Abstract: A cardiac pacing system comprising one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers configured for implantation in electrical contact with a cardiac chamber and configured to perform cardiac pacing functions in combination with a co-implanted implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The leadless cardiac pacemaker comprises at least two leadless electrodes configured for delivering cardiac pacing pulses, sensing evoked and/or natural cardiac electrical signals, and bidirectionally communicating with the co-implanted ICD.

Abstract: An exemplary method for treating obesity includes an pulse generator configured to deliver electrical energy to a vagal nerve, one or more sensors configured to detect pre-prandial activity and, in response to the detection of pre-prandial activity, a pulse generator configured to deliver electrical energy to the stomach to induce satiety. Various other technologies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing cardiac function. The method and system comprise collecting cardiac signals associated with electrical or mechanical behavior of a heart over at least one cardiac cycle; identifying a timing feature of interest (FOI) from the cardiac signals; collecting dynamic impedance (DI) data over at least one cardiac cycle (CC), designated by the timing FOI, along at least one of i) a venous return (VR) vector or ii) a right ventricular function (RVF) vector; and analyzing at least one morphologic characteristic from the DI data based on at least one of i) a VR-DI correlation metric to obtain a VR indicator associated with the CC or ii) a RVF-DI correlation metric to obtain a RVF indicator associated with CC.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for assigning map points to anatomical segments of a heart. The method and system utilize an intravascular mapping tool configured to be inserted into at least one of the endocardial or epicardial space. The mapping tool is maneuvered to select locations proximate to surfaces of the heart, while collecting map points at the select locations to form a ROI data set. The method and system store the ROI data set in a data storage and defines apical, basal and circumferential landmarks within the ROI data set. The method and system automatically calculate circumferential and longitudinal segment boundaries, associated with wall segments of the heart, based on the apical, basal and circumferential landmarks. The method and system automatically assign segment identifiers (IDs) to the map points based on locations of the map points relative to the circumferential and longitudinal boundaries, the segment IDs associated with wall segments of the heart.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a three dimensional visualization of cardiac motion. The method and system obtain point specific (PS) motion data for a plurality of map points. The PS motion data indicates an amount of motion that occurred at the corresponding map point on a wall of the heart during at least one cardiac cycle. The method and system determine three dimensional (3D) positions of the map points during the cardiac cycle based on the PS motion data and select a set of 3D positions based on a frame rate. The method and system further generate 3D visualizations for each selected set of 3D positions.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for calculating a strain from characterization motion data. The method and system utilize an intravascular mapping tool configured to be inserted into at least one of the endocardial or epicardial space. The mapping tool is maneuvered to select locations proximate to surfaces of the heart, while collecting map points at the select locations to form a point cloud data set during at least one cardiac cycle. The method and system further include automatically assigning segment identifiers (IDs) to the map points based on a position of the map point within the point cloud data set. The method and system further select a first and second reference from a group of map points. Further, the method and system calculate a linear strain based on an instantaneous distance and a reference distance between the first and second references.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing motion data. The method and system obtain point specific (PS) motion data for a plurality of map points. The PS motion data indicates an amount of motion that occurred at the corresponding map point on a wall of the heart during at least one cardiac cycle. The method and system, calculate mechanical activation times (MAT) for the map points, identifying a group of neighbor map points for a current map point, and modifying the MAT corresponding to the current map point based on the MATs corresponding to at least a portion of the group of neighboring map points. Further, the method and system repeat the identifying and modifying operations for at least a subset of the map points.

