Abstract: A medical device and associated method for discriminating cardiac events includes determining whether a first match score is within a first match zone having a first correlation with a non-treatable cardiac event, a second match zone having a second correlation with the non-treatable cardiac event less than the first correlation, a third match zone having a first correlation with a treatable cardiac event, and a fourth match zone having a second correlation with the treatable cardiac event greater than the first correlation with the treatable cardiac event. In response to the first match score being within one of the first and second match zones, a determination is made whether consecutive match scores are within the first match zone and whether a break in the treatable cardiac event has occurred. Cardiac evidence is accumulated in response to determining whether a break has occurred and utilized to discriminate cardiac events.

Abstract: An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: A retinal stimulation system. The retinal stimulation system comprises an electronics package; and at least a first and a second electrode, each associated with the electronics package and configured to apply current to a subject's retina; wherein current to be applied by the first electrode and the second electrode is configured to be higher for the first electrode when the first electrode has an impedance lower than a second electrode's impedance.

Abstract: A method to provide visual current feedback of a retinal stimulation system. The method comprising: providing a retinal stimulation system configured to stimulate neural tissue in a subject's eye, the retinal stimulation system comprising: an electronics package; and at least a first and a second electrode, each associated with the electronics package and configured to apply current to a subject's retina; wherein current to be applied by the first electrode and the second electrode is configured to be higher for the first electrode when the first electrode has an impedance lower than a second electrode's impedance; and providing a visual interface configured to show impedance of at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A critical element of a retinal prosthesis is the stimulating electrode array, which is placed in close proximity to the retina. It is via this interface that a retinal prosthesis electrically stimulates nerve cells to produce the perception of light. The impedance load seen by the current driver consists of the tissue resistance and the complex electrode impedance. The results show that the tissue resistance of the retina is significantly greater than that of the vitreous humor in the eye. Circuit models of the electrode-retina interface are used to parameterize the different contributors to the overall impedance.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a subject's retina. The method comprising selecting at least a first and a second electrode each configured to apply current to a subject's retina, determining impedance for the at least first electrode and second electrode, and applying current to the subject's retina through the at least first and second electrode, wherein current to be applied by the first electrode and the second electrode is configured to be higher for the first electrode when the first electrode has an impedance lower than a second electrode's impedance.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for sensing, within a patient and during an event of tachycardia, a signal indicative of a mechanical response of the patient's heart to the tachycardia. Regularity of the signal relative to a threshold established for the patient is determined. A state of patient hemodynamics during the tachycardia event is determined based at least in part on the regularity of the signal. One or more anti-tachycardia therapies to treat the tachycardia may be selected based at least in part on the determined state of patient hemodynamics. The selected one or more anti-tachycardia therapies may be delivered to treat the tachycardia.

Abstract: A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to electrode terminals on the implantable medical device, patient terminals and conductors extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for controlling pacemaker therapy in a patient with an implanted biological pacemaker. The method may include pacing a heart at a predetermined rate using an electronic pacemaker and configuring the pacemaker to periodically enter a biological pacemaker weaning mode. The weaning mode may include ceasing pacing for at least a predetermined length of time and monitoring the heart to detect electrical depolarizations of a ventricle of the heart during the predetermined length of time. The weaning mode may further include determining the length of time between the cessation of pacing and the detected electrical depolarization and determining if the length of time between the cessation of pacing and the detected electrical depolarization is less than a maximum predetermined interval. The pacemaker therapy may be withheld as long as the length of time is less than the maximum predetermined interval.

Abstract: A telemetry antenna for an implantable medical device includes one or more segments having a non-linear configuration. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration provides an antenna having a greater antenna length than the linear lengthwise dimension of the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration includes a plurality of trapezoidal unit structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a pulsed electromagnetic field with pulse control, wherein the pulses provided by the pulse generator represent periodic pulses having ascending and descending envelope curves with harmonic or anharmonic oscillation profile within the envelope curves, the pulse sequence is in the range of from 1 pulse/20 minutes to 10 pulses/minute, with pulse sequence, pulse function type and electromagnetic flux density being controlled via values which, obtained using non-invasive measuring methods on a target tissue, represent features of the blood microcirculation, with exponential functions as pulse function type being excluded. Greater and longer-lasting improvements of the microcirculation are achieved.

Abstract: A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to electrode terminals on the implantable medical device, patient terminals and conductors extending between the package contacts and the patient terminals.

Abstract: An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the threshold of perception. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the threshold of perception. Also, impedance measurement may be used to quickly identify defective electrodes and proper electrode placement.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual subject. The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from subject to subject. Measure of impedance may be used to predict the electrode height from the neural tissue and, thereby, predict the threshold of perception. Alternatively, electrode height may be measured directly to predict the threshold of perception. Also, impedance measurement may be used to quickly identify defective electrodes and proper electrode placement.

Abstract: Systems and methods involve determination of CRT parameters using a number of CRT optimization processes. Each CRT optimization process attempts to return recommended parameters. The CRT parameters are determined based on the recommended parameters returned by one or more of the CRT optimization processes. The CRT optimization processes may be sequentially implemented and the CRT parameters may be determined based on the recommended parameters returned by a first CRT optimization process to return recommended parameters. The CRT parameters may be determined based on a combination of the recommended parameters returned. The CRT optimization processes implemented may be selected from available CRT optimization processes based on patient conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring contact between a medical probe and tissue are provided. A medical probe is introduced into a patient adjacent the tissue. An electrical parameter, e.g., electrical admittance, is measured between a first electrode located on the medical probe and a second electrode remote from the first electrode. The electrical parameter is amplitude modulated in response to a physiological cycle of the patient. Contact between the medical probe and the tissue is detected based on the amplitude modulation of the measured electrical parameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with core decompression include a dowel adapted for placement into a core decompression channel of a femoral head. A cathode at the distal end of the dowel provides electrical stimulation of bone growth in the femoral head. A method of treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head involves placing a dowel having a cathode thereon into a core decompression channel of a femoral head in a state of osteonecrosis. Electrical current is supplied to the cathode for electrical stimulation of bone growth in the femoral head.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a therapy delivered to a patient include detecting a value of at least one sensed patient parameter and adjusting a therapy parameter value to accommodate different patient parameter values. A data structure including a plurality of patient parameter values and associated therapy parameter values may be stored within a medical device or a programming device. Upon detecting a patient parameter value, an associated therapy parameter value from the data structure may be selected. If no therapy parameter value is associated with the detected patient parameter value, an intermediate therapy parameter value may be generated by interpolating between the most recently implemented therapy parameter value and a stored therapy parameter value. In some embodiments, the rate of shifting between parameters of two stored or interpolated therapy parameter values may be based on the rate of change of the patient parameter value over time.