Abstract: A method of scanning and treating areas of the human body with transcutaneous low intensity direct current. A device is used which comprises a source of low intensity direct current, means for controlling the parameters of the current, a cathode terminal, and an anode terminal. A scanning method is used to determine the proper amperage for the treating method. In the scanning method, the cathode and anode are applied to the skin of a patient and increasing strengths of current are applied. The strength of the current is noted when the patient is first aware of the current and when the patient is made uncomfortable by the current. These two values are averaged to determine the operating current. The treatment method is carried out by applying the anode to an activity point identified in the specification, applying the cathode to the area to be treated, and applying the operating current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an epidural stimulation lead having at least one electrode that substantially encircles another electrode. Operatively, the encircling electrode can be set as an, anode and the encircled electrode can be set as a cathode to generate an electrical field therebetween. The encircling electrode functions in this capacity as an anode guard, which among other things, concentrates the electrical field about the designated cathode and limits the lateral range of a generated electrical field.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system recognizes patterns of interval durations, distinguishing between events in different heart chambers even though signals associated with those different heart chambers are processed using a commonly shared sensing circuit. A therapy delivery algorithm ignores intervals between cardiac events occurring in different heart chambers when determining a cardiac rate upon which the delivery of therapy is based. This reduces the risk of inappropriate delivery of therapy to the patient. Delayed conduction left ventricular beats are not erroneously recognized as a subsequent right ventricular beat, preventing such short intervals from inappropriately triggering a defibrillation countershock. The system detects cardiac events, obtains a current interval between a current cardiac event and a previous cardiac event, and classifies the current interval into at least first and second categories, based on a duration of the current interval.

Abstract: A three lead implantable cardiac stimulation system is capable of delivering stimulation pulses to any one chamber or combination of chambers of a heart. The system includes a first lead for implant in the right ventricle and having a right ventricular defibrillation electrode, a second lead for implant in the coronary sinus and having a left ventricular defibrillation electrode, and a third lead for implant in the coronary sinus and having a left atrial defibrillation electrode. One of the leads further including a right atrial defibrillation electrode for placement in one of the right atrium and superior vena cava. The system further includes an implantable cardiac stimulation device including a programmable pulse generator that delivers defibrillation pulses to any one of the defibrillation electrodes or to any combination of the defibrillation electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation system including a single atrial dedicated lead provides sensing electrical activity of and delivering stimulation pulses to the right and left atria of the heart. The single lead is implantable in the coronary sinus of the heart and includes a distal left atrial pacing electrode, and a right atrial pacing electrode. The electrodes are spaced apart on the lead so that when the left atrial pacing electrode is in electrical contact with and adjacent the left atrium within the coronary sinus, the right atrial pacing electrode is in electrical contact with the right atrium and adjacent to the ostium of the coronary sinus within the coronary sinus. The system further includes an implantable cardiac stimulation device including a pulse generator and a sensing circuit that is coupled to the left and right pacing electrodes. They may further include one or more defibrillation coil electrodes.

Abstract: A medical electronic apparatus for treating human pain by the application of an electrical stimulus with the proper current density and a special magnetic flux generator stimulus to the body surface of animals which includes an electrode complex of the treatment device which includes an adhesive means for holding the 4 electrodes of the device in contact with the human body. The electrode complex is preferably comprised of 4 electrodes which are 2 positive and 2 negative electrode defining opposite diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape. The electrodes are supplied by power means to activate and generate an electrical stimulus. Each electrode pad contains a Magna Bloc™ which snaps into position by an aluminum snap.

Abstract: Upon interrogating a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator or other implantable cardiac stimulation device, an external programmer accesses previously-stored physician comments maintained within the implanted device. The programmer disables any reprogramming of the implanted device until the physician comments have been displayed via the programmer for review by the physician or other medical professional seeking to reprogram the implanted device. In this manner, critical information pertaining to a previous programming session is presented to the physician before any additional reprogramming is permitted so as to ensure that the critical information is reviewed. In one example described herein, physician comments are designated as being either general or parameter-specific. General comments are displayed for review before any reprogramming is permitted. Parameter-specific comments are displayed for review only if the physician seeks to reprogram particular parameters associated therewith.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system is described including an implantable medical device for implantation in a patient. One embodiment of the implantable medical device includes a therapy component for providing a therapy to the patient, a minute ventilation (MV) sensing circuit producing MV values indicative of a MV of the patient at time intervals, and computational circuitry. The computational circuitry receives a number of the MV values over a period of time, calculates a statistical parameter (e.g., a mean) of the MV values, and calculates a deviation of the MV values from the statistical parameter (e.g., a standard deviation of the MV values). The computational circuitry detects an onset of sleep in the patient when the deviation of the MV values from the statistical parameter is less than a predetermined MV threshold value, and signals the therapy component to modify the therapy when the onset of sleep is detected in the patient.

Abstract: A cardiac assist system containing a device for delivering a first pacing pulse from said system to a heart, for ceasing the delivery of said first pacing pulse to said heart, for sensing whether the heart is beating, and for delivering a second pacing pulse from said system to the heart. Each of the first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse are delivered to the heart within a period of less than about 100 milliseconds, and has a voltage of from about 2 to about 5 volts direct current. The time between the delivery of the first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse is at least about 1 microsecond. The first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse are delivered to the heart at a frequency of from about 2 kiloherz to about 5 megahertz; and they each have a duration of from about 0.1 microseconds to about 500 milliseconds. The cardiac assist system also contains a device for varying the voltage and/or the frequency of each of the pacing pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting infrasonic cardiac apical impulses of a patient including a sensor disposable in contact with skin of the patient for producing a signal responsive to a motion of the skin at an infrasonic cardiac apical impulse point of the patient. A first circuit coupled to the first sensor for generating at least one audible output in response to the first signal and indicative of the infrasonic cardiac apical impulse. A dampening ring surrounding the sensor for dampening the relative motion of the sensor with respect to movement of the patient.

