Abstract: The above-described methods and apparatus are believed to be of particular benefit for patients suffering heart failure including cardiac dysfunction, chronic HF, and the like and all variants as described herein and including those known to those of skill in the art to which the invention is directed. It will understood that the present invention offers the possibility of monitoring and therapy of a wide variety of acute and chronic cardiac dysfunctions. The current invention provides systems and methods for delivering therapy for cardiac hemodynamic dysfunction via the innervated myocardial substrate receives one or more discrete pulses of electrical stimulation during the refractory period of said innervated myocardial substrate.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are used to treat cardiac dysfunction conditions which involve delivery of stimulation pulses in cardiac refractory periods in order to modulate an effective refractory period (ERP). Such devices and methods may be used in conjunction with or in place of other therapies, including increased cardiac contractility (ICC) therapy, post extrasystolic potentiation (PESP) therapy, and other therapies to achieve increased heart contractility, provide a safer and more effective regimen for the corresponding stimulation therapies, and reduce the risk of inducing an arrhythmia.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator provides post-shock post-extra-systolic potentiation therapy.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to an IMD having a piezoelectric transformer to power a lead-based sensor. The IMD powers the piezoelectric transformer with a low amplitude signal. The piezoelectric transformer serves to convert the voltage level of the low amplitude signal to a higher voltage level to drive the sensor produced by a battery in the IMD to voltage levels appropriate for IMD operation. A piezoelectric transformer offers small size and low profile, as well as operational efficiency, and permits the IMD to transmit a low amplitude signal to a remote sensor deployed within an implantable lead. In addition, the piezoelectric transformer provides electrical isolation that reduces electromagnetic interference among different sensors.

Abstract: A method comprising sensing a blood pressure signal, deriving a hemodynamic measure from the sensed blood pressure signal, adjusting an extra systolic stimulation control parameter in response to the hemodynamic measure, and delivering extra systolic stimulation pulses according to the adjusted control parameter. The sensed blood pressure signal may be a ventricular or arterial blood pressure signal from which an estimated cardiac output, end diastolic pressure, mean pressure or any other hemodynamic measure is derived. Adjusting the extra systolic stimulation control parameter may include adjusting a pacing rate, a pacing interval, an extra systolic stimulation ratio, an extra systolic stimulation interval or enabling or terminating the extra systolic stimulation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of operating an implantable cardiac pacing device to provide coupled ventricular pacing may include one or more of the following steps: (a) sensing ventricular events at a first ventricular site and generating a ventricular sense event signal in response thereto, (b) providing coupled pacing pulses simultaneously at the first ventricular site and at a second ventricular site at a ventricular extra stimulus interval (VESI) timed from immediately preceding ventricular sense event signals sufficient to effect post-extra-systolic potentiation (PESP) of the ventricular sites, and (c) providing pacing pulse at the second ventricular site after sensing ventricular events at the first ventricular site.

Abstract: A method of operating a cardiac pacing device that optimizes the mechanical heart rate using coordinated potentiation therapy while maximizing the opportunity for intrinsic AV conduction to occur. The method may include adjusting the timing of extra stimulus intervals during coupled or paired pacing to promote AV conduction and to effect changes in rate according to certain embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may include adjusting the atrial pacing rate to achieve a desired target rate consistent with AV conduction. A mode switch to a dual-chamber pacing mode may be provided according to certain embodiments of the invention to ensure a ventricular rate that meets or exceeds a minimum mechanical rate.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to methods and devices for electrically stimulating heart tissue. The invention includes delivery of stimulation to transplanted biological material, such as transplanted cells, transplanted in a myocardium of a heart during an ejection phase of a cardiac cycle. The invention also includes delivery of cardiac potentiation therapy stimulation, which improves the hemodynamic performance of the heart. Stimulation to transplanted biological material and cardiac potentiation therapy stimulation can improve the performance of a heart damaged by myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices such as pacemakers, pulse generators, cardioverter-defibrillators and the like and more particularly relates to modular and reconfigurable medical system platforms and methods of designing, testing, controlling and implementing diverse therapies, diagnostics, physiologic sensors and related instrumentation using said medical system platforms. Methods, systems and devices provide a new design platform for implantable and external medical devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, heart monitors, etc. A real-time, highly flexible system of software and hardware modules enables both prototypes and products to respond to patient and customer needs with greater design and manufacturing efficiency. Certain embodiments integrate a general-purpose processor with interface circuitry to provide a standard platform for implementing new and conventional therapies with software models rather than custom circuitry.

