Abstract: Receiving an action potential signal associated with a myocardial contraction sensed at a myocardial site, receiving an action potential signal associated with the myocardial contraction sensed at a different myocardial site, comparing a common characteristics of each of the action potential signals wherein the common characteristics relates to at least one member selected from the group consisting of depolarization of tissue at the myocardial sites and repolarization of tissue at the myocardial sites, and, based on the comparing, deciding whether to call for anti-arrhythmia therapy.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for inhibiting bone growth, including inducing epiphysiodesis or hemiepiphysiodesis, using electrical current. The device includes a power source and one or a series of electrodes for applying a current sufficient to reduce or stop the growth of a bone to selected regions of the bone. The method and device may be used to correct growth discrepancies in extremities such as the arms or legs, as well as correct the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients.

Abstract: The prophylactic pacer/defibrillator is configured to deliver shocking therapy in response to a single episode of ventricular fibrillation, as well as delivering otherwise conventional pacing therapy. By providing “one shot” defibrillation capabilities a patient who is not at significant risk of ventricular fibrillation—and hence is not a candidate for a full-service implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)—can receive defibrillation therapy in the event ventricular fibrillation should nevertheless occur. Once the prophylactic pacer/defibrillator has delivered shocks to terminate the single episode of ventricular fibrillation, the patient returns to his or her physician to have the device removed and a full-service ICD implanted, so that any additional episodes of ventricular fibrillation may be addressed by the full-service ICD.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to an IMD having a piezoelectric transformer to power a lead-based sensor. The IMD powers the piezoelectric transformer with a low amplitude signal. The piezoelectric transformer serves to convert the voltage level of the low amplitude signal to a higher voltage level to drive the sensor produced by a battery in the IMD to voltage levels appropriate for IMD operation. A piezoelectric transformer offers small size and low profile, as well as operational efficiency, and permits the IMD to transmit a low amplitude signal to a remote sensor deployed within an implantable lead. In addition, the piezoelectric transformer provides electrical isolation that reduces electromagnetic interference among different sensors.

Abstract: Cardiac apparatus and methods of using such cardiac apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a cardiac apparatus includes a covering that is configured to at least partially encircle a heart with a first portion of the covering adjacent to a second portion of the covering. The cardiac apparatus also includes an electroactive polymer actuator. A first end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the first portion of the covering, and a second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is coupled to the second portion of the covering. The second end of the electroactive polymer actuator is oriented such that, upon actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator, the second end of the electroactive polymer actuator extends away from the first end of the electroactive polymer actuator to move the second portion of the covering towards the first portion of the covering.

Abstract: A system and method monitors or reports the battery status of an implantable medical device to a user. The battery terminal voltage and charge delivered are measured. Before the battery terminal voltage falls below an Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) threshold voltage, a charge-delivered indication of battery status is provided to a user. Thereafter, a battery terminal voltage indication of battery status is provided to a user. The Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) and End of Life (EOL) threshold voltages are each functions of delivered battery current. A fault current detection is also provided to a user. A device temperature sensor discounts the battery voltage reading when the device is too cold.

Abstract: A two-part implantable cardiac pacing lead is usable with a cardiac function management device. The lead includes an outer lead portion having a lead body and a conductive coil extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end. The lead body defines an internal longitudinal lumen. The lead further includes a surface electrode coupled to the lead body near the distal end and a sleeve defining an internal bore. The sleeve mechanically couples to the proximal end of the lead body and is electrically insulated from the conductive coil. The lead further includes an inner lead portion having a pin adapted to mechanically engage the internal bore. The pin is adapted for electrically coupling with a longitudinally-extending conductive member sized to fit within the internal longitudinal lumen.

Abstract: A template selection method involves providing a plurality of templates representing a type of cardiac event. One or more characteristics of each template are evaluated. The evaluations are compared and a template is selected as a current template based on the comparison.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for estimating the temporal refractory period of a heart, for adjusting a parameter for delivery of extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) therapy and for detecting an arrhythmia during delivery of ESS therapy In some aspects, probe pulses are periodically delivered to estimate the location of the end boundary of the refractory period, and accordingly estimate its length. In some embodiments, the parameter is adjusted based on estimated length of the refractory period. For example, an extra-systolic interval (ESI) for delivery of ESS is adjusted to be a fixed interval longer than estimated lengths of the refractory period. In other aspects, the parameter is adjusted based on a measured delay (or latency) between delivery of an ESS pulse and detection of an evoked response resulting from the pulse. Also, delays between delivery of an ESS pulse and detection of a subsequent depolarization are monitored to detect an arrhythmia.