Abstract: Specific embodiments of the present invention determine a range of a physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the range. Other embodiments determine a minimum of a physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the minimum. Still other embodiments determine a maximum of the physiologic property, for each of a plurality of periods of time, and monitor changes in the patient's heart disease based on changes in the maximum.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for neurostimulation. The method includes applying electrical stimulation to a patient using a paddle lead that includes a plurality of electrodes, acquiring local impedances associated with at least some of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the local impedances are indicative of electrode-tissue contact and effectiveness of the electrical stimulation, transmitting the local impedances data to a computing device, and processing the local impedances data using the computing device to adjust the amplitude of stimulations and electrode configurations, and monitor electrode-tissue contact status over time.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker for pacing a heart of a human includes a hermetic housing and at least two electrodes on or near the hermetic housing. The at least two electrodes are configured to deliver energy to stimulate the heart and to transfer information to or from at least one external device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for removing, from an implant chamber of a heart, a leadless implantable medical device (LIMD) having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is configured to be actively secured to tissue in the implant chamber of the heart. The proximal end is configured to be coupled to a distal end of an indwelling retrieval mechanism (IRM). The IRM extends from the heart along a vessel, the IRM having a proximal end configured to be anchored at a temporary anchor site. The method comprises detaching the IRM from the anchor site, loading a retrieval tool over the proximal end of the IRM and along the body of the IRM. The retrieval tool has a lumen therein that receives the IRM as the retrieval tool re-enters the vessel, thereby allowing the retrieval tool to engage the LIMD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electro-mechanical stability, and responding to the same. One or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of a patient's heart is obtained, as is one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of the patient's heart, and the patient's myocardial mechanical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. Based on both the myocardial electrical stability and myocardial mechanical stability, the patient's risk of an adverse cardiac event is monitored. Further, when the patient is at risk of an adverse cardiac event, a response is triggered that is specific to both the myocardial electrical stability and the myocardial mechanical stability.

Abstract: In specific embodiments, a method for estimating central arterial blood pressure (CBP), comprises determining a time t1 from a predetermined feature of a signal indicative of electrical activity to a predetermined feature of one of a first and second signals, the time t1 being a first pulse arrival time (PAT1) indicative of how long it takes a pulse wave to travel from the aorta to one of a first and second sites, determining a time t2, the time t2 being a second pulse arrival time (PAT2) indicative of how long it takes a pulse wave to travel from the aorta to the other of the first and second sites, and (f) estimating the patient's central arterial blood pressure (CBP) based on the first pulse arrival time (PAT1) and the second pulse arrival time (PAT2).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The method may include: providing a lead body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrode near the distal end; provide a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends; providing a crimp including a ribbon-like member and extending the ribbon-like member around the conductor; and mechanically and electrically connecting the ribbon-like member to the electrode.

Abstract: A protective patch or bandage is provided for use with an implantable trial neurostimulation lead for implant within a patient. In one example, the lead is routed through the patch to a trial neurostimulation generator. In another example, the patch includes an internal electrical connector for connecting the trial neurostimulation lead to a connection line from the trial neurostimulation generator. In either case, the patch is sealed over an implant site to protect and hygienically isolate the site. A central chamber of the patch is provided to hold medical gauze and to further hold a coiled portion of the neurostimulation lead. In some examples, the patient can shower while wearing the protective patch.

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: An implantable device and method for monitoring changes in the risk of arrhythmia induced by medications. The implantable device monitors risk of arrhythmia by analyzing an aspect of T-wave morphology to generate a metric of transmural dispersion of repolarization (“TDR”) as a proxy for the risk of arrhythmia. The implantable device generates an index of change in the risk of arrhythmia by comparing values of the metric of TDR obtained for different time periods. The implantable device generates a warning if the change in risk of arrhythmia is outside acceptable limits. The implantable device can also communicate with other devices to correlate changes in risk of arrhythmia with medications taken by the patient.

Abstract: Exemplary techniques, devices, and systems relating to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and IMD features pertaining to imaging and charge induction are described. One IMD includes means for receiving a first signal relating to a magnetic resonance imaging process. The IMD further includes means for generating a second signal effective to reduce or cancel charge induced upon a lead of the IMD by the magnetic resonance imaging process.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use with a trial neurostimulation device having a lead for implant within a patient. In one example, neurostimulation is delivered using the lead while an indication of patient pain is detected. Various functions of the trial device are then controlled in response to patient pain, such as by adjusting neurostimulation control parameters to improve pain reduction, recording diagnostic information representative of patient pain or transmitting such parameters to a separate external instrument for analysis. In this manner, patient pain is automatically detected to provide objective feedback as to the efficacy of trial neurostimulation. Various embodiments of flexible trial neurostimulation device patches are described herein, including patches that are adhesively mounted over the point of entry of the trial lead into the patient, thus providing a comfortable patch that hygienically isolates the point of entry of the lead.

Abstract: A method for performing deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy may include determining a location of a target area of a brain, forming a burr hole through a skull of a patient based on the location the target area, positioning one or more reference members on or within the brain through the burr hole, and acquiring at least one image of the brain having the one or more reference members with at least one imaging sub-system.