Abstract: A method of forming a medical device contact element includes annealing an elongated rod of Ti-15Mo alloy material to form an annealed rod having a Young's Modulus of less than 13.5 Mpsi and an elastic range or strain of at least 0.7%. Then forming a contact ring element from the annealed rod and assembling the contact ring element into a medical device. Contact rings and lead receptacles including the same are also described.

Abstract: Device and method for selectively ablating a submucosal layer of a duodenal wall and/or of sensory neurons therein, including a laser transmitting element coupled with the catheter body and configured to transmit a laser beam having a spot diameter of less than 200 microns and to provide an ablative dose of 0.5-2.5 J/mm; wherein the laser beam is configured to selectively ablate an area of the submucosal layer that is at least twice the size of the spot diameter, while essentially preventing damage of the surrounding mucosal, muscularis and/or serosal layers of the duodenal wall; and an expandable member configured to stretch the duodenal wall and to generate a fixed distance between the catheter's laser transmitting element and the duodenal wall.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads and implantable lead extensions include a shield. The implantable medical lead is coupled to the implantable lead extension. Stimulation electrodes of the implantable medical lead contact stimulation connectors within a housing of the implantable extension to establish a conductive pathway for stimulation signals from filars of the implantable extension to filars of the implantable medical lead. Continuity is established between the shield of the implantable medical lead and the implantable extension by providing a radio frequency conductive pathway within the housing. The radio frequency conductive pathway extends from a shield of the implantable extension to a shield connector that contacts a shield electrode of the implantable medical lead. The radio frequency conductive pathway may have various forms such as a jumper wire or an extension of the shield within the implantable extension.

Abstract: Methods for systematically testing a plurality of therapy programs in a spinal cord modulation system, and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises loading a plurality of therapy programs into a signal generator, wherein individual therapy programs include parameters specifying electrode configuration, signal amplitude, and/or signal frequency. The programs are automatically activated for an automatically instructed period of time. The method includes automatically changing from one therapy program to another after the instructed period of time. The patient is queried for patient input corresponding to the therapy programs. The patient input is received via a remote. The patient input is correlated with a corresponding time of day and recorded in the signal generator. Thereafter, the patient input is retrieved from the signal generator.

Abstract: A device for performing a procedure may include an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end and an adapted link having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end may include a first mating surface, where the proximal end may be configured to attach to the distal end of the elongate tube. The device may also include a rotating link having a second mating surface configured to rotatably interface with the adapted link first mating surface.

Abstract: A system to generate a representation of a rhythm disorder that includes identifying remote or polar sources associated with a cardiac rhythm disorder is disclosed. The system includes generating a representation based on the cardiac information signals received from the sensors by transformation of spline-sensor locations of the catheter to x-y coordinate pairs of locations. A first offset is determined resulting from a perturbation to corresponding x-y coordinate pairs of locations associated with the representation, the first offset displacing coordinate pairs of sensor locations of the representation at least one unit of displacement in a first direction. A remote source associated with a cardiac rhythm disorder is identified when activations associated with the cardiac information signals rotate in sequence at least once, or emanate centrifugally for at least a first time period, the source being identified based on the representation as displaced.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to securing electrodes of a medical lead adjacent to a target tissue site. The medical lead may include one or more threaded fixation structures disposed circumferentially about the outer surface of the lead body, or elongated member, that resembles a “screw” or “auger.” During implantation, a clinician may rotate the entire lead to “screw” the lead into the tissue of the patient until electrodes of the lead reside adjacent to a target tissue. In this manner, the threaded fixation structure secures the lead within the patient to resist lead migration and improper therapy and provide a fine adjustment for depth of placement. The threaded fixation structure may be disposed on a portion of the lead proximal to or distal to the electrodes of the lead or over the portion of the lead that includes the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an implantable medical device. The medical device comprises an implantable component having a receiver unit; an external charging module having a power transmitter unit; and a data module having a data transmitter unit. The units are configured to establish a transcutaneous communication link over which data and power is transmitted on a single frequency channel via a time interleaving scheme comprising successive frames each divided into at least two time slots, and wherein one or more of the time slots in each frame is allocated to the data transmitter unit, and wherein one or more of the time slots in each frame is allocated to the power transmitter unit, and wherein data and power are transmitted by the transmitter units during their allotted time slots.

Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.

Abstract: This document mainly discloses a method and a device for sound enhancement, both aspects of the invention hereby described are directed to cochlear implants. The method for sound enhancement and the sound enhancement device comprising a component adapted to carry out said method are based on processing the envelope for frequency bands of the acoustic signal captured, said amplification is directed to the gain value of the amplification according to an amplitude of an output signal of the other sound processor.

