Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: A system and method involve transceiving successive first and second synchronization signals defining endpoints of a frame. A digital signal is transceived by a modulating time interval between portions of the first and second synchronization signals. A first data pulse is transceived during the frame. A relative position in the frame of the first data pulse represents a first analog signal.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for implantation on an epicardial surface of the heart. The device has a transmural member providing optimal electrode locations for various therapies. The hemodynamically optimal therapy is guided by sensed left ventricular pressure and electrical activity. The device may be used alone or with a companion implanted cardiac rhythm management device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting inadequate tissue perfusion by measuring a parameter other than heart rate such as vascular blood pressure, intracardiac blood pressure, vascular blood flow or tissue perfusion, in addition to or as a substitute for heart rate. Such devices and methods improve the accuracy of determining when and to what degree therapy should be administered to treat inadequate tissue perfusion, such as pre-syncope, syncope, or orthostatic hypotension, particularly in the absence of abnormal cardiac function.

Abstract: In a method of providing therapy to a patient to prevent an occurrence of a dangerous cardiac event, a cardiac signal sensed over multiple cardiac cycles is received. A risk of impending cardiovascular insult is determined, using the received cardiac signal, by assessing an indicator of proarrhythmogenic substrate and a change in sympathovagal balance. A therapy comprising acupuncture to modulate sympathovagal balance is administered based on the determined risk.

Abstract: In a system for assessing cardiac risk of a patient, a measuring component measures a cardiac signal comprised of multiple cardiac cycles at multiple periods in time. A processing component calculates sensitivity of cardiac function to sympathetic drive at each of the periods in time from the measured cardiac signal. A risk identification component evaluates a trend of the sensitivity over time as an indicator of a degree of cardiac risk.

Abstract: An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body.

Abstract: A method of monitoring neural signal activity with an implantable monitoring device implanted in a living subject includes amplifying a neural signal having a signal bandwidth of at least 1000 Hz. The method also includes processing the amplified neural signal to produce a reduced-bandwidth derivative neural signal representative of gross activity of the neural signal, and wirelessly transmitting the derivative neural signal from the implantable monitoring device for receipt by a receiver external of the living subject.

Abstract: Devices and methods to reduce the incidence of both false positive and false negative detection of rhythm anomalies. Implantable devices that measure vascular pressure, vascular blood flow, tissue perfusion, and/or intracardial pressure provide feedback directly to the therapeutic device to improve aberrant rhythm detection.

Abstract: A system and method involve transceiving successive first and second synchronization signals defining endpoints of a frame. A digital signal is transceived by a modulating time interval between portions of the first and second synchronization signals. A first data pulse is transceived during the frame. A relative position in the frame of the first data pulse represents a first analog signal.

Abstract: Various devices, systems and methods for providing effective, long term and reliable use of pressure feedback in VADs. Exemplary embodiments are described which provide for direct LV pressure measurement, non-invasive calibration techniques to detect ventricular collapse and recalibrate the feedback mechanism, improved pressure sensor designs with reduced drift, and barometric pressure correction schemes. These devices and methods may be used alone or in combination with each other, and may also be combined with other feedback mechanisms.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation on an epicardial surface of the heart. The device has a transmural member providing optimal electrode locations for various therapies. The hemodynamically optimal therapy is guided by sensed left ventricular pressure and electrical activity. The device may be used alone or with a companion implanted cardiac rhythm management device.

Abstract: In a method of diagnosing an atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter condition, a monitoring device implanted in a subject acquires strips of a subcutaneous ECG signal of a predetermined length. The strips are acquired at regular, periodic intervals, and the timing of when the strips are acquired is not triggered by analysis of the subcutaneous ECG signal by the monitoring device. The acquired subcutaneous ECG strips are stored in memory of the implanted monitoring device, and transmitted from the implanted monitoring device for receipt by an external analysis system. In the external analysis system, the received subcutaneous ECG strips are processed to generate information for an assessment of an atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter burden for the subject.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter may be inserted into a vessel lumen or into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.