Abstract: In one embodiment, a testing regimen is implemented to reduce test time. Specifically, a structure and method to power up and stabilize all die on the wafer prior to testing each die is implemented. More specifically, parallel powering schemes including die stabilization procedures are used to ready the wafer for testing. A wafer probe tester is indexed from one die to the next for an uninterrupted testing of all die in the wafer subsequent to all die power up and stabilization.

Abstract: A system for minimizing power dissipation within an implantable medical device through use of adiabatic logic is disclosed. The system includes a first and a second sub-circuit of the implantable medical device. An electrical connection interconnects the first and the second sub-circuits, the electrical connection including a capacitive element. Circuitry, which charges the capacitive element of the electrical connection to generate a ramp logic signal, is connected to the capacitive element. The ramp logic signal includes a frequency of less than 500 kilohertz, thereby creating a low frequency, low power system which reduces energy dissipation to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Power consumption in medical devices is reduced through the operation of circuits at clock speeds of lower levels to adequately complete desired functions during predetermined time periods (e.g., blanking interval, upper rate interval, etc.) just-in-time prior to subsequent required functional processes; by providing supply voltages tailored for various circuits of an integrated circuit; by operating two or more circuits of an integrated circuit at different clock frequencies; by changing the supply voltage level “on the fly” as required by specific circuit timing functions required for various circuitry based on clock frequencies used to control operation of such circuitry; and/or by tailoring back gate bias or adjusting back gate bias “on the fly” for circuits based on the supply voltage level applied to the circuits.

Abstract: Power consumption in medical devices is reduced through the operation of circuits at clock speeds of lower levels to adequately complete desired functions during predetermined time periods (e.g., blanking interval, upper rate interval, etc.) just-in-time prior to subsequent required functional processes; by providing supply voltages tailored for various circuits of an integrated circuit; by operating two or more circuits of an integrated circuit at different clock frequencies; by changing the supply voltage level “on the fly” as required by specific circuit timing functions required for various circuitry based on clock frequencies used to control operation of such circuitry; and/or by tailoring back gate bias or adjusting back gate bias “on the fly” for circuits based on the supply voltage level applied to the circuits.

Abstract: An implantable medical device communication system includes an implantable medical device, a medical information management system, and a module interface apparatus for facilitating communication therebetween. The implantable medical device includes transmitter/receiver circuitry coupled to a device antenna. The medical information management system includes at least a computer processing unit and a display unit. The module interface apparatus includes interface receiver/transmitter circuitry coupled to an interface antenna to communicate with the device transmitter/receiver circuitry via the device antenna. Further, the module interface apparatus includes interface circuitry operable to adapt data (e.g., programming commands) received from the medical information management system for transmittal to the implantable medical device and adapt data received from the implantable medical device (e.g., device data including operational data, physiological parameter data, analyzed data, diagnostic data, etc.