Abstract: A method and system provides for electrophysiological data analysis in a networked processing environment. The method and system includes receiving, via a networked connection, electrophysiological data of a patient and electronically performing, via at least one network processing device, a data analysis on the electrophysiological data. The method and system includes generating at least one report based on the data analysis, wherein the at least one report includes determination of one or more intervention options for the patient and therein transmitting the report to a recipient device across the network connection for utilization with the patient. The results of the report direct the user to apply from within the same system non-invasive brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and biofeedback modalities.

Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) is described which spends an increased proportion of a rescue in a CPR mode. This is accomplished by use of a single shock protocol which causes the AED to spend less time in shock analysis and delivery activities as compared with the typical multiple shock protocol. An AED of the present invention preferably is configured such that the rescue protocol can be modified or changed easily without the need to remove the battery or use specialized hardware or software. Preferably the shock waveform of the single shock is a biphasic waveform delivering at least 150 Joules of energy and more preferably at least 200 Joules of energy.

Abstract: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling devices and associated methods are generally described. An FES cycling device may comprise a crank, two or more pedals connected to the crank, one or more sensors adapted to measure position and/or velocity of the crank, and one or more electrodes configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a person associated with the cycling device. In some cases, the FES cycling device further comprises a controller configured to receive input signals from the one or more sensors and deliver output signals to the one or more electrodes. In certain cases, the controller may dynamically generate a control signal to deliver an amount of electrical stimulation to a muscle group (e.g., quadriceps femoris, gluteal muscles, hamstring muscles) based on the value of a determined torque transfer ratio between a joint of the person and the crank of the cycling device. The electrical stimulation may, in some cases, cause the person to pedal the cycling device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for stimulating optic nerve fibers. The device includes a plurality of columnar electrodes and a power source. The columnar electrodes are disposed respectively in parallel to a length direction of an optic nerve of a human eye and are also disposed around the optic nerve along a circumferential direction thereof. Each of the columnar electrodes has a length. The power source is configured to supply power to the columnar electrodes. A human retina consists of the optic nerve fibers, which are connected to the optic nerve and a macular area of the human eye in a form of layers. The columnar electrodes are configured to stimulate the optic nerve fibers around the optic nerve with electrical stimulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implantable medical devices and headers are described. In an example, an implantable medical device includes a device container including an electronic module within the device container. A modular header core includes a header core module including at least one bore hole configured to receive a lead, an antenna attachment module coupled to the header core, and an antenna engaged with the antenna attachment module. The antenna attachment module is configured to locate the antenna in a selected position with respect to the header core module.

Abstract: A blood pump including a housing defining a fluid flow path, an upstream end, a downstream end, and an outlet at the downstream end. A rotor is disposed within the housing and within the fluid flow path, the rotor being rotatable independent of the housing in a first direction and configured to pump blood downstream toward the outlet. The housing defines an inflow cannula at the upstream end, the inflow cannula defining a proximal end proximate the rotor and an opposite distal end. The inflow cannula defines a major longitudinal axis and minor longitudinal axis, the distal end of inflow cannula defines a plurality of slots radially disposed about the distal end, the plurality of slots being at least one from the group consisting of sloped in the first direction with respect to the major longitudinal axis and angled in the first direction with respect to the minor longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system for processing ECG to detect atrial fibrillation includes three software modules. A beat module is executable on a processor to receive a time series of ECG data, identify heart beats, and determine a beat AFIB value based on a timing of each identified heart beat. The beat AFIB value represents a presence or absence of AFIB based on variability in the timing of each identified heart beat. A segment module is executable to receive the time series of ECG data, divide the time series of ECG data into two or more time segments, and determine a segment AFIB value for each time segment. The segment AFIB value indicates a presence or absence of AFIB in the time segment based on whether any of a set of rhythms are identified. The AFIB detection module is executable to determine an AFIB identification value for each time segment based on the beat AFIB value during that time segment and the segment AFIB value for that time segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for the directional conductance of a body fluid, particularly blood. The catheter includes a line segment which has a film tube defining an inner volume. A first port connects the inner volume to an external volume and a second port, arranged distally from the first port, connects the inner volume with the external volume. During operation of the catheter, the body fluid is conducted in the inner volume directionally between the first and second ports. The line segment includes a reinforcement running in the interior of the film tube. The film tube has a foldable section, a connecting region whereat the film tube is connected to the reinforcement, and a stabilized section having a structured profile.

Abstract: Systems, methods and implantable devices configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or bradycardia pacing therapy. A first device located in the heart of the patient is configured to receive a communication from a second device and deliver a pacing therapy in response to or in accordance with the received communication. A second device located elsewhere is configured to determine an atrial event has occurred and communicate to the first device to trigger the pacing therapy. The second device may be configured for sensing the atrial event by the use of vector selection and atrial event windowing, among other enhancements. Exception cases are discussed and handled as well.

Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.