Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for limiting power consumption in a visual prosthesis apparatus. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the camera, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured to stop stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye based on the stimulation patterns when an error is detected in a forward telemetry received from the video processing unit.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is produced having a porous film layer and being partially coated with an insulating parylene (polyparaxylylene) film, whose insulating film has a dielectric breakdown voltage of greater than 100 V. Parylene is deposited on the entire surface of a porous film coating and then partially removed again by plasma. After the partial removal of the parylene, this porous film still has a capacitance of greater than 15 mF/cm2 in a physiological NaCl solution at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. For the stimulation electrode, the transition from the insulating film to the porous film is formed so that the film thickness of the parylene film decreases continuously. In this way, a stimulation electrode having a porous film layer and being partially coated with an insulating parylene film is provided, whose electrode on the non-insulating parylene film-coated surface has a capacitance of greater than 15 mF/cm2 in a physiological NaCl solution at a frequency of 0.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus of a medical device powered by deliberate human motion for limited use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a medical device includes a motion module to sense whether a deliberate human motion is convertible to an electric current to power the medical device, a power module to convert the deliberate human motion to a limited use electric current that enables the medical device to operate during a limited cycle of time, and an energy storage module to store the limited use electric current converted from the deliberate human motion. The medical device may include a power sensing module to determine whether a threshold amount of energy has been generated. The medical device may also include a sensor of the motion module to sense whether the deliberate human motion is convertible to the limited use electric current by permitting a physical object to oscillate.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods and apparatus for providing positive fixation of medical components to a portion of incised pericardial tissue. Accordingly, a resilient member protrudes through an incision in the pericardium and produces a positive biasing force to adjacent pericardial tissue against a side surface of an attached body structure. The resilient member can optionally be compressed during implantation and then relaxed to thereafter provide the positive biasing force. Diverse medical components can thus be safely and reliably chronically deployed into the pericardial space, including without limitation, cardiac sensing/pacing, defibrillation and/or cardioversion electrodes, mechanical and/or metabolic sensors and the like. More than one body structure can be linked to a single medical electrical lead and the medical components can couple within and/or upon a portion of the body structure, the resilient member, and the lead in myriad configurations.

Abstract: Paddle lead electrodes that are capable of performing peripheral nerve stimulation, thereby modulating, controlling and/or reducing neuropathic pain in a patient, that are also surgically implantable, and that will remain fixed in place at the site of implantation when in use are provided. More specifically, one or more embodiments of the electrodes are capable of being surgically implanted underneath a sheath of protective connective tissue that covers electrically excitable tissues and are adapted to electrically stimulate those tissues. Electrodes contemplated by some embodiments are particularly well suited for perineurial implantation. Some embodiments include methods of use associated with the electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing an implantable medical device, such as pacemaker, to properly sense electrophysiological signals and hemodynamic signals within a patient during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. Systems and methods are also provided for allowing the implantable medical device to transmit the sensed data to an external monitoring system during the MRI procedure so that attending medical personnel can closely monitor the health of the patient and the operation of the implantable device during the MRI. These improvements provide the attending personnel with information needed to determine whether the MRI should be suspended in response to induced tachyarrhythmias or other adverse conditions within the patient.

Abstract: Specific embodiments of the present invention use an implanted sensor, during a period of time, to measure a physiologic property when the patient's heart is not stressed, and when the patient's heart is stressed. A slope is determined, where the slope is indicative of a change in the physiologic property during the period of time. Heart disease is monitored based on a magnitude of the slope. In further embodiments of the present invention, a slope indicative of a change in a physiologic property during a period of time is determined, for each of a plurality of periods of time. Changes in the patient's heart disease are monitored based on changes in the slope.

Abstract: A medical device detects certain patient activity based on a programmable activity threshold and determines the duration of detected activity. The activity threshold may be optimized by obtaining first and second duration measurements for at least one of a first activity session and second activity session. The first duration measurement is based on the activity threshold, while the second duration measurement is based on actual start and stop of the activity session. An adjustment of the activity threshold is suggested based on a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the first activity session, or a correspondence between the first duration measurement and the second duration measurement of the second activity session. One of the first and second activities is non-significant activity expected to be undetected by the device, while the other of the two activities is low-level activity expected to be detected by the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the performance of an implanted device based on data including contextual information. Contextual information, including operational and performance data concerning the implanted device as well as the patient with the implanted device, is stored by a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device is adapted for battery operation and includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable electronic device is adapted for use as an interface to conduct wireless communications with the implanted device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device interfaces with a clinical programmer for use by a physician.

