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.

Abstract: A deep brain stimulation lead system has a medical lead, or similar elongate medical insertion device, securable with a lead lock through a cannula slit, thereby allowing a lead to remain electrically operative and preventing movement of the lead during removal of a stylet, recording microelectrode, or cannula.

Abstract: A method for increasing cerebral blood flow in a patient. A electrical stimulating device is provided. The electrical stimulating device is applied to the patient at a region adjacent the cervical sympathetic chain, the brain stem, the head, or the sympathetic nervous system. The electrical stimulating device is applied by any route selected from transcutaneous, subcutaneous, and subarachnoid. The electrical stimulating device is activated to stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses of the cervical sympathetic chain, thereby producing vasodilation in the cerebral vasculature, thereby increasing cerebral blood flow. Devices for increasing cerebral blood flow in a patient are also described.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides a transurethral ablation device comprising an electrode for delivery of neurostimulation therapy to a patient to prevent or alleviate pain experienced during the course of a transurethral ablation procedure. The device may include a conductive ablation needle that delivers electrical current for ablation of prostate tissue, as well as neurostimulation current to prevent or alleviate pain encountered in response to the ablation current. In this sense, the ablation needle is integrated with a neurostimulation electrode. Alternatively, the device may incorporate a dedicated neurostimulation electrode independently of the ablation needle, either on the needle or on a catheter body that carries the needle.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for and methods of delivering ion channel protein genetic material to cardiac cells in areas adjacent to where an electrode is to be positioned in a patient's heart to improve or correct the signal to noise ratio of cardiac signals, such as the P-wave. More specifically, there is provided a system and method for delivering sodium ion channel proteins or nucleic acid molecules encoding sodium ion channel proteins to a site in the heart adjacent to an electrode to increase the expression of the same, thereby enhancing the cardiac signal amplitude and enabling improved sensing of cardiac signals by an implanted pacemaker.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an external device capable of independently distinguishing between pace pulses delivered by an implantable cardiac rhythm management device to different locations of a subject's heart. In one example, polarity of the pace pulses is detected along two different electrocardiograph (ECG) vectors defined by three external skin electrodes. In a further example, the detection of a ventricular depolarization is also used to assign location information to pace pulses. In another example, characterizing information (e.g., polarity, amplitude, pulsewidth, time difference between a pace pulse and a corresponding heart depolarization) is used to classify pace pulses into distinct classes to which location information can be assigned. An ECG display/recorder of the external device is capable of annotating pace pulses or markers using the location information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an implantable medical device with a controlled diagnostic function adapted to convert from a monitoring mode to a therapeutic mode upon sensing an actionable cardiovascular event are disclosed. A preferred embodiment uses an interactive control module to selectively control a plurality of gated circuits that turn the sensing, therapeutic and communications functions of the device on and off to conserve battery power and extend the life of the device. Some embodiments of a system disclosed herein also can be configured as a component of an Advanced Patient Management System that helps better monitor, predict and manage chronic diseases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cardiac pacemaker comprising a stimulation pulse generator (RVP; LVP) for biventricular stimulation of a heart, which is to be connected to at least one right-ventricular electrode for the stimulation of a right ventricle of the heart and to at least one left-ventricular electrode for the stimulation of a left ventricle of the heart and is connected to a control unit and is adapted to trigger right-ventricular and left-ventricular stimulation pulses with an interventricular delay time which is adjustable by means of the control unit. The invention is characterized in that the control unit is connected to an impedance detection unit which is to be connected to intercardiac electrodes and is adapted to form from an input signal formed by the impedance detection unit and dependent on the intracardiac impedance, an output signal indicating an optimum biventricular stimulation mode.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead particularly for stimulation of the sacral nerves comprises a lead body extending between a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end having at least one electrode of an electrode array extending longitudinally from the distal end toward the proximal end. The lead body at its proximal end may be coupled to a pulse generator, additional intermediate wiring, or other stimulation device. A fixation mechanism is formed on or integrally with the lead body proximal to the electrode array that is adapted to be implanted in and engage subcutaneous tissue, particularly muscle tissue, to inhibit axial movement of the lead body and dislodgement of the stimulation electrodes. The fixation mechanism comprises a M tine elements arrayed in a tine element array along a segment of the lead proximal to the stimulation electrode array.

