Abstract: A system for recognizing physiological sound comprises a receiving module, a feature extracting module, a classifier, and a comparing module. A method for recognizing physiological sound comprises receiving a physiological sound by the receiving module; extracting at least one feature from the physiological sound by the feature extraction module; classifying the at least one feature to identify at least one category by a classifier; and comparing the at least one category with a normal physiological sound and/or an abnormal physiological sound by the comparing module for evaluating a risk of disease. The method and system for recognizing physiological sound can precisely identify the specific physiological sound and exclude the noise.

Abstract: An electrode of an implantable medical lead is coated with a polymeric composition that includes (i) a terpolymer formed from monomer subunits consisting essentially of vinyl acetate, alkyl methyl acrylate and n-vinyl pyrrolidone; (ii) a copolymer formed from monomer subunits consisting essentially of vinyl acetate and alkyl methacrylate; and (iii) polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The coating does not substantially adversely affect impedance properties of the electrode.

Abstract: A method and system for visualization of electrophysiology information sensed by electrodes on a catheter, includes recording times of electrode signal acquisition, designating a reference electrode signal acquisition, assigning a relative time to each recorded time of electrode signal acquisition relative to the reference electrode signal acquisition, identifying the electrodes with signal acquisition, correlating assigned relative times to identified electrodes to generate a sequence of electrode signal acquisitions, and generating a visual representation of the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions generating a visual representation with a graphical image of the electrodes, wherein individual electrodes are visually marked to represent the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions.

Abstract: A method and system of predicting a hypotensive episode in a patient using one or more time varying hypotension specific biomarkers corresponding to physiological processes in the patient. Data derived from sensors or other measurement devices such as ECG sensors can be used to generate biomarkers. The biomarkers can then be used to generate an acute hypotension prediction classifier, or monitored factor, derived from a three dimensional temporal representation of two or more biomarkers. When the monitored factor exceeds a predetermined threshold the method and system trigger an alarm before an appearance of a hypotensive episode in the patient.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead system includes an electrical signal generator providing a plurality of discrete electrical signal channels and an electrical signal channel router electrically coupled between the electrical signal generator and a first lead body and a second lead body. The electrical signal channel router diverts one of the discrete electrical signal channels to the second lead body and not to the first lead body.

Abstract: A waveguide neural interface device including: a neural device implantable in tissue and including an array of electrode sites that electrically communicate with their surroundings, in which the array of electrode sites includes at least one recording electrode site; and a waveguide, coupled to the neural device, that carries light along a longitudinal axis and includes a light directing element that redirects the carried light from the waveguide to illuminate selectively targeted tissue, in which at least a portion of the redirected light is directed laterally away from the longitudinal axis and the recording electrode site is configured to sample illuminated tissue. A method for assembling a waveguide neural interface device is also described.

Abstract: A medical device system and associated method predict a patient response to a cardiac therapy. The system includes for delivering cardiac pacing pulses to a patient's heart coupled to a cardiac sensing module and a cardiac pacing module for generating cardiac pacing pulses and controlling delivery of the pacing pulses at multiple pace parameter settings. An acoustical sensor obtains heart sound signals. A processor is enabled to receive the heart sound signals, derive a plurality of heart sound signal parameters from the heart sound signals, and determine a trend of each of the plurality of heart sound signal parameters with respect to the plurality of pace parameter settings. An external display is configured to present the trend of at least one heart sound parameter with respect to the plurality of pace parameter settings.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a guidewire and a fixator catheter. The fixator catheter comprises a tubular body with a distal portion and a proximal portion, and further includes a distal opening, a fixator secured to the distal portion, and a body opening arranged between the fixator and the proximal portion. The guidewire passes through the body opening and the distal opening of the fixator catheter. The fixator is movable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration and, in the expanded condition, is capable of anchoring the guidewire and fixator catheter in a lumen of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to introduction of the catheter. ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. Stylets and catheters including various multiple bipolar and monopolar electrode configurations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for adjusting therapy delivery decisions in an implantable cardiac stimulus device. Some example methods and devices use a first counter to track benign cardiac activity during therapy preparations and a second counter to track shockable cardiac activity once therapy is ready. Therapy can then be delivered if or when the second counter exceeds the first counter.