Abstract: A method of detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes forming a first sensing vector and a second sensing vector, and determining whether the sensing of cardiac signals along the first sensing vector and along the second sensing vector is corrupted by noise. If the cardiac signals sensed along both the first sensing vector and the second sensing vector are not corrupted by noise, a determination is made as to whether the cardiac signals sensed along the first sensing vector and along the second sensing vector are one of a first cardiac event and a second cardiac event. The determination of whether the cardiac signals sensed along the first sensing vector and along the second sensing vector are one of a first cardiac event and a second cardiac event is then confirmed.

Abstract: A biphasic pulse delivery circuit for a defibrillator includes two capacitors, a first one of which is charged and delivers the first phase of the biphasic pulse and a second one of which is charged and delivers the second phase of the biphasic pulse. At least a portion of the charge on the second capacitor is provided by the current flow through the patient during delivery of the first pulse phase. Switches are provided for initiating the first phase, initiating the second phase, and terminating the second phase. In an illustrated circuit a shunt circuit path is provided to at least partially charge the second capacitor from the first capacitor prior to delivery of the second phase of the biphasic pulse. The inventive circuit can be controlled entirely with switching devices that only need to be closed during pulse delivery.

Abstract: Techniques are described that allow an implantable device to sense gastric data and activity data from a patient, and estimate the patient's amount of energy consumed and energy expended based on the sensed data. A system provides feedback to the patient, a family member, or a doctor about the patient's energy consumed, energy expended, and net energy. The data may be provided in table or graphical format, and may show daily or weekly energy balance data or may show a trend of the daily or weekly energy data. The patient may receive feedback by an implanted alert module that provides and audio alert or a vibration alert. In addition, data acquired by the system may be used to adjust the patient's stimulation therapy parameters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetic lead connector includes fixing an electrically insulating ring between an electrically conducting contact ring and an electrically conducting spacer ring to form a hermetic ring subassembly, and fixing a plurality of the hermetic ring subassemblies in axial alignment to form a hermetic lead connector. The hermetic lead connector includes an open end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lead aperture. The hermetic lead connector provides a hermetic seal between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: During a period of time comprising a plurality of cardiac cycles, a time relationship between ventricular events and atrial detections is established. Based on the relationship, a post-ventricular atrial refractory period is defined. The period includes an absolute atrial refractory period and a segmented relative atrial refractory period, wherein the segmented relative atrial refractory period includes at least one blanking window during which atrial detections of ventricular events have or are likely to occur.

Abstract: New and useful neurostimulation systems are provided that include an implantable pulse generator dimensioned and configured for implantation in the skull of a patient. The implantable pulse generator has an electrode operatively associated with a distal end portion thereof and can be provided with adjustment means, such as an adjustable biasing member or spring arranged between the electrode to the distal end portion of the pulse generator. Also provided are systems involving networked neurostimulators that are configured and adapted to work jointly in accordance with prescribed treatment protocol to effect a desired recovery from brain injury. Such networked neurostimulation systems are particularly advantageous for effecting relatively large and/or relatively distant regions of the brain. Additionally, systems and methods for motor-evoked potential (MEP)-based neuromodulation are provided. Further, AC and/or DC stimulation can be utilized, depending on the precise implementation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to optimizing telemetry communication involving one or more medical devices and one or more electrical devices. The telemetry communication is optimized by implementing software and/or one or more additional circuits within at least one medical device and at least one electrical device to provide one or more modes or functions of optimizing transfer of data between the medical device and the at least one electrical device, minimizing interference of the data transfer, and reducing data transfer time and/or preserving electrical energy sources of one or more of the medical device and the at least one electrical device.

Abstract: A method for promoting reinnervation via stimulation of a denervated target tissue, whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by native neurons is enhanced, and whereby reinnervation of the target tissue by foreign neurons is inhibited.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a lead assembly including a lead body, at least one conductor extending through the lead body, and a covering having varied material properties. In an example, the covering is made by forming pieces of material having varied material properties. In another example, the covering is made by varying parameters such as heat or tension during wrapping of a piece of material onto a lead assembly.

Abstract: An implantable lead comprises a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The lead body includes one or more longitudinally extending lumens. A conductor is received in, and extends along, a lumen. In varying examples, the implantable lead further comprises a tubular electrode co-axial with, and overlying portions of, the lead body. In one example, a lumen wall is sized and shaped to urge an electrically conductive interposer coupled with the conductor toward an inner surface of the electrode. In another example, a ring member is disposed within a lumen and the conductor is drawn and coupled thereto. In yet another example, an electrically conductive connector couples a first and a second conductor via grooves or threads. In a further example, an axial support member couples a distal end electrode and the lead body. Methods associated with the foregoing are also discussed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is provided for isolating an elongated medical lead from internal device circuitry in the presence of a gradient magnetic or electrical field. The device includes an isolation circuit adapted to operatively connect an internal circuit to the medical lead in a first operative state and to electrically isolate the medical lead from the internal circuit in a second operative state.