Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including an implantable mechanical support, shaped to support a portion of a urethra of a patient. One or more electrodes are coupled to the mechanical support, so as to contact tissue of the patient when the mechanical support is implanted in the patient. A control unit drives the electrodes to apply a current to the tissue. A method for treating a patient is also provided, including implanting a mechanical support in a position that supports a urethra of a patient. In response to increased pelvic pressure of the patient, a substance stored in a portion of the mechanical support that is not under the urethra is moved to a portion of the mechanical support that is under the urethra. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A case for use with a speech processor unit including a housing configured to receive the speech processor unit and a connector configured to be connected to a connector on the speech processor unit.

Abstract: Generation of electrode stimulation signals for an implanted electrode array is described. An acoustic audio signal is processed to generate band pass signals which include a fine structure carrier signal and a modulator envelope signal. For each band pass signal, fine time structure information is extracted from the carrier signal to determine a sequence of stimulation event signals. For one or more low frequency band pass signals, the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. For one or more higher frequency band pass signals, if and only if the modulator envelope signal exceeds a sampling threshold value, then the modulator envelope signal is sampled synchronously with the carrier signal to create envelope weighted stimulation event signals. The envelope weighted stimulation event signals are then processed to produce electrode stimulation signals for the implanted electrode array.

Abstract: An electrode device is disclosed. The electrode device comprises an electrically conductive core of micrometric size coated by at least one electrically isolating layer. The electrically conductive core comprises a substrate coated by at least one metallic layer having a nanometric pattern thereon and being at least partially exposed at a tip of the electrically conductive core.

Abstract: Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with real-time RSA wave information are provided. These methods and devices also can be used to identify drop points in RSA waves. Such methods and devices provide subjects with the ability to maintain parasympathetic outflow and thereby prevent and/or reduce levels of stress.

Abstract: A system and method provide for detecting atrial arrhythmias within an implantable medical device capable of sensing and pacing at least an atrium of a heart. Arrhythmia of the atrium is detected. In response to detecting atrial arrhythmia, delivery of pacing signals to the atrium is inhibited under certain conditions. While delivery of the pacing signals to the atrium is inhibited, the detected arrhythmia of the atrium is confirmed during a period of further evaluation. Delivery of pacing signals to the atrium is enabled upon ceasing of the atrial arrhythmia. Inhibiting delivery of the pacing signals during atrial arrhythmia evaluation advantageously provides for an increase in the rate at which the detected arrhythmia is confirmed.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of CNS damage are described, and include inducing in a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of functional electronic stimulation (FES) sufficient to evoke patterned movement in the subject's muscles, the control of which has been affected by the CNS damage. The induction of FES-evoked patterned movement at least partially restores lost motor and sensory function, and stimulates regeneration of neural progenitor cells in the subject patient.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.

Abstract: An retaining device for attaching to a contractile organ such as a digestive tract organ or stomach is provided. One aspect may include a lead for stimulating a digestive organ. The device may be an electrical stimulation device configured to deliver electrical signals to the organ.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes acquiring intrathoracic impedance values over one or more respiratory cycles, acquiring myocardial evoked response values and assessing cardiac condition based at least in part on the intrathoracic impedance values and the evoked response values. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods detect or classify tachyarrhythmias or make a therapy decision. A tachyarrhythmia can be classified using a rhythm discrimination parameter having a value. In certain examples, the value of the rhythm discrimination parameter can be adjusted using a relationship between a detected atrial rate and a detected ventricular rate, or the value can be adjusted using information about at least one of the atrial rate or the ventricular rate in addition to using the relationship between the atrial rate and the ventricular rate. These techniques can improve the specificity of arrhythmia detection or classification, allow anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy to be better tailored to the particular tachyarrhythmia, or provide more automatic operation making it easier for a physician to use an implantable device.

Abstract: New decision paradigms for ICDs are described. In one implementation, an implantable system senses cardiac output and arterial pressure parameters and shocks the heart in inverse relation to the arterial pressure, if the cardiac output is insufficient. In another implementation, the implantable system applies atrial anti-tachycardia pacing before applying ventricular anti-tachycardia pacing, if the heart rate is tachycardic.

Abstract: System, method and antenna for an external power source for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A housing has a first surface adapted to be placed closest to the secondary coil of the implantable medical device. A primary coil is operatively coupled to the external power and is capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil, the primary coil being wound forming generally concentric loops having an axis. The housing has a protrusion extending from the first surface.

Abstract: An elongate electrode carrier member including a longitudinally-extending central region, two side regions laterally extending from opposing sides of the central region, a lateral surface defined by the central and side regions together forming a convex circumferential surface, a medial surface defined by a convex surface of the central region and a concave surface for each of the side regions, a plurality of longitudinally-spaced electrodes disposed on or in the convex surface of the central region of the medial surface, and a support structure including a plurality of longitudinally extending wires each connected to one or more of the electrodes, wherein a subset of the plurality of wires is disposed in the central region and at least one of the plurality of wires is disposed in one of the side regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating mitral regurgitation with electrical stimulation. By providing pacing stimulation to the left atrium during ventricular systole, a beneficial effect is obtained which can prevent or reduce the extent of mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A system and method for activating electrodes in an implanted electrode array with a stimulation signal is described. A stimulation definition stage, for each of a plurality of defined sound signal characteristics (C), assigns each electrode to one of a plurality of stimulation groups (G) each having an associated group stimulation amplitude function (A), where (G) varies with (C). An electrode stimulator activates each electrode as the stimulation signal varies based on spectral components of the stimulation signal.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes an inductance augmenter assembly. The assembly includes an inductor coil formed of an insulated wire, which is wound about a non-conductive core and is electrically coupled in series between a conductor coil of the lead and an electrode of the lead.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating movement disorders are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment can include determining that the movement disorder affects the patient's gait, oral functioning, and/or other functioning, and applying electrical stimulation proximate to the interhemispheric fissure, the Sylvian fissure, or between the two fissures, respectively. In another embodiment, the method can include selecting at least one neural process from among a plurality of processes sequentially carried out by a patient to cause a muscle movement in the patient (e.g., a planning process, an initiation process, and an execution process), and applying electrical stimulation to a location of the patient's brain associated with the at least one neural process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating movement disorders are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment can include determining that the movement disorder affects the patient's gait, oral functioning, and/or other functioning, and applying electrical stimulation proximate to the interhemispheric fissure, the Sylvian fissure, or between the two fissures, respectively. In another embodiment, the method can include selecting at least one neural process from among a plurality of processes sequentially carried out by a patient to cause a muscle movement in the patient (e.g., a planning process, an initiation process, and an execution process), and applying electrical stimulation to a location of the patient's brain associated with the at least one neural process.

Abstract: A device for monitoring cardiac pacing rate having a measuring unit for receiving an electrical signal representing the patient's cardiac demand, and a computing unit for determining the myocardial energy balance by calculating energy consumed by the myocardium for both an external dynamic work for pumping blood into a vascular system, and an internal static work of the myocardium. Volume and time based measurements are used, and in one embodiment, volumes are estimated and volume ratios are calculated from volume estimates. In another embodiment, volumes are estimated from bioimpedance measurements. A further aspect is a rate adaptive pacemaker, wherein the maximum pacing rate is determined from the myocardial energy balance such that the energy supplied to the myocardium approximately equals the energy consumed by the myocardium for both an external dynamic work for pumping blood into a vascular system and an internal static work of the myocardium.