Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the implantable medical device includes a fluid shunt extending through a wall separating a first cavity and a second cavity within the heart. The fluid shunt includes a first portion adapted to extend into the first cavity within the heart, a second portion adapted to extend into the second cavity within the heart, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The fluid shunt having a lumen extending between the first and second portions that is adapted to fluidly couple the first and second cavities within the heart.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the implantable medical device includes a fluid shunt extending through a wall separating a first cavity and a second cavity within the heart. The fluid shunt includes a first portion adapted to extend into the first cavity within the heart, a second portion adapted to extend into the second cavity within the heart, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The fluid shunt having a lumen extending between the first and second portions that is adapted to fluidly couple the first and second cavities within the heart.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transcutaneous sound sensors. In at least one embodiment, a transcutaneous sound sensor system comprises a mounting unit and a sound sensor. The mounting unit detachably connects to an electronics unit and mounts to skin on a body. The sound sensor senses sounds originating from inside the body. The sound sensor comprises an in-vivo portion and an ex-vivo portion. The in-vivo portion is configured to be inserted through and placed beneath the skin of the body. In addition, the in-vivo portion has a sound-sensing element configured to produce an electrical signal in response to a mechanical stress or strain on the sound-sensing element. The ex-vivo portion is configured to operably connect to the electronics unit when the electronics unit is connected to the mounting unit.

Abstract: A medical treatment system for determining administration of medications to a patient is disclosed. The system uses a plurality of sensors to perform a first set of physiologic measurements in a right side of the heart and a second set of physiologic measurements in a left side of the heart. The system also includes a receiver configured to receive measurement data regarding the first and second sets of physiologic measurements and output to a display device the received measurement data.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed, in which the implantable medical device includes a fluid shunt extending through a wall separating a first cavity and a second cavity within the heart. The fluid shunt includes a first portion adapted to extend into the first cavity within the heart, a second portion adapted to extend into the second cavity within the heart, and an intermediate portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The fluid shunt having a lumen extending between the first and second portions that is adapted to fluidly couple the first and second cavities within the heart.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to implantable cardiac sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, a medical system for determining a treatment regimen for a patient, comprises: at least one sensor configured to sense right atrial pressure and left atrial pressure. The medical system further comprises a receiver configured to receive the measurement data corresponding to the sensed right atrial pressure and the sensed left atrial pressure, and output to a display device the received measurement data, wherein the condition is at least one selected from the group of: left heart failure, right heart failure, and primary pulmonary disorder.

Abstract: A medical treatment system for determining administration of medications to a patient is disclosed. The system uses a plurality of sensors to perform a first set of physiologic measurements in a right side of the heart and a second set of physiologic measurements in a left side of the heart. The system also includes a receiver configured to receive measurement data regarding the first and second sets of physiologic measurements and output to a display device the received measurement data.

Abstract: An implantable measurement device is disclosed which includes a first anchoring component which engages a first inner wall defining a first chamber of a heart, a first sensing element which performs physiologic measurements in the first chamber, and a second sensing element which performs physiologic measurements in the second chamber.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices that contain at least one region that is selectively degradable by electrolytic corrosion are provided. The electrolytic corrosion of the medical device is initiated by the formation of an electrolytic cell that can be activated wirelessly at a designated point in time. The medical device incorporates at least one section or region that is designed to be predisposed to structural failure. The medical device contains a cathode region, a sacrificial anode region, which will undergo degradation, and an antenna region. Electrolytic degradation of a sacrificial anode region may cause a de-anchoring of the medical device or a reconfiguration of the medical device from a first configuration to a second configuration. Alternatively, electrolytic degradation may precipitate the absorption of the medical device. In another embodiment, electrolytic protection may be employed to preserve an implanted device until such a time that its corrosion and subsequent absorption is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to diagnostic and screening medical ultrasound in general and to ultrasound-stimulated detection and location, Image-based Dynamic Ultrasound Spectrography, Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging, and similar modalities in particular. In this invention, an ultrasound signal is emitted into tissue and the resulting radiation force induces localized lower frequency oscillations, which are then received by various acoustic sensors and analyzed to determine certain features or characteristics of the interrogated region. The sensors can be arranged in the form of a ring, in any random arrangements, or positioned in specifically chosen locations. An ultrasonic imaging and excitation transducer generates certain stimulating signals which are received by the breast tissues and which, if they contact a microcalcification, other target, or any region with sharply different mechanical and visco-elastic properties, will result in reflected, demodulated, or re-radiated signals.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting and locating a target using phase information obtained from an array of microphones or other sensors.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target or targets in a medium. The method incorporates generating beams of ultrasonic wave energy each having a modulation envelope and causing each beam of wave energy to impact a target region having a multiplicity of targets and demodulating each signal generated by vibration of each target caused by the interaction of a respective ultrasound wave energy beam having a modulation envelope with each of the targets and receiving each demodulated signal from each target by a multiplicity of sensors. Thereafter, each time-of-flight of each demodulated signal from each of the targets to each of the multiplicity of sensors is computed to determine the location of a respective target.

Abstract: A load-indicating device including a load-bearing member adapted to deform when stressed. Ultrasonic waves are directed into one end of the load-bearing member and ultrasonic echoes are received at the same end by ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving equipment. In one embodiment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received using an ultrasonic transducer disposed on either the head or the opposite end of the load-bearing member. The head, the end, the shank or a combination thereof are contoured to reduce the influence of geometric variations and asymmetrical stress in the load-bearing member on the ultrasonic measurement. A method is also provided, which encompasses a model, by which preferred geometries of the contoured surfaces of the load-bearing member can be designed.

Abstract: A method of measuring in a material a time-of flight of a signal having a first signal burst and a second signal burst, the first signal burst having a first set of cycles and the second signal burst having a second set of cycles. The method includes identifying a cycle in the second signal burst corresponding to a cycle in the first signal burst, to measure the time-of-flight of the signal.