Abstract: A method includes determining sleep cycle information related to a sleep cycle of a patient based on body parameter data. The method also includes adjusting a cranial nerve stimulation parameter based on the sleep cycle information.

Abstract: At least two energy storage devices are used to realize biphasic defibrillation therapy. One of the energy storage devices is the primary energy storage device and the other (e.g. second) energy storage device is the auxiliary energy storage device. The first energy storage device is used to implement both the first and second phase pulses of biphasic pulse therapy to the patient, and the second energy storage device can be used to assist in the first and/or second phase pulse. In other words, the second energy storage device may be combined with the first energy storage device to discharge electricity to the patient to realize the first and/or second phase pulse.

Abstract: A stimulation system and method for treating to a human subject having spasmodic dysphonia includes a sensing electrode configured to detect voice activity of a vocalizing muscle of the subject and to generate a first signal, and a processor configured to receive the first signal from the sensing electrode and to generate at least one stimulation parameter based on the first signal. The system further includes a mechanical actuator configured to receive the stimulation parameter from the processor and to activate a glottic closure reflex of the subject in response to the stimulation parameter and a stimulating electrode configured to receive the stimulation parameter from the processor and stimulate the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the vagus nerve of the subject based on the stimulation parameter.

Abstract: A catheter is configured to indicate contact force between the catheter and tissue. The catheter includes an elongate deformable shaft having proximal and distal ends. The catheter includes an inner tip member projecting outwardly from the distal end, the inner tip member defining a fluid delivery lumen extending therethrough, and an outer tip member coupled to the distal end and disposed about the inner tip member. The inner and outer tip members define a gap therebetween in fluid communication within the fluid delivery lumen and the tip members are configured such that the size of the gap varies in response to contact of the outer tip member with the tissue. The catheter further includes first and second fluid sensing tubes defining ports upstream and downstream from the gap; wherein a difference in fluid pressure between the ports is indicative a contact force between the catheter and the external surface.

Abstract: A device useful in treating decreased laryngeal elevation and for muscle re-education and rehabilitation is provided. The device is suitable for transmitting an electrical stimulus and can comprise a series of electrically conductive fibers oriented at an angle such that the fibers are parallel to muscle fibers of the laryngeal elevated musculature in the submandibular region of a patient.

Abstract: An RF filter for an active medical device (AMD), for handling RF power induced in an associated lead from an external RF field at a selected MRI frequency or range frequencies includes a capacitor having a capacitance of between 100 and 10,000 picofarads, and a temperature stable dielectric having a dielectric constant of 200 or less and a temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) within the range of plus 400 to minus 7112 parts per million per degree centigrade. The capacitor's dielectric loss tangent in ohms is less than five percent of the capacitor's equivalent series resistance (ESR) at the selected MRI RF frequency or range of frequencies.

Abstract: A retinal prosthesis including an electronic stimulation unit housed inside an eye and including: a plurality of electrodes that contact a portion of a retina of the eye; an electronic control circuit, which is electrically connected to the electrodes and supplies to the electrodes electrical stimulation signals designed to stimulate the portion of retina; and a local antenna connected to the electronic control circuit. The retinal prosthesis further includes an electromagnetic expansion housed inside the eye and formed by a first expansion antenna and a second expansion antenna electrically connected together, the first expansion antenna being magnetically or electromagnetically coupled to an external antenna, the second expansion antenna being magnetically or electromagnetically couple to the local antenna, the electromagnetic expansion moreover receiving an electromagnetic supply signal transmitted by the external antenna and generating a corresponding replica signal.

Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation therapies is enabled to detect a short circuit condition. In one embodiment, a cardiac signal is sensed by a sensing module coupled to electrodes. A controller identifies signal events in response to the cardiac signal and detects a short circuit condition in response to at least one of the signal events having an amplitude crossing a short circuit detection threshold and a maximum of two signal events crossing the short circuit detection threshold occurring between two adjacent events having amplitudes not crossing the short circuit detection threshold. In one embodiment, the signal events are identified from a differential signal determined from the sensed cardiac signal.

Abstract: A medical device and associated method for detecting and treating tachyarrhythmias acquires a cardiac signal using electrodes coupled to a sensing module. Cardiac events are sensed from the cardiac signal and a processing module computes a first morphology metric for each sensed cardiac event occurring during a time segment of the cardiac signal. The first morphology metrics corresponding to an event originating in a ventricular chamber are counted. The first processing module computes a second morphology metric for the time segment of the cardiac signal in response to the count of the first morphology metrics meeting a threshold number of events. The time segment is classified as a shockable segment in response to the second morphology metric meeting a detection criterion.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.

Abstract: A medical system may include a control module and a therapy delivery module configured to generate and deliver electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. The control module may be configured to control the therapy delivery module to deliver electrical stimulation at a first stimulation intensity for a first time period, to deliver electrical stimulation at a second stimulation intensity for a second time period immediately following the first time period, and to deliver electrical stimulation at the first stimulation intensity for a third time period immediately following the second time period. The second stimulation intensity may be less than the first stimulation intensity. The electrical stimulation may elicit a first inhibitory physiological response during the first time period and a second inhibitory physiological response during the second time period. The second inhibitory physiological response may be greater than the first inhibitory physiological response.

Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided with a shaft that extends from a housing of the electrosurgical forceps. An end effector assembly operably coupled to the shaft includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from an open configuration, to a clamping configuration. A knife blade assembly includes a knife blade translatable within the first and second jaw members. A knife blade lockout mechanism is in operative communication with the knife blade assembly and includes an elongated cam slot with a cam pin translatable therein from a distal end of the elongated cam slot corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism engaged with the knife blade assembly, to a proximal position corresponding to the knife blade lockout mechanism disengaged from the knife blade assembly.

Abstract: A delivery system for implanting a leadless cardiac pacemaker into a patient is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include a docking or delivery feature having a through-hole disposed on or near a proximal end of the pacemaker for attachment to the delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery catheter can include first and second tethers configured to engage the delivery feature of the pacemaker. The tethers, when partially aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter larger than the through-hole of the delivery feature, and when un-aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter smaller than the through-hole of the delivery feature. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker with the delivery system are also provided.

Abstract: A clinical decision support system for patient treatment having a monitoring device operably coupled to a patient. The monitoring device outputs a monitoring signal in response to a measured parameter of the patient. A controller receives the monitoring signal and outputs a display signal. The controller further compiles clinical documentation relating to the patient based on the monitoring signal and outputs a documentation signal related thereto. A display device then receives the display signal and the documentation signal and displays the same in connection with various indicia thereby displaying both the monitored signal and associated clinical documentation.

Abstract: A system and method using a plurality of electrodes. An immediate electrode configuration is defined, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration, a final electrode configuration is defined, a series of intermediate electrode configurations is defined using a heuristic set of rules based on the immediate electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the series of intermediate electrode configurations, and electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the subsequent electrode configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for neurostimulation and/or neurotelemetry of electrically-excitable biological tissue. Embodiments include implanting single or multiple semiconductor diodes and applying a high frequency electrical volume current. Neurostimulation embodiments include local rectification of the volume current by the diode, which can provide a pulsating electrical waveform capable of locally stimulating neural tissue, hi neurotelemetry embodiments, semiconductor diodes can be placed in contact with excitable tissue and a low level electrical carrier wave can be passed through the tissue and implanted diode whereby low level tissue bioelectric events intermodulate with the carrier wave and encode bioelectrical effects.

Abstract: According to at least one example, an ambulatory medical device is provided. The device includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at spaced apart positions about a patient's body and a control unit. The control unit includes a sensor interface, a memory and a processor. The sensor interface is coupled to the plurality of electrodes and configured to receive a first ECG signal from a first pairing of the plurality of electrodes and to receive a second ECG signal from a second pairing of the plurality of electrodes. The memory stores information indicating a preferred pairing, the preferred pairing being either the first pairing or the second pairing. The processor is coupled to the sensor interface and the memory and is configured to resolve conflicts between interpretations of first ECG signal and the second ECG signal in favor of the preferred pairing.

Abstract: In one aspect, an implantable pump system for assisting blood flow in a patient includes a blood flow path comprising a flexible conduit, at least one valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit, a drive system in operative connection with the valve to move the valve in a reciprocating manner, an implantable control system and at least one sensor in communicative connection with the control system. The sensor is adapted to measure at least one property of blood. The control system is adapted to control movement of the valve on the basis of data regarding position of the valve with respect to time or a derivative thereof (that is, position, velocity, acceleration or a derivative thereof) in combination with data of the measured at least one property of blood from the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method using a plurality of electrodes. An immediate virtual multipole is defined, an immediate electrode configuration emulating the immediate virtual multipole is defined, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration, a new virtual multipole is defined by changing a parameter of the immediate virtual multipole by a step size, a new electrode configuration that emulates the new virtual multipole is defined, a difference value as a function of the immediate virtual multipole and the new virtual multipole is computed, the different value is compared to a limit value, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrode configuration if the difference value does not exceed the limit value, and the absolute value of the step size is decreased to create a new step size if the difference value does exceed the limit value.

Abstract: An intracerebral electrode (11) which includes a narrow elongated body (1) for being implanted in a patient's brain. The body has contact pads (2) that are electrically connected to a measuring apparatus, and a mounting member (4) for attachment to the body to the patient's head. The electrode body has a closed distal end (5) and is hollow for receiving a treatment instrument (6). The intracerebral electrode (11) comprises a closed inner fluid flow circuit (20) formed inside the body (1) of the electrode to an area adjacent the closed distal end (5), and a connection mechanism (7) located outside the body which connects the closed inner fluid flow circuit to an outer fluid flow circuit so that fluid, flowing through the outer fluid flow circuit, flows into the electrode through the inner fluid flow circuit and controls the temperature of the electrode (11).