Abstract: The present invention provides a solid oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of living microorganisms and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable water absorbing excipient(s), wherein the composition has a water content, determined according to European Pharmacopoeia 9.4, section 2.5.12., from 0.5 to 30% with respect the total weight of the composition. The invention also provides processes for its preparation as well as it use in therapy. The live-cell based composition of the invention is stable at mild conditions.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator has a housing including an electronics compartment, an electronics assembly mounted in the electronics compartment, a proximal electrode that disposed on and/or integrated into the housing, and an electrical feedthrough assembly. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a distal electrode and a flange. The flange is mounted on the housing. The distal electrode is electrically isolated from the flange by an insulator and configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A mount is mounted on the flange and thereby mounted on the electrical feedthrough assembly. A fixation element is mounted on the mount and configured to facilitate fixation of the leadless biostimulator to tissue of a patient.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing implantable electronic devices include forming an antenna of the implantable electronic device by delivering an antenna trace within a dielectric antenna body. The antenna trace includes a first trace portion disposed in a first transverse layer and defining a first trace path and a second trace portion disposed in a second transverse layer longitudinally offset from the first transverse layer and defining a second trace path. If projected to be coplanar, the first trace path defines a trace boundary and the second trace path is within the trace boundary.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly, which is configured to be mounted on a housing of a leadless biostimulator, comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing implantable electronic devices include forming an antenna of the implantable electronic device by delivering an antenna trace within a dielectric antenna body. The antenna trace includes a first trace portion disposed in a first transverse layer and defining a first trace path and a second trace portion disposed in a second transverse layer longitudinally offset from the first transverse layer and defining a second trace path. If projected to be coplanar, the first trace path defines a trace boundary and the second trace path is within the trace boundary.

Abstract: An implant delivery instrument includes a housing with a main body section that defines a passage therethrough from a front end of the main body section to a back end of the main body section. The passage receives an obturator through an opening at the back end, and also receives an implant device. Movement of the obturator through the passage pushes the implant device through a discharge opening at the front end and through an incision into a subdermal pocket of a patient. The housing includes a tab connected to and projecting from the front end of the main body section. The tab has a blunt dissection tip for maintaining the incision in an open state without creating or enlarging the incision, and the tab is configured to surround the implant device moving through the discharge opening along only one side of the implant device.

Abstract: A header-less implantable medical device, system and method are provided. The device includes an electronics module including circuitry, a battery, a receptacle assembly having an interior chamber and a receptable inlet configured to receive a lead connector assembly. A device housing has a case body that includes side walls and a peripheral edge that defines a single common chamber. The electronics module, battery and receptacle assembly are provided within the single common chamber. A connector opening is provided in the case body and joined to the receptacle inlet to form a passage through the case body into the interior chamber of the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator, and an electrical feedthrough assembly for use therewith, are described herein. The leadless biostimulator comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within a housing of the leadless biostimulator, and wherein the electrical feedthrough assembly is configured to be mounted on the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of living microorganisms and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable water absorbing excipient(s), wherein the composition has a water content, determined according to European Pharmacopoeia 9.4, section 2.5.12., from 0.5 to 30% with respect the total weight of the composition. The invention also provides processes for its preparation as well as it use in therapy. The live-cell based composition of the invention is stable at mild conditions.

Abstract: A blade for a cutting instrument includes a handle, a body, and at least three cutting edges along the body. The body has first and second sides extending along a longitudinal center axis. The body has a proximal end at the handle and a distal tip remote from the handle. The at least three cutting edges are oriented at corresponding angles with respect to the longitudinal center axis and are asymmetrically distributed with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implanting an implantable cardiac monitor. An insertion system includes an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). An insertion housing comprises a passage extending from a first end of the insertion housing to a second end of the insertion housing. The passage configured to receive the obturator and a receptacle in communication with the passage and an external environment. The receptacle configured to receive the ICM. An obturator is configured to move within the passage when the obturator is moved relative to the insertion housing. The obturator has a channel forming section at a distal end thereof and a motion limiter is provided on at least one of the shaft and the insertion housing.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing implantable electronic devices include forming an antenna of the implantable electronic device by delivering an antenna trace within a dielectric antenna body. The antenna trace includes a first trace portion disposed in a first transverse layer and defining a first trace path and a second trace portion disposed in a second transverse layer longitudinally offset from the first transverse layer and defining a second trace path. If projected to be coplanar, the first trace path defines a trace boundary and the second trace path is within the trace boundary.

Abstract: A header-less implantable medical device, system and method are provided. The device includes an electronics module including circuitry, a battery, a receptacle assembly having an interior chamber and a receptable inlet configured to receive a lead connector assembly. A device housing has a case body that includes side walls and a peripheral edge that defines a single common chamber. The electronics module, battery and receptacle assembly are provided within the single common chamber. A connector opening is provided in the case body and joined to the receptacle inlet to form a passage through the case body into the interior chamber of the receptacle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device including a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly includes an antenna including a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly includes one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device including a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly includes an antenna including a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly includes one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device having a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly has an antenna with a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly has one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: A compact jumper for an infant or young child. The compact jumper includes a support frame, at least one resilient member, and a child-receiving apparatus. The support frame is configured for resting on a support surface and the at least one resilient member is coupled to a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is supported by the at least one resilient member, with a collar mounting the resilient member to the child-receiving apparatus, and is guided by a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is movable with respect to the support surface as the child moves and jumps.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implanting an implantable cardiac monitor. An insertion system includes an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). An insertion housing comprises a passage extending from a first end of the insertion housing to a second end of the insertion housing. The passage configured to receive the obturator and a receptacle in communication with the passage and an external environment. The receptacle configured to receive the ICM. An obturator is configured to move within the passage when the obturator is moved relative to the insertion housing. The obturator has a channel forming section at a distal end thereof and a motion limiter is provided on at least one of the shaft and the insertion housing.