Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction however possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial based pacing).

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a defibrillation treatment protocol in an external defibrillator whereby a user may override a CPR-first default protocol. The method includes following steps configured in a defibrillator controller of issuing an inquiry; waiting for a response to the inquiry for a set time; ordering a CPR treatment protocol if no response is received within the set time; analyzing a response; ordering a CPR treatment protocol upon receiving a non-affirmative response to the inquiry; and ordering a shock treatment protocol upon receiving an affirmative response to the inquiry. Upon selecting a shock treatment protocol, the defibrillator performs a shock analysis under the shock treatment protocol, and either orders a CPR treatment protocol if shock treatment is not indicated by the shock analysis or provides a defibrillation shock if shock treatment is indicated by the shock analysis. Queries may be presented to a user in visual, audible, or both visual and audible format.

Abstract: Apparatus for rehabilitating a patient who has a paretic body part, the apparatus comprising: a) at least one electromyograph (EMG) sensor adapted to being applied to a voluntary muscle of a healthy body part of the same type as the paretic body part, which at least one sensor produces at least one EMG signal; b) a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) device adapted for stimulating at least one voluntary muscle of the paretic body part; and c) a controller which controls the NMES device, making the amplitude of stimulation of the paretic body part at least partly dependent on the EMG signal from the healthy body part.

Abstract: A surgical spatula has a planar transmission line for carrying microwave energy formed from a sheet of a first dielectric material which has first and second conductive layers on opposite sides thereof. The surgical spatula also has a coaxial cable for delivering microwave energy to the planar transmission line. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor and a second dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors. The inner and outer conductors extend beyond the second dielectric to overlap opposite surfaces of the transmission line and electrically contact the first conductive layer and second conductive layer respectively. The width of the first and second conductive layers is selected to create an impedance match between the transmission line and the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A disposable electrode includes: an electrode pad; and a connector, connecting the electrode pad to a defibrillator, and including an information holder that can be provided with a transmissive opening or a light reflective member, the information holder holding information about at least an expiration date, depending on presence or absence of the transmissive opening or the light reflective member, the information holder allowing the information to be notified from the defibrillator when the connector is connected to the defibrillator.

Abstract: Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for characterizing a tachycardia and/or selecting treatment for a tachycardia using results of a dominant frequency analysis. One or more electrogram (EGM) signal(s) indicative of cardiac electrical activity are obtained. For at least one of the EGM signal(s) a dominant frequency (DF) analysis is performed, and the results of the DF analysis are used to characterize a tachycardia and/or to select treatment for a tachycardia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing direct current electricity. Electrodes are used to deliver a direct current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens.

Abstract: An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin polymer or metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is a parylene polymer. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable electrode array having electrodes with variable pitch and variable size. Electrode arrays of the prior art provide electrodes with a common spacing and size. However, this is not how the human body is arranged. As an example, the retina has closely spaced retinal receptors near the fovea. Those receptors are spaced farther apart, farther away from the fovea. Further, the amount of electrical current required to stimulate the perception of light increases with distance from the fovea. Hence, larger electrodes are required to transfer the necessary current farther away from the fovea.

Abstract: A device for identifying appropriate nerve stimulation points on a patient is described, for use with an electrical stimulation device. In a first embodiment, the device includes electrodes located on a flexible substrate, a conductive gel layer overlying the electrodes, and a partially conductive removable cover overlying the gel layer. The device may be operated initially with the cover in place to allow reduced stimulation to identify a suitable nerve stimulation point. The cover may then be removed, and the device operated at the identified point. The cover may include perforations allowing the gel to contact the patient; or may be a sacrificial gel layer.

Abstract: Provided is a combinable electrode needle base structure in which a base to which electrode needles are coupled can be used in a combined or separated state to use the electrode needles according to the size and location of a lesion. In the combinable electrode needle structure, electrode needles are connected to the front side of an electrode needle base, and receive RF waves from RF (radio frequency) generator. The electrode needle base is divided into dividable bases to which the electrode needles are respectively coupled. When a lesion to be cauterized is large or cauterization should be concentrated, the dividable bases are combined and then used, and when a lesion is small or lesions are scattered, the dividable bases may be separated and then used.

Abstract: A method of processing in a medical device an electric biological signal collected from a patient, includes: a) acquiring a plurality of samples from the electric biological signal according to a sampling process wherein each sample is taken from the electric biological signal and memorized; b) during the sampling process of a), monitoring an active/inactive status of a radio time-division-multiplexing transmission of signals from the medical device over a radio communication network; and, when the status of the radio time-division-multiplexing transmission becomes active, c) preventing in a) the acquisition of any of the plurality of samples, which according to the sampling process should be acquired during the active status of the radio time-division-multiplexing transmission, from being performed until the radio time-division-multiplexing transmission remains in the active status.

Abstract: A vaginal cervical retractor used to maneuver and visualize the uterus during various medical examinations and procedures would include an inner tube provided with a movable assembly of plastic cups (cervical cup and vaginal cup) designed to be inserted into the uterine cavity and a retractable electrosurgical needle. A cervical cup is molded to a hollow outer shaft to form the movable cup assembly. This hollow shaft is provided through which the inner tube can be inserted. By utilizing a vaginal cervical retractor elevator provided with an inner rigid tubing, freely sliding vaginal cup and cervical cup designed to move on the inner tubing, attached to a hollow, plastic outer shaft into which the inner tubing can be inserted, and a retractable, flexible, electrosurgical needle, the colpotomy procedure can be performed with the improved uterine manipulator.

Abstract: An implantable medical system that includes a cardiac therapy module and a neurostimulation therapy module may identify when neurostimulation electrodes have migrated toward a patient's heart. In some examples, the system may determine whether the neurostimulation electrodes have migrated toward the patient's heart based on a physiological response to an electrical signal delivered to the patient via the neurostimulation electrodes. In addition, in some examples, the system may determine whether the neurostimulation electrodes have migrated toward the patient's heart based on an electrical cardiac signal sensed via the neurostimulation electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels.

Abstract: A lead assembly for an implantable medical device includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. One or more connectors at the proximal end of the lead body are each adapted for connection to a pulse generator. One or more conductive elements are coupled to the one or more connectors at the proximal end and extend through the lead body to the distal end. Each of the one or more conductive elements includes an electrode coil that extends from the distal end of the lead body that is formed into a helix having a diameter greater than a diameter of the electrode coil.

Abstract: An electric stimulator for heart, brain, organs and general cells with a random shape and position of electrodes which enhances its performance for breaking the symmetry. Two types of electrodes are introduced: type-1, or active electrodes are similar to prior art, while type-2, or passive electrodes have not been used in this context. Passive electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by type-1 electrodes.

Abstract: Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic, hydrostatic, and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. These design features may be combined. In one embodiment, the pump apparatus includes a rotor having a bore, a ring-shaped upper rotor bearing magnet, and a ring-shaped lower rotor bearing magnet. The bearing magnets are concentric with the bore. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for treating metabolic syndrome and/or Type 2 diabetes, and/or one or more of their attendant conditions, by neural stimulation. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator is electrically coupled to a peripheral nerve, such as the splanchnic nerve. Neural stimulation configured to either block transmission or stimulate transmission of the peripheral nerve may be used to treat metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.