communication with the first and second plurality of electrodes and the reference electrode, the processor programmed to obtaining a monophasic action potential recording from at least one of the first and second plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a minimally invasive implantable medical device (IMD) system are described. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device system includes an external device for transmitting a communication signal and an implantable device for receiving the communication signal by inductive coupling. The implantable device is configured to harvest power from the inductively coupled communication signal and power a signal generator from the harvested power to generate a therapeutic electrical stimulation signal.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the sodium concentration of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy and adjusting sodium concentration using a sodium management system to generate a sodium-modified fluid. The systems and methods also provide a mechanism for controlled addition of sodium ions to the dialysate to generate a predetermined total sodium concentration in a dialysate.

Abstract: A medical device system for delivering a neuromodulation therapy includes a delivery tool for deploying an implantable medical device at a neuromodulation therapy site. The implantable medical device includes a housing, an electronic circuit within the housing, and an electrical lead comprising a lead body extending between a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing and at least one electrode carried by the lead body. The delivery tool includes a first cavity for receiving the housing and a second cavity for receiving the lead. The first cavity and the second cavity are in direct communication for receiving and deploying the housing and the lead coupled to the housing concomitantly as a single unit.

Abstract: A system to monitor communications integrity is disclosed. The system includes a portable medical device with a medical device transmitter to establish a medical device link. The medical device link defined to periodically transmit data from the portable medical device to a remote system with a receiver to receive the medical device link. The remote system further including a remote system transmitter defined to establish a mobile device link. The mobile device link defined to periodically report status of the medical device link to the mobile system, the mobile system further having a plurality of alarm triggers associated with the integrity of the medical device link and the mobile device link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the pH of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy. The systems and methods adjust dialysate pH and buffer concentration to generate a predetermined total bicarbonate buffer concentration in a dialysate entering a dialyzer.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to cardiac pacing methods and systems, and, more particularly, to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In particular, the present disclosure pertains to determining the efficacy of CRT through use of an effective capture test (ECT). One or more embodiments comprises sensing a signal in response to a ventricular pacing stimulus. Through signal processing, a number of features are parsed from the signal. Exemplary features parsed from the signal include a maximum amplitude, a maximum time associated with the maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitude, and a minimum time associated with the minimum amplitude. The data is evaluated through use of the ECT. By employing the ECT, efficacy of CRT is easily and automatically evaluated.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer enclosure member surrounds the joint and circumscribes the housing in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed.

Abstract: An external medical device generates a drive signal inductively coupled to an implantable coil from an external coil. A regulator module coupled to the implantable coil generates an output signal in response to the inductively coupled signal and a feedback signal correlated to an amplitude of the inductively coupled signal. A signal generator receives the output signal for generating a therapeutic electrical stimulation signal. The control module adjusts the drive signal in response to the feedback signal to control the electrical stimulation signal.