Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple electrode, closed-loop, responsive system for the treatment of certain neurological diseases such as epilepsy, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease. Brain electrodes would be placed in close proximity to the brain or deep within brain tissue. When a neurological event such as the onset of an epileptic seizure occurs, EEG signals from the electrodes are processed by signal conditioning means in a control module that can be placed beneath the patient's scalp, within the patient's chest, or situated externally on the patient. Neurological event detection means in the control module will then cause a response to be generated for stopping the neurological event. The response could be an electrical signal to brain electrodes or to electrodes located remotely in the patient's body. The response could also be the release of medication or the application of a sensory input such as sound, light or mechanical vibration or electrical stimulation of the skin.

Abstract: A diagnostic decision support system provides diagnostic decision support for auditory evaluation of anatomical features and is applicable to virtually any living creature. The system processes an acoustic signal for medical applications by acquiring acoustic data representative of an acoustic signal associated with an anatomical function. The acquired acoustic data is stored in a file associated with a patient medical record. The acquired acoustic data and medical record information is automatically analyzed to determine physiologically significant features useful in medical diagnosis. Information is generated supporting medical diagnosis based on the automatic analysis. In addition, the analysis of the acquired acoustic data may be partially automatic and involve User input of information for use in facilitating diagnostic decision making. The system also processes patient identification information and acoustic test type information (e.g.

Abstract: The implant guiding programmer is configured to automatically determine a defibrillation threshold (DFT) for a particular patient and to further determine an optimal implantation configuration for an implantable cardioverter fibrillator (ICD). In one implementation, to determine the DFT for the patient, the programmer correlates patient specific data with a predictive data base containing DFT information for an entire population of patients. The programmer additionally determines an optimal implantation configuration for the patient, wherein the optimal configuration is one which is capable of exceeding the DFT for the patient using minimal electrical pulse energy.

Abstract: A system of performing a medical procedure, such as surgery, is provided. The system comprises a sensor to sense a state of cardiac tissue, such as an impending contraction and an indicator to indicate the state of the cardiac tissue. Methods and devices for performing the medical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A signal evaluation method for detecting QRS complexes in electrocardiogram signals incorporates the following process steps: sampling of the signal (4) and conversion to discrete signal values (x(n)) in chronological order, determining the sign of each signal value (x(n)), continuous checking of the signs of consecutive signal values (x(n)) for the presence of a zero crossing between two consecutive signal values (x(n)), determining the number (D(n)) of zero crossings in a defined segment (N) of the consecutive signal values (x(n)), and comparing the determined number of zero crossings (D(n)) to a defined threshold value, wherein an undershoot of the threshold value signifying the presence of a QRS complex (5, 6, 7) in the defined segment of the signal curve (4).

Abstract: A blood pump is joined in parallel flow between the left ventricle and aorta of a patient's heart. The pump includes an inlet pressure sensor and cooperating controller for measuring inlet pressure to the pump to control operation thereof. The controller adjusts speed of the pump in a closed loop control using feedback of the measured inlet pressure to conform operation of the pump with the natural cycle of the heart.

Abstract: A pacemaker or other implantable cardiac stimulation device is configured with both a rate hysteresis mode and a vasovagal syncope prevention mode. Within the rate hysteresis mode, the pacemaker detects when the intrinsic heart rate of the patient is below an escape rate, then paces the heart at a Base Rate until an intrinsic beat is detected. When programmed in the vasovagal syncope prevention mode, upon detecting the intrinsic rate falling below the Hysteresis Escape Rate, the pacemaker paces the heart at a Vasovagal Syncope Response Rate, which is considerably higher than the Base Rate. The pacemaker is preferably set to the syncope prevention mode for patients prone to recurrent vasovagal syncope. By pacing the heart at the higher Vasovagal Syncope Response Rate, the pacemaker thereby helps prevent a significant drop in blood pressure which might otherwise cause a loss of consciousness in the patient. System and method embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selection of one or more ventricular chambers to stimulate for ventricular resynchronization therapy. Intrinsic intracardia electrograms that include QRS complexes, are recorded from a left and right ventricle. A timing relationship between the intrinsic intracardia electrograms recorded from the left and right ventricle is then determined. In one embodiment, the timing relationship is determined using a delay between a left ventricular and a right ventricular sensed intrinsic ventricular depolarizations and a duration interval of one or more QRS complexes. In one embodiment, the duration of QRS complexes is determined from either intracardiac electrograms or from surface ECG recordings. One or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses are then selected based on the timing relationship between intrinsic intracardia electrograms recorded from the right and left ventricle, and the duration of one or more QRS complexes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an encryption apparatus, system, and method in which data from an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) and a data center could be transferred based on a differentiated encryption system. The encryption scheme allows for the differentiation, segregation, and classification of data at required or needed levels of security. Before transfer of the data, either from an IMD or any other part of a support network for the IMDs, the encryption device begins to distinguish the data. The variable data is then classified based on various levels of security having distinct encryption protocols. After classification the data is encrypted based on the data's level of security. The data is then transmitted. Upon being received the data is then segregated based on whether the data is encrypted. The encrypted data is then de-encrypted and interpreted.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system for regulating a heart of a patient. The system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a processor, and a medical device. The first sensor is capable of sensing activity of a heart atrium. The second sensor is capable of sensing activity of a heart ventricle. The processor is coupled to the first and second sensors and is capable of determining an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time based upon signals from the first and second sensors. The processor is further capable of generating a hemodynamic baseline ratio based upon an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time of a hemodynamic heartbeat, as well as an active ratio based upon an atrial cycle time and a ventricular cycle time of an active heartbeat. The processor is further capable of comparing the hemodynamic baseline ratio and the active ratio, and determining a corrective action based upon this comparison.

