Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a vision regeneration assisting apparatus capable of assisting in vision regeneration without making a system structure complicated. In the invention, a vision regeneration assisting apparatus for regenerating a vision of a patient going blind by a disease of a retina includes a photosensor embedded in the retina of an eye of the patient and converting an optical signal into an electric signal, photographing means for photographing an object to be recognized by the patient, image processing means for carrying out an image processing to extract a feature with respect to an image of the object obtained by the photographing means, pulse light forming means for forming a luminous flux into a pulse light to induce a vision, and irradiating means provided before the eye of the patient and applying the pulse light toward the photosensor so as to be formed as an image processed by the image processing means.

Abstract: A medical device, e.g., an implantable medical device, delivers one or more neurally-excitable stimulation pulses to myocardial tissue during a period when the tissue is refractory. The width of the pulses is less than or equal to approximately one half millisecond. In some embodiments, the current amplitude of the pulses is less than or equal to approximately twenty milliamps. In exemplary embodiments, the medical device delivers a pulse train of six or fewer pulses separated from each other by an interval that is greater than or equal to approximately ten milliseconds. In some embodiments, the medical device delivers pulses according to a schedule stored in a memory, or as a function of a monitored physiological parameter of a patient, such as an intracardiac pressure. In some embodiments, the medical device suspends or withholds delivery of neurally-excitable based on detection of cardiac ischemia.

Abstract: Medical electrodes are provided for use in applications that require long shelf life and/or shelf life at high temperatures. Some electrodes include high temperature adhesives and/or foams and an encapsulated electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for managing medical data in an active implantable medical device such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, cardiometer or multisite device for use of the medical data by a specialized follow-up practitioner such as a cardiologist. The process is characterized by reading by telemetry the memory data (12) of the device (10) in a patient by use of a programmer (14), memorizing in a database within the programmer the raw medical data thus read, the database having a memory field (24) containing an identifier of the patient (26), an address (28) of the follow-up practitioner such as a cardiologist or a regular practitioner ensuring the medical follow-up of the patient, as well as the aforementioned raw medical data (30), transmitting by a telematic way (36) to that follow-up practitioner, at the corresponding address, the medical data relating to the identified patient, and collecting, treating and presenting to the follow-up practitioner the medical data thus transmitted.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a connector header for making electrical and mechanical connections with a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and includes a retainer for retaining a penetrable grommet within a header grommet aperture. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. The penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by a tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, implantable stimulator for use in an FES system includes a housing, implantable into a patient's body. The housing contains a receiving device and a control unit, the control unit receiving signals from the receiving device which, in turn, receives signals transcutaneously from a controller arranged externally of the patient's body. A plurality of leads extend from the housing, the leads being arranged in separate bundles of discrete leads, each bundle being associated with a particular site of the patient's body.

Abstract: An introducer system for use with a pacemaker lead includes a plastic sheath compatible for insertion within a body, a first end configured for insertion into the body with a second end extending out of the body. A central lumen of the sheath is configured to permit introduction of the lead and includes a flexible, kink-resistant section smooth on its outer surface with a helical pleat defining a helical groove enabling a conductor extending from the mapping probe to the pacing system analyzer to be received in the helical groove of the sheath. A mapping probe at the first end of the sheath is connectable to a pacing system analyzer for seeking a location on the myocardial surface of the heart or an endocardial location at which optimal pacing parameters can be achieved prior to implantation of the lead.

Abstract: A hand-held viral inhibitor and related methodology which transfer between space exposed electrodes an electric current signal of reversing polarity through the viral-laden tissue are disclosed.

Abstract: A neuro-muscular electrical stimulator includes a signal generator that generates at least one neuro-muscular stimulation signal and a programmable channel sequencer having six or more output channels. The channel sequencer couples the stimulation signal to the sequencer output channels in a predetermined sequence. A programmer that communicates with the sequencer allows a physician to individually program, for each sequencer output channel, the length of the time period during which the stimulation signal is coupled to the output channel so as to provide a patient specific therapy prescription.

Abstract: Packaging techniques for a non-transvenous implantable cardioverter/defibrillator include a housing and a frame within the housing for holding electronic components. A header is disposed on the housing and includes at least one feedthrough extending through the housing for providing electrical communication to and from the electronic components within the housing.

