Abstract: A pacing lead having a lead body comprising a hollow sheath by a first lumen and an extension body extending from the lead body, the extension body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having an active lead region. The extension is traversed by a second lumen, the second lumen communicating with the first lumen of the lead body so as to receive a guide wire for the implantation of the lead. The extension has an outside diameter of between 1 and 3 French. The extension distal end comprises at least one electrically isolated peripheral conductor electrically insulated except for at least two denuded areas on an outer surface of the conductor to contact a wall of a target vein, so as to form a network of stimulation electrodes electrically connected together. The lead body proximal end includes an electrical connection for the peripheral conductor.

Abstract: This device includes a sensor of endocardiac acceleration EA and one or more circuits configured for: extracting from the EA signal a predetermined EA parameter, determining a period of sleep, evaluating the clinical condition of the patient based on the EA parameter variations on this sleep period, and issuing an alert of worsening of the patient's condition. The device further determines a variability index of the EA parameter on the sleep period, and then calculates a ratio between this calculated variability index and a reference value, and delivers this ratio as a clinical status index. The alert signal is generated by the crossing by this ratio of a predetermined alert threshold.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device includes digital processor circuits configured to sense right and left atrial depolarizations and deliver left atrial stimulation pulses according to a stimulation protocol. The stimulation protocol includes delivering a left atrial stimulation pulse at an inter-atrial coupling interval. The inter-atrial coupling interval is a coupling interval shorter than the sinus rhythm coupling interval, so as to deliver a premature pulse. The protocol further includes delivering a not premature left-atrial stimulation pulse during an immediately subsequent cardiac cycle, at an inter-atrial coupling interval corresponding to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. The protocol also includes assessing the right atrial coupling interval between the right atrial depolarizations and comparing the right atrial coupling interval to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. And finally, modifying an adjustable controlling parameters if necessary according to the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A device includes a hemodynamic sensor measuring blood flow in the left chambers of a myocardium, at least one motion sensor measuring a displacement of the walls of the left ventricle of the myocardium, a first analysis module determining a time of closure of the aortic valve based on a signal of the hemodynamic sensor, a second analysis module determining a time of peak contraction of the left ventricle based on a signal from the motion sensors, and a third analysis module determining a time between the moment of peak contraction of the left ventricle and the moment of closure of the aortic valve. If the peak of contraction of the left ventricle is after the instant of closure of the aortic valve, the device adjusts the inter-ventricular delay and/or the atrioventricular delay to minimize or cancel the time disparity.

Abstract: A device includes a lead configured to for use in applying an atrioventricular delay (“AVD”), an acceleration sensor adapted to output an endocardial acceleration signal, and circuitry configured to receive and process said endocardial acceleration signal to provide ventricular pacing by varying, in a controlled manner, the AVD in a range having a plurality of AVD values. The circuitry derives from said endocardial acceleration signal a value of a parameter representative of an component of the endocardial acceleration signal corresponding to the first endocardial acceleration peak associated with an isovolumetric ventricular contraction (“EAX component”), and evaluates a degree of variation of said parameter values as a function of said plurality of AVD values to detect atrial and ventricular events.