Abstract: The bi-ventricular implantable pulse generator described and depicted herein enables hemodynamic efficiencies for patients suffering from intraventricular conduction delays or conduction blockage. The pulse generator effectively overcomes such conduction delay or block (e.g., left bundle branch block, “LBBB,” or right bundle branch block, “RBBB”) by delivering a novel form of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Specifically, a single ventricular pre-excitation pacing stimulus is triggered from an atrial event (e.g., intrinsic or evoked depolarization). The triggering event may emanate from the right atrium (RA) or the left atrium (LA). A single ventricular pre-excitation pacing stimulus is delivered prior to the intrinsic depolarization of the other ventricle and thus promotes intraventricular electromechanical synchrony during CRT delivery.

Abstract: A surface electrode for long-term electrical communication with a skin surface of a patient, the surface electrode including: (a) a highly-conductive foil, for operatively connecting to a power source, for communication of an electrical signal between the highly-conductive foil and the skin surface of the patient, and (b) a securing arrangement for securing the highly-conductive foil to the skin surface, wherein the foil has a plurality of macroscopic air-permeable regions for fluid communication of air with the skin surface, and wherein the plurality of macroscopic air-permeable regions has a first surface area, the foil has a second surface area, and a ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is at least 0.1.

Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning a neurostimulator carrier around a body organ of the patient where the organ is innervated by at least a vagal trunk. An electrode is disposed on the carrier and positioned at the vagal trunk. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device is equipped with an isolation system capable of attenuating or eliminating induction currents flowing through the stimulation device by eliminating induction loops. The isolation system comprises a magnetic insulator configured to shield selected components of the stimulation device from external magnetic fields or radio-frequency (RF) signals. The magnetic insulator comprises a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect the intensity of the external magnetic fields and/or RF signals, and a switch bank that electrically isolates certain components of the stimulation device to eliminate the induction loops. The isolation system further comprises an attenuation system comprised of at least one magnetoresistor disposed along potential induction loops to attenuate induction currents when subjected to undesirable external magnetic fields and/or RF signals.

Abstract: A patient monitoring device incorporates a receiver capable of single-antenna or multi-antenna operation. Multi-antenna operation permits the monitoring device to take advantage of spatial diversity for improved communication with an implantable medical device in the presence of fading. However, the small size of many patient monitoring devices can make the incorporation of multiple antennas difficult. To permit spatial diversity operation, a base station includes at least a second antenna that can be coupled to the patient monitoring device. Alternatively, the base station may have one or more high quality antennas that are used by patient monitoring device instead of the antenna in the patient monitoring device when the patient monitoring device is coupled to the base station.

Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating between cardiac events that includes an input circuit receiving signals indicative of the cardiac events, a first output circuit generating pulses in response to the received signals, and a microprocessor determining whether a signal received by the input circuit subsequent to the generated pacing pulses corresponds to a predetermined cardiac event in response to an elapsed time period between the generated pulses and the subsequently received signal and a predetermined discrimination threshold.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient providing a measurement-modulated acoustic signal (7) after/when a measurement value of the monitored physiological parameter exceeds an alarm limit.

Abstract: A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), a stiffening element (15), and a stiffening sheath (16) that at least partially envelops the elongate member (11). The member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon. The member (11) has a first configuration that allows it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea (30). The member (11) also has a second configuration wherein the member is curved to match an inside surface of the cochlea (30), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the stiffening element (15) and sheath (16) are made of a material that is relatively stiffer than the member (11). The stiffening element (15) and the stiffening sheath (16) in combination bias the elongate member (11) into the first configuration.

Abstract: In order to avoid a sudden cardiac death by a fatal arrhythmia, various living body information for generating a signal which shows a level of an autonomic tone is detected by a sensor or a VT/VF risk event is detected so as to control the stimulation of the vagus nerve or the nerve stimulation waveform. For this purpose, the parameter of the nerve stimulation signal is controlled according to a detection of the living body information represented by a QT interval which is measured by intracardiac information of the heart or a detection of a VT/VF risk event represented by a ventricular premature contraction which is picked up from spontaneous cardiac events.

Abstract: A programming device used to program an implantable neurostimulator (INS) presents battery longevity information to a user to assist the user in selecting a program for the INS. The programming device directs the INS to deliver neurostimulation therapy according to a plurality of programs during a programming session. Each of the programs includes parameters that define the neurostimulation delivered according to that program. For example, each program may include as parameters a voltage or current pulse amplitude, a pulse width, a pulse rate, and a duty cycle. The program may also identify as parameters the electrodes selected from a set coupled to the INS and their polarities, e.g., anode or cathode, for delivery of neurostimulation according to that program.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing an overdrive pacing rate, based at least in part on the overdrive pacing rate, determining an incidence limit for incidence of intrinsic atrial activity events, determining an incidence of intrinsic atrial activity events, comparing the incidence of intrinsic atrial activity events to the incidence limit and, based at least on the comparing, deciding whether to adjust the overdrive pacing rate. According to this exemplary method, the incidence limit is optionally a function of overdrive pacing rate. Another exemplary method includes determining a dwell limit wherein the dwell limit is optionally a function of overdrive pacing rate. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.