Abstract: A subcutaneous cardiac device includes two electrodes and a stimulator that generates a pulse to the electrodes. The electrodes are implanted between the skin and the rib cage of the patient and are adapted to generate an electric field corresponding to the pulse, the electric field having a substantially uniform voltage gradient as it passes through the heart. The shapes, sizes, positions and structures of the electrodes are selected to optimize the voltage gradient of the electric field, and to minimize the energy dissipated by the electric field outside the heart. More specifically, the electrodes have contact surfaces that contact the patient tissues, said contact surfaces having a total contact area of less than 100 cm2. In one embodiment, one or both electrodes are physically separated from the stimulator. In another embodiment a unitary housing holds the both electrodes and the stimulator.

Abstract: A baroreflex stimulator is described that treats disordered breathing in a patient. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to provide a baroreflex stimulation signal through an electrode, and a modulator to modulate the baroreflex stimulation signal based on a circadian rhythm template.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a signal to a heart of a human subject is provided. The apparatus includes a set of one or more electrodes, adapted to be coupled to the right ventricular septum of the heart. A control unit of the apparatus is adapted to drive the electrode set to apply an Excitable-Tissue Control (ETC) signal to the septum. Preferably, the control unit is adapted to configure the signal to be capable of modifying contractility of a portion of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for characterizing one beat of a patient's supraventricular rhythm. A plurality of templates is provided and updated using a plurality of qualified beats. Updating occurs by temporally aligning the shock channel waveforms of the template beats using rate channel fiducial points. The template beats are combined by point-by-point addition of the shock channel waveforms. The resultant updated template characterizes one of the patient's supraventricular conducted cardiac beats.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device which employs pacing therapy to regularize the ventricular rhythm. Such ventricular rate regularization may be employed within bradycardia pacemakers, ventricular resynchronization devices, or implantable cardioverter/defibrillators.

Abstract: A power supply for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for subcutaneous positioning between the third rib and the twelfth rib and for providing cardioversion/defibrillation energy to the heart, the power supply comprising a capacitor subsystem for storing the cardioversion/defibrillation energy for delivery to the patient's heart; and a battery subsystem electrically coupled to the capacitor subsystem for providing electrical energy to the capacitor subsystem.

Abstract: A method and device for delivering anti-tachycardia pacing pulses that may be used to treat episodes of atrial or ventricular tachycardia. Episodes of atrial or ventricular tachycardia can occur while the heart is at a normal rhythm or an accelerated rhythm. The method and device is directed to determining an estimate of action potential duration of a heart that experiences episodes of atrial or ventricular tachycardia for use in determining a pacing interval for anti-tachycardia pacing pulses that may more effectively terminate the tachycardia.

Abstract: A medical telemetry system includes a first detection section for detecting a first vital sign signal using a first sensor, a transmitter 10 which modulates a signal detected by the first detection section and transmits the modulated signal by radio wave transmission, a receiver 30 which receives the detection signal that has been transmitted by radio wave transmission and demodulates the received signal, having a connector 32 for transmitting the demodulated signal to a vital sign signal input section of the vital sign signal monitor 20, wherein the connector 32 of the receiver is connectable with a commonly used vital sign signal input section of each of various types of vital sign signal monitors 20.

Abstract: A drug-eluting endocardial lead and method of manufacture. The silicone elastomer of the present invention is ideally suited to a manufacturing environment due to its extended pot life and decreased curing time. A preferred silicone elastomer is comprised of a multi-part mixture having at least a base portion and a curing portion. Additionally, since curing does not begin until the base and curing portions are combined, the mixing can be physically undertaken closer to the location of the endocardial lead and the curing “clock” does not start until the mixing occurs and external heat is applied. Since the silicone elastomer formed by base and curing components have improved the pot life and curing characteristics, the mixture is suitable for mixing with a steroid and then dispensing into an endocardial lead tip thus eliminating current design limitations imposed by current art while concomitantly minimizing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An electro-acupuncture device for controlling nausea. The device includes a base unit which is includes a wrist-watch like housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and a strap for securing the housing to the wrist. The base unit has a standardized construction. The device also includes a releasably attachable electrode assembly. The electrode assembly attaches to the base unit of the device. The electrode assembly includes a pair of electrodes and connectors for connecting the electrodes to the circuitry of the base unit. The output of the device is dependent upon the circuitry of the electrode assembly. Thus various electrode assemblies can be made. The circuitry of the base unit modifies the output of the device depending upon which electrode assembly is attached to the base unit.