Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) including an elongated housing and a tine housing configured to attach to the elongated housing. The tine housing may support an extending plurality of tines and a distal-most electrode. An inner chamber is bounded at least in part by the elongated housing and the tine housing with an adhesive fill port in fluid communication with the inner chamber. A method of assembling the IMD includes forming the inner chamber and substantially filling the inner chamber with an adhesive through the adhesive fill port. The method may include curing the filling adhesive.

Abstract: An assembly includes an implantable medical device (IMD) including a conductive housing, and a fixation element assembly attached to the IMD. The fixation element assembly includes a set of active fixation tines and an insulator to electrically isolate the set of active fixation tines from the conductive housing of the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: System and method for making an antenna. An implantable medical device has a housing, a bobbin and a coil. The housing has an interior generally tubular cross-section with a longitudinal axis, the housing having a lateral portion of a segment of the tubular cross-section along the longitudinal axis. The bobbin has a first side nearest to the interior of the housing and a second side opposite the first side. The coil, wound around the bobbin on a winding axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular cross-section, has a greater number of complete turns proximate the second side of the bobbin than proximate the first side of the bobbin, with the coil having a cross-sectional shape selected for a space between the bobbin and the interior of the housing in the lateral portion of the segment of the tubular cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable medical devices (IMDs); in particular, to medical electrical leads having an integrated sensor disposed in a hermetic package and said sensor package accommodates a torque coil and an elongated cable conductor extending therethrough. The integrated sensor can include a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and the like. The coil and the cable can couple to pacing and sensing electrode coupled to the lead distal to the sensor package. The sensor package is compact, substantially circular in cross section and robust, in that the overall design promote mechanical stability.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus that make more accurate and reduces risk of filling reaction chambers of cartridge cells with blood samples to conduct blood coagulation tests of the type employing the plunger technique are disclosed. A cartridge holder is provided that secures a test cartridge in a fixed upright position and deflects the plunger flag of each cartridge cell to enable manual insertion of a blood dispenser deeply into the reaction chamber to fill the reaction chamber and avoid contamination of surfaces of the cartridge outside the reaction chamber. Preferably, the cartridge holder provides illumination of the reaction chamber during filling, so that the user can judge when the reaction chamber is properly filled with blood dispensed from the blood dispenser. The cartridge holder may incorporate image magnification to facilitate viewing of the reaction chamber as it is filled.

Abstract: An assembly includes an implantable medical device (IMD) including a conductive housing, and a fixation element assembly attached to the IMD. The fixation element assembly includes a set of active fixation tines and an insulator to electrically isolate the set of active fixation tines from the conductive housing of the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the implantable medical device to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the implantable medical device. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the implantable medical device to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: System and method for making an antenna. An implantable medical device has a housing, a bobbin and a coil. The housing has an interior generally tubular cross-section with a longitudinal axis, the housing having a lateral portion of a segment of the tubular cross-section along the longitudinal axis. The bobbin has a first side nearest to the interior of the housing and a second side opposite the first side. The coil, wound around the bobbin on a winding axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular cross-section, has a greater number of complete turns proximate the second side of the bobbin than proximate the first side of the bobbin, with the coil having a cross-sectional shape selected for a space between the bobbin and the interior of the housing in the lateral portion of the segment of the tubular cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A lead of an implantable medical device system having an elongated lead body, a sensor coupled to the lead body and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a distal lead adaptor having a first arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a first arm end, a second arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a second arm end, and a third arm extending between the first arm end and the second arm end, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm form an open portion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to implantable medical devices (IMDs); in particular, to medical electrical leads having an integrated sensor disposed in a hermetic package and said sensor package accommodates a torque coil and an elongated cable conductor extending therethrough. The integrated sensor can include a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, and the like. The coil and the cable can couple to pacing and sensing electrode coupled to the lead distal to the sensor package. The sensor package is compact, substantially circular in cross section and robust, in that the overall design promote mechanical stability.

Abstract: A lead of an implantable medical device system that includes a sensor coupled to a lead body and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a distal lead adaptor having a first arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a first arm end, a second arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a second arm end, and a third arm extending between the first arm end and the second arm end, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm form an open portion.

Abstract: A lead of an implantable medical device system having an elongated lead body and a sensor coupled to the lead body and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The sensor includes a first portion extending from a top to a bottom, and from a proximal end to a distal end and a second portion engaged against the first portion and extending from a top to a bottom, the top of the second portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A first flange extends proximally relative to the proximal end of the top of the second portion to a first flange end, and a second flange extends distally relative to the distal end of the top of the second portion to a second flange end, wherein the first flange end is aligned with the proximal end of the first portion and the second flange end is aligned with the distal end of the first portion.

Abstract: A lead of an implantable medical device system having an elongated lead body, a sensor coupled to the lead body and extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a distal lead adaptor having a first arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a first arm end, a second arm extending distally from the distal end of the sensor to a second arm end, and a third arm extending between the first arm end and the second arm end, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm form an open portion.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., thrombin time, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a blood sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. The test cartridge includes a blood receptacle that is open to the atmosphere into which a blood sample is to be deposited, a vacuum port that is open to atmosphere, and a spiral capillary within the test cartridge having a capillary length and cross-section area, a first capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the blood receptacle and a second capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the vacuum port, whereby the spiral capillary is closed to atmosphere. When a blood sample is deposited in the blood receptacle, a vacuum is drawn through the vacuum port and the blood is drawn through the spiral capillary until coagulation occurs. A pressure change is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., TT, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a test sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. A cartridge housing having upper and lower major sides and a minor sidewall encloses a test chamber having a test chamber pivot element and is provided with a cartridge port for introducing a test sample into the test chamber. Ferromagnetic agitator vane leaflets extend from an agitator pivot element supported by the test chamber pivot element intermediate the upper and lower major sides for rotational motion. The agitator vane leaflets can be swept, in response to an external magnetic field, through the test sample in the absence of coagulation. A timer is started when the agitator movement is commenced whereupon the agitator moves freely. Resistance to agitator movement due to coagulation is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus that make more accurate and reduces risk of filling reaction chambers of cartridge cells with blood samples to conduct blood coagulation tests of the type employing the plunger technique are disclosed. A cartridge holder is provided that secures a test cartridge in a fixed upright position and deflects the plunger flag of each cartridge cell to enable manual insertion of a blood dispenser deeply into the reaction chamber to fill the reaction chamber and avoid contamination of surfaces of the cartridge outside the reaction chamber. Preferably, the cartridge holder provides illumination of the reaction chamber during filling, so that the user can judge when the reaction chamber is properly filled with blood dispensed from the blood dispenser. The cartridge holder may incorporate image magnification to facilitate viewing of the reaction chamber as it is filled.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus that make more accurate and reduces risk of filling reaction chambers of cartridge cells with blood samples to conduct blood coagulation tests of the type employing the plunger technique are disclosed. A cartridge holder is provided that secures a test cartridge in a fixed upright position and deflects the plunger flag of each cartridge cell to enable manual insertion of a blood dispenser deeply into the reaction chamber to fill the reaction chamber and avoid contamination of surfaces of the cartridge outside the reaction chamber. Preferably, the cartridge holder provides illumination of the reaction chamber during filling, so that the user can judge when the reaction chamber is properly filled with blood dispensed from the blood dispenser. The cartridge holder may incorporate image magnification to facilitate viewing of the reaction chamber as it is filled.