Abstract: An extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) therapy addresses cardiac dysfunction including heart failure. ESS therapy employs atrial and/or ventricular extra-systoles via pacing-level stimulation to a heart. These extra-systoles must be timed correctly to achieve beneficial effects on myocardial mechanics (efficacy) while maintaining an extremely low level of risk of arrhythmia induction and excellent ICD-like arrhythmia sensing and detection (security). The present invention relates to therapy delivery guidance and options for improved ESS therapy delivery. These methods may be employed individually or in combinations in an external or implantable ESS therapy delivery device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel stimulatory device for the controlled production of angiogenic growth factors. More specifically, the present invention provides a subthreshold pulse generator for the local production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the secure delivery of an extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) therapy to treat cardiac dysfunction that employs atrial and/or ventricular extra-systoles via pacing-like stimulation of the heart. These extra-systoles must be timed correctly to achieve beneficial effects on myocardial mechanics (benefit) while maintaining an extremely low level of risk of arrhythmia induction and excellent ICD-like arrhythmia sensing and detection (security). Further experience with ESS has led to improved implementation methods that depend on better blanking, ESS stimulation timing (of an “extra-systolic interval” or ESI), and ESS therapy delivery options and guidance. These methods may be employed individually or in combinations in an external or implantable ESS therapy delivery device.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering ESS to a heart of a patient are disclosed. An implantable medical device delivers ESS stimulation, and in some embodiments pacing stimulation, to a chamber of the heart via a first electrode set. The implantable medical device senses electrical activity within the chamber via a second set of electrodes. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device is able to apply a shorter blanking interval than is typical in the pacing art to a sense amplifier coupled to the second set of electrodes, allowing the implantable medical device to better detect arrhythmias and evoked responses. A variety of electrodes may be used in conjunction with the present invention; including without limitation, tip, ring, coil, can-based, endocardial, epicardial, pericardial, cardiac vein-based, subcutaneous, and/or surface electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing and assessing the response to extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) are provided. An optimization/monitoring parameter is calculated as a function of potentiation ratio, PR, and recirculation fraction, RF, derived from measurements of myocardial contractile function during and after ESS. PR may be computed as the ratio of the contractile function on post-extra-systolic beats during ESS to baseline contractile function. RF may be computed as the slope of a linear regression performed on a plot of the contractile function for a post-extra-systolic beat versus the contractile function for the previous post-extra-systolic beat after ESS is ceased. The ESI resulting in a maximum optimization/monitoring parameter, preferably computed as the product of PR and RF, is determined as the optimal ESI. The operating ESI may be automatically adjusted, and/or PR and RF data may be stored for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device capable of delivering ESS, monitoring for myocardial ischemia and responding to the detection of myocardial ischemia by modifying the delivery of ESS. Modification of ESS delivery may include disabling ESS, initiating ESS, and/or modifying ESS control parameters.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating the temporal refractory period of a heart, for adjusting a parameter for delivery of extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) therapy and for detecting an arrhythmia during delivery of ESS therapy are disclosed. In some embodiments, probe pulses are periodically delivered to estimate the location of the end boundary of the refractory period, and accordingly estimate its length. In some embodiments, the parameter is adjusted based on estimated length of the refractory period. For example, an extra-systolic interval (ESI) for delivery of ESS is adjusted to be a fixed interval longer than estimated lengths of the refractory period. In other embodiments, the parameter is adjusted based on a measured delay (or latency) between delivery of an ESS pulse and detection of an evoked response resulting from the pulse. In some embodiments, delays between delivery of an ESS pulse and detection of a subsequent depolarization are monitored to detect an arrhythmia.

Abstract: An implantable medical device evaluates ventricular synchrony by determining a phase angle between at least two sensor signals that reflect mechanical contraction of the ventricles. In exemplary embodiments, two intracardiac impedance signals associated with the right and left ventricles, respectively, with two points within either of the left and right ventricles, or with both the left and right ventricles relative to a reference point, are processed. In such embodiments, fundamental frequency phases of each of the impedance signals may be compared to determine the phase angle between the signals. In some embodiments, the signals are used to dynamically adjust one or more timing intervals, such as a V-V timing interval, for delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing. In such embodiments, the one or more timing intervals are periodically adjusted to reduce or possibly eliminate ventricular dysynchrony as indicated by the phase angle between the sensor signals.

Abstract: A medical device, e.g., an implantable medical device, delivers one or more neurally-excitable stimulation pulses to myocardial tissue during a period when the tissue is refractory. The width of the pulses is less than or equal to approximately one half millisecond. In some embodiments, the current amplitude of the pulses is less than or equal to approximately twenty milliamps. In exemplary embodiments, the medical device delivers a pulse train of six or fewer pulses separated from each other by an interval that is greater than or equal to approximately ten milliseconds. In some embodiments, the medical device delivers pulses according to a schedule stored in a memory, or as a function of a monitored physiological parameter of a patient, such as an intracardiac pressure. In some embodiments, the medical device suspends or withholds delivery of neurally-excitable based on detection of cardiac ischemia.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to an IMD having a piezoelectric transformer to power a lead-based sensor. The IMD powers the piezoelectric transformer with a low amplitude signal. The piezoelectric transformer serves to convert the voltage level of the low amplitude signal to a higher voltage level to drive the sensor produced by a battery in the IMD to voltage levels appropriate for IMD operation. A piezoelectric transformer offers small size and low profile, as well as operational efficiency, and permits the IMD to transmit a low amplitude signal to a remote sensor deployed within an implantable lead. In addition, the piezoelectric transformer provides electrical isolation that reduces electromagnetic interference among different sensors.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to an IMD having a piezoelectric transformer to convert battery power to operating power. The piezoelectric transformer serves to convert voltage levels produced by a battery in the IMD to voltage levels appropriate for IMD operation. In contrast to electromagnetic transformers and charge pump arrays, a piezoelectric transformer offers small size and low profile, as well as operational efficiency. In addition, in an implantable cardiac or neurostimulation device, the piezoelectric transformer provides electrical isolation that avoids circuit-induced cross currents between different electrodes.