Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for stimulation of tissues and structures within a body of a patient. In particular, implantable leads are provided which are comprised of a flexible circuit. Typically, the flexible circuit includes an array of conductors bonded to a thin dielectric film. Example dielectric films include polyimide, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or other biocompatible materials to name a few. Such leads are particularly suitable for stimulation of the spinal anatomy, more particularly suitable for stimulation of specific nerve anatomies, such as the dorsal root (optionally including the dorsal root ganglion).

Abstract: A system for constructing multiple shells (electronic models) indicative of the geometry and/or volume of a bodily lumen, such as a heart chamber, is configured to collect a plurality of location data points as the electrode is swept within the chamber. Each of the collected data points has an associated measured cardiac phase at which such point was acquired. The system is configured to segregate the collected electrode locations into sets based on the phase. Each set is characterized by a particular, associated phase of its constituent electrode locations. The system is configured to generate, for each set, a respective shell that will represent the chamber at the associated phase. The shells, once constructed, may be used for or in connection with a variety of diagnostic, mapping, and/or therapeutic procedures. The system is also configured to verify that the electrode is in contact with the heart tissue before using the collected data point in the shell construction (e.g.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an implantable electrode lead system that includes a series of shims stacked upon each other, a series of first components, and a series of second components connected to the series of first components through a series of connectors. One of the first components extends from one of the shims, and another of the first components extends from another one of the shims. The shims position the first components in a three dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, IMD, comprises atrial and ventricular sensing units for sensing atrial or ventricular electric events. The IMD also comprises atrial and ventricular pulse generators for generating atrial or ventricular pacing pulses. A controller controls the operation of the IMD (100) according to a first mode, in which the ventricular pulse generator is prevented from generating a back-up pulse if an evoked response detector fails to detect evoked response to a delivered ventricular pacing pulse, and a second mode, in which the ventricular pulse generator is controlled to generate a back-up pulse if no evoked response is detected following delivery of a ventricular stimulating pulse. The controller switches operation from the first mode to the second mode based on the evoked response detector failing to detect an evoked response to a delivered ventricular pacing pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating movement disorders of a living being, a method of treating refractory gait disturbances of a human Parkinson's disease patient being affected by gait disturbances, and an apparatus for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of a living being affected by movement disorders.

Abstract: A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method performed by an IMD to deliver a therapy to a patient. In some embodiments of the method, the therapy is delivered to the patient, and a trigger that is controlled by the patient is detected by the IMD. The therapy is automatically interrupted in response to the detected trigger, and is automatically restored after a defined period after the detected trigger. In some embodiments of the method, a trigger that is controlled by the patient is detected. The therapy is automatically initiated in response to the detected trigger, and is automatically stopped after a defined period after the detected trigger.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention concern the timing of sending one or more commands to control circuitry of a multi-electrode lead (MEL). In one embodiment, the one or more commands are sent to control circuitry within the MEL during a predetermined portion of a cardiac pacing cycle to avoid potential problems of prior systems that were not synchronized with the cardiac pacing cycle. In one embodiment, the one or more commands are sent when cardiac tissue is refractory from a cardiac pacing pulse, to prevent the command(s) from potentially undesirably stimulating cardiac tissue. The command sending can occur such that the one or more commands are sent between instances when sensing circuitry of the implantable cardiac stimulation device is being used to obtain one or more signals indicative of cardiac electrical activity, to prevent interference between the one or more commands with the signals indicative of cardiac electrical activity that are sensed.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating the operation of a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator are disclosed. A processor receives signals of both an implanted hemodynamic sensor and intracardiac electrograms and digitizes them. The digitized signal of the hemodynamic sensor is used to prevent inappropriate cardiac stimulation and erroneous cardiac detection. The hemodynamic signal is also used to define arrhythmias.

Abstract: An extensible implantable electrical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. The lead body is formed of a polymeric material that is extensible between a first length and a second length. A plurality of electrical conductors are disposed within the lead body and extend between the proximal end and the distal end. The plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated from each other and form co-axial coils between the proximal end and the distal end. The co-axial coils include an outer coil disposed about an inner coil. The inner coil has a first plurality of electrical conductors that are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a first coil diameter. The outer coil includes a second plurality of electrical conductors that are electrically insulated and separated from each other and have a second coil diameter. The second coil diameter is greater than the first coil diameter, and the first plurality is a number less than the second plurality.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) configures one or more operating parameters of the IMD based on a type of source of a disruptive energy field to which the IMD is exposed. The disruptive energy field may, in one example, include magnetic and/or radio frequency (RF) fields generated by an MRI scanner. In one aspect, the IMD may distinguish between different types of MRI scanners and select an exposure operating mode tailored to reduce the effects of the particular type of MRI scanner. In another aspect, the IMD may adjust one or more operating parameters that will be used when the IMD returns to a normal operating mode after exposure to the MRI scanner based on the type of MRI scanner to which the IMD is exposed.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulator includes one or more electrodes, at least one antenna, and one or more circuits connected to the at least one antenna. The one or more electrodes are configured to apply one or more electrical pulses to excitable tissue. The antenna is configured to receive one or more input signals containing polarity assignment information and electrical energy, the polarity assignment information designating polarities for the electrodes. The one or more circuits are configured to control an electrode interface such that the electrodes have the polarities designated by the polarity assignment information; create one or more electrical pulses using the electrical energy contained in the input signal; and supply the one or more electrical pulses to the one or more electrodes through the electrode interface so that the one or more electrical pulses are applied according to the polarities designated by the polarity assignment information.

