Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for monitoring for atrial capture are disclosed. Such a method, for use within an implantable system including an atrial leadless pacemaker (aLP) and a ventricular leadless pacemaker (vLP), includes storing within a memory of the vLP a paced atrial activation morphology template corresponding to far-field atrial signal components expected to be present in a vEGM sensed by the vLP when an atrial pacing pulse delivered by the aLP captures atrial tissue. The vLP senses a vEGM and compares a morphology of a portion of the sensed vEGM to the paced atrial activation morphology template to determine whether a match therebetween is detected. Additionally, the vLP determines whether atrial capture occurred or failed to occur (responsive to an atrial pacing pulse), based on whether the vLP detects a match between the morphology of a portion of the sensed vEGM and the paced atrial activation morphology template.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology relate to temperature sensors for using in an implantable medical device, and methods for use therewith. Such a method can include alternating between producing a first base-to-emitter voltage drop (VBE1) and a second base-to-emitter voltage drop (VBE2), and alternating between using a capacitor to store the VBE1, which is complimentary to absolute temperature (CTAT), and using the same capacitor to store a ?VBE=VBE2?VBE1, which is proportion to absolute temperature (PTAT). The method also includes using a sigma-delta modulator that includes the capacitor to produce a signal having a duty cycle (dc) indicative of the ?VBE stored using the capacitor, and producing a temperature measurement based on the signal having the duty cycle (dc) indicative of the ?VBE.

Abstract: An implantable system includes a first leadless pacemaker (LP1) implanted in or on a first chamber of a heart and a second leadless pacemaker (LP2) implanted in or on a second chamber of the heart. The LP1 is configured to time delivery of one or more pacing pulses delivered to the first chamber of the heart based on timing of cardiac activity associated with the second chamber of the heart detected by the LP1 itself. The LP1 is also configured to transmit implant-to-implant (i2i) messages to the LP2. The LP2 is configured to time delivery of one or more pacing pulses delivered to the second chamber of the heart based on timing of cardiac activity associated with the second chamber of the heart as determined based on one or more i2i messages received by the LP2 from the LP1.

Abstract: Techniques for calibrating a low frequency (LF) clock of an IMD are disclosed, wherein the IMD also includes a high frequency (HF) clock. This includes determining an average, or a surrogate thereof, of how many HF clock cycles of a HF clock signal (produced by the HF clock) occur per LF clock cycle of a predetermined number N of LF clock cycles of the LF clock signal (produced by the LF clock), wherein N is an integer that is at least 2. This also includes comparing the average or a surrogate thereof to a corresponding target value that the average or the surrogate thereof would be equal to if the frequency of the LF clock signal equaled a target frequency for the LF clock, wherein the corresponding target value need not be an integer. The LF clock is calibrated by adjusting the frequency thereof based on results of the comparing.

Abstract: An implantable system including an atrial leadless pacemaker (aLP) and a ventricular leadless pacemaker (vLP), and methods for use therewith, are configured or used to terminate a pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT). In an embodiment, in response to the aLP detecting a PMT, the aLP initiates a PMT PA interval, and the aLP does not inform the vLP, via an i2i communication, of an atrial sensed event that caused the PMT to be detected, thereby preventing the vLP from initiating a PV interval during the PMT PA interval. The aLP selectively terminates the PMT PA interval. Additionally, the aLP informs the vLP, via an i2i communication, of an intrinsic atrial event being detected during the PMT PA interval, or of an atrial paced event being performed in response to the PMT PA interval expiring without an intrinsic atrial event being detected during the PMT PA interval.

Abstract: Methods and devices include making an incision at a single site of a patient. The single site located at an anterior of a chest or abdomen. The method also includes inserting a tunneling tool through the incision at the single site and preparing a first tunnel to a subcutaneous posterior location. A path of the first tunnel at least one of i) extends over a plurality of Intercostal gaps of the chest or ii) extends along and within one of the intercostal gaps. The method also includes positioning a first lead having an electrode within the first tunnel and preparing a second tunnel to a subcutaneous parasternal location along the chest. The method also includes positioning a second lead having an electrode within the second tunnel and positioning a pulse generator within a subcutaneous pocket and operatively coupling the first and second leads to the pulse generator.

Abstract: Delivery of implantable active agent delivery components includes implanting a distal lead end of a lead into tissue at an implantation site. A delivery stylet is then inserted through a lead lumen of the lead. The delivery stylet includes a stylet body having a distal stylet end and an active agent delivery component detachably coupled to the distal stylet end. The active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site by extending the distal stylet end of the delivery stylet from a distal lead end of the lead such that the active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site. The active agent delivery component is then detached within the tissue at the implantation site and the delivery stylet may be retracted and removed from the lead lumen.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including a can, a feedthrough and an antenna assembly. The can includes a lead connector assembly, electronics, and a metal wall defining a hermetic sealed compartment. The electronics and lead connector assembly are located in the hermetic sealed compartment. The feedthrough extends through the metal wall between the hermetic sealed compartment and exterior the metal wall. The antenna assembly includes an antenna extending along the metal wall in a spaced-apart manner from the metal wall and encased in a dielectric material. The dielectric material occupies a space between the antenna and the metal wall. The antenna is electrically connected to the electronics via an RF conductor of the feedthrough.

