Abstract: A medical device system and method of plotting symbols representing complexes of selected arrhythmic events on an interactive display screen, for organizing, displaying and interacting with a patient's recorded arrhythmia episodes. Stored arrhythmic episode are selected from a plurality of arrhythmic episodes, where the stored arrhythmic episode having a plurality of complexes. A similarity value and a dissimilarity value is calculated for each complex of the plurality of complexes of the selected arrhythmic episode with respect to normal sinus rhythm complexes. Symbols representing the arrhythmic complexes are then plotted as a function of the calculated similarity values and the dissimilarity values on an interactive display screen. Additional information relating to the arrhythmic event is elicited through interacting with the symbols displayed on the interactive display screen.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a stimulation electrode for use on an implantable lead, the lead and electrode so fabricated and a method of their use. The electrode is made by coating a conductive electrode member with a coating of a high surface area coating having micron or sub-micron surface features and after coating, plasma cleaning the electrode member. The electrode is coupled to an insulated conductor of an implantable lead and is employed to stimulate body tissue. The high surface area coating may be platinum black, ruthenium oxide, another metal oxide, a metal nitride or the like. Steroid may be applied to the electrode member after coating.

Abstract: A chronic chamber microdrive (“CCMD”) for neural recording. In one implementation, a CCMD for neural recording from a target site of neural tissue exposed by an opening in a skull of a subject, includes: an outer cylinder, having a longitudinal axis, positioned within the opening and rotatable within the opening; an inner cylinder positioned within the outer cylinder, such that the longitudinal axis of the outer cylinder is within a circumference of the inner cylinder and the inner cylinder rotates within the rotatable outer cylinder; at least one fine leadscrew, positioned longitudinally in the inner cylinder; at least one electrode for neural recording, where at least one of said electrodes is coupled to a corresponding one of said fine leadscrews, where said electrodes are positioned horizontally by rotating the outer cylinder and separately rotating the inner cylinder, and where said electrodes are positioned vertically by rotating said fine leadscrews.

Abstract: A needle assembly for introduction of a paddle style lead near a spinal column of a patient includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a lumen with a continuous oblong cross section, and a paddle style lead adapted to accept a stiffening member. The distal end of the body has an introducer portion where the top side of the introducer has an orifice to allow for protrusion of the paddle style lead from the lumen into the spinal column area. The needle has a hub affixed to the proximal end of the body which is adapted to receive a stylet. The needle may also have a stylet that is inserted within the lumen. The introducer of the needle has a curvature extending from the bottom side toward the top side at the distal end and guides the introduction of the paddle style lead near the spinal column.

Abstract: A distributed system of network programmers is described for use with implantable medical devices. The system includes a set of network programmers each having a processor for performing functions directed to programming an implantable medical device and having a transceiver for communicating with the implantable medical device in response to those functions. The system also includes a remotely located network server. The network server has a processor for performing additional functions directed to analyzing information received from the network programmers and to transmitting the results of analyses to selected network programmers. By providing network programmers configured to perform only limited functions in conjunction with a network server, the individual network programmers can be considerably less costly to manufacture and maintain.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to view an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel in high contrast with its surrounding tissue. The system and method may be used to produce an image of an anatomical structure using reflected electromagnetic radiation singularly scattered from target tissue. The system and method may also provide same-side illumination and detection of reflected electromagnetic radiation in a convenient integral imaging device. The system and method may also provide helmet mounted imaging technology in a single integral helmet which allows the wearer to view an anatomical structure located within a patient such that the image is continuously oriented according to the orientation of the helmet wearer's head. The system and method may also be used in the performance of venipuncture. The system and method may provide for improved contrast between any anatomical structure and its surrounding tissue for use in any imaging system.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining, in a DDD or DDD(R) pacing system, when a delivered atrial pace pulse has failed to capture the patient's atrium. Each cycle, following a delivered ventricular pace pulse, or every N cycles a measure of change in QT interval is obtained and compared to stored criteria. When an atrial pulse has achieved capture, the difference in QT from the last beat will be small, normally less than 2 ms. However, if there has not been atrial capture, the delivered ventricular pace pulse is in fact asynchronous with respect to the atrium, and under these circumstances the change in QT is greater than 2 ms, e.g., in the range of 2-10 ms. Accordingly, when the pacemaker sees a change in QT within the 2-10 ms range, this indicates failure of capture, and responsive action is taken by either directly incrementing the energy level of the atrial pace pulses, or performing an atrial threshold search and then resetting the atrial pace energy level.

Abstract: A multiple energy form supply device is intended for medical use in minimally invasive and general surgery applications. The device includes a plurality of energy supply modules mounted in a movable cart. The device will also typically include a computer control means, with a central PCB that is in communication with the energy supply modules. The device will also have at least one display to aid in the operation of the device, data input mechanisms to allow various means of control of the modules, and data output devices to display and store pertinent information relative to the operation of the device.

Abstract: In an implantable prosthesis system such as a cochlear implant, a pair of coils are used to exchange control and/or power signals between the external and internal components. The coils are offset or displaced laterally by a predetermined distance to reduce variations in the signal transmission due to the spacing between the external and internal components.

