Abstract: Electrocardio-graphic (ECG) signals such as the standard 12-lead are synthesized from a novel reduced electrode set. Signals are received from a group of electrodes connected to predetermined locations on a human body, and deriving at least one further ECG signal using predetermined transformation(s) (130) on said first set of ECG signals. This forms a desired set of signals. The group of electrodes may comprise the standard 12 lead electrode sites V2 and V5 plus one electrode positioned substantially level with V5 on the right anterior axillary line, and a further electrode on each of the right hand side and left hand side of the body. In an alternative arrangement the electrode position V2 is replaced by an electrode position Vc on the sternum directly between the standard electrode sites V1 and V2. Also disclosed is a method of improving accuracy of synthesized signals by detecting body posture and modifying the transformations.

Abstract: A signal transmitting and receiving system to track the position and orientation of limb segments in order to provide feedback information for the control of the limb movement. The user will generally be seated in a wheelchair that provides a structure upon which orthogonal and/or non-orthogonally oriented coils can be mounted and energized selectively so as to create variously oriented magnetic fields. Multiple wireless sensors injected into the limb detect the local field strength and send information telemetrically to a central controller. The controller extracts information about the position and orientation of each limb segment by combining signals from various sensors according to calibration information and optimal filtering methods for extracting information from multiple nonlinear sensors in mechanically constrained systems.

Abstract: A method of creating a virtual lead associated with a physiological recording is provided. The method can include obtaining a first physiological signal from a first lead having a first angle and a second physiological signal from a second lead having a second angle, the first lead and the second lead being associated with a subject. The method can also include transforming the first and second physiological signals into a vector representation of the first and second physiological signals and transforming the vector representation to a virtual physiological signal representing a virtual lead having a virtual lead angle.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a device body and at least one anchoring unit configured and arranged for anchoring the device body in a patient upon implantation. The anchoring unit includes a resorbable material that resorbs into the patient over a period of time after implantation.

Abstract: Cardiac stimulation control and communication system, including a pacemaker, having a processor for processing input signals to and/or from one or more electrodes located in a heart. A signal processing network for receiving input signals and for providing a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), a filtered signal, spread spectrum signal and/or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (OFDM) signal to a selector for selection and transmission. In-phase and quadrature-phase cross-correlated spread spectrum signals are provided to a modulator for modulation and transmission of signals received from one or more electrodes or probes or sensors used by a patient. An implantable cardiac stimulation device and a telemetry transmitter and telemetry wired or wireless receiver, for transmission and reception of wireless and or wired signals, wherein said telemetry signals are for monitoring and/or controlling the implantable cardiac stimulation device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising a housing and an ultrasonic transducer having a communication frequency coupled to a portion of the housing. The housing resonates at the communication frequency, and a casing is coupled to the housing and disposed over the ultrasonic transducer. The casing is adapted to amplify the deformation of the ultrasonic transducer in a bending mode and transfer the bending moment to the housing. An implantable medical device comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. A first ultrasonic transducer is coupled to a first connection rod and is coaxial with the first connection rod. The first ultrasonic transducer and first connection rod are interposed between the upper and lower portions such that the first ultrasonic transducer is adapted to vibrate the upper and lower portions simultaneously. A method of optimizing an ultrasonic transducer and a housing of an implantable medical device.

Abstract: A strain reliever for a lead of an implantable heart stimulator, the lead including at least one cable having an electric conductor, has a body of electrically conducting material in electric contact with the electric conductor. The body is lockable in a position in electric contact with electric circuitry of the heart stimulator. The body has a fastening arrangement for fastening the proximal end of the cable at the fastening point on the peripheral surface of the body located at a distance from the distal end of the body. A fixing arrangement is provided at the distal end of the body for fixing the cable to extend in the distal direction from a departure point at the body distal end. The cable is intended to extend in a helical path on the peripheral surface of the body between the fastening point and the departure point.

