Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering electrical shock therapy in order to treat atrial tachyarrhythmias such as fibrillation in which atrial defibrillation pulses are delivered within a maximum pre-shock R—R synchronization interval. The method has been found to reduce the incidence of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF).

Abstract: One or more implantable system control units (SCU) apply one or more stimulating drugs and/or electrical pulses to one or more predetermined areas affecting circulatory perfusion. The SCU preferably includes a programmable memory for storing data and/or control parameters, and preferably uses a power source/storage device, such as a rechargeable battery. If necessary, periodic recharging of such a power source/storage device is accomplished, for example, by inductive coupling with an external appliance. The SCU provides a means of stimulating a nerve(s) or other tissue with electrical and/or infusion pulses when desired, without the need for external appliances during the stimulation session. When necessary, external appliances are used for the transmission of data to and/or from the SCU(s) and/or for the transmission of power. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation.

Abstract: An external programmer is provided with the capability of automatically resetting the programming state of an implantable medical device to a previous programming state. To this end, the pacemaker maintains parameters representative of current and past programming states. In response to a physician-initiated reset function using an external programmer, the pacemaker transfers information pertaining to the programming states to the external programmer along with a pointer identifying the current state. The physician selects one of the previous programming states and the external programmer then updates the pointer to identify the selected state and transmits the pointer back to the pacemaker. The pacemaker accesses the programming parameters stored therein corresponding to the programming state identified by the new pointer and is reprogrammed. Accordingly, the programming state of the pacemaker is reset to the previous programming state without requiring manual reentry of the parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting the operating parameters of a rate-adaptive cardiac pacemaker in which maximum exertion levels attained by the patient are measured at periodic intervals and stored. The stored maximum exertion levels may then be used to update a long-term maximal exertion level, and the slope of the rate-response curve is adjusted to map the updated long-term maximal exertion level to a maximum allowable pacing rate. In accordance with the invention, the rate response curve is defined such that an exertion level corresponding to the patient's maximum exercise capacity would be mapped to a physiologically favorable maximum rate that is independent from a specified maximum sensor indicated rate.

Abstract: A method to control an overactive bladder and to estimate bladder volume using an implanted sensor having at least one nerve electrode to sense electrical signals. The method includes detecting events from nerve signals, generating electrical pulses for stimulating nerves, and stimulating the nerves to inhibit detrusor contraction. Bladder volume may also be estimated based on the amplitude of the detected nerve signals and/or the time between two detected nerve signals from consecutive detrusor contractions.

Abstract: The analyzing system of the present invention, taking electrocardiogram, pulse signals and sound voices from the outside of the body, is readily assessable and complete in function. The analyzing system of the present invention can provide physiological indexes for evaluating the functions of the heart, vocal chord, the respiration system and the autonomic nervous system. The measured signals and obtained data can be on-line analyzed or sent to computer systems for an off-line verification after the completion of the test. Through digital or wireless communications, a rapid on-line diagnosis can be achieved for mitigating potential consequences.

Abstract: A wrist-worn device comprising a display for showing a heart rate parameter value, such as a heart rate measured from a person's body or a heart rate variable derived from the heart rate. The display comprises at least two display areas which display areas the wrist-worn device is arranged to employ to show that a heart rate parameter momentarily belongs to a heart rate parameter value range corresponding to the display area and which wrist-worn device comprises at least one sliding means for selecting a desired heart rate parameter value range by mechanically sliding the sliding means to cover at least one display area at a time.

Abstract: In an apparatus for determining the actual status of a piezoelectric sensor in a medical implant, electrical charges generated in the sensor, in response to changes in acceleration and/or gravitational force or other loads acting on the sensor, are continuously detected and the charges are then removed from the sensor, thereby maintaining the voltage across the sensor at a substantial constant zero level. The detected charges, both negative and positive, are integrated, thereby providing a resulting integrated signal representing the actual status of the sensor. The integrated signal is then evaluated for determining the physical activity and/or the posture of a patient in whom the medical implant is implanted.

Abstract: A device and method for cardiac rhythm management in which a heart chamber is paced in accordance with a pacing mode that employs sense signals from the opposite chamber. A protection period triggered by the sensing of intrinsic activity in the paced chamber is used to inhibit pacing without otherwise disturbing the pacing algorithm.

Abstract: A device, potentially implantable in a living organism, intended to utilize at least a part of the hydraulic energy generated by the heart (10)—the primary unit—at the natural phases of work when the cavities of the heart (11, 12 and 16, 17) are filed with blood. The device includes at least one secondary unit (24), which is connectable to the cardiovascular system of the organism and arranged to utilize said hydraulic energy. The secondary unit is represented by at least one hydraulic motor (24a) arranged to transfer the hydraulic energy to a transferal organ (28). The transferal organ (28) is arranged to influence at least one tertiary unit, for example an executive device (29), which is constructed in order to convert the transferred energy to an alternative form of energy, with the purpose to influence certain defined functions within the organism. Preferably is arranged a regulating device (30) in order to control running parameters of the unit.

