Abstract: Connector assemblies that are separate from medical lead extensions provide features such as bores for receiving both a medical lead and a medical lead extension and provide electrical connections between connectors of the leads and connectors of the lead extensions. Connector assemblies may include additional features such as contours and wings that reduce subcutaneous erosion. Connector assemblies may also include retention structures such as movable clips that are moved into engagement with leads and lead extensions to retain them within the connector assembly. Integrated lead extension connectors may also include contours and wings as well as retention structures including movable clips.

Abstract: An implantable pacemaker detects delivery of an anti-tachyarrhythmia shock by another device. The implantable pacemaker delivers cardiac stimulation therapy within a patient. The implantable pacemaker senses, via the electrode pair, an electrical signal. The implantable pacemaker detects the anti-tachyarrhythmia shock based on the sensed electrical signal by detecting DC voltage polarization across the electrode pair within the patient. The implantable pacemaker alters the cardiac stimulation therapy based on the detected anti-tachyarrhythmia shock.

Abstract: A multi-foil ringlet in combination with a cylindrical housing provides advantageous results when employed as a contact of a header of an implantable pulse generator. The multi-foil ringlet provides a superior electrical connection between the header and a lead pin inserted into the header.

Abstract: Designs and methods of construction for a printed circuit board (PCB) in an implantable pulse generator (IPG) are disclosed which facilitate IPG PCB testing while also providing for protection of IPG circuitry in a simple and cost effective manner. The IPG PCB is formed as part of a larger test PCB, which includes an extender portion with traces routing nodes of interest in the IPG PCB to an edge connector. IPG electronics are mounted or soldered to the IPG PCB, and then such electronics are tested via the edge connector. The IPG PCB is then singulated from the extender portion in a manner leaving one or more PCB tabs at the severed edge of the PCB. The PCB tab(s) extend from the severed edge, and create an offset distance preventing traces severed and now exposed at the severed edge from contacting and potentially shorting to conductive structures in the IPG.

Abstract: A spinal cord lead anchor comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve having an aperture sized and positioned to receive a spinal cord lead. A retainer is disposed around the sleeve and is operative to compress at least a portion of the sleeve against a spinal cord lead extending through the sleeve. A cover extends around the retainer and includes at least one opening formed through the cover to facilitate engaging the retainer with a tool.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system detects edema. In response to an episode of detected edema, it initiates or adjusts a cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing functional electrical stimulation to an individual for altering a mood or emotional parameter associated with a mood or emotional state is provided. The method involves providing functional electrical stimulation to facial muscles of the individual so as to elicit a detectable contraction in said muscles associated with a facial expression associated with a desired mood or emotional parameter.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a probe, including a first electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a second electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode, and a reactive element electrically coupling the first conductor and the second conductor.

Abstract: A lead for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a distal lead element, at least two proximal lead elements, and a junction coupling the distal lead element to each of the at least two proximal lead elements. The distal lead element includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of electrodes and extending along a longitudinal axis of the distal lead element. Each of the at least two proximal lead elements includes a plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductive wires coupled to the plurality of terminals and extending along a longitudinal axis of the proximal lead element. The junction includes a circuit arrangement electrically coupling each of the conductive wires of the distal lead element to at least one of the conductive wires of at least one of the at least two proximal lead elements.

Abstract: An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network.

Abstract: A blood pump 2 comprising: a cartridge 4 having a concave recess 8 therein having a surface, and a flexible membrane 0 covering said recess, the concave recess and flexible membrane forming a pump chamber 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 wherein: said flexible membrane is movable between a first position, separated from said surface wherein in such position the pump chamber has a maximum volume, and a second position, substantially adjacent said surface such that in said second position the pump chamber has a minimum volume, a pump driver mechanism 18 arranged to interface with the cartridge, said driver operable to move the flexible membrane in a first direction into the recess to, in use, pump blood from the chamber and operable to move the flexible membrane in a second direction away from the recess to, in use, draw blood into said chamber; and wherein the pump driver controls the movement of the flexible membrane in the first direction such that the speed at which it is moving reduces as it approach

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for applying extremely low duty-cycle stimulation sufficient to treat chronic inflammation with progressively longer delays (off periods) from an initial stimulation. In particular, described herein are supra-threshold pulses of electrical stimulation sufficient to result in a long-lasting (e.g., >48 hours) inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or effects of chronic inflammation; the delay between initial doses (which may be single-pulse doses) may be extended for subsequent doses, potentially dramatically enhancing battery and device longevity.

Abstract: A system for transferring data and power between electronic devices implanted in a patient is described. The system comprises a first unit and a second unit that in use are both implanted in the patient and a cable connecting the first unit and the second unit. The first unit comprises a current supply unit that supplies a selected current output to the second unit via the cable and a processor configured to anticipate an action to be performed by the second unit and to select the current output dependent on the anticipated action.

Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation therapies is enabled to detect a short circuit condition on a sensing or therapy vector. A cardiac signal is sensed by a sensing module coupled to electrodes. A control module detects a short circuit condition in response to a significant drop in amplitude of far-field cardiac events coincident to near-field cardiac events. In some instances, the short circuit condition is detected in response an abnormal impedance on the far-field sensing vector and/or a matching morphology of the far-field cardiac electrical signal including the coincident FF cardiac event in addition to the significant drop in amplitude of the coincident FF cardiac events.

Abstract: A blood pump 2 comprising: a cartridge 4 having a concave recess 8 therein having a surface, and a flexible membrane 0 covering said recess, the concave recess and flexible membrane forming a pump chamber 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 wherein: said flexible membrane is movable between a first position, separated from said surface wherein in such position the pump chamber has a maximum volume, and a second position, substantially adjacent said surface such that in said second position the pump chamber has a minimum volume, a pump driver mechanism 18 arranged to interface with the cartridge, said driver operable to move the flexible membrane in a first direction into the recess to, in use, pump blood from the chamber and operable to move the flexible membrane in a second direction away from the recess to, in use, draw blood into said chamber; and wherein the pump driver controls the movement of the flexible membrane in the first direction such that the speed at which it is moving reduces as it approach

Abstract: A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of supplying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of improving the persistence of electrical neural stimulation, and specifically a method of improving the persistence of an image supplied to a retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. A continuously stimulated retina, or other neural tissue, will desensitize after a time period in the range of 20 to 150 seconds. However, an interruption of the stimulation on the order of a few milliseconds will restore the retinal sensitivity without the user perceiving the interruption, or with the user barely perceiving the interruption.

Abstract: An external charger for an implantable medical device is disclosed which can automatically detect an implant and generate a charging field. The technique uses circuitry typically present in an external charger, such as control circuitry, a Load Shift Keying (LSK) demodulator, and a coupling detector. An algorithm in the control circuitry periodically issues charging fields of short duration in a standby mode. If the coupling detector detects the presence of a conductive material, the algorithm issues a listening window during which a charging field is generated. If an LSK reply signal is received at the LSK demodulator, the external charger can charge the implant in a normal fashion. If a movement signature is detected at the LSK demodulator indicative of a predetermined user movement of the external charger, a charging field is issued for a set timing period, to at least partially charge the IPG battery to restore LSK communications.

Abstract: Adaptive system for medical monitoring distributes data processing among computing devices connected to a network to optimize usage of computational resources, network communication speed and user experience. Data processing is distributed into several levels with bi-directional communication between the levels (computing devices) to coordinate and adjust data compression, filtering, and analysis, as well as the size of buffered data available for transmission and/or receiving.