Abstract: In a monitor for monitoring diastolic relaxation of a ventricle of a heart, an impedance signal is measured in a ventricle of the heart and the occurrence of a notch in the impedance signal coincident with the entry of blood into the monitored ventricle is detected by forming a time derivative of the impedance signal and generating a loop by plotting impedance values of the impedance signals with respect to related time derivative values to form a loop for each cardiac cycle of the heart, and comparing the generated loop to a loop template representing a normal loop for the subject, to identify deviations in the loop from normal deviations in timing and shape of the notch.

Abstract: Cardiac pacing to treat ventricle dysynchrony for improved cardiac function is performed as follows. Early paced inter-ventricular asynchrony is determined during ventricular pacing. Baseline inter-ventricular asynchrony is determined without pacing. Average inter-ventricular asynchrony is calculated by averaging the early paced inter-ventricular asynchrony and the baseline inter-ventricular asynchrony. Atrio-ventricular delay and ventricular-ventricular delay are adjusted during ventricular pacing to yield the average inter-ventricular asynchrony for optimal intra-left ventricular resynchronization and maximal cardiac function. The elements above can be configured in software contained in an implantable medical device or embodied as a computer software product that includes a medium readable by a processor.

Abstract: Conductive aerogels are employed in fabrication of electrical medical leads adapted to be implanted in the body and subjected to bending stresses. An elongated, flexible and resilient, lead body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes an insulative sheath having an elongated lumen through which an elongated conductor extends. A layer of conductive aerogel is disposed over the conductor deforming upon movement of the conductor within the lumen against the aerogel in response to applied stresses.