Abstract: An interface unit for an electrophysiology measurement system has a number of externally accessible electrical connectors, each connector for releasably mating with one of a number of wires from a combination of catheter-mounted sensors. A fixed configuration connector is provided in a fixed coupling to the connectors and is couplable to an electrophysiology monitoring system. The unit further has a signal generator, such as a suitably programmed EEPROM in combination with appropriate electrical circuitry mounted on an internally located printed circuit board, which generates an output signal containing information particular to and originating from the unit for use by the electrophysiology monitoring system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pacer housing (60) comprising a connecter means adapted to receive a connect plug (110) on the proximal end of a lead (15) with an electrode located on the dismal end of said lead, said housing being made of metal, and connecter means comprising a tubular member having two ends and being located inside said housing, a first end (22, 122) of said tubular member being welded or bonded to an opening in a wall of said housing, the second end (23, 123) of said tubular member being closed.

Abstract: A system for reducing signal disturbances in ECG, which disturbances are caused by cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The system includes a measuring device for measuring one or more signals derived from parameters such as compression depth, lung inflation etc. as a result of CPR. The parameter signals form one or more reference signals that correlate with the signal disturbances. One or more adaptive filters filter the signals out from the signal that constitutes the ECG signals so as to remove disturbances caused by CPR.

Abstract: Bi-Ventricular or AV synchronous cardiac pacing systems that pace and sense in at least one atrial heart chamber and deliver ventricular pacing pulses to right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) sites separated by a V—V delay for treatment of heart failure are disclosed that optimize one or more of the AV delay and V—V delay to enhance left ventricular filling and cardiac output as a function of QRS duration. A system and method for monitoring the QRS duration, processing such signals to provide data from which the onset or progression of heart failure is determined, and adjusting synchronous pacing delay parameters including SAV delay and/or PAV delay and/or V—V delay to enhance cardiac output as a function of QRS duration is provided. The SAV, PAV, and/or the V—V delays can be varied from the prevailing delays as a function of measured QRS duration so as to minimize the width of the QRS complex.

Abstract: Techniques are described for overdrive pacing the heart using a pacemaker wherein the overdrive pacing rate only increases when at least two intrinsic beats are detected within a determined search period. In one specific technique, an increase in the pacing rate occurs only if two P-waves are detected within X cardiac cycles. In another specific technique, the overdrive pacing rate is increased only if at least two P-waves are detected within a block of N cardiac cycles. In both techniques, the overdrive pacing rate is decreased if no increase has occurred in the last Z cardiac cycles. By increasing the overdrive pacing rate only in response to detection of at least two P-waves within a determined number of cardiac cycles, an excessively high overdrive pacing rate is avoided. Other techniques are described for adaptively adjusting overdrive pacing parameters so as to achieve a determined target degree of pacing of, for example, 95% paced beats.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient. The method comprises: (a) monitoring heart rate variability in the patient; and (b) identifying at least one characteristic abnormality in the heart rate variability that is associated with the illness. This method can be use to diagnose illnesses such as, but not limited to, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia and meningitis, as well as noninfectious illnesses. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for early detection of subacute, potentially catastrophic illness in a patient.

Abstract: In a microprobe system for medical applications particularly for use in neurophysiology and neurosurgery a target determining arrangement is provided which can be mounted on a patients head by means of an adjustable mounting device. An adapter is removably attached to the mounting device and carries a manipulator with a removable probe unit that can be moved by a drive unit which is electrically controllable according to spatial coordinates (x,y,z—respectively, R,&phgr;). The probe unit includes a guide tube for receiving an exchangeable microfiber electrode, which includes sensor areas at its pointed tip for the recording of brain activity signals. The signals can be stored with a PC-interface in a data acquisition unit, which is in communication with an output unit. The manipulator includes a microfiber electrode control unit, for example, an XYZ-slide with locking means as well as a base body for the attachment of the probe unit to the mounting device in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device applies pacing stimulation pulses to a heart and senses evoked responses to the pacing stimulation pulses. A pulse generator applies the stimulation pacing pulses to the heart in accordance with a pacing configuration. A sensor control selects an evoked response sensing electrode configuration from among a plurality of evoked response sensing electrode configurations in response to the pacing configuration. A sensor is then programmed to sense the evoked responses with the selected evoked response sensing electrode configuration. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, signal-to-noise ratios obtained with the various electrode configurations are used to select a best electrode configuration for sensing evoked responses.

Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.

Abstract: A body implantable lead assembly adapted to transmit electrical tissue stimulating signals between a proximal end portion of the lead assembly and a distal end portion of the lead assembly includes an electrical conductor extending between the proximal and distal end portions of the lead assembly for transmitting the electrical signals. The conductor has an enlarged, preferably ball shaped distal extremity comprising a termination element. The lead assembly includes a tip electrode having a proximal portion, a proximal extremity, a distal portion and a distal extremity, the distal extremity comprising an active electrode surface. At least the proximal portion of the tip electrode comprises a tubular structure, the tubular proximal portion having an inside diameter slightly smaller than the termination element on the distal extremity of the conductor. The tubular proximal portion of the tip electrode has formed within the wall thereof at least one longitudinally oriented, keyhole-shaped opening.