Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) that includes a transceiver configured to broadcast an advertising data packet that includes a unique identifier, and to receive a scan request data packet from an external device. A memory stores program instructions, and stores an approved device list, and one or more processors are configured to execute the program instructions to identify a device identifier (ID) from the scan request data packet received, apply an advertising filter to determine if the scan request data packet is from an authorized external device based on the device ID and the approved device list, based on the determination by the advertising filter, deny transmission of a scan response data packet from the transceiver when the advertising filter determines that the scan request data packet is from an unauthorized external device, and establish a communication session with an authorized external device independent of the scan request data packet.

Abstract: A blade for a cutting instrument includes a handle, a body, and at least three cutting edges along the body. The body has first and second sides extending along a longitudinal center axis. The body has a proximal end at the handle and a distal tip remote from the handle. The at least three cutting edges are oriented at corresponding angles with respect to the longitudinal center axis and are asymmetrically distributed with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: An atrial leadless pacemaker (aLP), of a dual chamber leadless pacemaker system that also includes a ventricular leadless pacemaker (vLP), senses intrinsic atrial events and for each intrinsic atrial event that is sensed determines a respective atrial-to-atrial interval (AA interval) that corresponds to a duration between the intrinsic atrial event and an immediately preceding intrinsic atrial event. Additionally, the aLP, based on the determined AA intervals, selectively transmits and selectively abstains from transmitting atrial event messages to the vLP. When the aLP abstains from transmitting atrial event messages to the vLP, the aLP conserves power thereby increasing its longevity. The aLP can also be configured to operate in a similar manner for paced atrial events, to further conserve power. The vLP utilizes its VV interval timer to determine when to deliver ventricular stimulation, during those times that the aLP abstains from transmitting atrial event messages to the vLP.

Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes forming conduits in a porous layer of material. The porous layer of material has particles that each includes a dielectric on a core. The formation of the conduits causes a portion of the dielectric to convert from a first phase to a second phase. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the second phase of the dielectric from the porous layer of material.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein can reduce a burden associated with analyzing EGM segments obtained from an IMD that monitors for arrhythmic episodes. Respective EGM data and respective classification data is obtained for each arrhythmic episode detected by the IMD during a period of time. A representative R-R interval or HR for each of the arrhythmic episodes is also obtained, wherein a manner for determining the representative R-R interval or HR depends on the type of the arrhythmic episode, such that for at least two different types of arrhythmic episodes the manners differ. One or more arrhythmic episodes is/are selected for which corresponding EGM segments are to be displayed for each type of arrhythmic episode, wherein the selecting is performed based on the representative R-R intervals or HRs that are determined for the plurality of arrhythmic episodes. Additional and alternative embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an IMD configured to communicate with another IMD and/or an external device using conducted communication. The fully-differential receiver has a pair of inputs, a pair of outputs, and a plurality of active stages therebetween. The pair of inputs of the fully-differential receiver are coupled to electrodes of the IMD. The fully-differential receiver is configured to operate in first and second modes. When operating in the first mode, the fully-differential receiver draws a first amount of current and is configured to monitor for a wakeup signal within a first frequency range. When operating in the second mode, the fully-differential receiver draws a second amount of current that is higher than the first amount of current, and is configured to receive one or more message content pulses within a second frequency range that is higher than the first frequency range.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided that receive, at an implantable medical device (IMD), a programming package comprising a collection of configuration change requests, transaction credentials, and a signature indicative of a source of the programming package. The transaction credentials include a first hash of the collection of configuration change requests. The IMD validates an external device as the source by decrypting the signature using a key that is uniquely associated with the external device. The IMD verifies the transaction credentials and the configuration change requests of the programming package, and generates a second hash of the collection of configuration change requests. Responsive to both (i) the second hash matching the first hash and (ii) the transaction credentials and the configuration change requests being verified, the IMD executes the collection of configuration change requests to update an operating configuration of the IMD.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring heart function based on heart sounds (HS) is provided. The system includes electrodes configured to sense electrical cardiac activity (CA) signals over a period of time. An HS sensor is configured to sense HS signals over the period of time. The system includes memory to store specific executable instructions and includes one or more processors that, when executing the specific executable instructions, is configured to: identify a characteristic of interest (COI) of a heartbeat from the CA signals. The processors overlay a HS search window onto an HS segment of the HS signals based on the COI from the CA signals and calculate a center of mass (COM) for at least one of S1 or S2 HS based on the HS segment of the HS signals within the search window to obtain a corresponding at least one of S1 COM or S2 COM.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for identifying false R-R intervals, and false arrhythmia detections, resulting from R-wave undersensing or intermittent AV conduction block. Each of one or more of the R-R intervals is classified as being a false R-R interval in response to a duration the R-R interval being greater than a first specific threshold, and the duration the R-R interval being within a second specified threshold of being an integer multiple of at least X other R-R intervals for which information is obtained, wherein the integer multiple is at least 2, and wherein X is a specified integer that is 1 or greater. When performed for R-R intervals in a window leading up to a detection of a potential arrhythmic episode, results of the classifying can be used to determine whether the potential arrhythmic episode was a false positive detection.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing implantable electronic devices include forming an antenna of the implantable electronic device by delivering an antenna trace within a dielectric antenna body. The antenna trace includes a first trace portion disposed in a first transverse layer and defining a first trace path and a second trace portion disposed in a second transverse layer longitudinally offset from the first transverse layer and defining a second trace path. If projected to be coplanar, the first trace path defines a trace boundary and the second trace path is within the trace boundary.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator includes a housing, and distal and proximal electrodes disposed on or integrated into the housing. The distal electrode includes an electrode body and an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, wherein the electrode tip is electrically conductive and configured to be placed in contact with a stimulation site. The electrode tip includes a distal tip end facing a surrounding environment and opposite a proximal tip end. The electrode tip defines a tip hole extending through the electrode tip along a longitudinal axis of the housing from the distal tip end to the proximal tip end. The tip hole comprises a through hole having a first diameter at the distal tip end and a second diameter at the proximal tip end of the tip electrode, wherein the first diameter of the tip hole is less than the second diameter of the tip hole.