Abstract: A vision regeneration assisting apparatus for regenerating vision of a patient includes an extracorporeal device and an intracorporeal device. The extracorporeal device includes a transmitting unit that converts an electrical stimulation pulse signal data of image data and power into a predetermined signal and transmitting the signal. The intracorporeal device includes a receiving unit that receives the signal transmitted from the transmitting unit, and a conductor that is covered with a resin having biocompatibility and insulating property and electrically connects a first control unit for converting the received stimulation pulse signal data and the power into a predetermined alternating current signal and a second control unit for outputting an electrical stimulation pulse signal from electrodes based on the alternating current signal to each other to send the alternating current signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing the effective volume of a cardiac ventricle. A ventricular volume reduction system may include a containment system or container body deliverable through a catheter into the ventricle, with the containment system or container body being fillable to occupy space within the ventricle. A ventricular volume reduction system may include a partition that sequesters a portion of the ventricle and separates it from the flow path of blood in the ventricle. Methods for reducing the effective ventricular chamber volume may include placement of the containment system, the container body or the partition within the ventricle.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardiac device system applies defibrillation currents in pathways aligned with the heart's own electrical system to decrease defibrillation thresholds. In one implementation, one or more subcutaneous sensors detect ventricular fibrillation. Positioning of subcutaneous sensors and filtering result in improved sensing with reduced noise. A subcutaneous patch component of the system that is in communication with a subcutaneous pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator may perform the sensing and apply the defibrillation. The subcutaneous patch may include one or more electrodes that perform both sensing and defibrillation. Variations of the subcutaneous patch may include battery and capacitor for generating onboard defibrillation current and may also include a microprocessor for advanced programmable operation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices that utilize electrical neural stimulation to treat heart failure by modulating a patient's autonomic balance in a manner that inhibits sympathetic activity and/or augments parasympathetic activity. In one embodiment, the duty cycle for delivering neural stimulation is adjusted in accordance with one or more measured physiological variables.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes one embodiment of an apparatus, comprising: a battery including a plurality of flat battery layers disposed in a battery case, the battery case having a planar battery surface which has a battery perimeter; and a capacitor including a plurality of flat capacitor layers disposed in a capacitor case, the capacitor case having a planar capacitor surface which has a capacitor perimeter, the capacitor stacked with the battery such that the planar battery surface and the planar capacitor surface are adjacent, with the capacitor perimeter and the battery perimeter substantially coextensive; a hermetically sealed implantable housing having a first shell and a lid mated to the first shell at a first opening, the first opening sized for passage of the battery, the capacitor, and the programmable electronics, wherein the battery and the capacitor are disposed in the hermetically sealed implantable housing.

Abstract: A device for optimizing transmitting energy and transmitting position for an implantable electrical stimulator is provided. The device utilizes a design of a wireless energy transmitting and positioning device with an external energy-feedback control, which can automatically detect an optimum energy-transmitting position through an external antenna performing an adjustable energy transmission method, and through a wireless-feedback control method to provide the optimum energy. As such, the implantable electrical stimulator can exactly and effectively stimulate the nervous muscle.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising a housing and a limiting structure defining a resonant region in the housing. An acoustic transducer is connected to the limiting structure and extends into the resonant region so that the resonant region mechanically amplifies the deformation of the acoustic transducer at a resonant frequency. An implantable medical device comprising a housing and a limiting structure defining a resonant region in the housing. An acoustic transducer having the shape of a beam is mechanically coupled to the limiting structure and partially extends into the resonant region so that the resonant region mechanically amplifies the deformation of the acoustic transducer at a resonant frequency. An implantable medical device comprising a housing, an acoustic transducer coupled to the housing, and a means for mechanically amplifying the deformation of the acoustic transducer at a resonant frequency. The means defines a resonant region in the housing.

Abstract: A cardio electrotherapy lead is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a tubular body, a conductor cable and an electrode. The conductor cable longitudinally extends through the tubular body and includes a distal end. The electrode is located on the tubular body and includes an attachment mechanism mechanically coupling the lead distal end to the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including an electrode device and a control unit. The electrode device is configured to be coupled to a site of a subject selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve, an epicardial fat pad, a pulmonary vein, a carotid artery, a carotid sinus, a coronary sinus, a vena cava vein, a right ventricle, a right atrium, and a jugular vein.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing (20) having a first interior region (26) and a second interior region (28). The second interior region (28) is sized to receive an electronic interface (18). The device also includes a wound capacitor core (14) adapted for electrical communication with the second interior region (28), and a capacitor potting material (38) disposed in contact with the first interior region (26) and the wound capacitor core (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of an eating disorder includes electrically stimulating the vagus nerve of the lower esophagus, cardia, esophageal/cardia junction, cardia/fundus junction or upper stomach so as to induce afferent action potentials on the vagus nerve. A device comprising a gastric band including stimulation electrodes may be noninvasively adjusted after implantation to provide increased or decreased restriction on the patient's gastrointestinal tract. Each stimulus may be administered as a series of programmed pulses of defined amplitude, duration and period, to evoke a responsive signal to the brain by the target nerve, effective for producing a temporary feeling of satiety in the person. A programmable implantable stimulus generator may be operatively coupled to a nerve electrode. Methods are also provided to identify electrodes nearest to a branch of the vagus nerve to apply an electrical stimulation signal with improved efficiency.

Abstract: Enhanced therapies for treating pain are described. The therapies include subcutaneous stimulation of tissue in proximity to a source of pain at low frequencies (less than about 20 Hz) and high frequencies (greater than about 50 Hz). The therapies further include administering a pain treating agent at a predetermined time relative to application of the high or low frequency stimulation. Delivery of the pain treating agent via an implantable infusion system is described. Coordination of output of an infusion device and a pulse generator to provide coordinated therapy is also discussed.

Abstract: A stimulation system delivers stimulation to protect an ischemic region of a body from tissue damage caused by ischemia. The stimulation is delivered to one or more stimulation sites remote from the ischemic region to elicit a physiological effect that protects the ischemic region from the tissue damage caused by ischemia. In one embodiment, the stimulation system delivers cardioprotective stimulation to one or more stimulation sites remote from the heart to protect the heart from injuries associated with cardiac ischemic events. In another embodiment, the stimulation system delivers remote conditioning stimulation to one or more stimulation sites in or on the heart to protect a non-cardiac region from injuries associated with non-cardiac ischemic events.