Abstract: A system and method of neuromodulation adjunct (add-on) therapy for Diabetes and blood glucose regulation, comprises an implantable lead-receiver and an external stimulator. Neuromodulation is performed using a pulsed electrical stimulation. The external stimulator contains a power source, controlling circuitry, a primary coil, and predetermined programs. The primary coil of the external stimulator inductively transfers electrical signals to the lead-receiver, which is also in electrical contact with a vagus nerve. The external stimulator emits electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve according to a predetermined program. The patient acts as his/her own feedback loop. In a second mode of operation, an operator may manually override the predetermined sequence of stimulation, based on meal schedule. The external stimulator may also be equipped with a telecommunications module to control the predetermined programs remotely.

Abstract: A defibrillator in which electrodes with a limited shelf life are stored largely out of view from the exterior of the unit, but the expiration date or other marking indicative of expiration or failure is positioned so as to be visible from the exterior of the defibrillation unit. A fracturable member is attached to the defibrillation unit so that opening the defibrillation unit requires fracturing the member, thereby providing an indication of whether the unit has been opened. Electrodes are releasably attached to the inside of the cover of a defibrillator, so that when the cover is removed the electrodes remain with the cover.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement is provided having an electrode line which has a closed casing for sealing off its interior relative to the surrounding area. At its distal end, electrically conducting surface regions serve as electrodes. A fixing mechanism anchors the distal end in a body tissue, in particular heart tissue and is adapted to be separable from the rest of the electrode line in such a way that the rest of the electrode line is also closed at its distal end when the fixing mechanism is separated off. The interior of the electrode line is sealed off relative to the surrounding area even when the fixing element is separated off. The electrode arrangement is characterized by a mechanism for separating off the fixing mechanism, which is adapted to effect separation by virtue of forces acting axially within the electrode line.

Abstract: A system and method of neuromodulation adjunct (add-on) therapy for obesity and compulsive eating disorders, comprises an implantable lead-receiver and an external stimulator. Neuromodulation is performed using pulsed electrical stimulation. The external stimulator contains a power source, controlling circuitry, a primary coil, and predetermined programs which control the different levels of therapy. The primary coil of the external stimulator inductively transfers electrical signals to the lead-receiver, which is also in electrical contact with the left vagus nerve. The external stimulator emits electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve according to a predetermined program. In a second mode of operation, an operator may manually override the predetermined sequence of stimulation. The predetermined programs have different levels of control, which is password protected. The external stimulator may also be equipped with a telecommunications module to control the predetermined programs remotely.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulation device, a His Bundle lead, and an associated method for detecting a conduction signal from the His Bundle. Upon this detection, the stimulation device delivers ventricular stimulation to the right and/or left ventricles at an interval following the atrial depolarization. A sensing window is initiated following the sensing of the atrial depolarization. During the sensing windows, the His Bundle signal received through the His Bundle lead is sampled and a moving average is calculated to determine a signal peak. Detection of the His Bundle signal peak triggers ventricular stimulation, which may be delivered to the right ventricle, the left ventricle, or both ventricles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and process which can stimulate a state of complete continence of the neosphincter in the preparation of continent neostomies. More specifically, the present invention provides an apparatus and process for the stimulation of a state of complete continence of the neosphincter in the preparation of continent neostomies, comprising an electrocatheter with an electrode inserted above the neostomy near, and in electrical contact with, transplanted muscle tissue (i.e., a strip of antral gastric musculature) which has been transplanted to the distal segment of the intestine or other organ where an ostomy has been created. The apparatus and process can restore the organic continence in a subject who has undergone therapeutic alteration of an indispensable segment of the visceral anatomy (i.e., the anus or the urinary bladder), thereby significantly improving quality of life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the incidence of atrial arrhythmias by using an overdrive algorithm to determine the application of overdrive stimulation pulses to a patient's heart, e.g., in the atria. In a first aspect of the invention, the apparatus first determines an overdrive pacing rate and then applies pairs of temporally spaced (staggered) pacing pulses, i.e., primary and secondary pacing pulses, at the determined overdrive pacing rate. In a further aspect of the invention, the pairs of pacing pulses are applied at the overdrive pacing rate to multiple spatially spaced electrodes, i.e., electrodes distributed among multiple sites in a patient's heart, e.g., in the atria. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the electrodes may be distributed within a single atrium, e.g., the right atrium, of the patient's heart.

Abstract: A computer software program is described that maps the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The software program utilizes inputs from electrodes contained within a heart chamber. Inputs from the electrodes cause the program to calculate the heart chamber volume, and then to determine the position of the electrodes within the heart chamber. The program then utilizes inputs from the electrodes to calculate the three-dimensional volumetric electrical field distribution of said heart chamber. This calculation is accomplished using a spherical harmonic series expression. Finally, the computer program displays the electrical field distribution of the heart chamber.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a sign-correlated simultaneous pulsatile stimulation. The circuit includes a plurality of circuit paths coupled in parallel between a voltage rail and ground. Each circuit path includes an electrode coupled to the voltage rail via a first current source and to the ground via a second current source, the first current source and the second current source having opposite sign. A remote ground electrode is coupled to the voltage rail via a first switch and to the ground via a second switch. The stimulation is achieved by activating all current sources of the same sign and switching the remote ground electrode to create current in the remote ground electrode equal to the sum of all single electrode currents.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical signals emanating from a body of a patient, and, in particular, from the patient's heart, comprises a catheter having an electrode array, preferably on its distal end. The apparatus of the invention further comprises a first amplifier for measuring a voltage from a first electrode of the array, and a cascade of differential amplifiers, each of which measures a voltage difference between two successive electrodes in the array.