Abstract: A system and method for use in tissue analysis and therapy. An optical probe array has at least two or more optical probes for illuminating tissue and generates light fluorescence and/or diffuse reflectance signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue. One or more ultrasound, CT and MRI imaging guidance systems identify the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue. The imaging guidance system can also be a fusion of an MRI or CT image provided by the MRI or CT imaging guidance system and an ultrasound image provided by the ultrasound imaging guidance system. An imaging system generates a three-dimensional image of the tissue based on the generated light signals and the identified position of the optical probes.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead connecting to a device header of a medical apparatus and having an electrode, a conductor, and a conductive polymer layer formed on at least a portion of the medical lead. An insulative sheath surrounds the conductive polymer layer for electrical insulation. The conductive polymer layer and insulative sheath maintain mechanical and electrical continuity of the lead in the event of fracture. The conductive polymer layer is composed of conductive polymers and may contain one or more dopants for improving electrical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, and processability.

Abstract: A system and method for determining patient-specific implantable medical device programming parameters are presented. A set of physiological measures collected through a plurality of sensors monitoring physiological functions in a patient are assimilated. The physiological measures set are analyzed to identify physiological idiosyncrasies specific to the patient and to optimize the therapy to be delivered through an implantable medical device. A patient profile is formed including a plurality of programming parameters and the patient profile is preprogrammed into the implantable medical device prior to implantation in the patient.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead connecting to a device header of a medical apparatus and having an electrode, a conductor, and a conductive polymer layer formed on at least a portion of the medical lead. An insulative sheath surrounds the conductive polymer layer for electrical insulation. The conductive polymer layer and insulative sheath maintain mechanical and electrical continuity of the lead in the event of fracture. The conductive polymer layer is composed of conductive polymers and may contain one or more dopants for improving electrical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, and processability.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for adding to breathing by stimulating tissue to elicit a diaphragm response during intrinsic breathing.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for therapeutic stimulating, augmenting, manipulating and/or controlling breathing, in combination with stimulation of auxiliary respiratory nerves or muscles including the upper airway tract, chest wall muscles or abdominal muscles. Stimulation may be provided, for example, to augment breathing or to prevent closing of the upper airway during therapeutic stimulation. Stimulation may be also provided to the Hypoglossal nerve during exhalation.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for improving upper airway functionality by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of a subject.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for controlling breathing of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for treating obstructive respiratory events by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm to elicit a respiratory response.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for increasing the functional residual capacity of lungs of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient With respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and/or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and/or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for electrically stimulating the diaphragm to control breathing while inhibiting respiratory drive. A stimulation phase is identified. The stimulation phase is a period of time within the breathing cycle in which stimulation will inhibit respiratory drive. The respiratory drive inhibition may be used in a number of applications including but not limited to: improving or remodeling the heart in heart failure patients, treating apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and hypertension.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for managing the treatment of a patient with respiratory disorders or symptoms. Respiratory parameters are sensed and recorded and communicated to an external device to provide information to a patient and/or provider for further treatment or diagnosis. Also respiratory disorders such as apnea or hypoventilation may be treated by electrically stimulating the diaphragm muscle or phrenic nerve in response to a sensed respiratory parameter or characteristic.

Abstract: A device and method to detect and manage heart failure patient symptoms is provided. Respiration and/or cardiac parameters may be sensed or observed to determine the status of a patient's condition. These symptoms may be classified for appropriate patient disease management. A patient's activity level may be monitored in conjunction with respiration and/or cardiac parameters to provide additional patient status information. These symptoms may be classified for appropriate patient disease management. Pulmonary edema is one condition that may be determined to exist when a respiration parameter is out of range for a given sensed activity level. If edema is determined to be present, the device may be configured to respond to treat the edema.

Abstract: A device and method for sensing breathing disorders, irregularities or insufficiencies is provided. One aspect includes sensing a precursor to an onset of a breathing disorder or episode of a breathing disorder and responding to sensing the precursor. Another aspect includes responding to treat the breathing disorder before manifestation of the disorder. Another aspect includes identifying a likelihood of a breathing disorder and responding using the likelihood and other information indicating onset or occurrence of a breathing disorder.

Abstract: A stimulation device is provided that stimulates breathing to manipulate blood gas concentrations such as SaO2 or PCO2 and thereby treat underlying causes of breathing disorders and heart failure progression. A programmable device is provided for setting diaphragm stimulation waveforms that adjust minute ventilation about a predetermined baseline value. Normal breathing of the subject is observed to establish a baseline reference minute ventilation, and the device is programmed to produce stimulation waveforms that may provide either a decrease or an increase in the patients minute ventilation. The minute ventilation of the subject may be decreased or increased from the baseline level by decreasing or increasing a parameter that changes minute ventilators.

Abstract: A signal source coupled to one or more electrodes in the vicinity of the diaphragm for mapping therapeutic electrode sites. A stimulus signal from the signal source may be applied to the one or more electrodes to produce activation of the diaphragm. Activation of the diaphragm is sensed to provide information that may be correlated with the stimulus signal. The correlated information may be used to identify a therapeutic locus for a therapeutic electrode. An electrical stimulus comprising a series of pulses may be applied to the one or more electrodes to elicit a desired breathing response. The electrical stimulus may be applied between intrinsic breathing cycles, or between regulated breathing cycles. More than one electrode may be supported on a single substrate. The substrate may configured to be positioned on the diaphragm. A hierarchy of stimuli may be applied to a set of electrodes.