Abstract: A wirelessly powered implantable stimulator device includes one or more antenna configured to receive an input signal non-inductively from an external antenna, the input signal containing (i) electrical energy to operate the implantable stimulator device and (ii) configuration data according to which a pulse-density modulation (PDM) encoded stimulus waveform signal is retrieved to synthesize a desired stimulation waveform; a circuit coupled to the one or more antenna; and one or more electrodes coupled to the circuit and configured to apply the desired stimulation waveform to neural tissue, wherein the circuit is configured to: rectify the input signal received at the one or more antennas non-inductively; extract the electrical energy and the configuration data from the input signal; and in accordance with the extracted configuration data, retrieve the pulse-density modulation (PDM) signal to synthesize the desired stimulation waveform therefrom.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular medical device is configured to select a capacitor configuration from a capacitor array and deliver a low voltage, pacing pulse by discharging the selected capacitor configuration across an extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector. In some examples, the medical device is configured to determine the capacitor configuration based on a measured impedance of the extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector.

Abstract: A magnetic system for a medical implant system is described. A planar implant receiver coil is configured to lie underneath and parallel to overlying skin of an implanted patient for transcutaneous communication of an implant communications signal. A planar ring-shaped attachment magnet also is configured to lie underneath and parallel to the overlying skin and radially surrounds the receiver coil. The attachment magnet is characterized by a magnetic field configured to avoid creating torque on the attachment magnet in the presence of an external magnetic field.

Abstract: A system and method for designating between types of activation by a pulse generator configured to deliver a left ventricular (LV) pacing pulse at an LV pacing site as part of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are provided. The system includes a sensing channel configured to collect cardiac activity (CA) signals along at least one sensing vector extending through a septal wall between the LV and right ventricle (RV). The CA signals are indicative of one or more beats and include a pre-LV pacing segment indicative of cardiac activity preceding the LV pacing pulse and a post-LV pacing segment indicative of cardiac activity following the LV pacing pulse. The system includes memory to store program instructions. One or more processors are configured to implement the program instructions to analyze the pre-LV pacing segment to identify a first myocardium activation (MA) characteristic of interest (COI).

Abstract: A cochlear implant system may include a cochlear implant configured to be implanted within a user and a sound processor configured to detect an amount of sound exposure to the user; gradually adjust a most comfortable level (“M level”) from an initial value towards a target value in accordance with an adaption time course and in accordance with the detected amount of sound exposure to the user by increasing the M level when the detected amount of sound exposure is above a first threshold and decreasing the M level when the detected amount of sound exposure is below a second threshold; and direct the cochlear implant to apply stimulation having the gradually adjusted M level to the user.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: An implant system includes an implant device configured to generate a stimulation signal for a user using a power manager according to an operation mode based on biometric information of the user, and a wake-up device configured to switch the operation mode based on either one or both of an energy supply received through an external energy source different from the power manager and a result of counting a timer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for measuring first phase ejection fraction where simultaneous measurement of the systolic pressure during systole of a subject is undertaken at the same time as measurement of the left ventricle volume (LVV). The pressure waveform is then analyzed, for example using automated signal processing techniques, to find a time T1 which corresponds to the point at which the rate of change of systolic pressure during systole begins to reduce. The left ventricle volume at this time T1 is then found from the previous measurements of LVV obtained at the same time as the systolic pressure measurement, and the first phase ejection fraction then calculated in dependence on the LVV at time T1 and the LVV at the start of systole i.e. the end diastolic volume (EDV). In particular embodiments, the first phase ejection fraction is the difference between LVV at EDV and LVV at time T1.

Abstract: Devices that communicate using wireless proximal communications measure pulse width to find distortion in the received signal. The distortion may be due to the devices being too close to one another for a transmission power level currently being used which causes ringing of a receiving coil. The distortion may be used to find a correction that the receiving device may use to correct for the distortion in the received pulse train when decoding the pulse train. The distortion may be used to adjust a transmission power level of the receiving device and/or to send an instruction to the transmitting device to adjust the power transmission power level of the transmitting device. The distortion may be used for other purposes including determining a device depth and/or location for an implanted device, such as an implantable medical device within a body of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implant that includes circuitry and an elongate housing having a first half and a second half. A paresthesia-inducing electrode is disposed on the first half, and a blocking electrode is disposed on the second half. The circuitry has a first mode in which the circuitry simultaneously drives the paresthesia-inducing electrode to apply a paresthesia-inducing current having a frequency of 2-400 Hz, and the blocking electrode to apply a blocking current having a frequency of 1-20 kHz, and a second mode in which the circuitry drives the blocking electrode to apply the blocking current, but does not drive the paresthesia-inducing electrode to apply the paresthesia-inducing current. The implant is injectable into a subject along a longitudinal axis of the implant. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.

