Abstract: In an apparatus for electrotherapy, comprising a circuit arrangement with a terminal for generation of a sequence of voltage pulses and two electrodes for application of these voltage pulses to a part of the body that is to be treated; one of the two electrodes having a surface of comparatively high transition resistance and the other electrode having comparatively low transition resistance towards human skin; the electrode with the surface of high transition resistance being movable over the treated part of the body and the surface being a plastic film; with sequences of pulses of voltages from 1 to 600 V being generated and a current in a microampere range being produced in the tissue; it is provided that the rapid discharge circuit comprises several thyristors which are triggered by optocouplers.

Abstract: A method for indirectly stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient includes the steps of positioning one or more electrodes in the vicinity of the vagus nerve and then actuating the electrode(s) to create an electrical field for stimulating the vagus nerve. Disclosed embodiments include positioning one or more electrodes in the esophagus, trachea, or jugular vein, on the neck of the patient, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An elastic framework configured to be positioned around a portion of the heart has a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions positioned relative to the first regions. The framework allows for the positioning of the first regions and second regions adjacent the outer surface of the heart and is structured so that the regions experience different movement effects in response to expansion and contraction of the heart. A sensor network having at least one motion sensor system associated with one of the first regions and second regions is associated with the framework. The motion sensor system outputs data responsive to the relative movement effects of the first and second regions. A communications system in communication with the sensor network provides for the transmission of motion data to a location remote from the framework.

Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker in which an electrogram is recorded from an evoked response sensing channel in order to detect changes indicative of cardiac ischemia. If such changes are detected, the maximum allowable pacing rate can be decreased for those pacing modes that allow the pacing rate to change with metabolic demand.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more nerve root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a nerve root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more nerve root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a nerve root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for modulating neural tissue including systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of targeted neural tissue. Targeted neural tissue may include one or more ganglia including those of the spinal nerves in the dorsal root and the sympathetic chain. Methods also include implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Abstract: A punctual stimulation therapy appliance (1) comprising a battery-operated treatment current generator (2) which is arranged in a small housing (5) to be worn on the body in the region of the outer ear and which feeds a punctual stimulation electrode (4) connected thereto via at least one flexible line (3). The treatment current generator (2) is provided with a programmable microchip (17) controlling the treatment current course which microchip preferably is a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, respectively. Preferably, the housing (5) of the appliance (1) approximately has the shape of a calotte and carries a surface electrode disk (7) designed to be adhesive.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method is provided for detecting heart failure which includes retrieving a three-dimensional posture template corresponding to a normal evoked response. The method further includes capturing an intracardiac electrogram of an evoked response and detecting a three-dimensional posture corresponding with the intracardiac electrogram. The detected three-dimensional posture and the three-dimensional posture template are compared. The captured intracardiac electrogram is used for heart failure trend analysis if the comparison of the detected three-dimensional posture and the three-dimensional posture template indicates a same posture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the intermittent occlusion of a coronary sinus. The method includes occluding the coronary sinus with an occlusion device, continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus and defining measured pressure by use, releasing the occlusion of the coronary sinus as a function of at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values, introducing a perfusate into the occluded coronary sinus or at least a vein running into the coronary sinus, and controlling an amount of perfusate introduced as a function of the at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values. The at least one parameter may be a derivative of a fluid pressure curve according to time, and/or a plateau value of the pressure minima, and/or a pressure value of the pressure maxima, of consecutive heartbeats that is computationally estimated from the measured fluid values.

Abstract: A method using a precisely controlled, computer programmable stimulus for neuroselective tissue stimulation that does not leave a sufficient voltage or electrical artifact on the tissue being stimulated that would interfere or prevent a monitoring system from recording the physiological response is utilized to evaluate the physiological conduction of the tissue being studied. A computer controls both the waveform, duration and intensity of the stimulus. An output trigger to the nerve response recording component controls the timing of its operation. A neuroselective nervous tissue response latency and amplitude may be determined. The computer controlled stimulus may also be administered for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a subject suffering from spontaneous atrial fibrillation includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply an electrical current to the vagus nerve, and to configure the current to maintain the spontaneous AF for at least about 24 hours, so as to modify blood flow within the atria and reduce risk of thromboembolic events.

Abstract: An medical electrical lead in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: (a) a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, (b) a conductor traversing from the proximal end to the distal end, (c) an electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body and electrically coupled to the conductor adapted to electrically stimulate a heart, (d) occlusion fabric disposed at the distal end of the lead body and supported by the electrode in a shape adapted to cover holes in the heart, and (f) a second electrode adapted to provide bipolar electrical stimulation of the heart.

