Abstract: Methods and devices for managing establishment of a communications link between an external instrument (EI) and an implantable medical device (IMD) are provided. The methods and devices comprise storing, in memory in at least one of the IMD or the EI an advertising schedule defining a pattern for advertisement notices. The advertisement notices are distributed un-evenly and separated by unequal advertisement intervals. The method transmits, from a transmitter in at least one of the IMD or the EI the advertisement notices. The advertisement notices are distributed as defined by the advertising schedule. The method establishes a communication session between the IMD and the EI.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring vital signs and motion from a patient comprising a plurality of sensors, each comprising a processor and analog-to-digital converter configured to generate the physiologic data waveform(s) from the sensor as synchronized, separately resolvable digital data comprising a header indicating the sensor from which the digital data originates, and to transmit the physiologic data waveform(s) to a processing system via a cable comprising a terminal connector that reversibly mates with one of a plurality functionally equivalent of connectors to operably connect the sensor to the processing system. The processing system receive sthe physiologic data waveforms and determines therefrom one or more vital signs for the individual, which are transmitted to a remote vital sign monitor.

Abstract: A subcutaneous device that includes an electronics-containing housing and a clip configured to anchor the device to an internal structural body component of a patient is injected and anchored to the structural body component. An instrument pre-loaded with the device is caused to be inserted through an incision in the patient and advanced to the structural body component. A pushing force is received on the instrument that causes the clip of the device to be pushed onto the structural body component so that the structural body component is located in a sandwiching region between a top portion of the clip and the housing of the device. Force is applied to the structural body component between the top portion of the clip and the housing of the device to anchor the device to the structural body component.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for delivering electrical stimulation to decrease the ventricular rate response during an atrial tachyarrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. AV nodal stimulation is employed during an atrial tachyarrhythmia episode with rapid ventricular conduction to distinguish ventricular tachyarrhythmia from supraventricular tachycardia and thereby prevent delivering inappropriate therapy to a patient.

Abstract: A patient-worn arrhythmia monitoring and treatment device weight between 250 grams and 2,500 grams includes at least one contoured pad configured to be adhesively coupled to a patient's torso, a plurality of therapy electrodes, at least one of which is integrated with the at least one contoured pad, and a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes, at least one of which is integrated with the at least one contoured pad. At least one housing configured to form a watertight seal with the at least one contoured pad extends no more than 5 cm from the contoured pad. A processor disposed within the housing is coupled to a therapy delivery circuit and configured to detect one or more treatable arrhythmias based on at least one ECG signal and cause a therapy delivery circuit to deliver at least one defibrillation pulse on detecting the one or more treatable arrhythmias.

Abstract: Methods of treating subjects may include assisting breathing of the subject via an external respiratory support device. The methods of treating subjects may further include delivering an electrical signal to a first nerve of the subject, wherein delivering of the first signal blocks a pain signal from a pulmonary stretch pain receptor. The methods may further include placing one or more electrodes proximate a first nerve, wherein the first electrodes are supported on an intravenous catheter.

Abstract: Lactate threshold device (LTD) assists subjects in improving athletic performance and maximizing calorie burn. LTD digitizes the electrocardiogram (ECG) obtained from a chest belt with a first signal analyzer, and telemeters the ECG to a second signal analyzer. LTD uses a novel algorithm to convert the telemetered ECG from the time to frequency domain, utilizing a digital signal processing method called fast fourier transform based spectral analysis. LTD determines whether lactate threshold (LT) has been reached, and furthermore calculates heart rate, heart rate variability, and heart rate and power zones. LTD displays the determined variables on a local or remote display. Subject using LTD obtains feedback during a real-time exercise regimen in the field that has aerobic (below LT) and anaerobic (above LT) zones. By utilizing an exercise program with aerobic and anaerobic zones, both sprint and endurance fitness levels are improved, and weight loss potential is maximized.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices that are used for improving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are described herein. Such a method can include, for each set of pacing parameters, of a plurality of sets of pacing parameters, performing CRT using a set of pacing parameters and simultaneously therewith sensing a plurality of intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) using different combinations of implanted electrodes. Additionally, for each set of pacing parameters, of the plurality of sets of pacing parameters, the method includes producing a respective reconstructed multi-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) based on the plurality of IEGMs that were sensed while CRT was performed using the set of pacing parameters. The method also includes analyzing the reconstructed multi-lead surface ECGs that were produced for the plurality of sets of pacing parameters, and based on results thereof, identifying a set of pacing parameters to be use for further CRT.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for improving renal function of a patient, including mechanically occluding the patient's inferior vena cava downstream of the renal vein ostium to form an upstream region and a downstream region of the inferior vena cava, and mechanically pumping blood through the inferior vena cava from the upstream region to a discharge location in the downstream region while the inferior vena cava is occluded, wherein the blood remains in the inferior vena cava while being mechanically pumped. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed. The device may include a service component for use in detecting patient data, at least one processor coupled with the service component, a care protocol module executable by the at least one processor to provide healthcare to a patient at least in part by generating a request for processing by the service component, and a resource module executable by the at least one processor to manage access to the service component by identifying a level of service associated with the care protocol module and responding to the request by managing the service component to meet the level of service. The care protocol module implements a patient care protocol that includes a sequence of actions directed to the patient. The level of service indicates a level of performance that the patient care protocol requires of the resource module. Selective offloading of modular functions is also enabled.

