Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having a brain-localizing activity, molecules comprising these polypeptides, and pharmaceutical agents that confer brain-localizing activity. The present inventors are the first to reveal amino acid motif sequences involved in brain-localizing activity. Polypeptides that comprise such motif sequences and have brain localizing activity were discovered as follows: DNAs encoding polypeptides comprising random amino acid sequences were synthesized, and incorporated into a phage library. The phage library produced was used to screen for polypeptides having brain-localized activity, which yielded such several polypeptides. These polypeptides comprised common sequences, which lead to the successful discovery of amino acid motif sequences involved in brain-localizing activity.

Abstract: The inventive implantable Doppler tomography system allows, for the first time, the use of Doppler shift for purposes of tracking cardiac wall motion. The present inventive Doppler tomography system methods and devices provide a critical new tool in the physician's armamentarium which provides accurate, real time monitoring of the mechanical performance of the heart.

Abstract: Methods of using electrodes to obtain physiological location motion data are provided. Embodiments of the methods include producing an electrode from a broadcasting electrode that is proximal to the physiological location of interest and detecting a change in an induced electric potential at a receiving electrode to obtain the motion data of interest. Also provided are systems and components thereof, e.g., programming, for practicing methods according to embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Devices and methods for evaluating motion of a tissue location, such as cardiac tissue location, e.g., heart wall, are provided. Devices employed in the subject methods are fiberoptic tissue motion sensors that include a light guide having a reflective element at its distal end and a light emitter/detector at its proximal end. In embodiments of the methods, a signal obtained from reflective element stably associated with the tissue location of interest is employed to evaluate movement of the tissue location. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new mechanical sensor approach to maneuvering catheters and other cardiac devices into blood outlets, with particular application to maneuvering cardiac devices into the coronary sinus and beyond. Additionally, the inventive sensing device provides assessment of the viability of branching veins and other potential device sites, such as within the coronary venous system.

Abstract: Implantable pressure sensors and methods for making and using the same are provided. A feature of embodiments of the subject pressure sensors is that they are low-drift sensors. The subject sensors find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for enhancing cardiac pacing generally provide for measuring at least one cardiac characteristic, calculating at least one cardiac performance parameter based on the measured characteristic(s), and adjusting at least one functional parameter of a cardiac pacing device. Devices may include at least one catheter (such as a multiplexed catheter with one or more sensors and/or actuators), at least one implant (such as a sensor implantable in a heart wall), or a combination of both. Various cardiac performance parameters and/or pacing device performance parameters may be weighted, and the parameters and their respective weights may be used to determine one or more adjustments to be made to the pacing device. In some instances, the adjustments are made automatically.

Abstract: Implantable cardiac motion powered piezoelectric energy sources are provided. An aspects of embodiments of the subject implantable energy sources is that they include a piezoelectric transducer that converts cardiac mechanical energy to electrical energy. The subject energy sources find use in a variety of applications, including providing power to a wide range of implantable devices.

Abstract: Ligation-mediated method of recombining polynucleotides in vitro. Polynucleotides from a library are fragmented and the fragments are hybridized to an assembly template. The hybridized fragments are iteratively re-hybridized and ligated until the ends of the hybridized fragments are adjacent to the ends of other hybridized fragments on the assembly template. A final ligation produces recombined polynucleotides.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: Brain-localizing polypeptides carrying a reactive group for linking to a molecule that does not have brain-localizing activity were successfully produced by introducing at least two lysine residues into cyclized polypeptides having a brain-localizing motif sequence. These polypeptides have improved metabolic stability compared to conventional brain-localizing polypeptides, and can efficiently translocate desired molecules into the brain.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can be used in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method for producing a durable electromagnetic and radio frequency interference shield between two or more structural members of a wall or enclosure and a shielded shelter produced using the method. In one embodiment, joints between structural members are preferably filled with an electrically conductive filler. A base coat of a metal spray that adheres well to the filler and structural member is then applied. At least one layer of a metal spray with magnetic field attenuation properties such as steel, and at least one layer of a metal spray that has plane wave attenuation properties such as tin are applied to the base coat. Optionally, a coat of protective or conductive paint is then applied to the top surface of the metal spray layers. An enclosure with shielded joints according to the present invention has superior shielding capability and durability over the art.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.