Abstract: An improved stabilizer or retractor or other surgical tool having an elongated distal arm carrying a tissue-contacting mechanism at its distal end and a tensioning mechanism at its proximal end for locking functional components of the tool in a desired position or configuration. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to a turret or other structure attaching the distal arm to a base by means of a shorter, proximally extending flexible arm. The flexible proximal arm allows the tensioning mechanism to be moved relative to the base so that it can be placed more conveniently in the operative field.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) issues a notification when it has been left in a programmed state for some time, possibly inadvertently. The patient or another person may then initiate a course of corrective action, such as programming the device to an appropriate state.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivering an intra-bodily medical device to an internal bodily site. The delivery catheter includes an elongated shaft defining a proximal section and a distal section. A delivery lumen is formed by the shaft, extending from the proximal section and terminating at an opening formed proximal the distal section. Finally, a locator is formed by the distal section, and is configured to locate a target site. In one preferred embodiment, the locator is elongated, having a diameter less than that of a remainder of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the delivery catheter includes a steering device capable of effectuating a bend both proximal and distal the opening for steering the locator to a target site.

Abstract: A capacitive filtered feedthrough assembly is formed in a solid state manner to employ highly miniaturized conductive paths each filtered by a discoid capacitive filter embedded in a capacitive filter array. A non-conductive, co-fired metal-ceramic substrate is formed from multiple layers that supports one or a plurality of substrate conductive paths and it is brazed to a conductive ferrule, adapted to be welded to a case, using a conductive, corrosion resistant braze material. The metal-ceramic substrate is attached to an internally disposed capacitive filter array that encloses one or a plurality of capacitive filter capacitor active electrodes each coupled to a filter array conductive path and at least one capacitor ground electrode. Each capacitive filter array conductive path is joined with a metal-ceramic conductive path to form a feedthrough conductive path.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

Abstract: A method and system for ablating tissue to provide a desired set of lesions. The system includes an ablation apparatus having an elongated shapeable section carrying a mechanism such as an electrode for applying ablation energy along the shapeable section. The shapeable section includes a member of shape memory material having a memorized configuration. The shapeable section is shaped manually or using fixtures to display a configuration corresponding to one of the desired lesions and is then employed to create the desired lesion. Thereafter the shapeable section is heated to cause it to resume its memorized configuration. Shaping, heating and ablating to create lesions are continued as necessary provide the desired set of lesions. In some embodiments of the invention, heating may be accomplished using heating elements built into the shapeable section.

Abstract: A suction retractor that provides support to and positions an organ for surgery is provided. This retractor includes a support surface, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one leash operatively attached to the support surface; and at least one suction tube operatively connected with the suction elements. A method for using the retractor to manipulate an organ during surgery is also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating severe tinnitus is disclosed. The method of the present invention comprises implanting a catheter into a patient and administering a therapeutic agent intrathecally into the patient's cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis is implanted at a target location within a body lumen by transluminally placing and embedding an expansible prosthesis body within a sealing layer. The sealing layer occludes at least a circumferential band within an interface region between the prosthesis body and the inner wall of the body lumen, thus providing for blockage of body lumen flow past the prosthesis. The sealing layer may be introduced prior to or simultaneously with the prosthesis body. A tubular prosthesis may be implanted in blood vessels, particularly to protect aneurysms.

Abstract: A method and system for atrial capture detection based on far-field R-wave (FFRW) sensing is provided. After establishing that stable FFRW sensing exists, presence of atrial capture can be detected by atrial sensing of the FFRW in a predetermined FFRW detection window following an atrial pace. Threshold values for the atrial pace can be determined by varying an atrial test variable and observing whether a FFRW occurs in the FFRW detection window. In another embodiment, threshold values for the atrial pace can be determined by applying a search pace before the regular atrial pace, varying an atrial test variable for the search pace, and monitoring the movement of the FFRW between the FFRW detection window and a predetermined search detection window located before the FFRW detection window.

Abstract: A flexible inner tubular member for being rotated in an outer tubular member of a rotary tissue cutting instrument includes an elongate inner tube having a rotatably driveable proximal end, a distal end having a cutting member exposed from the outer tubular member to cut anatomical tissue and a flexible region allowing the inner tubular member to rotate within the outer tubular member while conforming to the shape of the outer member. The flexible region is defined by a helical cut in the inner tube defining a plurality of integrally, unitarily connected tube segments angularly movable relative to one another and a spiral wrap disposed over the helical cut.

