Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods that improve conductive communication between an external programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) that is implanted within a patient. In an embodiment, an auxiliary apparatus of the present technology includes a first auxiliary skin electrode configured to attach to skin of a patient, a second auxiliary skin electrode configured to attach to skin of a patient, and an electrically conductive path extending between the first and second auxiliary skin electrodes and interrupted by a capacitor. The auxiliary apparatus is distinct from the external programmer and the IMD, and can beneficially be used to improve conductive communication therebetween without making any modifications to the external programmer, and without making any modifications to the IMD.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming a hermetically sealed enclosure that comprises a diamond material. The method comprises providing first and second enclosure components comprising the diamond material and having first and second recesses, respectively, at edge portions. At least one of the first and second enclosure components has a cavity. The enclosure components have respective contact surfaces at the first and second recesses and are shaped such that an outer channel is formed by the co-operation of the first and second recesses when the first and second enclosure components are contacted at the contact surfaces to form the enclosure. The method further comprises bonding a first type of material to at least surface portions of the first and second recesses of the first and second enclosure components, respectively.

Abstract: A pixel cell circuit comprises an electrode, one or more main photosensitive elements electrically coupled to the electrode for outputting a stimulation signal to the electrode responsive to light illumination, and a shunt arrangement comprising a shunt switch electrically coupled in parallel across the one or more photosensitive elements, and a control arrangement operatively coupled to the shunt switch and configured for placing the shunt switch in an open state responsive to incident light received at the pixel cell and placing the shunt switch in a closed state if no incident light is received at the pixel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing information indicative of cardiac malfunctions, for example atrial fibrillation, includes a processing system for processing an analysis signal produced by a sensor system responsive to motion including cardiovascular motion. The processing system is configured to form a first indicator quantity indicating degree of concentration of the autocorrelation of the analysis signal to a point corresponding to zero time difference between analysis signal samples whose mutual correlation is expressed by the autocorrelation and a second indicator quantity indicating the spectral entropy of the analysis signal. The processing system is configured to determine an indicator of cardiac malfunction on the basis of at least the first indicator quantity and the second indicator quantity.

Abstract: A controller delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a diaphragm through the one or more electrodes, and obtains a signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity from a pressure measurement source. The electrical stimulation therapy is defined by stimulation parameters. The controller obtains at least one additional signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity by changing at least one of the stimulation parameters, and delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to the diaphragm in accordance with the changed one of the plurality of stimulation parameters. The controller repeats the process of obtaining additional signals indicative of pressure based on a changing stimulation parameter by scanning through a range of values for the changing stimulation parameter.

Abstract: A characteristic of a washout period following the delivery of therapy to a patient according to a therapy program may be determined based on a physiological parameter of the patient. A washout period includes the period of time during which a carryover effect from the therapy delivery dissipates. Monitoring a washout period may be useful for timing the delivery of therapy according to different therapy programs during a therapy evaluation period. For example, at least one physiological signal of the patient may be monitored to automatically determine when a washout period has ended, e.g., when stimulation and carryover effects of therapy delivery according to a first therapy program have substantially dissipated, in order to determine when therapy delivery according to a second therapy program can be initiated.

Abstract: Techniques for determining reliability of electrocardiogram (ECG) data are disclosed. ECG data, including waveform data relating to a detected heartbeat for a patient, is received. A peak amplitude associated with an R-wave in the waveform data is determined. First and second baseline regions in the waveform data are identified. The first baseline region precedes the R-wave and the second baseline region follows the R-wave. A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is determined, based on the peak amplitude, the first baseline region, and the second baseline region. A confidence metric relating to the waveform data is determined, based on the determined SNR. The confidence metric is used in medical treatment related to the patient.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes at least one lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length. The lead further includes a paddle body extending from the distal end portion of the at least one lead body, electrodes disposed along the paddle body, terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the at least one lead body, and conductors electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The lead further includes an anchoring device threadably disposed in at least a portion of the paddle body. The anchoring device has a head element and a tissue-engagement element fixed to the head element such that actuation of the head element urges the tissue-engagement element away from or toward the paddle body.

Abstract: Pressure-sensing intravascular devices, systems, and methods are provided. In some instances, the pressure-sensing intravascular devices include a cylindrical body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a pressure-sensing component coupled to the distal portion of the cylindrical body, the pressure-sensing component being at least partially wrapped around a circumference of the cylindrical body; and a communication cable coupled to the pressure sensing component. The intravascular devices can be catheters and/or guidewire. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for non-invasively monitoring and treating a medical condition of interest via transcutaneous stimulation of a target nerve are described. For instance, a subject can be monitored for improvement of a medical condition, where such improvement corresponds with a decrease in the threshold level at which a sensory or motor response is elicited in a subject upon stimulation as compared to a baseline level. Further, transcutaneous stimulation of the nerve can also treat the condition. Both monitoring and treatment can be carried out in a non-invasive manner substantially free of a painful response via electrical nerve stimulation of a target nerve, where the stimulation is delivered from an electrode placed on a non-glabrous skin surface. The electrode placement sufficiently immobilizes the target nerve such that the stimulation is effective and can be delivered in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) system includes a support structure that can be worn by a patient, and a defibrillator coupled to the support structure. An ECG input, rendered from an ECG of the patient, may meet a primary shock criterion. One or more sensor modules are further provided, which are worn by the patient at different times. The sensor modules may monitor different physiological parameters of the patient, and transmit signals about them. The WCD system further has a multi-sensor interface to receive the transmitted signals, and a processor to determine from them whether a secondary shock criterion is met. If both the primary and the secondary shock criteria are met, the decision is to shock. The signals increase specificity of the detection, while the patient can wear different modules depending on context.