Abstract: A system for defibrillating an atrial region of a heart experiencing a supraventricular arrhythmia. The defibrillation system senses and analyzes both atrial and ventricular cardiac signals of the heart to determine if the heart is experiencing a supraventricular arrhythmia. Upon detecting a supraventricular arrhythmia, the defibrillation system begins delivering a train of atrial pacing pulses to the atria of the heart and a series of ventricular pacing pulses to the ventricles of the heart to synchronize the contractions of the heart with the pacing pulses. The defibrillation system then delivers a defibrillation electrical energy pulse across the atrial region at a predetermined coupling interval time after delivering a final atrial pacing pulse and a final ventricular pacing pulse so that the defibrillation pulse will fall outside the occurrence of a T-wave of the heart, thus reducing the likelihood of inducing ventricular fibrillation.

Abstract: A catheter system having a tip section with fixation means for use in treatment of tissues, such as mapping pulmonary veins or ablating tumors in a natural body conduit or cavity by applying RF energy, wherein the catheter system passes through a natural body opening to reach the target tissue, wherein the catheter system stays at a desired position via its fixation means having needle-like attachments, and delivers therapeutic RF energy to the target tissue for improved tissue treatment.

Abstract: A pacing-pulse detecting circuit 3 detects pacing pulses from an electrocardiogram signal led from an electrocardiogram electrode 1. A mode-status judging means 21 judges a mode status, a pacing mode or a nonpacing mode, on the basis of the pacing pulse detected. The detect result is transmitted to a CPU 5. The CPU 5 causes a display device 10 to display the result. An operator sees the display and operates a key 22, and gives an instruction to start a blood pressure measurement to the CPU 5. The CPU 5 drives a pump 13 and an exhaust valve 14 to supply and discharge air to and from a cuff 11, and measures a blood pressure by use of pressure data led from a pressure sensor 15.

Abstract: A multi-capacitor module carries vertically-oriented surface mount tantalum capacitors. The module provides at least one conductor for coupling to the substrate capacitor terminals that are distal thereto. The module occupies less space, when mounted to a circuit board substrate, than individually mounting the bases of the surface mount capacitors to the substrate. This allows more efficient use of volume within an implantable cardiac rhythm management device, reducing its size, or alternatively, increasing its implanted longevity.

Abstract: A pacing system and method for providing multiple chamber pacing of a patient's heart, and in particular, pacing programmed for treatment of various forms of heart failure. The system utilizes impedance sensing for determining optimum pacing parameters, e.g., for pacing the left ventricle so that left heart output is maximized. The impedance sensing also is used for determination of arrhythmias or progression of heart failure. Impedance sensing is provided for between selected pairs of the four chambers, to enable optimizing of information for control and diagnosis. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, impedance measurements are obtained for determining the timing of right heart valve closure or right ventricular contractions, and the timing of delivery of left ventricular pace pulses is adjusted so as to optimally synchronize left ventricular pacing with the right ventricular contractions.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for delivering a medical therapy or for monitoring physiologic parameters. The device is provided with a hermetic housing containing a transceiver coupled to an antenna located outside the housing by means of a feedthrough, mounted to the housing and coupled to the transceiver. The antenna takes the form of a length of conductor, coupled to the feedthrough. In some embodiments the antenna is an insulated stranded conductor coupled to the feedthrough by means of a metallic loading tab. In other embodiments the antenna includes a length of conductor encased in a dielectric, extending from the feedthrough, and a coaxial shield coupled to the housing and extending along only a portion of the length of conductor.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system recognizes patterns of interval durations, distinguishing between events in different heart chambers even though signals associated with those different heart chambers are processed using a commonly shared sensing circuit. A therapy delivery algorithm ignores intervals between cardiac events occurring in different heart chambers when determining a cardiac rate upon which the delivery of therapy is based. This reduces the risk of inappropriate delivery of therapy to the patient. Delayed conduction left ventricular beats are not erroneously recognized as a subsequent right ventricular beat, preventing such short intervals from inappropriately triggering a defibrillation countershock. The system detects cardiac events, obtains a current interval between a current cardiac event and a previous cardiac event, and classifies the current interval into at least first and second categories, based on a duration of the current interval.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus implementing a real time detection algorithm for non drug-activated imaging diseases, e.g. in cervical and bladder tissues. The apparatus employs an ultra-bright metal halide light source, utilizing its definite and sharp purple & green spectral lines, for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate a combined reflection & autofluorescence light from the tissue. An advanced optical system, coupled to a digital color & multi spectral camera, is used for collecting the combined reflection & autofluorescence light from the inspected tissues. This system contains a miniature filter wheel, running synchronously with the camera video frame—rate (i.e.—30 frames/sec for NTSC or 25 frames/sec for PAL).

Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.

Abstract: Exemplary devices and methods for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In one exemplary method, a patient's chest is actively compressed during a compression phase. The diaphragm is then stimulated to contract during a recovery phase to cause an increase in the magnitude and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during the recovery phase. In this way, the amount of venous blood flow into the heart and lungs is enhanced.

Abstract: It has been determined that certain dual-chambered cardiac stimulators may operate in a region in which an atrial pacing event may obscure the detection of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Various exemplary techniques may be used to improve the ability of dual-chamber cardiac stimulators to detect such ventricular events. In accordance with one technique, it is determined whether a ventricular event should be classified as a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. If not, the VA interval is restarted as usual. However, if the ventricular event may be classified as a ventricular tachyarrhythmia, it is determined whether the ventricular event falls within the region in which an atrial pacing event may obscure its detection. If not, then the VA interval is restarted as usual. However, if the ventricular event falls within this region, the VA interval is restarted with the VT rate detection boundary.