Abstract: A tool-less connector with multiple contacts and a compact design is provided. Therefore, a connector that is normally tunneled through body tissue will now require only a minimally invasive subcutaneous tunnel, which should reduce tissue healing time, patient discomfort, and risk of infection. In addition, providing additional contacts allows enhanced stimulation protocols. One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector pin containing multiple in-line contacts. Each “line” consists of a row of independent contacts arranged in a linear array running along the long axis of the pin. In other embodiments of the invention, the mating receptacle of the connector allows for multiple contacts while minimizing the space required for the increased number of contacts. Additional embodiments provide features that, for instance, prevent the contacts on the connector pin to touch the contacts in the receptacle until all contacts are appropriately aligned.

Abstract: Devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other heart failure conditions, may operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. A method for improving the function of a valve of a heart includes placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber. A method of treating the valve may include real-time monitoring the valve function and adjusting the device based on data obtained during the real-time monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering both anti-tachy pacing (ATP) therapy and high-voltage shock therapy in response to detection of abnormal cardiac rhythms is disclosed. The system controls the time between delivering ATP therapy and the charging of high-voltage capacitors in preparation for shock delivery based on a predetermined set of criteria. In one embodiment, the inventive system operates in an ATP During Capacitor Charging (ATP-DCC) mode wherein all, or substantially all, of the ATP therapy is delivered during charging of the high-voltage capacitors. Based on evaluation of the predetermined set of criteria, the system may switch to an additional ATP Before Capacitor Charging (ATP-BCC) mode, wherein substantially all of the ATP therapy is delivered prior to charging of the high-voltage capacitor. According to one aspect of the invention, the predetermined set of criteria is based, at least in part, on the effectiveness of previously-delivered ATP therapy.

Abstract: Cardiac pacing systems are disclosed for providing multi-site pacing in a single heart chamber or multi-chamber pacing in two or more heart chambers employing N pacing channels and miniaturized electrical isolation circuitry in up to N−1 pacing channels to minimize the effects of leakage currents generated during delivery of a pacing pulse in any one pacing channel from affecting sense amplifiers in the other pacing channels. Isolation of a the pace/sense electrodes from leakage currents is effected employing monolithic isolation circuit means. An isolated current replicator employing giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sense elements in conjunction with isolated planar cells fabricated in monolithic form is incorporated into conventional VLSI circuitry. Or, the monolithic isolation circuit means is formed of a micro-mechanical fabricated (MEMS) isolation transformer comprising low-loss input and output coils separated by an insulation layer that isolates the input coil from the output coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a physiological waveform. The apparatus comprising an input terminal for connection to a patient to acquire the physiological waveform from a patient, an instrumentation amplifier connected to the input terminal to filter the physiological waveform, and an analysis module including a processor and software for operating the processor to detect cyclic artifact in the physiological waveform. The method comprising the acts of obtaining the physiological waveform and determining whether there is more than one independent complex rhythm within the digital physiological waveform.

Abstract: A method of joining a wound element, or coiled wire strand, and a mating component, or integral ledge member, of a body implantable lead assembly wherein the former has a interior passage and an end portion adapted to be received by the latter. In one embodiment, the integral ledge member is formed with an integral collar spaced from a terminal end thereof. The wound element is placed about the receiving portion and over the terminal end of the mating component and against the collar. The components are then joined by thermally fusing them together, preferably by means of a laser. If the collar and the wound element are fabricated of the same alloy, the thickness of the collar and the diameter of the coiled wire strand are designed to be substantially equal.

Abstract: A heart rate measuring arrangement for controlling a recovery exercise of a person from a fitness exercise which measures the heart rate, forms control information, and displays the formed control information so that the recovery exercise is performed at a controlled heart rate level.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial lead intended for use with a cardiac stimulation device includes an elongated lead body of flexible resilient material, for example, silicone rubber or polyurethane, having a longitudinally extending lumen defined by a plurality of longitudinally extending side wall surfaces, adjacent pairs of the side wall surfaces lying in angularly disposed planes and intersecting at an energy absorbing corner ridge. An electrical conductor is located loosely within and extends longitudinally along the lumen between proximal and distal ends. With this construction, forces imposed laterally on the lead body by the conductor engaging the side wall surfaces of the lumen upon bending of the lead body are absorbed without damaging the lead body by reason of engagement of the conductor with a corner ridge causing the corner ridge thereby engaged to recede toward a condition of being coplanar with its subtended pair of side wall surfaces.

Abstract: An intravascular lead having a distal and proximal ends, comprising at least one electrode electrically connected to a conductive insulated wire of a predetermined diameter, tapered at least at one predetermined location along said wire towards its distal end to provide a predetermined smaller diameter wire, thus presenting a main proximal relatively thick lead segment, and a relatively thinner distal lead segment, allowing catheterization of the cardiac sinus and in particular the delivery of said electrode into a selected coronary venule.

Abstract: A method of detecting heart beat coincidence includes receiving first and second signals from first and second heart beat sources. The method further includes detecting first heart beat occurrences on the first signal, each first heart beat occurrence having a respective time associated therewith and detecting second heart beat occurrences on the second signal, each second heart beat occurrence having a respective time associated therewith. The method further includes comparing the times of the first and second heart beat occurrences to detect coincidence.