Abstract: A method of screening a battery for failure mechanisms is provided. The method may include activating an electrochemical cell. Within 5 minutes to two hours of activating the cell, the open circuit voltage of the cell is measured over a period of time to determine a voltage versus time function. The cell is then screened for the presence of a failure mechanism by checking the voltage versus time function for a failure criteria.

Abstract: A battery includes a case having a feedthrough port, a feedthrough assembly disposed in the feedthrough port, and a cell stack disposed within the case. The feedthrough port includes an inner conductor and an insulator core separating the inner conductor from the case. The cell stack includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator insulating the anode from the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are offset from one another. An insulating boot surrounding the cell stack insulates the cell stack from the case. The insulating boot has an opening configured to receive therein the feedthrough assembly, which may include overmolded insulation. The interior surfaces and interior walls of the battery case may be thermal spray-coated with a dielectric material to prevent lithium dendrite formation between cathode and anode surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an implantable medical device which utilizes a patch antenna for communicating with an external device. The implantable medical device includes a housing, a header, and a patch antenna formed using an RF plate and a ground plate, which may be or include a metal surface of the housing. Also, a material of the header forms a dielectric of the patch antenna.

Abstract: A cathode subassembly for use in an electrolytic capacitor may include a first separator sheet including a surface having first and second regions, where the second region extends from a perimeter of the first region to a first peripheral edge of the first sheet, a second peripheral edge of a second sheet is substantially aligned with the first peripheral edge, a conductive foil is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and disposed within the first region, the first and second sheets are adhered to each other in a sealing region extending from the second region to a region of a surface of the second sheet facing the second region, and the first sheet includes at least one first recessed portion at the first peripheral edge aligned with at least one second recessed portion at the second peripheral edge of the second sheet.

Abstract: A capacitor and a method of processing an anode metal foil are presented. The method includes electrochemically etching the metal foil to form a plurality of tunnels. Next, the etched metal foil is disposed within a widening solution to widen the plurality of tunnels. Exposed surfaces of the etched metal foil are then oxidized. The method includes removing a section of the etched metal foil, where the section of the etched metal foil includes exposed metal along an edge. The section of the etched metal foil is placed into a bath comprising water to form a hydration layer over the exposed metal on the section of the etched metal foil. The method also includes assembling the section of the etched metal foil having the hydration layer as an anode within a capacitor.

Abstract: An implantable system including an atrial leadless pacemaker (aLP) and a ventricular leadless pacemaker (vLP), and methods for use therewith, are configured or used to terminate a pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT). One of the aLP or the vLP detects a PMT and informs the other one. The aLP initiates a PMT PA interval that is shorter than a PA interval that the aLP would otherwise use for atrial pacing if a PMT was not detected. The vLP initiates a PMT PV interval that is longer than the PMT PA interval. If an intrinsic atrial or ventricular event is detected before PMT PA interval or the PMT PV interval expires, then these intervals will be terminated, otherwise an atrial chamber will be paced if the PMT PA interval expires, and/or a ventricular chamber will be paced if the PMT PV interval expires. This should have the effect of terminating the PMT.

Abstract: Baseline BiV pacing is delivered and a corresponding baseline BiV efficacy score is determined. Intrinsic AV conduction is allowed and an intrinsic AV conduction interval is determined. BiV fusion pacing is delivered and a corresponding efficacy score is determined, for each of a plurality of different paced AV delays, each determined based on the intrinsic AV conduction interval and a different negative hysteresis delta. The baseline BiV pacing is selected for delivery during a period of time if the baseline BiV efficacy score is better than all of the efficacy scores. BiV fusion pacing is selected for delivery during the period of time, using one of the plurality of different paced AV delays for which a corresponding efficacy score was determined, if the efficacy score corresponding to at least one of the plurality of different paced AV delays is better than the baseline BiV efficacy score.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: A battery includes a case having a feedthrough port, a feedthrough assembly disposed in the feedthrough port, and a cell stack disposed within the case. The feedthrough port includes an inner conductor and an insulator core separating the inner conductor from the case. The cell stack includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator insulating the anode from the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are offset from one another. An insulating boot surrounding the cell stack insulates the cell stack from the case. The insulating boot has an opening configured to receive therein the feedthrough assembly, which may include overmolded insulation. The interior surfaces and interior walls of the battery case may be thermal spray-coated with a dielectric material to prevent lithium dendrite formation between cathode and anode surfaces.

Abstract: A battery includes a case having a feedthrough port, a feedthrough assembly disposed in the feedthrough port, and a cell stack disposed within the case. The feedthrough port includes an inner conductor and an insulator core separating the inner conductor from the case. The cell stack includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator insulating the anode from the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are offset from one another. An insulating boot surrounding the cell stack insulates the cell stack from the case. The insulating boot has an opening configured to receive therein the feedthrough assembly, which may include overmolded insulation. The interior surfaces and interior walls of the battery case may be thermal spray-coated with a dielectric material to prevent lithium dendrite formation between cathode and anode surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an implantable medical device which utilizes a patch antenna for communicating with an external device. The implantable medical device includes a housing, a header, and a patch antenna formed using an RF plate and a ground plate, which may be or include a metal surface of the housing. Also, a material of the header forms a dielectric of the patch antenna.