Abstract: A vascular coupling device for connecting an artificial heart pump to the vascular system of a subject is disclosed. The artificial heart pump may form part of a total artificial heart (TAH). The vascular coupling device comprises a first and a second coupling element, each one of said first and second coupling elements has a first end comprising a resilient coupling portion, a second end comprising a vascular grafting material, and a tubular midsection is arranged between said first and second ends. The vascular coupling device further comprises a coupling plate comprising a first receptor and a second receptor configured and adapted for receiving said resilient coupling portions of the first and second coupling elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, in particular to an implantable medical device, comprising at least one implantable or non-implantable hemodynamic sensor configured for detecting hemodynamic cardiac signals, a controller configured for processing and analyzing the detected cardiac hemodynamic signals or signals derived from the detected cardiac hemodynamic signals by applying to said signals a Teager Energy Operator (TEO). The controller further comprises at least one algorithm configured to determine the need for a defibrillation operation by taking into account the at least one output hemodynamic signal. The present invention also provides a method and software for detecting or treating a ventricular fibrillation episode by taking into account cardiac hemodynamic signals.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques that make use of objective measurements obtained in response to acoustic stimulation signals. More specifically, at least one measure of outer hair cell function and at least one measure of auditory nerve function are obtained from a tonotopic region of an inner ear of a recipient of a hearing prosthesis. The at least one measure of auditory nerve function and the least one measure of outer hair cell function are then analyzed relative to one another.

Abstract: An inflow cannula for an implantable blood pump, the inflow cannula defining an inlet at a proximal end, an opposite distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the inflow cannula being configured to constrict the lumen.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least one electrode to sense an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of a patient, and a controller coupled to the at least one electrode. The controller is configured to generate a first ECG template based on a first ECG signal of the patient received during a first baselining operation. The controller is configured to determine that the patient has been administered a therapeutic shock, and responsive to the determination that the patient has been administered the therapeutic shock, the controller is configured to initiate a second baselining operation and generate a second ECG template based on a second ECG signal of the patient received during the second baselining operation. The controller is configured to determine whether the patient is experiencing a cardiac event based on a comparison of the second ECG template to a real time ECG signal received during real time monitoring of the patient.

Abstract: Provided is a blood pump controller capable of preventing an operation error in performing a battery exchange with a small-sized and light-weighted configuration and exhibiting high waterproof property. A blood pump controller includes: a controller body for driving a blood pump; a battery pack having a first surface on which an electricity-supply-side battery connection connector is disposed and supplying stored electricity to the controller body; and a battery housing body having a slot which has a second surface on which an electricity-receiving-side battery connection connector is disposed and in which the battery pack is housed and held. When the battery pack is housed in the slot, an electrical connection is made between a pair of the battery connection connectors, the first surface and the second surface opposedly face each other, and a first sealing member provides sealing such that the first sealing member surrounds the pair of battery connection connectors.

Abstract: A system and methods of maintaining communication with a medical device for exchange of information, instructions, and programs, in a highly reliable manner. Apparatus and methods for accomplishing this task include: 1) The inclusion of a locating device in the system, in close proximity to an implanted device, but which does not drain the implanted device battery. The locating device may be implanted or external to the body. 2) The use of motion detection and global positioning system devices to locate elements within a communicating system for the medical device; 3) The assessment of received signal quality by elements of the system; 4) The use of a notification system for a device user who is moving out of range of communications; and 5) Documenting the absolute and functional integrity of instructions received by the medical device.

Abstract: A control system for a movement reconstruction and/or restoration system for a patient, comprising a sampling module configured and arranged to sample signals describing directly and/or indirectly motion at a sampling rate of at least 50 Hz; at least one stimulation system configured and arranged to provide stimulation for movement reconstruction and/or restoration to the patient; a prediction module configured and arranged to provide a prediction of at least a next movement, especially movement stage and/or sequence, to reduce latency and to synchronize stimulation to the movement phase, wherein the control system further comprises at least one controller, the controller being configured and arranged to provide stimulation control signals to the stimulation system on the basis of the information obtained by the sampling module and the prediction provided by the prediction module.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a high voltage therapy module is configured to control a high voltage charging circuit to charge a capacitor to a pacing voltage amplitude to deliver charge balanced pacing pulses. The capacitor is chargeable to a shock voltage amplitude that is greater than the pacing voltage amplitude. The ICD is configured to enable switching circuitry of the high voltage therapy module to discharge the capacitor to deliver a first pulse having a first polarity and a leading voltage amplitude corresponding to the pacing voltage amplitude for pacing the patient's heart via a pacing electrode vector selected from extra-cardiovascular electrodes. The high voltage therapy module delivers a second pulse after the first pulse. The second pulse has a second polarity opposite the first polarity and balances the electrical charge delivered during the first pulse.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for wireless implantable devices, for example implantable biomedical devices employed for biomodulation. Some embodiments include a biomodulation system including a non-implantable assembly including a source for wireless power transfer and a data communications system, an implantable assembly including a power management module configured to continuously generate one or more operating voltage for the implantable assembly using wireless power transfer from the non-implantable assembly, a control module operably connected to at least one communication channel and at least one stimulation output, the control module including a processor unit to process information sensed via the at least one communication channel and, upon determining a condition exists, to generate an output to trigger the generation of a stimulus.

