Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is related to a method for determining a right intensity for fitness level or exercise stress that includes a first step of inspection a first change of amplitudes of a first heart sound with regard to a second change of intensities of exercise stress, a second step of inspection of a third change of ratios of a first length of a cardiac dilation period relative to a second length of one cardiac cycle with regard to the second change, a third step of identification of a folding point of the first change, and a fourth step of determination of an intensity of the intensities at the folding point as the right intensity of exercise stress if a ratio of the ratios at the intensity is higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention disclose an implantable electrotherapy device comprising a housing in which are arranged an activity sensor, an impedance or conductivity measuring unit and an evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is connected to the impedance or conductivity measuring unit and to the activity sensor and is adapted to evaluate the impedance or conductivity signal produced by the impedance or conductivity measuring unit and the respectively time-associated activity level signal and for producing and outputting a contractility signal, in such a way that the contractility signal is derived from the impedance or conductivity signal and the activity level signal and reflects the respective contractile state of a heart associated with an activity level signal value.

Abstract: An implantable medical device with an inductive switching regulator having an inductor with a ferromagnetic core is described. The device incorporates a core saturation detector for detecting saturation in the inductor core indicating the presence of a magnetic field such as produced by an MRI scan. The device is configured to alter its behavior when core saturation is detected such as by entering an MRI mode that may include cessation of therapy, fixed-rate bradycardia pacing, and/or disablement of tachyarrhythmia therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method for monitoring a patient's Formation number (Fn) and comparing the measured Fn to the baseline data of healthy persons population or to the patient's past history data to assess the degree of ventricular and/or valvular dysfunction, wherein the valvular dysfunction may comprise dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, or the like.

Abstract: A housing (35) for an electronic device, such as an external component of a cochlear implant system that is powered by one or more batteries (36). The housing comprises a main body portion and a moveable portion (30) operatively associated with the main body portion to enable installation and removal of the batteries (36). The housing (35) includes at least one aperture (31) having a hydrophobic mesh member (33) configured to be positioned at least partially adjacent one or more of the batteries (36) when the batteries are installed in the housing (35).

Abstract: A system comprises an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes at least one electrical input to receive sensed electrical activity of a heart and a sampler circuit coupled to the at least one electrical input. The sampler circuit generates sampled values of the sensed electrical activity. The IMD includes a clock circuit that generates readable values representative of absolute time. The IMD also includes a controller circuit coupled to the sampler circuit and the clock circuit. The controller circuit processes the sampled values and generate at least one marker to indicate a detected event related to the electrical activity. The controller circuit also stores a timestamp of absolute time of the detected event with the at least one marker in memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for treating periodic breathing, such as Cheyne-Stokes Respiration, using an implantable medical system. In one technique, diaphragmatic stimulation is delivered during a hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing via electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves. Diaphragmatic stimulation is synchronized with intrinsic inspiration so as to increase the amplitude of diaphragmatic contraction during inspiration. This tends to decrease intrathoracic pressure leading to occlusion of the respiratory airway. Occlusion reduces actual ventilation during hyperpnea, thus reducing the cyclic blood chemistry imbalance that sustains periodic breathing so as to either mitigate periodic breathing or eliminate it completely. In another technique, respiration is instead inhibited during the hyperpnea phase of periodic breathing by blocking phrenic nerve signals to the extent necessary to reduce ventilation to terminate periodic breathing or at least mitigate its severity.

Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. Posture events are identified, e.g., a posture of the patient is periodically determined and/or posture transitions by the patient are identified, and each determined posture event is associated with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one posture metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the posture events associated with that therapy parameter set. A list of the therapy parameter sets is presented to a user, such as a clinician, for evaluation of the relative efficacy of the therapy parameter sets. The list may be ordered according to the one or more posture metric values to aid in evaluation of the therapy parameter sets. Where values are determined for a plurality of posture metrics, the list may be ordered according to the one of the posture metrics selected by the user.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided, including receiving a sensor signal responsive to the subject eating, analyzing the sensor signal, and driving a current into tissue of the subject responsive to analyzing the signal. The current is typically driven into muscle tissue of the subject's stomach (20). Preferably, receiving the sensor signal includes sensing electrical potential change generated responsive to contraction of a muscle such as a stomach muscle of the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor signal is analyzed with respect to the timing of ingestion, and a level of compliance of the subject with a desired ingestion schedule is determined. As appropriate, a parameter of the current driven into the tissue may be configured such that the application of the current to the tissue induces in the subject a sensation of satiation, discomfort, nausea, or vertigo.

