Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) coupled with leads extending to body tissue providing storage of lead related data, monitoring of lead functional status, and indication of lead integrity to the clinician. A lead status monitor (LSM) processes lead related data in a system self test mode and provides a lead status report that identifies and declares conductor/connector issues, insulation issues, and electrode/tissue interface issues indicative of suspected lead related condition mechanisms for each lead employed in the IMD. The LSM operates employing a set of LSM rules that process measured lead impedance values and loss of capture (LOC) values. In a pacing system, particular LSM rules are defined that process periodically determined, pacing pulse characteristic at LOC and bipolar and unipolar lead impedance values that are measured periodically. The lead impedance values are compared to upper and lower limits or trip points of a normal impedance range.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) capable of monitoring physiologic data, distinguishing relatively noisy and noise free physiologic data, and recording noisy and relatively noise free segments of physiologic data in separate memory registers of a limited memory for retrieval and analysis at a later time. Preferably the physiologic data comprises the sampled EGM of the heart detected from sense electrode pairs that are implanted in the patient at sites where extraneous electrical noise, e.g., electromyographic signals, are also capable of being detected. The sense electrode pairs can constitute one or both sense electrodes located on or adjacent to the atrial and/or ventricular heart chambers and coupled to the IMD by a lead body or sense electrode pairs that are located remotely from the heart, e.g. at a subcutaneous implantation site of the IMD.

Abstract: A controller module for an implantable pump system which has a pump motor includes a processor, a motor controller electrically coupled to the processor and adapted to power the pump motor such that the pump motor operates at a desired speed. The motor controller outputs digital representations of the pump motor operating parameters to the processor. A first memory device is coupled to the processor for storing the digital signals representing the pump motor operating parameters. The controller module further includes a user interface. The controller module may be coupled to a data acquisition system, which provides power and exchanges data with the controller module. The controller module may alternately be coupled to a home support system which provides power for the controller module and storage for system components.

Abstract: A method of using a measuring instrument of unknown calibration in such a way as to correct the calibration. The method includes taking a measurement with the instrument, storing the measurement in a data storage medium, and correcting the measurement at a later time based on a determination of the amount of error in the measuring instrument. The method may also be used to remove error that is present as a result of inaccuracies that are present in the data gathering instrument. This method can be used in a write variety of instruments that are used to take measurements, but is particularly useful for medical instruments.

Abstract: The disclosure is a skin care machine having a constant current generating function and giving a skin bounce thereof and soft by applying a micro constant current to the skin, and including a memory storing a guide picture including a process applying the constant current to the skin of respective body parts with an electric conductive material as a body part and a picture thereof; a graphic display unit displaying a guide picture including a process applying the constant current to the skin of respective body parts with the electric conductive material as the body part and the picture thereof stored in the memory; and a controlling unit transmitting a guide picture including a process applying the constant current to the skin of respective body parts with the electric conductive material as the body part and the picture thereof stored in the memory to the graphic display unit, as a given process.

Abstract: A cardiac lead is provided that includes a connector for connecting to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible sleeve coupled to the connector. The sleeve has a first segment, a second segment and a jacket coupling the first segment and the second segment. The jacket is composed of a shape-memory polymeric material which deforms diametrically in situ to selectively disconnect the first segment from the second segment. An electrode is coupled to the sleeve and a conductor is disposed in the sleeve and coupled to the connector and the electrode for conveying electrical signals. The breakaway function of the jacket allows removal of all but a small portion of the lead without dissection of fibrous tissue.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring device is disclosed which uses an inflatable cuff to apply external pressure to a patient's body member. The device detects and measures amplitude of pressure oscillations induced in the cuff by blood flow in the body member as the cuff pressure is decreased in steps from a magnitude above the expected systolic pressure to a magnitude below the expected diastolic blood pressure. The means arterial blood pressure is measured at the step at which the pressure oscillations reach a maximum. Systolic blood pressure is determined by making a first linear approximation to a plurality of amplitude measurements occurring below the expected systolic pressure and making a second linear approximation to a plurality of points occurring above the expected systolic pressure. The systolic pressure is calculated by setting the two approximations equal.