Abstract: An anchor and procedure for placing a medical implant, such as for monitoring physiological parameters. The anchor includes a central body in which a medical implant can be received. Arms and members extend radially from first and second ends, respectively, of the central body. Each member defines a leg extending toward distal portions of the arms to provide a clamping action. The anchor and its implant are placed by coupling first and second guidewires to first and second portions of the anchor, placing an end of a delivery catheter in a wall where implantation is desired, inserting the anchor in the catheter with the guidewires to locate the anchor within the wall, deploying the arms of the anchor at one side of the wall followed by deployment of the members at the opposite side of the wall, and thereafter decoupling the guidewires from the anchor.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulation assembly includes an energy source coupled to an energy emitter that extends form a delivery member into a region of tissue in the heart. An array of the emitters are adapted to extend from a delivery assembly and into unique locations along the region of tissue, such as by use of extendable, pre-shaped needles. A volume of conductive agent is delivered into the region and enhances stimulation of the region with the energy emitter. The agent may be an injectable preparation of living cells that express production of connexin, e.g. connexin 43, and may be genetically modified to over-express such production. The agent may include a non-living material, such as conductive polymer or metal or combination thereof. The combination of energy emitters and conductive agent enhances stimulation of the region. Delivering the stimulation assembly and conductive agent into the interventricular septum allows for improved biventricular septal pacing.

Abstract: The operation of an implantable medical device executing at least one set of firmware code is modified using a hardware/firmware trap at a point of execution of the set of firmware code. A patch code for directing the implantable medical device to perform a particular task is provided for execution when the trap generates an interrupt. The operation thereafter returns to the point of execution of the set of firmware code where the interrupt was generated and execution of the set of firmware code continues in a normal manner.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation and/or chemical stimulation to treat depression. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead and/or catheter that is in communication with a predetermined site which is coupled to a signal generator and/or infusion pump that release either an electrical signal and/or a pharmaceutical resulting in stimulation of the predetermined site thereby treating the mood and/or anxiety disorder.

Abstract: A resuscitation system that includes at least two defibrillation electrodes configured to be applied to the exterior of the chest of a patient for delivering a defibrillation shock, a source of one or more ECG signals from the patient, a defibrillation circuit for delivering a defibrillation shock to the defibrillation electrodes, a control box that receives and processes the ECG signals to determine whether a defibrillation shock should be delivered or whether CPR should be performed, and that issues instructions to the user either to deliver a defibrillation shock or to perform CPR, wherein the determination of whether CPR should be performed and the instructions to perform CPR can occur at substantially any point during a rescue.

Abstract: A diagnostic gauge for cardiac health is described. Multiple parameters pertaining to a patent's cardiac health are distilled to a single diagnostic vector having an angle and a magnitude. The diagnostic vector is plotted on a Cartesian graph to form a visual gauge that provides a general assessment of the patient's cardiac health given the underlying parameters. This allows care providers to diagnose more quickly a patient's cardiac health through observation of the gauge without having to review all of the measured parameters. Additionally, the diagnostic gauge can be used to screen for those patient's with conditions that require more immediate attention. A trend of the diagnostic vectors can also be developed and plotted to reveal changes in the patient's cardiac health over time.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for overdrive pacing the ventricles using a pacemaker wherein an increase in an overdrive pacing rate is performed primarily to achieve a high degree of rate smoothing. The ventricles are paced at an overdrive pacing rate selected to permit the detection of the least some intrinsic ventricular pulses and then the overdrive pacing rate is dynamically adjusted based on the detected intrinsic ventricular pulses. In one example, an increase in the ventricular overdrive rate is performed only in response to detection of at least two intrinsic ventricular beats within a predetermined search period. If at least two intrinsic ventricular beats are not detected within the search period, the overdrive pacing rate is decreased.

Abstract: Thrombolytic and/or anticoagulation therapy of the present invention includes implantation of the discharge portion(s) of a catheter and, optionally, one or more electrodes on a lead, adjacent tissue(s) to be stimulated. Stimulation pulses, i.e., drug infusion pulses and optional electrical pulses, are supplied by a stimulator implanted remotely, and through the catheter or lead, which is tunneled subcutaneously between the stimulator and stimulation site. Stimulation sites include the coronary arteries, coronary veins, cerebral arteries, other blood vessels, chambers of the heart, mesenteric vessels, deep vessels of the leg, and other locations. Disclosed treatments include drugs used for chronic treatment and/or prevention of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thromboembolic disease, for acute treatment of thrombosis, and combinations of these.