Abstract: The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting a paddle style electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the paddle style electrical stimulation lead. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.

Abstract: A lightweight, battery-operated, voltage-stabilized, bioelectronic and non-invasive measuring apparatus derives the electrical heart potentials using measuring electrodes fixed to the patient and uses electronic numerical evaluation to produce therefrom an electronic risk display for safely diagnosing atrial fibrillation at the earliest possible time in the illness.

Abstract: An exemplary lead and sheath assembly suitable for positioning in the human body includes a lead body, a sheath surrounding the lead body, one or more conductors embedded in the lead body and one or more conduits that allow for a flow of adhesive or an adhesive component to a site in the human body to thereby secure one or more electrodes in electrical contact at least one of the conductors. Various methods, devices, systems and/or other assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system for providing a plurality of therapy modalities. For example, the system may include a cardiac resynchronization therapy module for providing cardiac resynchronization therapy and a pacemaker module for providing bradycardia therapy, as well as a selector module coupled to the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the bradycardia module. The selector module may select an operating mode from among a plurality of operating modes including the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the pacemaker module. Various manual and automatic methods may be used to select the operating mode. In addition, a reversion management system may be included to assist the cardiac rhythm management system to recover in case of a disruption to the system.

Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device may identify posture events, e.g., periodically determine a posture of the patient and/or identify posture transitions by the patient, and associate each determined posture event with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one posture metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the posture events associated with that therapy parameter set. A list of the therapy parameter sets is presented to a user, such as a clinician, for evaluation of the relative efficacy of the therapy parameter sets. The list may be ordered according to the one or more posture metric values to aid in evaluation of the therapy parameter sets. Where values are determined for a plurality of posture metrics, the list may be ordered according to the one of the posture metrics selected by the user.

Abstract: A binaural cochlear implant system, including two intracochlear implants adapted for implantation in the cochleas of a user, each cochlear implant utilising a speech processing strategy wherein the electrical stimuli are matched to the relative timing of the relevant audio signals as detected at each ear, such that the interaural time delays between the audio signals at each ear are substantially preserved in electrical stimuli at each ear. The processing strategy comprises band pass filtering the audio signal, determining the peaks in, and intensity of, each band, prioritising and placing each peak in a buffer in time slots corresponding to the relative timing of each peak. The buffer output forms the basis for stimulus instructions.

Abstract: A method and system of conditioning human skin and hair using a hand-held skin/hair conditioner having interchangeable interface conductors that are contoured to enhance electrical conductivity between the conditioner and a variety of body areas. Each of the interchangeable interface conductors are preferably formed to maximize surface area contact with a variety of body surfaces such as scalp/hair, body skin, and facial skin. In a preferred embodiment, the skin/hair conditioner is formed to fit comfortably and controllably in a user's grasp while providing maximum contact with the selected body surface. The skin/hair conditioner includes an audio signal generator and a vibration mechanism to alert a user of a change in status of the conditioner. The interface conductors may be (1) smoothly rounded, (2) include teeth, (3) spherical or hemispherical (4) include multiple rounded nodules.

Abstract: A precordial overlay and dual backing assembly is expeditiously affixed together in a manner which allows it to be packaged in an unalterable form. When needed to obtain an ECG reading, the assembly is removed from the packaging and the precordial overlay swiftly separated from the dual backing. The dual backing is discarded. The precordial overlay is quickly and accurately positioned on a patient, The precordial overlay of the assembly comprises an elongated band having a first and a second generally rectangular-shaped sections joined together by an intermediate section. All three sections have at least one cut-out to receive an adhesive-backed electrode assembly. The dual backing of the assembly is similarly shaped and comprises a thin intermediate substrate with release agents on each side and a thin lower substrate with a release agent on a top side. The intermediate substrate further has a set of bent-back flaps, each flap positioned to receive an underside of one of the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A method of treating a neurological disorder in a patient is provided. The method comprises intravascularly delivering a first electrical lead within the head of the patient, and non-vascularly delivering a second electrical lead within the head the patient. The vascular and intravascular leads are placed adjacent brain tissue (e.g., cortical brain tissue or deep brain tissue). Optionally, the method comprises implanting a source of stimulation and/or recorder within the patient's body, and then electrically coupling the proximal ends of the electrical leads to the implanted device. Using the electrical leads, the brain tissue can then be stimulated and/or recorded in order to treat the neurological disorder.