Abstract: An implantable connector comprises an electrically insulative housing including an outer wall, an interior cavity surrounded by the outer wall, a port through which the lead body portion can be introduced into the interior cavity, and a pair of first apertures disposed through the outer wall on a first side of the housing. The connector further comprises an electrical spring clip contact mounted to the housing. The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity.

Abstract: During auto-threshold, autocapture, or other evoked response sensing, post-pace artifact is reduced by using a smaller coupling capacitor value than what is used when not in such an evoked response sensing configuration. This can be accomplished by borrowing another capacitor for use as the coupling capacitor. The borrowed capacitor can be a backup pacing capacitor from the same or a different pacing channel. The borrowed capacitor can also be a coupling capacitor from a different pacing channel.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. In particular embodiments, aspects of the foregoing modulation therapies may be implemented by systems and devices that have simplified functionalities.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and classifying a posture state of a patient are disclosed, wherein a posture state includes at least one of a posture and/or an activity state related to motion. In one embodiment, one or more signals indicative of at least one of posture and activity state of the patient may be sensed by a sensor. Control logic may be provided to process the one or more sensed signals in a selectable manner. This selectable manner may be based on current posture state data describing a posture state in which the patient has previously been classified. Alternatively or additionally, this current posture state data may describe a posture state transition previously undergone by the patient. The one or more signals that are so processed may then be used to classify a posture state of the patient.

Abstract: A pacemaker optimising apparatus comprising: a component (4) which noninvasively or invasively monitors a haemodynamic measurement continuously in an individual and a processor (15) for receiving the haemodynamic measure and generating a pacemaker programming signal in response to this. There is also provided a communication device (17) for sending the pacemaker programming signal to the control system of the pacemaker (2). There is also a method for an efficient process by which this apparatus can automatically use the haemodynamic measurements to determine the ideal settings for a particular pacemaker in a particular individual, and to updates the pacemaker's settings accordingly.

Abstract: A lead for use in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and similar applications has a rigid lead tip with multiple electrodes thereon. The electrodes are formed by coating a lead tip core with a conductive material; selectively removing the conductive material to define the electrodes and conductive tracks leading therefrom; and then applying a layer of insulating material over the tracks to leave the electrodes exposed. Terminals are also left exposed on the tracks for connection to energy supply and/or data transmission lines. Such lines are preferably provided on or within a flexible lead body connected to the lead tip.

Abstract: A transcranial securing device for deep brain stimulation leads comprising: a principal part for securing inside an opening formed in the cranium of a patient; and at least one first securing part housed inside said principal part; said or each securing part comprises at least one axial bore adapted to allow the passage of one or more deep brain stimulation leads; said or at least one securing part is arranged so as to be capable of passing from a first position in which the lead or leads can slide axially in the respective bores, to a second position in which it grips the lead or leads in the respective bore or bores, preventing said sliding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, system, and software product for measuring heart rate variability. The method comprises displaying an animation that indicates to the user when to breathe in and breathe out, receiving a signal from a sensor responsive to the heart beat of the user, processing the received signal to determine heart beat intervals of the user and calculating a measure of heart rate variability of the user from the processed heart beat intervals.

Abstract: An area of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of an area or volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of an imaging device. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation device is disclosed which provides for reduced power consumption when compared with bipolar stimulation and better stimulation performance when compared with monopolar stimulation. Implantable stimulator devices use less power in monopolar stimulation mode than that of bipolar stimulation but stimulation performance is greater when using bipolar stimulation. The device comprises circuitry capable of simultaneous stimulation between a reference electrode and an electrode of a stimulation array and between electrodes of the stimulation array, the ratio of current to the reference electrode and array electrodes being selectable.

Abstract: To shorten the length of a lead, alleviate physical burden on a patient in installation of a device into a body, and miniaturize the device while allowing both treatment based on cardiac stimulation and nerve stimulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for arrhythmia therapy in MRI environments are disclosed. Various systems disclosed utilize ATP therapy rather than ventricular shocks when patients are subjected to electromagnetic fields in an MRI scanner bore and shock therapy is not available. As the patient is moved out from within the scanner bore and away from the MRI scanner, the magnetic fields diminish in strength eventually allowing a high voltage capacitor within the IMD to charge if necessary. The system may detect when the electromagnetic fields no longer interfere with the shock therapy and will transition the IMD back to a normal operational mode where shock therapy can be delivered. Then, if the arrhythmia still exists, the system will carry out all of the system's prescribed operations, including the delivery of electric shocks to treat the arrhythmia.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy includes a first implantable housing containing a battery. There is also a second implantable housing separate from the first implantable housing and containing at least one of: electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode. The electronic circuit, the storage capacitor or the electrode structure are electrically connected to the battery. Alternatively, there is an implantable medical device for delivering electrical cardiac therapy having an implantable structure containing the following electrically connected components: a battery, electronic circuitry adapted to evaluate and initiate electrical cardiac therapy, a storage capacitor and an electrode structure comprising a sensing electrode, a pacing electrode and a therapy electrode.

Abstract: In a system for stimulation of nerves comprising implanted electrodes, an external to the system trigger device is equipped with a sensor and a transmitter for wirelessly broadcasting a signal to be received by a pulse generator for generating a pulse pattern to be forwarded to the at least one electrode implanted in the corpus of the living being. Further the trigger device is equipped with means for detecting if the patient is walking or just standing pulling the weight from one leg to another and can thus determine if a stimulation sequence has to be performed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided, including an electrode that is placed in contact with an artery of a subject. A control unit drives the electrode to perform a function with respect to the artery, the function selected from the group consisting of: driving a current into the artery, and sensing an electrical parameter of the artery. A transmitter is placed in a vein of the subject that is in a vicinity of the artery, the transmitter being wiredly connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to drive the electrode by wirelessly transmitting a signal via the transmitter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of congestive heart failure, diastolic heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension. In response to the identifying, an electrode is placed on the subject's aorta at an aortic site that is between a bifurcation of the aorta with the subject's left subclavian artery and a bifurcation of the aorta with the subject's fifth intercostal artery. The subject is treated by electrically stimulating the aortic site by driving a current into the aortic site, via the electrode. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A pacemaker includes a pulse generator, a conduction line, and a pacemaker electrode. The pacemaker electrode includes a body and an insulation layer. The body includes at least one carbon nanotube yarn. The carbon nanotube yarn includes a number of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are interconnected along one axis of the body by van der Waals force. The insulation layer covers an outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An assembly for pain suppressing electrical stimulation of a patient's spinal cord, the assembly including lateral, medial, and oppositely lateral series of contact plates; a lateral panel, a medial panel and an oppositely lateral panel, the electrical contact plates being fixedly attached to the panels; living hinges pivotally attaching the lateral and oppositely lateral panels to the medial panel; proximally extending wires electrically communicating with the contact plates; a proximally extending insulator attached to the medial panel, the insulator having a hollow bore and the wires being embedded within the insulator; a proximally opening traction socket fixedly attached to the medial panel; and a semi-rigid stay which is extendable through the hollow bore, the semi-rigid stay being engageable with the proximally opening traction socket.

Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and computer program product for analyzing treatment of a sudden cardiac arrest victim. The method includes attaching the victim to an automatic external defibrillator, capturing treatment information about the CPR event, alerting a rescuer of treatment steps, and displaying a chest compression interface based on the treatment information. The chest compression interface may include an event log about various AED, rescuer, and background events and may be used to generate a graphical chest compression chart for simple analysis of the quality of a CPR treatment.