Abstract: An atraumatic detection/stimulation lead is disclosed. The lead includes at least one microcable having a core cable comprising a plurality of elementary metal strands. One of the microcables has provided at its distal end an atraumatic protection device. The atraumatic protection device includes a protective coating on the distal ends of the elementary strands of the microcable, and the protective coating is covered by a protective cap of deformable material. The protective cap may be a conical distal end adapted to deform and axially flatten out. The microcable may have an overall diameter less than or equal to 1.5 French (0.50 mm).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detection/stimulation lead for implantation into a venous, arterial, or lymphatic network is shown and described. The method includes providing a microcable comprising a sheath of insulating material covering an electrically conductive core. The method further includes surrounding a portion of the microcable with an electrically conductive metal ring. The method also includes crimping the ring such that the thickness of the sheath is penetrated by a portion of the metal ring and such that an electrical connection is formed between the metal ring and the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: An intracorporeal capsule for placement in a heart and for energy harvesting using blood pressure variations is shown and described. The capsule includes a capsule body and a piezoelectric strip coupled to a rigid surface for receiving blood pressure force. The piezoelectric strip is normally perpendicular to the direction of the force on the rigid surface. The piezoelectric strip is disconnected from the capsule body along at least two edges of the piezoelectric strip such that the blood pressure force can move the rigid surface, and thereby deform the piezoelectric strip for energy harvesting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode (30,30?) for implantation in contact with a neural tissue, said electrode extending along an axis, said neural tissue being capable of generating one or more action potentials, and said one or more action potentials propagating with a given speed in said neural tissue. The electrode comprises a carrier (31, 31?) of biocompatible electrically insulating material; stimulation electrode contacts (32a; 32?a; 32b; 32?b) deposited on a surface of said carrier (31, 31?) for applying an electrical stimulation to said neural tissue so as to generate, after a given latency time, a compound action potential when stimulated by said electrical stimulation; one or more sensing electrode contacts (33a; 33b; 33c; 33?a; 33?b; 33?c) deposited on said surface of said carrier and provided at a distance from said stimulation electrode contacts, said sensing electrode contacts being adapted to be connected to measuring means (23) having a given inactive period.

Abstract: A system for stimulation/defibrillation of the left ventricle endocardially or from a vein in the coronary system including: a lead body (10) having a lumen, a distal end (12) with an anchor (14) connectable to a wall of a heart chamber or of a vein of the coronary system, and a proximal side with a connector (22) having a first terminal (26). The lumen of the lead houses a microcable (28) with an active free part (30) that emerges from the distal end. An insert (38) formed on the lead body includes a first electrical connection to the first terminal (26) of the connector, and a coupler selectively movable between (i) a released position wherein the microcable is free to slide in lumen of the lead body, and (ii) a closed position, wherein the microcable is both mechanically immobilized in the lead body and electrically connected to first electrical connection.

Abstract: An active medical device is configured to receive inputs and to calculate a hemodynamic parameter representative of myocardium contractility determined from an endocardial acceleration signal. The microcontroller acquires heart rate and hemodynamic parameter pairs of values during a plurality of cardiac cycles. The microcontroller is configured to distribute the pairs of values into discrete bins to develop a profile for analysis. The microcontroller is configured to conduct an analysis comprising calculating an index representative of the patient's clinical status. The hemodynamic parameter representative of the myocardial contractility is a time interval separating the first and the second peak of endocardial acceleration.

Abstract: An medical device for stimulating the heart using biventricular stimulation. The device includes a sensor for detecting an endocardial acceleration parameter and a processing circuit configured to receive the endocardial acceleration parameter. The device further includes stimulation electronics coupled to the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to use the EA parameter to evaluate the biventricular stimulation. The evaluation includes comparing the value of the EA parameter in biventricular mode to the value of the EA parameter in left only mode or right only mode, and using the comparison and an assessment of the variability of the EA parameter as a function of the AVD in the left or right mode to distinguish between cases comprising: (a) normal operation, (b) a loss of RV or LV capture, (c) possible anodal stimulation. The processing circuit is further configured to conduct at least one update to operational parameters of the device based on the determined case.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device includes digital processor circuits configured to sense right and left atrial depolarizations and deliver left atrial stimulation pulses according to a stimulation protocol. The stimulation protocol includes delivering a left atrial stimulation pulse at an inter-atrial coupling interval. The inter-atrial coupling interval is a coupling interval shorter than the sinus rhythm coupling interval, so as to deliver a premature pulse. The protocol further includes delivering a not premature left-atrial stimulation pulse during an immediately subsequent cardiac cycle, at an inter-atrial coupling interval corresponding to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. The protocol also includes assessing the right atrial coupling interval between the right atrial depolarizations and comparing the right atrial coupling interval to the sinus rhythm coupling interval. And finally, modifying an adjustable controlling parameters if necessary according to the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device provides atrial stimulation for resynchronization of the heart chambers. After a first cycle without stimulation, a premature left atrial stimulation is delivered with application of a short left inter-atrial delay, shorter than the sinus rhythm coupling interval. During the next cycle a non-premature left atrial stimulation is delivered, and the atrioventricular interval between the left atrial depolarization and the ventricular depolarization is evaluated and compared to its value in sinus rhythm to modify as necessary a parameter of the left atrial stimulation, such as the short left inter-atrial delay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode (30,30?) for implantation in contact with a neural tissue, said electrode extending along an axis, said neural tissue being capable of generating one or more action potentials, and said one or more action potentials propagating with a given speed in said neural tissue. The electrode comprises a carrier (31, 31?) of biocompatible electrically insulating material; stimulation electrode contacts (32a; 32?a; 32b; 32?b) deposited on a surface of said carrier (31, 31?) for applying an electrical stimulation to said neural tissue so as to generate, after a given latency time, a compound action potential when stimulated by said electrical stimulation; one or more sensing electrode contacts (33a; 33b; 33c; 33?a; 33?b; 33?c) deposited on said surface of said carrier and provided at a distance from said stimulation electrode contacts, said sensing electrode contacts being adapted to be connected to measuring means (23) having a given inactive period.