Abstract: An ambulatory medical device includes two or more response mechanisms; a memory storing an active operation mode parameter identifying an active operation mode from a plurality of operation modes; a controller connected with the two or more response mechanisms; and a therapy manager component executable by the controller and configured to identify the active operation mode, detect a physiological parameter indicative of a health disorder of the patient, request that the patient change the state of one of the two or more response mechanisms in response to detection of the physiological parameter, monitor the state of each of the two or more response mechanisms within a first predetermined period, and delay therapy to the patient in response to detection of a first change in the state of one of the two or more response mechanisms within the predetermined period and identification of a first mode as the active operation mode.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling ablation therapy are provided herein. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided that includes an elongate body having proximal and distal ends, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen can be configured to receive fluid therein and to deliver fluid to the distal end of the elongate body. The device can also include an ablation element positioned at a distal end of the elongate body that is configured to heat surrounding tissue, and a heater element disposed within the inner lumen adjacent to a distal end of thereof, the heater element being configured to heat fluid flowing through the inner lumen.

Abstract: A system for configuring an ambulatory medical device includes an ambulatory medical device configured to monitor at least one electrocardiogram signal received from a patient for an occurrence of one or more cardiac events. The system also includes a remote computing device configured to receive a set of threshold values related to operation of the ambulatory medical device. The threshold values identify one or more conditions indicative of an occurrence of one or more cardiac events. The remote computing device is configured to query a master lookup table to determine a lookup code associated with the received set of threshold values, establish a communication link with the ambulatory medical device, receive an activation notification indicating that the ambulatory medical device has been activated, and encode a key. The encoded key includes the lookup code. The remote computing device is configured to transmit the encoded key to the ambulatory medical device.

Abstract: Provided is an accurate, fast and long-term stable fused CRAP. The electrode includes a positioning anchor, a silicone catheter, a sensor compartment and a connecting wire. The method monitors physiological information such as blood PPG, blood oxygen saturation, temperature and impedance of blood in the right ventricular cavity, and monitors blood temperature information, which is also a slowly changing metabolic rate, to provide cross-comparison with blood oxygen saturation information, improving monitoring accuracy of blood oxygen saturation. The rapidly changing right ventricular apical impedance information is monitored to improve rapid response ability of CRAP. The LEDs driving current is dynamically adjusted by monitoring the internal temperature of the PPG sensor and the impedance change of the attached biological tissue, which indirectly reflects thickness change of the attached biological tissue, thereby delaying the failure time of the PPG sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to treat patients with AFib by monitoring their heart rhythm to determine the presence and/or the number of episodes of long duration AFib, and optionally the extent of AFib burden. Patients who meet threshold requirements are qualified for the treatment of AFib with a dosage of budiodarone. Patient monitoring is continued in order confirm that the patient is and remains responsive to budiodarone therapy including dose adjusting the patient to achieve such therapy. Subsequently, monitoring is continued to confirm that the patient remains responsive. These methods allow for treatment of the AFib and, correspondingly, reduce or delay the risk of stroke and/or congestive heart failure in the treated patient.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart. In operation, the device performs the following steps: a) sensing an atrial electric signal a the first detection unit; b) sensing an electric signal at the His bundle with a second detection unit upon termination of a first time period starting upon sensing the atrial electric signal with the first detection unit and/or starting upon applying a stimulation pulse, wherein the first time period lies in a range of from 10 ms to 100 ms; c) classifying the electric signal sensed with the second detection unit as His bundle activity signal or as ventricular activity signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for aiding a surgeon to perform a surgical procedure on an eye. The surgical procedure includes inserting an elongate probe from an opening into the eye across an anterior chamber to a target tissue region comprising a trabecular meshwork and a Schlemm's canal. Exemplary systems include an optical microscope for the surgeon to view the eye with a microscope image during the procedure; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus configured to perform an OCT scan of a target location in the target tissue region during the procedure; and an image processing apparatus configured to generate an augmented image by overlaying an OCT image of target location and a graphical visual element identifying the locations, wherein the graphical visual element is registered with the microscope image to aid the surgeon in advancing a distal end of the elongate probe to the target location.

Abstract: An apparatus generates a pulse (or other hemodynamic) signal from an ECG signal, and displays a waveform of that signal. An ECG unit comprises electrode(s) for receiving an ECG signal waveform from live tissue and for generating a digital ECG signal; a memory storage; hardware processor(s) configured to constantly apply an integral function to the digital ECG signal and display a waveform of the integral function during a time period. The waveform of the integral function has a shape of a pulse signal waveform of the subject during the time period. The integral function comprises PWF(t)T=A?tt+TF(ECG(u))du ECG(u) represents an ECG over a specific time period using a specific time resolution. T is determined from the ECG(u) time resolution and pulse frequency, T satisfies the Nyquist sampling theory, t, u are time variables and A is a positive constant. The memory stores the integral function waveform. A weight function PWF(t)T=A?tt+TF(ECG(u))·W(u?t)du may be included.

Abstract: A ventricularly implantable medical device that includes a sensing module that is configured to detect an atrial fiducial and identify an atrial contraction based at least on part on the detected atrial fiducial. Control circuitry in the implantable medical device is configured to deliver a ventricular pacing therapy to a patient's heart based at least in part on the identified atrial contraction, and can automatically switch or revert the ventricular pacing therapies on the fly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modular system for deep brain stimulation (DBS) and electrocorticography (ECoG). The system may have an implantable neuromodulator for generating electrical stimulation signals adapted to be applied to a desired region of a brain via an attached electrode array. An aggregator module may be used for collecting and aggregating electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals to the neuromodulator. A control module may be used which is in communication with the aggregator module for controlling generation of the electrical signals and transmitting the electrical signals to the aggregator.