Abstract: A method determines cardiac output or stroke volume by receiving signal data representing multiple parameters of a patient concurrently acquired over a particular time period and comprising at least one of, (a) a parameter derived from an ECG waveform of the patient, (b) a parameter derived from a blood pressure signal of the patient, (c) a parameter derived from signal data representing oxygen content of blood of the patient and (d) a parameter derived from a patient cardiac impedance value. A selected parameter of the multiple concurrently acquired parameters is used in calculating a heart stroke volume of the patient comprising volume of blood transferred through the blood vessel in a heart cycle, in response to, a combination of a weighted summation of values of the selected parameter over the particular time period. Data representing the calculated heart stroke volume is provided to a destination device.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method of detecting abnormal movement of a physical object. A periodic signal is representative of the movement of the object. According to some embodiments, a raw matrix having a first array and a second array is generated, and then an integrated matrix is generated by performing a dimension reduction on the raw matrix. A likelihood of a predetermined type of abnormal movement of the physical object is determined by comparing the integrated matrix with a predetermined benchmark pattern. In some embodiments, the generation of the raw matrix includes performing a first analysis on a predetermined portion of the periodic signal to generate the first array and performing a second analysis different from the first analysis on the predetermined portion of the periodic signal to generate the second array.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method of detecting ischemia with a pressure sensor. The method can include obtaining a pressure signal and determining a pressure rate of change. The method can also include identifying at least one of impaired relaxation and impaired contractility in order to detect ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, Internet-based system that seamlessly collects cardiovascular data from a patient before, during, and after a procedure for EP or an ID. During an EP procedure, the system collects information describing the patient's response to PES and the ablation process, ECG waveforms and their various features, HR and other vital signs, HR variability, cardiac arrhythmias, patient demographics, and patient outcomes. Once these data are collected, the system stores them on an Internet-accessible computer system that can deploy a collection of user-selected and custom-developed algorithms. Before and after the procedure, the system also integrates with body-worn and/or programmers that interrogate implanted devices to collect similar data while the patient is either ambulatory, or in a clinic associated with the hospital. A data-collection/storage module, featuring database interface, stores physiological and procedural information measured from the patient.

Abstract: A device includes a hemodynamic sensor measuring blood flow in the left chambers of a myocardium, at least one motion sensor measuring a displacement of the walls of the left ventricle of the myocardium, a first analysis module determining a time of closure of the aortic valve based on a signal of the hemodynamic sensor, a second analysis module determining a time of peak contraction of the left ventricle based on a signal from the motion sensors, and a third analysis module determining a time between the moment of peak contraction of the left ventricle and the moment of closure of the aortic valve. If the peak of contraction of the left ventricle is after the instant of closure of the aortic valve, the device adjusts the inter-ventricular delay and/or the atrioventricular delay to minimize or cancel the time disparity.

Abstract: Defibrillator lead designs and methods for manufacturing a lead having a fibrosis-limiting material covering, a shocking coil electrode, and an implantable lead body are disclosed herein. The shocking coil electrode includes at least one laser welded portion.

Abstract: Methods of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) relative to the superior vena cava, sino-atrial node, right atrium, and/or right ventricle using electrocardiogram data. The CVC includes at least one electrode. In particular embodiments, the CVC includes two or three pairs of electrodes. Further, depending upon the embodiment implemented, one or more electrodes may be attached to the patient's skin. The voltage across the electrodes is used to generate a P wave. A reference deflection value is determined for the P wave detected when the tip is within the proximal superior vena cava. Then, the tip is advanced and a new deflection value determined. A ratio of the new and reference deflection values is used to determine a tip location. The ratio may be used to instruct a user to advance or withdraw the tip.

Abstract: A neurostimulation system provides for capture verification and stimulation intensity adjustment to ensure effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in modulating one or more target functions in a patient. In various embodiments, stimulation is applied to the vagus nerve, and evoked responses are detected to verify that the stimulation captures the vagus nerve and to adjust one or more stimulation parameters that control the stimulation intensity.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between at least two medical devices implanted within the body of a subject using volume conduction of electrical signals as a means of communication and wherein one of the implanted medical devices is configured to provide electrical stimulation to the tissue is disclosed. The system comprises a first implant device having at least two transmit electrodes configured to transmit electrical stimulation pulses, wherein one of the electrodes may be a common return electrode, an encoding means configured to employ a channel as a transmitter transmission medium for stimulation pulses and encoding the information into the stimulation pulses, a second implant device having at least two receive electrodes configured to receive the transmitted stimulation pulses with encoded information, and a decoding means configured to decode the information encoded into the stimulation pulses. The disclosed system provides reliable and efficient communication between implantable devices.