Abstract: An extensible implantable electrical lead includes a lead body having a proximal region and a distal region. The lead body is formed of a polymeric material that is extensible between a first length and a second length. A first plurality of electrical conductors are disposed within the lead body and extend between the proximal region and the distal region. The first plurality of electrical conductors are each electrically insulated and spaced apart from each other and form a side-by-side co-planar first sigmoidal pattern between the proximal region and the distal region.

Abstract: Electrode stimulation signals are generated for an implanted electrode array. An acoustic audio signal is processed with a bank of filters that are each associated with a band of audio frequencies, and a set of band pass signals is generated with each band pass signal corresponding to the band of frequencies associated with one of the filters. Stimulation information is extracted from the band pass signals to generate a set of stimulation event signals defining electrode stimulation signals. Then the stimulation event signals are weighted with a weighted matrix of stimulation amplitudes reflecting patient-specific perceptual characteristics to produce a set of electrode stimulation signals for electrodes in the implanted electrode array.

Abstract: A non-planner integrated circuit device comprising a flexible structure and at least one fixture structure bonded to the flexible structure is described. The flexible structure may be curved in a desired deformation. A plurality of contact areas may be included in the flexible structure. Circuitry may be embedded within the flexible structure to perform processing operations. In one embodiment, the fixture structure may be bonded with the fixture structure via the contact areas to provide holding constraints allowing the flexible structure to remain curved. The bonding pads can also be used to connect communications in electrical signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for defining a stimulation program for electrical stimulation of a patient, the method comprising: providing a single screen user interface that comprises a first plurality of controls and a second plurality of controls, the first plurality of controls allowing selection of multiple stimulation parameters for a plurality of stimulation sets, the second plurality of controls allowing selection of multiple stimulation parameters defining burst stimulation and tonic stimulation; receiving user input in one or more of the second plurality of controls; and automatically modifying parameters for one or more stimulation sets in response to receiving the user input in one or more of the second plurality of controls and modifying values displayed in one or more controls of the first plurality of controls according to the modified parameters, the modified parameters reflecting a stimulation program that includes an interleaved pattern of burst stimulation and tonic stimulation for delivery t

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods for the detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and related conditions. One embodiment provides a method comprising measuring electrical activity of the heart using electrodes arranged on the heart surface to define an area for detecting aberrant electrical activity (AEA) and then using the measured electrical activity (MEA) to detect foci of AEA causing AF. A pacing signal may then be sent to the foci to prevent AF onset. Atrial wall motion characteristics (WMC) may be sensed using an accelerometer placed on the heart and used with MEA to detect AF. The WMC may be used to monitor effectiveness of the pacing signal in preventing AF and/or returning the heart to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Also, upon AF detection, a cardioversion signal may be sent to the atria using the electrodes to depolarize an atrial area causing AF and return the heart to NSR.

Abstract: A therapy assembly configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A plurality of fixation structures are disposed radially around the therapy delivery element proximate the electrodes. The fixation structures include wires having a diameter in a range between about 0.004 inches and about 0.020 inches. The wires have a first end attached to the therapy delivery element and a second end attached to a sliding member configured to slide along the therapy delivery element. The fixation structures are configured to collapse inward to a collapsed configuration when inserted into a lumen of an introducer and to deploy to a deployed configuration when the introducer is retracted. A fitting is located at proximal end of the introducer that releasably locks the therapy delivery element to the introducer, such that torque applied to the fitting is substantially transmitted to the distal end of the therapy assembly.

Abstract: A data transfer component receives cardiac data from a heart sensor while the data transfer component is electromechanically coupled with the heart sensor sensitive to heart activity. A standard electromechanical interface of the data transfer component and a counterpart of the heart sensor are repeatedly connectable and disconnectable. The received data is stored in the data transfer component. The stored data is transferred from the data transfer component to an external device while the data transfer component is electromechanically coupled with the external device by using a coupling between the standard electromechanical interface of the data transfer component and a counterpart of the external device which are repeatedly connectable and disconnectable.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for supplying wireless energy to a medical device (100) implanted in a patient, wireless energy is transmitted from an external energy source (104) located outside a patient and is received by an internal energy receiver (102) located inside the patient, for directly or indirectly supplying received energy to the medical device. An energy balance is determined between the energy received by the internal energy receiver and the energy used for the medical device, and the transmission of wireless energy is then controlled based on the determined energy balance. The energy balance thus provides an accurate indication of the correct amount of energy needed, which is sufficient to operate the medical device properly, but without causing undue temperature rise.