Abstract: A stimulator and a method for the treatment of intractable pain syndromes by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is disclosed. An example method includes positioning a first pair of implantable electrodes to a dura matter in an epidural space proximate to a subject's spinal cord at predetermined locations, positioning a second pair of implantable electrodes to the dura matter in the epidural space proximate to the subject's spinal cord at predetermined locations, and transmitting signals of first and second frequencies through the first and second pairs of implantable electrodes respectively, so that the signals of the first and second frequencies interfere with each other to produce at least one beat signal proximate to the subject's spinal cord. The at least one beat signal has a frequency within a range of more than 250 Hz to about 15,000 Hz.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods of patient monitoring in which multiple sensors are used to detect physiological parameters and the data from those sensors are correlated to determine if an alarm should, or should not, be issued, thereby resulting in more precise alarms and fewer false alarms. Electrocardiogram readings can be combined with invasive blood pressure, non-invasive blood pressure, and/or pulse oximetry measurements to provide a more accurate picture of pulse activity and patient respiration. In addition, the monitoring system can also use an accelerometer or heart valve auscultation to further improve accuracy.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting heart failure (HF) events or identifying patient at elevated risk of developing future HF events, such as events indicative of HF decompensation status, are described. The devices and methods can detect an HF event or predict HF risk using one or more physiologic sensor signals including an electrogram and a heart sound signal. A medical device can use the physiologic signals to calculate one more signal metrics indicative of systolic function of the heart, including relative timing between first and second signal features selected from signal features generated from the electrogram or the heart sound signals. The medical device can detect an HF event using the signal metrics, or use the signal metrics to calculate a composite risk indicator indicative of the likelihood of the patient later developing an event indicative of worsening of HF.

Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient using electrodes implanted adjacent tissue. The method comprises regulating a first voltage at an anode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, regulating a second voltage at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, and conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode at the first voltage and the cathode at the second voltage, thereby stimulating the neural tissue. The system comprises a grounding electrode configured for being placed in contact with the tissue, electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to the electrodes, a first regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, a second regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, and control circuitry configured for controlling the regulators to convey electrical stimulation energy between the anode and cathode.

Abstract: Method and systems for determining the location or identify of implantable devices are disclosed. An implantable device generates an electrical output and then modifies the output at a pre-configured interval for a pre-configured period. A sensor detects the modified output and locates or identifies the implantable device based on the modified output.

Abstract: A delivery catheter, including a catheter body, a side port, a first electrode, and a second electrode, is described. The catheter body may comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a perimeter surface. The catheter body defines a delivery lumen extending longitudinally within the catheter body. The side port is defined in the perimeter surface of the catheter body proximate the distal end and in communication with the delivery lumen. The electrodes may be adjacent to and spaced from the side port. Techniques for using the delivery catheter to identify a desired lead implantation location, e.g., via the electrodes, and implant a medical lead or other implantable element at the desired location through the delivery lumen and side port are also described.

Abstract: One aspect provides a method of attaching a feedthrough to a titanium housing of an implantable medical device. The method includes applying a sinter paste onto a surface of the housing about a perimeter of an opening through the housing, the sinter paste including a biocompatible bonding material, and placing an insulator of the feedthrough onto the sinter paste so as to cover the opening. The sinter paste is then heated to a temperature less than a beta-transus temperature the titanium of the housing and to a temperature less than a melting point of the biocompatible bonding material for a desired duration to form, from the sinter paste, a sinter joint which bonds the feedthrough to the housing and hermetically seals the opening.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump for circulating blood is provided, wherein an impeller makes no contact at all with a housing and a rotating shaft and moves in a rotating manner with the impeller in a stably levitating state. Also provided is a blood pump in which the impeller rotates at high speed even when the blood pump is reduced in scale. The blood pump contains a magnet of enhanced magnetic force at the inside of a housing and at an outer peripheral surface of an impeller and providing a fixed-interval spacing on the periphery of a bearing section makes it possible to ensure a state where no contact at all is made between the housing, a shaft, and the impeller, and makes it possible to cause the impeller to rotate stably over a long period of time.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulator method for modulating excitable tissue in a patient including: implanting a neural stimulator within the body of the patient such that one or more electrodes of the neural stimulator are positioned at a target site adjacent to or near excitable tissue; generating an input signal with a controller module located outside of, and spaced away from, the patient's body; transmitting the input signal to the neural stimulator through electrical radiative coupling; converting the input signal to electrical pulses within the neural stimulator; and applying the electrical pulses to the excitable tissue sufficient to modulate said excitable tissue.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapy in a medical device includes a two-tiered approach of determining the presence of a lead-related condition, and determining, in response to a lead-related condition being present, the presence of oversensing. Delivery of therapy by the medical device is controlled in response to determining that both the lead-related condition and oversensing are present.