Abstract: A neurostimulation system includes a programming control circuit and a user interface. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of stimulation parameters controlling delivery of neurostimulation pulses according to one or more neurostimulation programs each specifying a pattern of the neurostimulation pulses. The user interface includes a display screen, a user input device, and a neurostimulation program circuit. The neurostimulation program circuit may be configured to allow for construction of one or more pulse trains (PTs) and one or more train groupings (TGs) of the one or more neurostimulation programs, and to allow for scheduling of delivery of the one or more neurostimulation programs, using the display screen and the user input device. Each PT includes one or more pulse blocks each including a plurality of pulses of the neurostimulation pulses. Each TG includes one or more PTs.

Abstract: A method for determining usable capacity of a battery of an active implantable medical device comprising a radiofrequency (RF) communication unit for transmitting data by RF over a communication period, wherein the usable capacity of the battery enables the active implantable medical device to transmit data by RF via the RF communication unit. The method includes measuring a value for the voltage of the battery which is representative of an instantaneous voltage drop of the battery as a result of a current draw on the battery, comparing the voltage of the battery with a predetermined threshold voltage VBS, and transmitting an alert message to a second device when the measured voltage of the battery crosses the predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: An OCT apparatus and method for characterization of a fluid adjacent to a tympanic membrane has a low coherence source which is coupled to a splitter which has a measurement path and a reference path. The reference path is temporally modulated for length, and the combined signals from the reference path and the measurement path are applied to a detector. The detector examines the width of the response and the time variation when an optional excitation source is applied to the tympanic membrane, the width of the response and the time variation forming a metric indicating the viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the tympanic membrane being measured.

Abstract: A device, an electrode and method for recording a multi-channel-ECG. The device includes a housing; a processor configured to record a multi-channel-ECG; at least two electrodes that can be operatively connected with the processor; and a connection module configured to connect the at least two electrodes and/or processor with a data processing element. The device is configured to be handheld.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system is provided for managing neural stimulation therapy. The method comprises under control of one or more processors configured with program instructions. The method delivers a series of candidate stimulation waveforms having varied stimulation intensities to at least one electrode located proximate to nervous tissue of interest. A parameter defines the candidate stimulation waveforms is changed to vary the stimulation intensity. The method identifies a first candidate stimulation waveform that induces a paresthesia-abatement effect, while continuing to induce a select analgesic effect. The method further identifies a second candidate stimulation waveform that does not induce the select analgesic effect. The method sets a stimulation therapy based on the first and second candidate stimulation waveforms.

Abstract: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system having a recharging system with self alignment, a system for mapping current fields using a completely wireless system, multiple independent electrode stimulation outsource, and control through software on a Smartphone/mobile device and tablet hardware during trial and permanent implants. SCS system can include multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) providing concurrent, but unique stimulation fields. SCS system can include a replenishable power source, rechargeable using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery, can charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. A bi-directional telemetry link informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the disclosure may advantageously limit bleeding and the occurrence of blood leaks after heart pump implantation. In some embodiments, a base may be provided that includes a flexible layer mechanically coupled with a conduit. The flexible layer may be coupled with the proximal end of the conduit. The conduit may be configured to receive a cannula of the heart pump therethrough. The outer surface of the conduit may be configured to engage a surface of the heart formed after coring the heart. The conduit may be metal and may have a flared and/or beveled distal end. The conduit may be a flexible material. A distal flexible layer may be provided at a distal end of the conduit that is configured to engage with an inner surface of the heart.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying potential ablation sites using electrical parameter data are provided. A method includes geometrically isolating an arrhythmogenic substrate in a three-dimensional geometry. The method further includes generating a first cumulative map from a first dataset including electrical parameter data for each vertex in the isolated arrhythmogenic substrate, and generating a second cumulative map from a second dataset including additional data for each vertex. The method further includes generating a third cumulative map from the first and second cumulative maps, and displaying the third cumulative map on the three-dimensional geometry to facilitate identifying potential ablation sites.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to merging data acquired from differently configured catheters on a common map. In use, physical characteristics of catheters influence recorded electrical signals/responses such that differently configured catheters (e.g., different electrode sizes, shapes, materials, spacings, etc.) may record different responses to measurements taken at the same location in response to the same excitation signal. To allow merging of data from differently configured catheters in a common map, the present disclosure applies a corrective coefficient or transfer function to the recorded electrical signals of one or both catheters to counter-balance variable influences of catheter specific characteristics on recorded signals.