Abstract: A transvenous implantable medical device adapted for implantation in a body, and which is particularly adapted for use in a vessel such as the coronary sinus or cardiac great vein. The implantable medical device may take the form of a lead or catheter, and includes an extendable distal fixation member such as a helix. In one embodiment, the fixation member is a helix constructed of a shape memory metal or other super-elastic material. Upon deployment, the helix assumes a predetermined helix shape larger than the diameter of the lead body diameter. The helix functions to wedge or fix the lead within the vessel in a manner that does not impede the flow of blood through the vessel. The helix may be retracted for ease of repositioning and/or removal. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixation member may be advanced using a stiffening member such as a stylet. In another embodiment, the helix is coupled to a coiled conductor such that rotation of the conductor extends or retracts the helix.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device in communication with at least one IMD is externally mounted to deliver pain analgesics and/or threshold reduction medicants prior to or contemporaneous with a shock associated with a pacer, a defibrillator and similar therapy device. The drug delivery device includes an attachable strip with a storage for medicants and is epidermally mounted. The medicants are released into the bloodstream in response to an indication that the IMD is about to deliver a shock. The drug delivery device is adapted for use with various drugs. Further, the delivery of drugs could be controlled by the patient to provide a semi-automatic use and/or to terminate delay shock. The transdermal drug delivery device and the IMD include system status indicators to provide real-time operational data of the drug delivery device and the IMD individually and in combination. The drug delivery device is also implemented with a CHF monitor to treat CHF patients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communication of implantable medical device (IMD) information, including interrogation of programmed parameter values, operating modes and conditions of operation, confirmation of programmed changes thereof, interrogation of data stored in the IMD, and patient warnings or other messages by RF transmission of audible sounds generated by the IMD are disclosed. The IMD includes an RF transmitter that broadcasts or transmits audible sounds including voiced statements or musical tones stored in analog memory correlated to a programming or interrogation operating algorithm or to a warning trigger event. The broadcast radio signal is received, and the audible sounds are demodulated and reproduced by a radio receiver as voiced statements or musical tones that convey human understandable messages comprising IMD information generated during programming and interrogation sessions and warnings or status messages to the patient at other times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming a cleaning system for an electrostatographic reproduction system having a photoconductive drum partially within a cleaning system housing and a cleaning brush having conductive core fibers within the cleaning system housing contacting the photoconductive drum with a detoner roller also within the cleaning system housing contacting the cleaning brush. The cleaning system housing is provided with ports that allow for air in enter of leave the cleaning system housing. A curved deflector plate is positioned such that it is spaced about ⅛″ from the cleaning brush. The deflector plate is attached to the enclosure on a side where the brush fibers are moving towards the detoner roller. A skive is made to contact the detoner roller, a baffle is formed contacting the skive and a side of the cleaning housing.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device in communication with at least one IMD is externally mounted to deliver pain analgesics and/or threshold reduction medications prior to or contemporaneous with a shock associated with a pacer, a defibrillator and similar therapy device. The drug delivery device includes an attachable strip with a storage for medications and is epidermally mounted. The medications are released into the bloodstream in response to an indication that the IMD is about to deliver a shock. The drug delivery device is adapted for use with various drugs. Further, the delivery of drugs could be controlled by the patient to provide a semi-automatic use and/or to terminate delay shock. The transdermal drug delivery device and the IMD include system status indicators to provide real-time operational data of the drug delivery device and the IMD individually and in combination. The drug delivery device is also implemented with a CHF monitor to treat CHF patients.

Abstract: A battery powered cardioverter or defibrillator employing a DC-DC converter for charging high voltage output capacitors and for delivering biphasic cardioversion or defibrillation pulses through a bridge circuit including high and low side drive circuits under the control of a microprocessor controlled arrhythmia detection system. Upon the detection of an arrhythmia and the selection of cardioversion/defibrillation therapy, the charging of the high voltage output capacitors is commenced and the capacitor voltage enables a regulated voltage source for the high and low side drive circuits for the high power IGTs of each branch of the bridge circuit. High voltage switching transients are suppressed from re-triggering or otherwise affecting operation of the drive circuits. Fail-safe circuitry disables operation of the drive circuits in the event that the first and second control signals are inadvertently provided simultaneously or overlap.

Abstract: A system for minimizing power dissipation within an implantable medical device through use of adiabatic logic is disclosed. The system includes a first and a second sub-circuit of the implantable medical device. An electrical connection interconnects the first and the second sub-circuits, the electrical connection including a capacitive element. Circuitry, which charges the capacitive element of the electrical connection to generate a ramp logic signal, is connected to the capacitive element. The ramp logic signal includes a frequency of less than 500 kilohertz, thereby creating a low frequency, low power system which reduces energy dissipation to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: An Implantable Medical Device (IMD) for controllably releasing a biologically-active agent such as a drug to a body is disclosed. The IMD includes a catheter having one or more ports, each of which is individually controlled by a respective pair of conductive members located in proximity to the port. According to the invention, a voltage potential difference generated across a respective pair of conductive members is used to control drug delivery via the respective port. In one embodiment of the current invention, each port includes a cap member formed of a conductive material. This cap member is electrically coupled to one of the conductive members associated with the port to form an anode. The second one of the conductive members is located in proximity to the port and serves as a cathode.

Abstract: Power consumption in medical devices is reduced through the operation of circuits at clock speeds of lower levels to adequately complete desired functions during predetermined time periods (e.g., blanking interval, upper rate interval, etc.) just-in-time prior to subsequent required functional processes; by providing supply voltages tailored for various circuits of an integrated circuit; by operating two or more circuits of an integrated circuit at different clock frequencies; by changing the supply voltage level “on the fly” as required by specific circuit timing functions required for various circuitry based on clock frequencies used to control operation of such circuitry; and/or by tailoring back gate bias or adjusting back gate bias “on the fly” for circuits based on the supply voltage level applied to the circuits.