Abstract: A system for treatment of gait disorders reflects, with electrical stimulation patterns fed to electrodes (1, 8) arranged at the patient, on the event of heel-strike and heel-off, the events being generated by a wireless heel switch (5). The pulse generator (4) also transfers the electrical energy needed to operate the heel switch (5) wirelessly. The event signal from the heel switch (5) is modulated in order to achieve a longer operating range.

Abstract: A pacemaker is provided. The pacemaker includes a pulse generator and an electrode line connecting with the pulse generator. The electrode line includes a conductor, an insulation layer and a shielding layer. The insulation layer is located on an outer surface of the conductor. The shielding layer is located on an outer surface of the first insulation layer. The shielding layer is a carbon nanotube structure having a plurality of radioactive particles therein.

Abstract: A medical device includes a preload determination unit for determining the preload of a ventricle for a cardiac cycle and providing a preload value representing the preload; a contractility determination unit for determining the contractility of the ventricle for the cardiac cycle and providing a contractility value representing the contractility; and an evaluation unit connected to the preload determination unit and the contractility determination unit, with the evaluation unit being configured to evaluate contractility values versus associated preload values.

Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker having a radial fixation mechanism is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include fixation mechanism separate from a pacing electrode and having a diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the pacemaker. The fixation mechanism can allow the pacemaker to be inserted into tissue with less than 2 rotations of the pacemaker to place the pacing electrode in contact with the tissue. In some embodiments, the fixation mechanism can comprise a plurality of hooks or protrusions positioned near a distal portion of the pacemaker. The fixation mechanism(s) can be configured to penetrate the endocardium of the patient and reside mostly within the myocardium. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker into the heart are also provided.

Abstract: Implantable medical leads include a shield that is guarded at a termination by having a first portion and second portion of the shield, where the first portion is between a termination of the shield at the second portion and an inner insulation layer surrounding the filars. The first portion may reduce the coupling of RF energy from the termination of the shield at the second portion to the filars. The first and second portions may be part of a continuous shield, where the first and second portions are separated by an inversion of the shield. The first and second portions may instead be separate pieces. The first portion may be noninverted residing between the termination at the second portion and inner layers, or the first portion may be inverted to create first and second sub-portions. The shield termination at the second portion is between the first and second sub-portions.

Abstract: Grounding of a shield that is located in an implantable medical lead may be done in many ways. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is outside of a header of an implantable medical device to which the implantable medical lead is attached. The ground pathway may couple to the shield at a point that is within the header of the implantable medical device. The ground pathway may terminate at the metal can of the implantable medical device. As another option, the ground pathway may terminate at a ground plate that is mounted to the header. The ground pathway may be direct current coupled from the shield to the can or ground plate. Alternatively, the ground pathway may include one or more capacitive couplings that provide a pathway for induced radio frequency current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, determining a relationship between a plurality of characteristics associated with a morphology of the cardiac signals sensed during a predetermined sensing window, generating a threshold in response to the determined relationship, comparing a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics with the threshold, and determining whether the sensed cardiac signals are associated with the cardiac event in response to the comparing of the first characteristic.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system provides for cardiac pacing that is delivered to a target portion of conductive tissue in a heart, such as the His bundle. In various embodiments, the system is configured to verify capture of the target portion and provide for selective pacing of the target portion. In various embodiments, the system is configured to detect responses of the target portion and adjacent myocardial tissue to delivery of pacing pulses and use an outcome of the detection to verify selective capture of the target portion (i.e., without directly exciting the adjacent myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer and a patient feedback device for establishing a protocol to treat a patient. The programmer uses a computer assisted stimulation programming procedure for establishing the protocol. Also described are methods of treating a patient with a spinal cord stimulation system including the programmer and the patient feedback device.

Abstract: An electrode lead of a pacemaker includes at least one lead wire. The at least one lead wire includes at least one conductive core, a first insulating layer coated on an outer surface of the at least one conductive core, at least one carbon nanotube yarn spirally wound on an outer surface of the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer coated on the surface of the at least one carbon nanotube yarn. One end of the at least one conductive core protrudes from the first insulating layer to form a naked portion. The at least one carbon nanotube yarn includes a number of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive forces. A pacemaker includes a pulse generator and the electrode lead electrically connected with the pulse generator.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a state in a subject (12) comprises generating a pacing signal (20) at a first frequency, presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated pacing signal, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject, detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, and either removing the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or generating a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal. The method can further comprise, prior to the detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, adjusting the pacing signal according to feedback from the measured parameter(s).