Abstract: A hand held spray dispenser in which air and liquid are pressurised towards a mixing chamber by energy generated by a manual activation element that is rotated with a unidirectional twist to energise one or more energy storage bodies, energy from which is released to generate sufficient air pressure and air flow and sufficient liquid flow for a spray to be formed from the air-liquid mixture.

Abstract: Some embodiments, by way of example, provide a system, comprising a posture change detector configured to detect a posture transition indicative of an increased risk of syncope, and a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neural stimulation therapy. The neural stimulator may include a syncope avoidance module configured to respond to a detected posture transition by temporarily overriding the neural stimulation therapy to ameliorate the risk of increased syncope.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for improving diastolic function with electrostimulation in heart failure patients who exhibit relatively normal systolic function. Such patients are characterized by impaired myocardial relaxation during diastole that prevents adequate filling of the ventricles during diastole to thereby reduce cardiac output. An implantable device is described for effecting strategic and periodic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system to elicit myocardial adrenergic activation for improved myocardial relaxation.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and treating symptoms of early decompensation utilizing a cardiac rhythm management. The system applies an electrical stimulus to the patient's heart at a first set of pacing parameters including a lower rate limit (LRL) setting, and acquires a coronary venous pressure (CVP) signal from a pressure sensor implanted in a coronary vein of the patient. An average coronary venous end diastolic pressure (CV-EDP) value is calculated from the CVP signal. The system monitors the average CV-EDP value over a predetermined interval, and dynamically adjusts the LRL setting responsive to the detection of a first or a second predetermined event based on the average CV-EDP value.

Abstract: Some embodiments, by way of example, provide a system, comprising a posture change detector configured to detect a posture transition indicative of an increased risk of syncope, and a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neural stimulation therapy. The neural stimulator may include a syncope avoidance module configured to respond to a detected posture transition by temporarily overriding the neural stimulation therapy to ameliorate the risk of increased syncope.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for improving diastolic function with electrostimulation in heart failure patients who exhibit relatively normal systolic function. Such patients are characterized by impaired myocardial relaxation during diastole that prevents adequate filling of the ventricles during diastole to thereby reduce cardiac output. An implantable device is described for effecting strategic and periodic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system to elicit myocardial adrenergic activation for improved myocardial relaxation.

Abstract: A system and method for pacing rate control in a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The method includes acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient and generating a CVP waveform from the pressure signal. A pacing stimulus is applied to the patient's heart, and the pacing rate is increased in response to increases in patient's metabolic demand. The CVP index is monitored during the pacing rate increase, and the CRM system detects a reduction in the patient's hemodymanic performance based on the CVP index and establishes a maximum rate setting based on the pacing rate corresponding to the reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for improving diastolic function with electrostimulation in heart failure patients who exhibit relatively normal systolic function. Such patients are characterized by impaired myocardial relaxation during diastole that prevents adequate filling of the ventricles during diastole to thereby reduce cardiac output. An implantable device is described for effecting strategic and periodic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system to elicit myocardial adrenergic activation for improved myocardial relaxation.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and treating symptoms of early decompensation utilizing a cardiac rhythm management. The system applies an electrical stimulus to the patient's heart at a first set of pacing parameters including a lower rate limit (LRL) setting, and acquires a coronary venous pressure (CVP) signal from a pressure sensor implanted in a coronary vein of the patient. An average coronary venous end diastolic pressure (CV-EDP) value is calculated from the CVP signal. The system monitors the average CV-EDP value over a predetermined interval, and dynamically adjusts the LRL setting responsive to the detection of a first or a second predetermined event based on the average CV-EDP value.

Abstract: A system and method for pacing rate control in a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The method includes acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient and generating a CVP waveform from the pressure signal. A pacing stimulus is applied to the patient's heart, and the pacing rate is increased in response to increases in patient's metabolic demand. The CVP index is monitored during the pacing rate increase, and the CRM system detects a reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance based on the CVP index and establishes a maximum rate setting based on the pacing rate corresponding to the reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for improving diastolic function with electrostimulation in heart failure patients who exhibit relatively normal systolic function. Such patients are characterized by impaired myocardial relaxation during diastole that prevents adequate filling of the ventricles during diastole to thereby reduce cardiac output. An implantable device is described for effecting strategic and periodic stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system to elicit myocardial adrenergic activation for improved myocardial relaxation.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for delivering pacing therapy to HF patients who do not exhibit a reduced EF. Such patients do not have systolic dysfunction and generally do not benefit from established HF therapies that either augment contractile function or counteract conduction abnormalities. In one embodiment, a HF patient with a normal EF is tested for the adequacy of heart rate response during exercise. If the patient is found to be chronotropically incompetent, a rate-adaptive pacing mode is employed in order to improve functional capacity.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and treating symptoms of early decompensation utilizing a cardiac rhythm management. The system applies an electrical stimulus to the patient's heart at a first set of pacing parameters including a lower rate limit (LRL) setting, and acquires a coronary venous pressure (CVP) signal from a pressure sensor implanted in a coronary vein of the patient. An average coronary venous end diastolic pressure (CV-EDP) value is calculated from the CVP signal. The system monitors the average CV-EDP value over a predetermined interval, and dynamically adjusts the LRL setting responsive to the detection of a first or a second predetermined event based on the average CV-EDP value.

Abstract: A system and method for pacing rate control in a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The method includes acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient and generating a CVP waveform from the pressure signal. A pacing stimulus is applied to the patient's heart, and the pacing rate is increased in response to increases in patient's metabolic demand. The CVP index is monitored during the pacing rate increase, and the CRM system detects a reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance based on the CVP index and establishes a maximum rate setting based on the pacing rate corresponding to the reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering external counterpulsation therapy is described. The system employs muscle stimulation transducers such as cutaneous electrodes in order to stimulate skeletal muscle and/or vascular smooth muscle in synchronization with the cardiac cycle in a manner that increases the fluid pressure within veins and/or arteries during cardiac diastole.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for delivering pacing therapy to HF patients who do not exhibit a reduced EF. Such patients do not have systolic dysfunction and generally do not benefit from established HF therapies that either augment contractile function or counteract conduction abnormalities. In one embodiment, a HF patient with a normal EF is tested for the adequacy of heart rate response during exercise. If the patient is found to be chronotropically incompetent, a rate-adaptive pacing mode is employed in order improve functional capacity.