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: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems that improve arrhythmia episode detection specificity, such as, but not limited to, atrial fibrillation (AF) episode detection specificity. Such a method can include obtaining an ordered list of R-R intervals within a window leading up to a detection of a potential arrhythmia episode, determining a measure of a dominant repeated R-R interval pattern within the window, and comparing the measure of the dominant repeated R-R interval pattern to a pattern threshold. If the measure of the dominant repeated R-R interval pattern is below the pattern threshold, that is indicative of a regularly irregular pattern being present, and there is a determination that the detection of the potential arrhythmia episode does not correspond to an actual arrhythmia episode. Such embodiments can beneficially be used to significantly reduce the number of false positive arrhythmia detections.

Abstract: Methods and systems for terminating a pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT) are described herein. During a period that a PMT is not detected, an implantable system delivers an atrial pacing pulse to an atrial cardiac chamber in response to a PA interval expiring without an intrinsic atrial event being detected during the PA interval. The systems performs atrial sensing to thereby monitor for intrinsic atrial events in the atrial cardiac chamber, performs ventricular sensing to thereby monitor for intrinsic ventricular events in a ventricular cardiac chamber, and detects the PMT. Additionally, the system, in response to the PMT being detected, initiates a PMT PA interval that is shorter than the PA interval that the system would otherwise use for atrial pacing if the PMT was not detected.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving conductive communication are described herein. One of the devices involved in the conductive communication can be an external device while the other device is an IMD, or both of the devices can be IMDs. In certain embodiments, a preferred conductive communication vector for use is identified based on obtained information indicative of the at least one of a physical or physiologic state of the patient within which an IMD is implanted.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving conductive communication are described herein. One of the devices involved in the conductive communication can be an external device while the other device is an IMD, or both of the devices can be IMDs. In certain embodiments, each of at least three different conductive communication vectors are used to produce a respective bitstream, and a valid bit stream is selected or produced based on the at least three bitstreams. Message data included in and/or decoded from the valid bitstream is then stored and/or used.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems are provided that comprise, under control of one or more processors of a medical device, where the one or more processors are configured with specific executable instructions. The methods and systems include sensing circuitry configured to define a sensing channel to collect biological signals, memory configured to store program instructions, a processor configured to implement the program instructions to at least one of analyze the biological signals, manage storage of the biological signals or deliver a therapy, and communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other implantable or external device, the communication circuitry configured to transition between a sleep state, a partial awake state and a fully awake state.

Abstract: A system and method have at least one implantable lead comprising a right ventricular (RV) electrode and one or more left ventricular (LV) electrodes, at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory stores program instructions.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein, wherein a first implantable medical device (IMD) uses normal conductive communication to transmit message(s) intended for a second IMD, during a first period of time that a first trigger event is not detected. The first IMD, in response to detecting the first trigger event, starts a timer or counter and transitions to using boosted conductive communication to transmit one or more messages intended for the second IMD during a second period of time. In response to the first IMD either detecting a second trigger event, or detecting based on the timer or counter that a specified amount of time or cardiac cycles elapsed since the timer or counter was started, the first IMD transitions back to using normal conductive communication to transmit one or more messages intended for the second IMD during a third period of time. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: For use by an implantable system including a first and second leadless pacemakers (LPs) implanted, respectively, in first and second cardiac chambers, a method comprises storing, within memory of the first LP, a paced activation morphology template corresponding to far-field signal components expected to be present in an EGM sensed by the first LP when a pacing pulse delivered to the second cardiac chamber by the second LP captures the second cardiac chamber. The method also includes the first LP comparing a morphology of a portion of an EGM sensed by the first LP to the paced activation morphology template to determine whether a match therebetween is detected, and determining whether capture of the second cardiac chamber occurred or failed to occur, based on whether the first LP detects a match between the morphology of the portion of the EGM and the paced activation morphology template.