Abstract: A medical device known as a therapeutic substance delivery device is configured to with an infusion rate control to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and other diseases in humans and other animals. The therapeutic substance delivery device can be configured as a single-use device that is versatile, small, inexpensive, and has many other improvements. The single-use device has a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) flow restriction with a variable infusion rate. The MEMS flow restriction is fluidly coupled to a reservoir outlet to receive therapeutic substance dispensed from the single-use reservoir at the reservoir rate and restrict the therapeutic substance flow to a desired infusion rate. The single-use reservoir is configured for controlled collapse to dispense therapeutic substance from the reservoir at a reservoir rate through a reservoir outlet.

Abstract: A medical device known as a catheter is configured with a variable infusion rate to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and other diseases in humans and other animals. The variable infusion rate catheter provides clinician with increased flexibility, versatility, and many other improvements. The variable infusion rate catheter has a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) flow restriction with a variable infusion rate. The MEMS flow restriction is fluidly coupled to the catheter to receive therapeutic substance dispensed from a therapeutic substance delivery device and restrict the therapeutic substance flow to a desired infusion rate. Many embodiments of the variable infusion rate catheter and its methods of operation are possible.

Abstract: An improved system for invoicing, manufacturing, and re-programming implantable medical devices (IMDs) is disclosed. The system includes a web-enabled interface to receive manufacturing orders from remote sites such as healthcare facilities, other manufacturing sites, warehouses, and sales offices. The orders may include patient-specific information and/or requirements provided by the implanting physician or facility. For instance, patient-specific information may involve data obtained during prior patient evaluations, such as measured EKG signals and the like. This data is then used to select the software and/or hardware components to be incorporated into an IMD that is customized for the patient. For example, this data may be used to select particular software and/or hardware amplifier filters and/or digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms that may be best adapted to sense and process the unique signal characteristics associated with a patient's condition.

Abstract: An improved switching system for use with an implantable medical device (IMD) is described. The system utilizes Micro-Electrical-Mechanical system (MEMs) switches in place of one or more switches formerly implemented using transistor networks. Any type of switching circuit used within an IMD may be implemented using this technology. For example, MEMs switches may be utilized in a circuit for selectably delivering electrical stimulation to a patient, and/or in a circuit for providing surge protection. The fabrication of the MEMs switches may be performed using one or more separate tubs or wells on a silicon substrate to isolate switching circuitry from other IMD circuitry.

Abstract: Improved operating system architecture for an implantable medical device incorporating self-timed logic for reducing power consumption and increasing and improving processing capabilities is disclosed. The self-timed logic is employed to implement digital signal processors (DSPs) including analog to digital (ADC) signal converters, a state machine or the components of microprocessor cores, e.g., the CPU, arithmetic logic units (ALU), on-chip RAM and ROM and data and control buses, and other logic units, e.g., additional RAM and ROM, a direct memory address (DMA) controller, a block mover/reader, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) calculator, and certain uplink and downlink telemetry signal processing stages. The self-timed CMOS logic is incorporated into the same IC or ICs with clocked CMOS logic in a manner that minimizes the size of the clock tree serving the clocked CMOS logic, allows for efficient allocation of chip real estate, and provides manufacturing economies.

Abstract: Improved operating system architecture for an implantable medical device incorporating adiabatic clock-powered logic alone or in conjunction with conventional clocked logic or self-timed logic for reducing power consumption and increasing and improving processing capabilities is disclosed. The adiabatic clock-powered logic is employed to implement digital signal processors (DSPs) including analog to digital (ADC) signal converters, a state machine or the components of microprocessor cores, e.g., the CPU, arithmetic logic units (ALU), on-chip RAM and ROM and data and control buses, and other logic units, e.g., additional RAM and ROM, a direct memory address (DMA) controller, a block mover/reader, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) calculator, and certain uplink and downlink telemetry signal processing stages. The adiabatic clocked CMOS logic is incorporated into the same IC or ICs with clocked CMOS logic and provides manufacturing economies.