Abstract: Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intravascular propeller is installed into the descending aorta and anchored within via an expandable anchoring mechanism. The propeller and anchoring mechanism may be foldable so as to be percutaneously deliverable to the aorta. The propeller may have foldable blades. The blades may be magnetic and may be driven by a concentric electromagnetic stator circumferentially outside the magnetic blades. The stator may be intravascular or may be configured to be installed around the outer circumference of the blood vessel. The support may create a pressure rise between about 20-50 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L/min. The support may have one or more pairs of contra-rotating propellers to modulate the tangential velocity of the blood flow. The support may have static pre-swirlers and or de-swirlers.

Abstract: A blood pump system includes a catheter, a pump housing disposed distal of a distal end of the catheter, a rotor positioned at least partially in the pump housing, a controller, and an electrode coupled a distal region of the blood pump. The electrode can be used to sense electrocardiogram (EKG) signals and transmit the signals to a controller of the blood pump. The operation of the blood pump can be adjusted based on the EKG signal and on cardiac parameters derived from the EKG signal. Further, the controller can determine a need for defibrillation or pacing of the patient's heart based on the signal and can administer treatment with electrical shocks to the heart via the electrode coupled to the blood pump. The use of an electrode with a blood pump already in place in the heart allows for more efficient and safer treatment of serious cardiac conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure relate to an anchoring and centering device for a circulatory support pump. An exemplary apparatus comprises an expandable anchoring device extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the expandable anchoring device is arranged about a central axis. A distal portion of the expandable anchoring device defines an annulus through which the cardiac pump can be arranged and to which the cardiac pump can be releasable coupled. A proximal portion of the expandable anchoring device is configured to circumferentially expand to an unconstrained configuration that has a cross-sectional diameter greater than a diameter of the annulus. The exemplary apparatus also includes a constraining member arranged over the expandable anchoring device to constrain the expandable anchoring device in a constrained configuration for delivery of the anchoring apparatus.

Abstract: An intravascular blood pump (1) comprises a ring seal (10) that is configured to assume a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and configured to contact and seal against an inner wall of the patient's blood vessel when inserted therein in the expanded configuration. A support member (12; 13) is disposed inside the ring seal (10) in order to support the ring seal (10) from the inside, wherein the support member (12; 13) is configured to collapse at least partially when a predetermined pressure difference between a proximal area and a distal area of the blood vessel acting on the ring seal (10) is exceeded.

Abstract: In some examples, a computing apparatus may determine information corresponding to a data structure and indicating delays associated with an atrium lead, a left ventricle (LV) lead, and a right ventricle (RV) lead based on one or more input variables. The computing apparatus may determine a plurality of individualized characteristics based on the information corresponding to the data structure. The computing apparatus may receive, from the plurality of measurement electrodes, a plurality of second sets of electrical measurements indicating second electrical signals applied to the patient's heart based on the plurality of individualized characteristics. The computing apparatus may determine cardiac resynchronization index (CRI) values using a first set of electrical measurements (e.g., native measurements) and the plurality of second sets of electrical measurements.

Abstract: Methods for treating urinary stress incontinence by non-invasively delivering energy to one or more submucosal regions of vaginal tissue to induce remodeling within the vaginal tissue are provided. In some embodiments, the energy delivery results in heating of the target tissue to a temperature that ranges from about 38° C. to about 46° C. In some embodiments, the subject methods involve cooling a mucosal epithelial layer over the vaginal tissue. In some embodiments, a reverse thermal gradient is produced as the mucosal epithelium is cooled while energy is delivered to the underlying vaginal tissue.

Abstract: A system for monitoring vital signs, configured to be used in conjunction with a computerized mobile device, the system including: a cover sensor assembly adapted to be operably engaged with the computerized mobile device, the cover sensor assembly having integrated therein at least one physiological sensor; a physiological data acquisition module configured to generate a physiological parameter measurement descriptive of a physical stimulus received by the at least one physiological sensor; and a validation module configured to control a validity status of the physiological parameter measurement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.

Abstract: A multi-site probe for interfacing with the central nervous system includes one more structures disposed perpendicularly on a backing layer, where each structure includes a braided sleeve over a flexible or rigid core, and a delivery-vehicle. The structures may include optrodes and electrodes. The location of the probe may be determined through the application of combinatorics.