Abstract: A reusable analyte sensor site for use with a replaceable analyte sensor for determining a level of an analyte includes a site housing material and a resealable insertion site coupled to one end of the site housing material. Preferably, the site housing material is formed to have an interior cavity with an opening. The site housing material is selected to promote tissue ingrowth and vascularization, and yet be free of tissue ingress. Also, the site housing material permits the analyte to pass through the site housing material to the interior cavity to permit measurement by the replaceable analyte sensor. The resealable insertion site provides a for inserting the replaceable analyte sensor into the interior cavity of the site housing material.

Abstract: A method and system for ventricular fusion prevention is provided. It is determined whether an atrial sense occurred within a prior wait time and a scheduled ventricular pace is administered if no atrial sense occurred. If an atrial sense occurred and a ventricular sense follows within an additional wait time, the scheduled ventricular pace is canceled to avoid a fusion beat. If an atrial sense occurred and no ventricular sense follows within an additional wait time, the scheduled ventricular pace is administered. In another embodiment, the max AV interval is increased if too many scheduled ventricular paces are canceled to avoid fusion beats.

Abstract: A method for reducing distal embolization during insertion of devices to treat plaque, thrombi and other intravascular occlusions. Using a guide catheter, a guidewire is delivered to a site proximal to the lesion. An aspiration catheter is then introduced over the guidewire, and the two are moved together in a distal to proximal direction across the occlusion. The aspiration catheter is then moved in a proximal to distal direction while continuously aspirating, which prevents embolization of any particles which may be created during the crossing of the guidewire.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material and contains a reservoir. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm. The ring has a central opening that is aligned with the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the diaphragm to flex within the ring. In this manner, the volume on one side of each diaphragm may be varied to correspond to a varying volume of infusion medium. Similarly, the volume within the reservoir chamber on the other side of the diaphragms is varied as the diaphragms flex, to correspond to the expansion and contraction of a propellant medium within the reservoir.

Abstract: A fully automated computer controlled system is provided for adjustment of neurostimulation implants used in pain therapy and in treating neurological dysfunction which includes a patient interactive computer, and a universal transmitter interface integrally embedded in the patient interactive computer or built into the antenna which is capable of stimulating any type of implanted neurostimulation devices by imitating programming codes. The patient interacts with the system through the patient interactive computer. The universal transmitter interface includes a direct digital synthesizer, a transistor circuitry driving the antenna in ON-OFF fashion and a gating unit for driving the transistor circuitry under control of the processing means in the patient-interactive computer. Alternatively, the universal transmitting interface includes a balanced modulator for modulation of the carrier signal generated at the direct digital synthesizer.

Abstract: A medical catheter comprising a flexible tube having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining a lumen, the lumen extending longitudinally along the flexible tube and having a cross-sectional area; and a flexible core within the lumen substantially extending longitudinally along the flexible tube, the flexible core having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the lumen at any given longitudinal point along the flexible tube and flexible core, the flexible tube and the flexible core defining a passageway, and which in combination provides structure resistant to occlusion of the passageway.

Abstract: An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an SI polyimide material.

Abstract: A method and a system for retrieving information from an IMD so that a physician may better use the time allotted to a patient. In an example embodiment, a method for communicating between an implanted device and a medical data processing system occurs via a communications module coupled to an antenna member and to the medical data processing system. The communication module and the antenna are arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within a given range or space such as in a room. The method includes broadcasting interrogation requests in the range via the communications module and antenna arrangement and establishing a communications link between the implanted device present in the range and the communications module. A set of patient diagnostic data is then transmitted from the implanted device to the communications module in response to an encoded radio frequency signal from the communications module.

Abstract: A method and system for pacing cardiac tissue is provided. An implantable medical device is implanted having an initial pacing function value based on a current cardiac rate of the cardiac tissue at implantation. A target pacing function value, a training increment and a training period are determined. The initial pacing function value is gradually increased to the target pacing function value by the training increment during the training period.