Abstract: A method for treating spasticity of a subject is provided, including driving a current into a nerve of the subject that includes one or more sensory fibers, and configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of action potentials in one or more of the sensory fibers, so as to treat the spasticity. In a preferred embodiment, the sensory fibers include one or more Ia sensory fibers, and configuring the current includes configuring the current so as to inhibit propagation of the action potentials in at least one of the Ia sensory fibers.

Abstract: A system that includes a programming device and a defibrillator provides a self-adapting defibrillator induction feature to test the effectiveness of the defibrillator in detecting and terminating fibrillation of a heart, such as ventricular fibrillation. A fibrillation induction protocol and values for parameters of the protocol are selected. The defibrillator attempts to induce fibrillation according to the selected protocol and parameter values. Parameter values are modified and new protocols are selected until fibrillation is successfully induced, detected and terminated.

Abstract: Oxygen saturation data is monitored during a predefined window to obtain a measurement of circulation delay. The measured circulation delay is used as a basis for determining therapies, including overdrive pacing. In some embodiments, circulation delay is used to identify patients that will benefit from overdrive pacing as a therapy for sleep disordered breathing.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator system and method are provided having configurable shock therapies selected based on an evaluation of the atrial rhythm status following a ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation detection. A dual chamber shock configuration is selected if the ventricular arrhythmia is co-existing with an atrial arrhythmia of recent onset. A ventricular only shock configuration is selected if the ventricular arrhythmia is co-existing with a sustained atrial arrhythmia.

Abstract: A dive computer that includes heart rate monitoring capability is provided. The heart rate monitoring is accomplished by a belt that fits around the diver's chest, and the information is wirelessly transmitted to the dive computer. The heart rate information may be displayed during and after a dive, and the dive computer may selectively utilize the monitored heart rate information to compensate the decompression algorithm based on workload during the dive. The dive computer can also utilize the monitored heart rate information to compensate the decompression algorithm based on workload on the surface before and/or after the dive for no fly and repetitive dive calculations.

Abstract: A method for collecting, recording, and broadcasting coded human or animal body waveforms. The method consists of placing a contact, which is designed to receive electrical signals, on a portion of the body. The electrical signal is converted into a readable format and is processed and stored in a computer. The electrical signal can be adjusted and rebroadcast into the body to modulate body organ functioning.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining information, such as heart rate or the presence of atrial fibrillation, from electrodes applied to the feet of a subject. A scale having electrodes may be used for this purpose. The signal obtained from the electrodes is digitized and filtered to obtain an electrocardiographic signal exhibiting periodic, sequential, discrete, magnitudinal variations associated with the heartbeats of the subject. The electrocardiographic signal is then analyzed to identify discrete magnitudinal variations useful for obtaining the desired information. In determining the heart rate of the subject, an interval between variations having a desired magnitudinal characteristic may be employed. The absence of such variations is indicative of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

Abstract: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG) used with a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery having an anode electrode with a substrate made substantially from titanium. Such battery construction allows the rechargeable battery to be discharged down to zero volts without damage to the battery. The implantable medical device includes battery charging and protection circuitry that controls the charging of the battery so as to assure its reliable and safe operation. A multi-rate charge algorithm is employed that minimizes charging time while ensuring the battery cell is safely charged. Fast charging occurs at safer lower battery voltages (e.g., battery voltage above about 2.5 V), and slower charging occurs when the battery nears full charge higher battery voltages (e.g., above about 4.0 V). When potentially less-than-safe very low voltages are encountered (e.g., less than 2.

Abstract: A hydrogel and scrim assembly adapted for use with an electro-acupuncture device to enhance electrical conduction between the device and the skin and to provide an impedance matching layer between the device and the skin. The assembly includes a scrim with conductive hydrogel masses disposed on the surface of the scrim. The hydrogel masses are sized and dimensioned so that when the pad is adapted to the device, the hydrogel masses do not bridge the electrodes to cause a short between the electrodes.