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: A method of fabricating a battery electrode includes forming a mixture including an electrode material and a binder; forming an electrode blank from the mixture; heating the electrode blank at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form an annealed electrode blank; and laminating the annealed electrode blank to a current collector. The current collector may include a conductive carbon coating. In such event, the method may further include heating the current collector at a selected temperature for a selected time prior to laminating the annealed electrode blank to the current collector.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided that collect intra-cardiac electrogram (EGM) signals over first and second sensing channels (channel-1 and channel-2 EGM signals, respectively) associated with an event of interest that includes a right ventricle (RV) and a left ventricle (LV), determine first, second and third global characteristics (GC) from the channel-1 and channel-2 EGM signals, and define a QRS start time within at least one of the EGM signals; and determine a threshold crossing. The methods and systems compare at least one of the first, second and third GC to the threshold crossing, select one of the first, second and third GC based on the comparing; defining a QRS end time, within at least one of the channel-1 and channel-2 EGM signals based on the one of the first, second and third GC selected, and calculate a QRS duration based on the QRS start time and QRS end time.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining heart arrhythmias based on cardiac activity that includes under control of one or more processors of an implantable medical device (IMD) configured with specific executable instructions to obtain far field cardiac activity (CA) signals at electrodes located remote from the heart, and obtain acceleration signatures, at an accelerometer of the IMD, indicative of heart sounds generated during the cardiac beats. The IMD is also configured with specific executable instructions to declare a candidate arrhythmia based on a characteristic of at least one R-R interval from the cardiac beats, and evaluate the acceleration signatures for ventricular events (VEs) to re-assess a presence or absence of at least one R-wave from the cardiac beats and based thereon confirming or denying the candidate arrhythmia.

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: 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: Devices and methods are provided for an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising a device housing having electronic components therein, a feedthrough assembly joined to the device housing, an antenna assembly, and a header body mounted to the device housing and enclosing the antenna assembly and feedthrough assembly. The antenna assembly including an inner conductor, a dielectric material, and an outer conductor arranged to form a coaxial structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices that are used for improving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are described herein. Such a method can include, for each set of pacing parameters, of a plurality of sets of pacing parameters, performing CRT using a set of pacing parameters and simultaneously therewith sensing a plurality of intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) using different combinations of implanted electrodes. Additionally, for each set of pacing parameters, of the plurality of sets of pacing parameters, the method includes producing a respective reconstructed multi-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the plurality of IEGMs that were sensed while CRT was performed using the set of pacing parameters. The method also includes analyzing the reconstructed multi-lead surface ECGs that were produced for the plurality of sets of pacing parameters, and based on results thereof, identifying a set of pacing parameters to be use for further CRT.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology described herein are directed to implantable systems for performing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), methods for use therewith, and leadless pacemakers for use therewith. Such a system can include a first leadless pacemaker configured to be implanted in or on the right atrial (RA) chamber and selectively pace the RA chamber, a second leadless pacemaker configured to be implanted in or on the right ventricular (RV) chamber and selectively pace the RV chamber, and a third leadless pacemaker configured to be implanted in or on the left ventricular (LV) chamber and selectively pace the LV chamber, wherein one of the leadless pacemaker is designated a master leadless pacemaker. In certain embodiments, the master leadless pacemaker determines a VV delay and an AV delay and coordinates CRT using such delays.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes enabling a communication capability of an IMD during a message alert period and monitoring for a message while the communication capability is enabled during the message alert period. In response to receiving a message during the message alert period, there is a determination whether the message is valid or invalid. If the message is invalid, the message is ignored, and an invalid message count is incremented. A further message is monitored for during the message alert period occurs, when the invalid message count has not yet reached a corresponding invalid message count threshold. The communication capability of the IMD is disabled for a disable period, when the invalid message count reaches the corresponding invalid message count threshold. If a valid message is received, the IMD acts upon information included therein.

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 uses at least two of its electrodes to transmit and receive implant-to-implant (i2i) messages to and from the LP2. During one or more periods of time, the LP1 times delivery of pacing pulse(s) 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. During one or more further periods of time, the LP1 times delivery of pacing pulse(s) to the first 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 LP1 from the LP2.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes using an accelerometer of an IMD (e.g., a leadless pacemaker) to produce one or more accelerometer outputs indicative of the orientation of the IMD. The method can also include controlling communication pulse parameter(s) of one or more communication pulses (produced by pulse generator(s)) based on accelerometer output(s) indicative of the orientation of the IMD. The communication pulse parameter(s) that is/are controlled can be, e.g., communication pulse amplitude, communication pulse width, communication pulse timing, and/or communication pulse morphology. Such embodiments can be used to improve conductive communications between IMDs whose orientation relative to one another may change over time, e.g., due to changes in posture and/or due to cardiac motion over a cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling non-paresthesia stimulation of neural tissue of a patient. The method delivers a non-paresthesia stimulation waveform, senses sensory action potential (SAP) signals from the neural tissue of interest and analyzes the SAP signals to obtain SAP activity data for at least one of an SAP C-fiber component or an SAP A-delta fiber component. The method determines whether the SAP activity data satisfies a criteria of interest and adjusts at least one of the therapy parameters to change the non-paresthesia stimulation waveform when the SAP activity data does not satisfy the criteria of interest.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems that monitor heart rate and/or for arrhythmic episodes based on sensed intervals that can include true R-R intervals as well as over-sensed R-R intervals. True R-R intervals are initially identified from an ordered list of the sensed intervals by comparing individual sensed intervals to a sum of an immediately preceding two intervals, and/or an immediately following two intervals. True R-R intervals are also identified by comparing sensed intervals to a mean or median of durations of sensed intervals already identified as true R-R intervals. Individual intervals in a remaining ordered list of sensed intervals (from which true R-R intervals have been removed) are classified as either a short interval or a long interval, and over-sensed R-R intervals are identified based on the results thereof. Such embodiments can be used, e.g., to reduce the reporting of and/or inappropriate responses to false positive tachycardia detections.

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: Methods, devices and program products are provided. The method is under control of one or more processors within an implantable medical device (IMD), obtains cardiac signals that comprise candidate episodes over a period of time and updates an episode count and episode density clock based on the candidate episodes within the period of time. Further, the method determines whether the candidate episodes are indicative of a ventricular storm arrhythmia based on the episode count and episode density clock, identifies a storm origin characteristic of interest preceding onset of the candidate episodes and directs the IMD to perform a storm intervention based on the identifying operation.

Abstract: A catheter system for retrieving a leadless cardiac pacemaker from a patient is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include a docking or retrieval feature configured to be grasped by the catheter system. In some embodiments, the retrieval catheter can include a snare configured to engage the retrieval feature of the pacemaker. The retrieval catheter can include a torque shaft selectively connectable to a docking cap and be configured to apply rotational torque to a pacemaker to be retrieved. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker with the delivery system are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for accelerating confirmation of cardiac arrhythmias is provided. The system includes memory to store specific executable instructions. One or more processors are configured to execute the specific executable instructions for obtaining a far field cardiac activity (CA) data set that includes far field CA signals for a series of beats. The CA data set includes a first CA data subset and a remainder CA data subset. The system analyzes the CA data set for an arrhythmia of interest utilizing a primary detection process having primary criteria. During a first phase of the primary detection process the system analyzes the first CA data subset to determine whether the first CA data subset satisfies at least a portion of the primary criteria. When the first CA data subset satisfies at least the portion of the primary criteria, the system initiates a secondary confirmation process.