Abstract: Provided herein are implantable systems that include an implantable photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which can be used to obtain an arterial PPG waveform. In an embodiment, a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform is determined, and a metric of an initial portion of the arterial PPG waveform is determined, and a surrogate of mean arterial pressure is determined based on the metric of the terminal portion and the metric of the initial portion. In another embodiment, a surrogate of diastolic pressure is determined based on a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform. In a further embodiment, a surrogate of cardiac afterload is determined based on a metric of a terminal portion of an arterial PPG waveform.

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: The present disclosure provides systems and related methods for reducing noise and interference in communications between an external device and implantable medical devices. The external device comprises an isolated switching power supply that includes a transformer separating a non-isolated side from an isolated side of the power supply. The transformer includes a primary winding on the non-isolated side, the primary winding extending between a primary winding upper end and a primary winding lower end, and a secondary winding on the isolated side, the secondary winding extending between a secondary winding upper end and a secondary winding lower end. The power supply further includes a high-frequency switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the primary winding lower end to a ground, wherein the primary winding is electrically coupled to a supply voltage at an intermediate point between the primary winding upper end and the primary winding lower end.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing a bi-directional communication link with an implantable medical device. The systems and methods include an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external instrument configured to establish a wireless bi-directional communication link there between over a wireless protocol. The wireless bi-directional communication link is established based on a scanning interval. The external instrument includes one or more processors electrically coupled to a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a memory device. The one or more processors are configured to define the scanning interval based on an advertising schedule received from the IMD.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use with an implantable medical device for assessing stroke volume or related cardiac function parameters such as cardiac output based on impedance signals obtained using hybrid impedance configurations that exploit a multi-pole cardiac pacing/sensing lead implanted near the left ventricle. In one example, current is injected between a large and stable reference electrode and a ring electrode in the RV. The reference electrode may be, e.g., a coil electrode implanted within the superior vena cava (SVC). Impedance values are measured along a set of different sensing vectors between the reference electrode and each of the electrodes of the multi-pole LV lead. Stroke volume is then estimated and tracked within the patient using the impedance values. In this manner, a hybrid impedance detection configuration is exploited whereby one vector is used to inject current and other vectors are used to measure impedance.

Abstract: In one example, a leadless implantable medical device (LIMD) generates a cathodal stimulation pulse with anodal recharge for delivery to patient heart tissues using the tip electrode and the anode electrode. The LIMD then verifies capture of the cathodal stimulation pulse and, if capture is not verified, delivers a cathodal backup stimulation pulse with anodal recharge using the tip electrode and the anode electrode. Automatic capture verification is thereby provided within an LIMD to allow for a reduction in the magnitude of stimulation pulses and to extend the lifetime of the device. In one particular example, the anode is a middle portion of a cylindrical case with a surface area sufficient to prevent anodal stimulation. Other portions of the case are coated with an electrically insulating material to render those portions substantially electrically inert. A voltage halver may be used to further reduce power consumption.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for correlating measurement in neurostimulation systems. A neurostimulation system includes a first sensor configured to acquire movement measurements for a subject, a second sensor configured to acquire neural measurements for the subject, and a computing device communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors. The computing device is configured to receive a movement signal from the first sensor, and receive a neural signal from the second sensor, wherein one of the movement signal and the neural signal is a trigger signal and the other of the movement signal and the neural signal is a signal of interest. The computing device is further configured to detect at least one trigger event in the trigger signal, and use the signal of interest based on the at least one trigger event.

