Abstract: An intravascular electrode arrangement 10 includes a first and a second electrode line 12, 14 adapted for placement in blood vessels such as veins or arteries, each having at least one stimulation and/or sensing electrode in the region of the distal end of the respective electrode line, wherein there are longitudinal guides 18, 18?, 18?, 18?? provided externally on the first electrode line 12, 12?, 12?, 12?? for the second electrode line 14.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system and method are provided for synchronizing atrial cardioversion shocks to the ventricular rhythm using an adjustable atrial cardioversion/defibrillation ventricular refractory period. Upon determining a need for an atrial shock therapy, the method determines if the ventricular rate meets synchronization criteria based on an upper ventricular refractory period limit. If synchronization criteria are not met, the refractory period is automatically adjusted in stepwise decrements until the synchronization criteria are met, or until a lower refractory period limit is exceeded. If synchronization criteria are met, an atrial shock is synchronized to the next ventricular depolarization occurring outside the current refractory period. If the lower refractory period limit is exceeded, the atrial therapy is aborted.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a reference value in an electrocardial waveform includes identifying a triggering event within the electrocardial waveform. The method also includes waiting a period of time after the triggering event until the electrocardial waveform enters an interval of relative inactivity, sampling the electrocardial waveform during the interval of relative inactivity, and referencing the electrocardial waveform to the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for removing narrowband noise from an input signal in which notch filters having notch frequencies corresponding to the noise are dynamically adjusted in accordance with a detected noise spectrum. The method may be applied to telemetry systems for implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers to result in improved noise immunity.

Abstract: An electro-nerve stimulation apparatus includes a pulse generator, a first electrically conductive, insulated lead wire, a second electrically conductive, insulated lead wire, an electrically conductive transcutaneous electrode and an electrically conductive percutaneous needle electrode. Connected to one end of the first and second lead wires is a connector for electrically coupling with the pulse generator. The transcutaneous electrode is operably connected to the other end of the first lead wire. An electrically conductive adaptor is secured to the other end of the second lead wire for electrically coupling to the terminal end of the percutaneous needle electrode. The lead wire set includes a single-use mechanism adapted to effectively discourage reuse of the electrodes. In use, the transcutaneous electrode is adhered to the patient's skin distal from the desired internal stimulation site. The percutaneous needle electrode is inserted through the skin in proximity to the desired internal stimulation site.

Abstract: Cardiac assist sleeve and methods for using and making the cardiac assist sleeve that includes first elongate strips and second elongate strips of memory alloy that change shape to change a volume of cardiac assist sleeve.

Abstract: Alternative stimuli, i.e., stimuli other than the constant amplitude stimuli used in prior fitting schemes, is used to set the parameters of a cochlear implant system. The use of such alternative stimuli allows the entire fitting process to be completed in a very short time period, and generally eliminates the need for secondary adjustments. In one preferred embodiment, the alternative stimuli comprise white noise that is internally generated within the speech processor.

Abstract: A housing (35) for an electronic device, such as an external component of a cochlear implant system that is powered by one or more batteries (36). The housing comprises a main body portion and a moveable portion (30) operatively associated with the main body portion to enable installation and removal of the batteries (36). The housing (35) includes at least one aperture (31) having a hydrophobic mesh member (33) configured to be positioned at least partially adjacent one or more of the batteries (36) when the batteries are installed in the housing (35).

Abstract: A system comprises an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes at least one electrical input to receive sensed electrical activity of a heart and a sampler circuit coupled to the at least one electrical input. The sampler circuit generates sampled values of the sensed electrical activity. The IMD includes a clock circuit that generates readable values representative of absolute time. The IMD also includes a controller circuit coupled to the sampler circuit and the clock circuit. The controller circuit processes the sampled values and generate at least one marker to indicate a detected event related to the electrical activity. The controller circuit also stores a timestamp of absolute time of the detected event with the at least one marker in memory.

Abstract: A device and method for retaining an excess portion of a lead implanted within or on a surface of a brain of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a burr hole ring configured to be secured to a skull of the patient and a lead retainer extending from the burr hole ring. The lead retainer is configured to store at least a section of the excess portion of the lead.

