Abstract: Medical systems and methods incorporate monitoring of at least two implanted markers, each of which is adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation signal; the response signals are converted into positional information for the two markers. The systems and methods further incorporate both, or one of, an implanted sensing member and/or an implanted therapy delivery device. Signals received from the sensing member may be collated with the positional information. A therapy delivered from the therapy delivery device may be adjusted according to the positional information.

Abstract: A cardiovascular analysis system and method includes an implantable medical device with a sensor positioned to sense a hemodynamic pressure over time. The implantable medical device generates hemodynamic pressure waveform data based upon the hemodynamic pressure sensed. A processor analyzes the hemodynamic waveform data to provide an indication of cardiovascular health based upon prominent peaks in the hemodynamic waveform data.

Abstract: The capability to suspend a patient alert relating to a monitored physiologic parameters addresses a need to selectively shut off a patient-alert signal or signals during the time a patient is being treated for an excursion in the parameter. Of course, in general a signal call attention to a patient's a potentially deleterious status or condition for which they should seek medical attention. Once a chronically-implanted monitoring device has detected or provided information about the parameter relative to a desired value, trend, or range and a clinician has been notified and intervened the alert signal is temporarily disabled for a predetermined period. That is, once the notification occurs and alert has served its purpose, the alert mechanism is selectively deactivated while the patient ostensibly begins to gradually correct the monitored physiologic parameter under a caregiver's direction and control. After which time, the alert will reactivate.

Abstract: Control of defibrillation therapy delivered by implantable medical devices (IMDs) using hemodynamic sensor feedback is disclosed. The hemodynamic sensor feedback allows for increased control over application of atrial defibrillation therapy. Specifically, the therapy is delivered when a fibrillation episode results in a discrete loss of hemodynamic function. Defibrillation therapy is thus withheld for hemodynamically benign arrhythmias.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting cardiac arrhythmias during overdrive pacing. A maximum paced rate and a reduced paced rate for a heart are determined, the maximum paced rate being higher than the reduced paced rate. The heart is paced at the maximum paced rate. After the heart is paced at the maximum paced rate for a predetermined amount of time, the heart is paced at the reduced paced rate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) are disclosed which include slowing a patient's heart rate below its intrinsic rate, and controlling the rate using cardiac pacing therapy to improve LV filling and cardiac output. In certain embodiments, a pacing treatment rate may be determined by adjusting an adaptive rate by an amount determined by evaluating one or more patient parameters.

Abstract: A method of evaluating ventricular performance of a heart employing sensors to measure a ventricular dimension signal and deriving indices of ventricular performance therefrom. Premature Shortening (PS) and Isovolumic Lengthening (IL) comprise two indices of ventricular performance determined from analysis of the left ventricular dimension signal during the transition from ventricular filling to ventricular ejection. Measured values of PS and IL are compared to other measured values or reference values to determine if ventricular performance has improved (or worsened). In some embodiments, the dimension sensors may comprise piezoelectric sonomicrometer crystals that operate as ultrasound transmitters and receivers. The sensors may be mounted in relation to a ventricle of the heart either temporarily or permanently, and may be configured either separately from or integrally with cardiac pacing leads.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and classifying cardiac arrhythmias based on cardiac pressure signals or the combination of cardiac electrical and cardiac pressure signals. A cardiac electrogram signal is sensed to derive a cardiac rate from which an arrhythmia detection is made when the cardiac rate meets arrhythmia detection criteria. An intracardiac pressure signal is sensed to derive an indicator of tachycardia based on an analysis of the pressure signal in either the time domain or frequency domain. The detected arrhythmia is classified as tachycardia or fibrillation based on the tachycardia indicator wherein the tachycardia indicator is compared to tachycardia detection criteria and the arrhythmia is classified as tachycardia if tachycardia detection criteria are met and the arrhythmia is classified as fibrillation if the tachycardia detection criteria are not met.

Abstract: A pacing control is used in a multiple-chamber cardiac pacing system, which, upon detecting an atrial arrhythmia, automatically switches to a special therapy mode and administers a selected anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy in the atrium, and which switches to a standard pacing mode following delivery of the ATP therapy. The pacing control adjusts the timing of pacing pulses to be delivered to the atrium and/or the ventricle to minimize any potential ventricular pauses that may result from the switch from the therapy mode to the standard pacing mode.

Abstract: A pressure sensor, in one embodiment, is passed through the atrial septal wall. A plurality of anchors is disposed on each side of the septal wall and secure the position of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor, in one embodiment, is passed through the atrial septal wall. A plurality of anchors is disposed on each side of the septal wall and secures the position of the pressure sensor. An inflatable deployment balloon is used to actuate the anchors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor, in one embodiment, is passed through the atrial septal wall. Pivoting anchors secure the pressure sensor within the right atrium and flexible tines secure the pressure sensor from within the left atrium. Selectively pivoting the anchors permits adjustment of the radial span of the anchors, which may act as an electrode; thus, operable positioning of the electrode is adjustable.

Abstract: In an implantable medical device a real-time left atrial pressure (“LAP”) signal obtained from a patient's heart is used as a feedback control mechanism to adjust one or more device parameters. In one example the device identifies specific characteristics and attributes of the LAP signal that correlate to hemodynamic performance, and adjusts the device parameters to optimize the LAP characteristics and attributes. In a dual-chamber pacing system, the controlled operating parameter may include the atrioventricular pacing delay, and LAP attribute suitable for controlling the atrioventricular pacing delay time intervals of v-wave, a-wave, and/or c-wave characteristics of the LAP signal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for applying overdrive pacing to one or both atria following termination of an AF episode, to prevent a recurrent AF episode. An implantable medical device such as a pacemaker applies overdrive pacing according to overdrive pacing parameters, and sets the parameters as a function of the response of the patient to overdrive pacing. The parameters may be adjusted upward or downward, so that overdrive pacing may be applied effectively but not over-applied.