Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, of fabricating a stimulation lead for stimulating tissue of a patient, comprises: providing a lead body, the lead body comprising a plurality of conductors embedded within insulating material; providing a plurality of terminals; electrically coupling the plurality of terminals with the plurality of conductors; providing a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes comprising a plurality of substantially continuous longitudinal trenches on a surface of the electrodes, the electrodes comprising areas of reflow material forming microstructures substantially continuously along walls of the longitudinal trenches; and electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes with the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing active fixation helices for the stimulation and/or sensing of organs, an elongated helix precursor body is produced that has one or more electrical conductors surrounded by an insulating material. This helix precursor body is then shaped into a helix, material removed in predetermined places in order to expose the areas of the conductors which will be used as electrodes in the final product. The body is coated with an electrically conducting biocompatible coating which is subsequently partly removed in continuous loops from around the electrodes in order to electrically insulate them from each other and to ensure that the electrically active areas of the electrodes are of the correct dimensions.

Abstract: A implantable lead an elongate body including a flexible insulating tube, and a tubular conductor layer formed of multiple separate strip conductors, which are arranged at the outer surface of the insulating tube and extend along the length thereof.

Abstract: An implantable medical device can be configured to directly or indirectly release nitric oxide during its insertion in a patient. Such a device can reduce the amount of time required for implantation as well as reduce or prevent damage to the region surrounding the implanted device.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrode has an electrically conductive core covered by a stable biocompatible oxide layer. The core contains niobium and the oxide contains a porous niobium oxide. In a process for producing such an implantable electrode, a core of metal or metal alloy containing niobium is connected as an anode in an electrolyte and is subjected to high potential anodic pulses.

Abstract: A heart monitoring device has a control circuit that derives an impedance value indicative of the impedance between different electrode surfaces. The control circuit determines and monitors a negative rate of change of the impedance value and determines whether the negative rate of change, or its absolute value, increases or decreases over a number of heart cycles. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit may determine and monitor a relationship between a positive rate of change and a negative rate of change of the impedance value. The device can, in particular, be used to detect and treat a diastolic dysfunction of a heart.

Abstract: A heart monitoring device has a control circuit, the control circuit being adapted to be electrically connected to electrode surfaces arranged at two different positions of the heart. The control circuit derives an impedance value indicative of the impedance between the electrode surfaces. Furthermore, the control circuit is arranged to determine and monitor a relationship between a positive rate of change and a negative rate of change of the impedance value. The device can, in particular, be used to detect and treat a systolic dysfunction of a heart.

Abstract: A congestive heart failure monitor has an impedance measuring unit that measures the impedance between at least two electrodes implanted in a patient, to use a detected change of the measured impedance as an indication of a change in the left atrium volume. Any analyzing unit analyzes the measured impedance and detects insipient congestive heart failure dependent on a quotient of a maximum value of the measured impedance and a minimum value of the measured impedance during a cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A heart monitoring device has a control circuit that derives an impedance value indicative of the impedance between different electrode surfaces. The control circuit determines and monitors a negative rate of change of the impedance value and determines whether the negative rate of change, or its absolute value, increases or decreases over a number of heart cycles. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuit may determine and monitor a relationship between a positive rate of change and a negative rate of change of the impedance value. The device can, in particular, be used to detect and treat a diastolic dysfunction of a heart.

Abstract: A heart monitoring device has a control circuit, the control circuit being adapted to be electrically connected to electrode surfaces arranged at two different positions of the heart. The control circuit derives an impedance value indicative of the impedance between the electrode surfaces. Furthermore, the control circuit is arranged to determine and monitor a relationship between a positive rate of change and a negative rate of change of the impedance value. The device can, in particular, be used to detect and treat a systolic dysfunction of a heart.

Abstract: A power control system (10) for managing power output from a battery (11) includes an output terminal (12) for delivering power from the battery (11) to a load, control means (14) connected to the battery (11) to sense pre-selected operating parameters of the battery (11), and in a first mode of operation to provide power from the battery (11) to the output terminals (12). A first capacitor (15), which stores a predetermined quantity of power is connected between the control means (14) and the battery (11), supplies its stored power to the battery (11) in response to a signal from the control means (14) which is in a second mode of operation. A second capacitor (16), which stores a predetermined quantity of power and is connected between control means (14) and the output terminals (12), supplies its stored power to the output terminals (12) in response to a signal from the control means (14) in its second mode of operation.