Abstract: A medical device, such as an extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), senses R-waves from a first cardiac electrical signal by a first sensing channel and stores a time segment of a second cardiac electrical signal acquired by a second sensing channel in response to each sensed R-wave. The medical device determines at least one noise parameter from a group of the stored time segments of the second cardiac electrical signal, detects noise based on the noise parameter, and withholds detection of a tachyarrhythmia episode in response to detecting the noise.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals by providing a stimulation waveform that includes a stimulation pulse followed by an active recharge pulse to clear the charge in capacitors within the stimulation path. The active recharge pulse is followed by a period of passive recharge and then a period of no recharge. Non-neurological sources of artifacts within the sensed physiological signal may be handled by providing a brief period of passive recharge followed by a lengthy period of no recharge, which is made possible by the use of the active recharge pulse prior to the passive recharge. The period of no recharge removes any low impedance path to ground from the stimulation electrodes, which allows an amplifier of the sensing circuit to provide common mode rejection of non-neurological signals, such as cardiac signals, present at the sensing electrodes.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a method for treating craniofacial pain in a patient, the method including: placing a wirelessly powered passive device through an opening into a target site in a head or neck region of the patient's body, the wirelessly powered passive device configured to receive an input signal non-inductively from an external antenna; positioning the wirelessly powered passive device adjacent to or near a nerve at the target site; and causing neural modulation to the nerve through one or more electrodes on the wirelessly powered passive device.

Abstract: A method for ballistocardiography (BCG) and a BCG system ballistocardiography (BCG) system for heart beat determination are provided. The method includes digitizing a plurality of signals received from a corresponding plurality of sensors, estimating a plurality of smoothed cepstra corresponding to each of the plurality of digitized signals in response to a smoothed cepstrum analysis of a digital signal at a reception time of each of the plurality of digitized signals, and estimating a fused cepstrum for the plurality of digitized signals in response to the plurality of smoothed cepstra. The method further includes determining a heart rate in response to the plurality of smoothed cepstra and the fused cepstrum.

Abstract: A method, and corresponding system (300), for monitoring patients based on activity state and posture. Activity state and/or posture of a patient are measured. Further, one or more vital signs of the patient are measured according to a schedule. Based on the measured activity state and/or posture of the patient and the measured one or more vital signs, the schedule is adjusted and/or patient deterioration is monitored for.

Abstract: A method of employing an implantable medical device to detect pacemaker mediated tachycardia (PMT) and adjusting a parameter (e.g. PVARP) in response to confirmation of the PMT. The method comprises, with a processor located in the implantable medical device, (1) measuring a first Vp-As (VA1), (2) lengthening SAV by 50 ms for 1 beat in response to measuring VA1, (3) measuring a second Vp-As (VA2), (4) returning to a normal SAV, (5) measuring a third Vp-As (VA3), (6) determining whether VA1=VA2 and VA1=VA3, (7) in response to determining whether VA1=VA2 and VA1=VA3, confirming presence of PMT, and (8) in response to confirming presence of PMT, PVARP is extended.

Abstract: A patient suffering from congestive heart failure is at increased risk of cardiac arrhythmogenesis during sleep, particularly if experiencing central sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. Low intensity peripheral neurostimulation therapies that target imbalance of the autonomic nervous system have been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Thus, bi-directional autonomic regulation therapy is delivered to the cervical vagus nerve at an intensity that is insufficient to elicit pathological or acute physiological side effects and without the requirement of an enabling physiological feature or triggering physiological marker. The patient's physiology is monitored to identify periods of sleep. In one embodiment, upon sensing a condition indicative of tachyarrhythmia following a period of bradycardia, as naturally occurs during sleep, an enhanced “boost” dose of bi-directional neural stimulation intended to “break” the tachyarrhythmic condition is delivered.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead includes an electrode assembly in which an electrical junction between a first conductor and an inner surface of a first electrode of the assembly is wedged within a first channel of at least one core member of the assembly, around which the first electrode extends. The at least one core member is formed from an insulating material, and the first channel may be one of a plurality of longitudinally extending channels arrayed around a circumference of a central lumen of the assembly, which is defined by the at least one core member. The first conductor extends along a length of the assembly, for example, defined between the first electrode and a second electrode thereof, in a helical path that travels around the central lumen.

Abstract: A treatment system including one or more of a wound dressing having one or more of a substrate element, a dressing member disposed on the substrate element, an adhesive element disposed on the substrate element, and a tether connecting the wound dressing to a treatment device.