Abstract: A screwless quick connection system for connecting a lead connector to a generator of an active implantable medical device is shown and described. The connector head includes a housing receiving a plug of a lead connector. A mechanism for locking the plug into the housing is provided by a U-folded leaf spring. Each branch of the U is provided with a respective hole sized so that the plug passes through the holes on both branches when it is inserted into the housing. The blade is deformable between a free state, in the absence of plug, and a deformed state, with the plug inserted therein. In the free state, both holes are misaligned, while in the deformed state they are aligned. In this way, an edge of both holes exerts by reaction a radial stress force against the smooth outer surface of the plug inserted therein.

Abstract: A pacing lead having a lead body comprising a hollow sheath by a first lumen and an extension body extending from the lead body, the extension body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having an active lead region. The extension is traversed by a second lumen, the second lumen communicating with the first lumen of the lead body so as to receive a guide wire for the implantation of the lead. The extension has an outside diameter of between 1 and 3 French. The extension distal end comprises at least one electrically isolated peripheral conductor electrically insulated except for at least two denuded areas on an outer surface of the conductor to contact a wall of a target vein, so as to form a network of stimulation electrodes electrically connected together. The lead body proximal end includes an electrical connection for the peripheral conductor.

Abstract: An implantable biocompatible component (10) integrating an active element of the type of a sensor for the measurement of a physiologic parameter, a micro-electromechanical system and an integrated electronic circuit. This component (10) has a substrate (12) and a lid (22) in silicon or quartz. The substrate (12) integrates the active element (14) and biocompatible metallic pads (16), electrically connected to the active element. The lid (22) encompasses and peripherally closes the substrate in a hermetic manner, level with the face integrating the active element. This component is void of metallic case for insulation between the active element and outside environment, and of insulative feedthrough for electrical connection to the active element. The substrate and lid can be directly welded to each other through their faces in vis-à-vis, or by interpositioning a sealing ring made of a biocompatible material.

Abstract: A retractable screw-type stimulation or defibrillation intracardiac lead is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the lead comprises a flexible hollow sheath (12) having at its distal end a lead head (10) and a connector (66) at its proximal end. The connector comprises a pin (62) connected to a lead head electrode (18). The lead head comprises a tubular body (28), at least one electrode (18, 20) for stimulation or defibrillation, a moving element translationally and rotationally moving within the tubular body in a helical motion, and an anchoring screw (24) axially moving with respect to the tubular body, and a deployment mechanism (22) to deploy the anchoring screw out of the tubular body (28).

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a device (10) for electrochemically releasing a composition and comprising: one working electrode (30) comprising an electroactive conjugated polymer (40) containing or doped with said composition, a counter electrode (50), and a reference electrode (60). The device (10) is characterized in that it comprises electrical means (95, 100; 320; 165, 180) connected to the working electrode (30) and to the counter electrode (50) for obtaining at said working electrode (30) at least one composition releasing sequence (65) with respect to said reference electrode (60), each composition releasing sequence (65) comprising: a first voltametric pulse (70), followed by a rest period (80) during which no current is able to flow through said working electrode (30), followed by a second voltametric pulse (90), followed by an intermediate period (160) during which no current is able to flow through said working electrode (30).