Abstract: A system and method for performing deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy are provided. The method and system include pre-operatively acquiring at least one pre-operative image of the brain with at least one imaging sub-system and determining a location of a Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) for therapy in the at least one pre-operative image, and intra-operatively acquiring at least one intra-operative image of the brain after obtaining an access opening through the skull. The method and system further provide performing surgical planning based on the pre-operative image in the intra-operative image, advancing a lead having DBS electrodes on the lead to a target position proximate to or within the NBM area, and coupling the lead to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) configured to deliver DBS pulses through the DBS electrodes to the NBM. Further, the IPG is configured to deliver DBS pulses for treating symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are presented for cleaning the tunnels of an electrochemically etched anode foil. The apparatus includes a tank, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and one or more tranducers. The tank is designed to receive a plurality of cartridges, each of the plurality of cartridges having a reservoir and being designed to hold a metal foil. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet are coupled with at least one of the plurality of cartridges, and are designed to introduce and expel, respectively, a liquid from the reservoir within at least one of the plurality of cartridges. The one or more transducers are coupled to at least one wall of each reservoir, the one or more transducers being designed to sonicate the liquid within each reservoir at a frequency less than 300 Hz.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a grip sensor for quantifying pain experienced by a patient during spinal cord stimulation (SCS). The grip sensor includes an electronics enclosure, an annular outer shell substantially surrounding the electronics enclosure and sized to be held by the patient, a pressure sensor embedded in the outer shell and communicatively coupled to the electronics enclosure, the pressure sensor configured to measure a grip strength of the patient as SCS is applied to the patient, and a plurality of galvanic skin response sensors communicatively coupled to the electronics enclosure and configured to measure an electrical impedance of the skin of the patient as SCS is applied to the patient.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining the mechanical activation of a region of interest. The system and method include using a triangulation technique algorithm to generate at least one triangle within a region of interest, wherein the triangle is formed from map points acquired from an intravascular mapping tool. The system and method further include calculating an area strain for each triangle, determining abnormal areas of the region of interest, and excluding triangles that include the abnormal area. Further, the system and method include determining a mechanical activation time for the region of interest based on the remaining triangles.

Abstract: A battery includes an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The cathode includes a current collector having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first material layer comprising sub-fluorinated carbon fluoride (CFx), and a second material layer comprising silver vanadium oxide (SVO) bonded to the first material layer. The first material layer comprising CFx may also be bonded to a third material layer comprising SVO, and the third material layer is bonded to the first surface of the current collector.

Abstract: Methods are presented that includes replacing oven depolarization of a foil with a sonic vibration process for stressing the oxide. The method includes electrochemically etching the metal foil to form a plurality of tunnels in the metal foil and forming an oxide on a surface of the metal foil. The method further includes applying sonic vibration to the metal foil to induce stress fractures in the oxide, and reforming the oxide to heal at least a portion of the stress fractures.

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: A method for patterning a metal substrate includes a series of surface treatments to control tunnel initiation at a micron or sub-micron level. In particular, the series of surface treatments include forming a hydration layer which acts as a mask while etching the surface of the metal substrate. The hydration layer mask enables control of the tunnel initiation on a micron or sub-micron level because the etching does not undercut the interface between the metal substrate and the hydration layer. As a result, the tunnels can be initiated in an orthogonal direction and closer together, thereby increasing the tunnel density.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for assembling a subassembly for use in manufacturing an implantable device header. A method includes placing a first split web into a top platen, placing a second split web into a bottom platen, placing a conductor assembly and an antenna assembly in the bottom platen on top of the second split web, compressing the top and bottom platens together, heating the top and bottom platens until a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure are reached, such that first split web is fused to the second split web to form the subassembly, separating the top and bottom platens, and removing the formed subassembly.

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 capacitor and methods of processing an anode metal foil are presented. The capacitor includes a housing, one or more anodes disposed within the housing, one or more cathodes disposed within the housing, one or more separators disposed between an adjacent anode and cathode, and an electrolyte disposed around the one or more anodes, one or more cathodes, and one or more separators within the housing. The one or more anodes each include a metal foil that includes a first plurality of tunnels through a thickness of the metal foil in a first ordered arrangement, the first ordered arrangement being a close packed hexagonal array arrangement, and having a first diameter, and a second plurality of tunnels through the thickness of the metal foil having a second ordered arrangement and a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: Example implantable cardiac electrotherapy leads are disclosed herein. In an example, a lead may include a plurality of cable conductors within an insulating jacket. A first one and a second one of the conductors include a proximal end at a proximal end of the jacket, the second conductor extends to at least the distal end of the jacket, and the first conductor includes a distal end at an intermediate location between the proximal end and the distal end of the jacket. The lead may also include a crimp connector connected to the first one of the cable conductors at the intermediate location, as well as a conductive element that may be connected to the crimp connector. A number of conductors along the proximal portion of the jacket may be greater than a number of conductors along at least a segment of the distal portion of the jacket.

Abstract: The device includes radio frequency (RF) communication components installed within a case of the device and an antenna with an inverted E shape mounted within a header of the device. The antenna has three branches extending from a main arm: a capacitive branch connecting one end of the main arm to the case; an RF signal feed branch connecting a middle portion of the main arm to the internal RF components of the device via a feedthrough; and an inductive branch connecting the opposing (far) end of the main arm to the case to provide a shunt to ground.