Abstract: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the cardiac signal. A method of comparing a brain signal to a cardiac signal is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting electrode combinations for stimulation therapy include delivering stimulation via each of at least two electrode combination classes during a therapy evaluation period. A first one of the classes comprises one or more electrode combinations that include electrodes within one or two columns of an implantable array of electrodes. The array may include at least three electrode columns. A second one of the classes comprises one or more electrode combinations that include electrodes within at least three electrode columns of the implantable array of electrodes. A preferred one of the electrode combination classes for a patient, and/or a number of leads to implant within the patient, may by selected based on feedback collected from the patient during the therapy evaluation period.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a body that includes a proximal end portion configured to be at least partially received by an apparatus, and a distal end portion; a stimulating electrical element at the distal end portion of the body; a stimulating contact at the proximal end portion of the body, wherein the stimulating contact is positioned such that, when received by the apparatus, at least a portion of the apparatus is capable of electrically coupling to the stimulating contact; a stimulating conductor that electrically couples the stimulating electrical element to the stimulating contact; a conductive body, wherein the conductive body is not utilized for application of stimulation; a conductive body contact, wherein the conductive body is electrically connected to the conductive body contact. Systems that include devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-expanding filter for collecting emboli or thrombi in a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The filter has a tubular filter body that coils or spirals around an outer surface of an adjacently located, independent treatment device in a corkscrew fashion when deployed from a sheath delivery catheter. When fully deployed, an outer surface of the coiled tubular body conforms to the inner wall of the vessel and an inner surface of the coiled tubular body conforms to an outer surface of the treatment device. The treatment device is disposed within a longitudinal opening extending through the expanded, coiled tubular body of the filter during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to an implantable neurostimulator and system capable of providing adaptive neurostimulation therapy to alleviate incontinence. The neurostimulator operates according to a set of stimulation parameters stored in memory. During operation, information is obtained from the patient, the implanted neurostimulator, one or more implanted sensors, or some combination thereof. A processor analyzes the information to automatically generate proposed adjustments to the stimulation parameters applied by the neurostimulator. The adjustments provide an adaptive neurostimulation therapy that supports or enhances therapeutic efficacy based on the information.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to measure intrathoracic complex impedance and to identify and indicate disease conditions based on the impedance measurements. Multiple impedance vectors may betaken into account, and an optimal vector may be selected to provide the most useful impedance measurement for the identification and indication of disease conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an implantable neurostimulator device for delivery of neurostimulation to treat head, neck, or facial pain or tension, including pain or tension caused by occipital neuralgia. The device may be a neurostimulation device having a miniaturized housing with a low profile that permits subcutaneous implantation at a stimulation site directly adjacent a neuralgic region at the back of the neck of a patient. For example, the device may be subcutaneously implanted at the back of the neck of a patient to relieve symptoms of occipital neuralgia.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for stimulating a colon of a patient to relieve chronic constipation. Specifically, a colon stimulation system applies one or more electrical stimuli to the colon of the patient in order to induce peristaltic activity in the colon to relieve chronic constipation. In accordance with the invention, the colon stimulation system induces peristaltic activity in the colon by applying an electrical stimulus to the colon to cause a portion of the colon to contract to a contracted state and removing the electrical stimulus to cause the colon to relax. While in the contracted state, the colon is substantially fully contracted.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body having at least two electrodes and a lead marker. The lead marker corresponds to a size and spacing of each of the at least two electrodes. The spacing between the electrodes and lead marker corresponds to an operative length of a first lead introducer configured to be used with the lead. Lead systems that include one or more lead introducers and kits including the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device or another device may periodically determine an activity level or gait parameter of the patient, and associate each determined level or parameter with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels or parameters associated with that therapy parameter set. Whether the patient is currently experiencing or anticipated to experience gait freeze caused by their neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, may also be determined. Gait freeze events may be associated with current therapy parameters and used to determine activity metric values. In some examples, the activity metric associated with certain therapy parameters may be presented to a user.

Abstract: Methods and/or devices for sampling a patient's intrinsic AV conduction time during cardiac therapy that may, e.g., change the AV delays to values based on the AV delays themselves, previously-sampled intrinsic AV conduction times, and/or one or more other parameters directly related to AV delays to provide a time period during which to measure the patient's intrinsic AV conduction time.

Abstract: Concepts presented herein include an apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles. The apparatus includes an endobronchial tube having an exterior surface and two lumens for providing ventilation. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endobronchial tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical navigation system for tracking an instrument relative to a patient. The system can track a portion of the patient, an instrument, and/or both relative to image data, a coordinate system, an atlas, a morphed atlas, or combinations thereof. The system can include a tracking device on the instrument to provide six degree of freedom information regarding the location of the instrument.

Abstract: Medical devices provide a connector enclosure that includes a feedthrough integrated into the base of the connector enclosure. The feedthrough may include feedthrough passageways that align longitudinally with lead connectors of the connector enclosure where feedthrough pins extend from the lead connectors through the feedthrough passageways. The feedthrough may also include filter plates mounted to the base of the connector enclosure to provide an integrated filtered feedthrough. Additionally, the connector enclosure may include metallic features such as the base and one or more walls that define an enclosure of the lead connectors. The base may be bonded to the can of the medical device to provide a hermetic seal such that the feedthrough integrated into the base eliminates the need for a feedthrough for the can.

Abstract: User interface for external power source, recharger, for an implantable medical device. At least some of patient controls and display icons of an energy transfer unit are common with at least some of the patient controls and the display icons of a patient control unit. An energy transfer unit is operable by the patient with less than three operative controls to control energy transfer from the external energy transfer unit to the implantable medical device. An external antenna having a primary coil can inductively transfer energy to a secondary coil of the implantable medical device when the external antenna is externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. An energy transfer unit has an external telemetry coil allowing the energy transfer unit to communicate with the implantable medical device through the internal telemetry coil in order to at least partially control the therapeutic output of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly including an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.

Abstract: System for transcutaneous energy transfer. An implantable medical device, adapted to be implanted in a patient, has componentry for providing a therapeutic output. The implantable medical device has an internal power source and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the internal power source. An external power source, having a primary coil, provides energy to the implantable medical device when the primary coil of the external power source is placed in proximity of the secondary coil of the implantable medical device and thereby generates a current in the internal power source. An alignment indicator reports the alignment as a function of the current generated in the internal power source with a predetermined value associated with an expected alignment between the primary coil and secondary coil.

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: A system for a controlled insertion and withdrawal of at least one electrode in the anatomy. The system can include a guide device and at least one electrode located within the guide device to at least one of record or stimulate an anatomy. The system can also include an indicator coupled to the electrode to indicate a position of a distal end of an electrode relative to the guide device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.