Abstract: A method for facilitating placement of an implantable device configured for implantation beneath a patient's skin for the purpose of tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle, stimulation and/or parameter monitoring and/or data communication. A placement structure is shown for facilitating placement of the implantable device proximate to neural/muscular tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying capture of the heart by one or more pacing pulses using an electrogram morphology-based technique. Capture is determined by comparing an evoked response electrogram recorded during a paced cycle with a template waveform representing a paced cycle in which capture is achieved. The comparison is facilitated and made more accurate by selecting a sensing vector in which an evoked response electrogram in which no capture occurs is most dissimilar to the template.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the detection of neural or muscular activity, analysis of the signals and the subsequent stimulating of neural or muscular tissue based thereon. According to a first aspect of the invention an apparatus for producing a muscular action is provided, comprising a combined sensing and stimulation electrode device comprising at least one neurosense electrode means capable of sensing a nerve signal from a peripheral nerve and at least one stimulation electrode means capable of stimulating a peripheral motor nerve fiber, means for receiving and processing the sensed neurosignals to identify a signal indicative of a specific action, especially a component of the gait performed by the patient and for producing a control signal in response thereto, and means for operating the at least one stimulation electrode means in response to the control signal to produce a stimulation of a peripheral motor nerve fiber.

Abstract: A software-integrated disposable kit contains a series of sterile packages which hold instrumented surgical tools, surgical accessories, user input computer controlling peripherals (e.g. mouse, keyboard), markers, and a one time use digital medium. When image guided surgery is to be performed, the digital medium is inserted into the computer and the user interface is displayed. The digital medium stores a portion of the software which, in combination with software on the computer, provides all of the software necessary for full user functionality (e.g. display diagnostic image information, tracking surgical instruments, superimposition of surgical tools). At the end of a surgical procedure, the digital medium is deactivated or encrypted and the used surgical tools are then disposed of without reuse. The system allows the user to save relevant information obtained from the surgery (e.g. images, notes) on the digital medium which is encrypted against reuse and archived.

Abstract: The invention is directed to rate control techniques for implantable pulse generator (IPG) systems. The techniques make use of a plurality of timing intervals that may replace conventional rate control and allow “double-pacing” pulses to be delivered in certain instances. For example, a second pulse, i.e., a “double-pacing” pulse, may delivered within a first time interval relative to delivery of the first pulse. However, the second pulse is not allowed once the first time interval has elapsed, if a second time interval has not also elapsed. If the second pulse is delivered during the first time interval, then the second time interval is restarted and another pulse cannot be delivered until the restarted second time interval has elapsed.

Abstract: The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.

Abstract: An ultrasonographic method includes: a first encoding transmission/reception step for transmitting an ultrasonic beam encoded by an encoding set consisting of a plurality of modulation codes in which at least two are in complementary relationship and demodulating reception signals corresponding to the ultrasonic beam; a step for obtaining a first synthesis signal by synthesizing the demodulation signals demodulated by the first encoding transmission/reception step; a second encoding transmission/reception step for transmitting an ultrasonic beam encoded by a reverse encoding set consisting of a plurality of modulation codes in which the arrangement order of modulation codes of the encoding set is reversed and demodulating the reception signals corresponding to the ultrasonic beam; a step for obtaining a second synthesis signal by synthesizing the demodulated signals demodulated by the second encoding transmission/reception step; a step for obtaining a third synthesis signal by synthesizing the first synthesis

Abstract: An implantable electrical medical lead for a pulse generator includes a distal electrode, a connector for electrical connection with the pulse generator, an electrical conductor within the lead extending between the connector and the distal electrode, and an insulating sheath of flexible resilient material normally covering the electrical conductor having self sealing properties to re-insulate the electrical conductor in the event a rupture of the sheath should occur which exposes the electrical conductor. In one instance, the insulating sheath is of polymeric material embedded with a plurality of pellets, each pellet having a frangible shell containing a liquid sealing material that solidifies when the frangible shell is broken and thereby filling in any voids in the polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatus for enhancing neurophysiologic performance, such as sensorimotor control and neuroplasticity. A preferred method involves inputting bias signals to sensory cells of a subject, thereby improving sensory cell function, while the subject is performing a predefined physical activity. A system used to practice the method of the invention includes a wearable device to which is secured at least one repositionable signal input device and a signal generator that is communicatively coupled to the signal input devices.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system for providing a plurality of therapy modalities. For example, the system may include a cardiac resynchronization therapy module for providing cardiac resynchronization therapy and a pacemaker module for providing bradycardia therapy, as well as a selector module coupled to the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the bradycardia module. The selector module may select an operating mode from among a plurality of operating modes including the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the pacemaker module. Various manual and automatic methods may be used to select the operating mode. In addition, a reversion management system may be included to assist the cardiac rhythm management system to recover in case of a disruption to the system.