Abstract: Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating cardiac arrhythmias are provided. An interval between first and second consecutive beats of a heart, having first and second chamber types, is determined. The heart is paced at a first rate if the first beat is from the first chamber type and the second beat is from the second chamber type and the interval is less than a predetermined amount of time or if the first and second beats are both from the second chamber type. The heart is paced at a second rate if the first beat is from the first chamber type and the second beat is from the second chamber type and the interval is more than the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring in a patient includes producing sensor signals representative of a physiologic parameter associated with respiration. A periodic breathing cycle is detected based on the sensor signals. An output is produced as a function of the cycle length.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring respiration including sensing a signal that varies with respiration, deriving a respiration parameter, applying criteria for detecting a respiration disturbance and determining one or more respiratory disturbance metrics. The system preferably includes an implantable sensor with an associated implantable medical device such that chronic respiration monitoring is possible. The implantable medical device may execute methods for detecting and measuring respiratory disturbances or may store data to be transferred to an external device for detecting and measuring respiratory disturbances. Respiratory disturbance detection may trigger a responsive action such as physiological data storage, a change in therapy delivery, or a clinician warning. Assessment of cardiac function may be made based on metrics of respiratory disturbances or a measure of circulatory delay time following detection of a respiratory disturbance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for varying a parameter in an implantable medical device that includes a plurality of electrodes stimulating heart tissue and sensing cardiac signals, a timing and control device controlling the stimulation of heart tissue by the plurality of electrodes and measuring intervals between the sensed cardiac signals, a storage device storing the measured intervals, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines heart rate variability in response to the stored intervals, compares the determined heart rate variability to a predetermined target rate profile, adjusts the parameter from a first setting to a second setting different from the first setting in response to the comparing of the determined heart rate variability and the predetermined target rate profile, and adjusts the parameter from the second setting to a termination setting in response to a termination event or expiration of a first predetermined time period.

Abstract: Subcutaneous Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (SubQ ICDS) are disclosed that are entirely implantable subcutaneously with minimal surgical intrusion into the body of the patient and provide distributed cardioversion-defibrillation sense and stimulation electrodes for delivery of cardioversion-defibrillation shock and pacing therapies across the heart when necessary. The SubQ ICD is implemented with other implantable and external medical devices and communicates to provide drugs and therapy in a coordinated and synergistic manner.

Abstract: An intelligent patient management system collects data from a variety of sources, processes that information, and provides relevant information to an appropriate caregiver in context at the proper time. The system has multiple information sources available from which to gather additional information based upon conclusions drawn or issues identified from the patient data.

Abstract: An intelligent patient management system collects data from a variety of sources, processes that information, and provides relevant information to an appropriate caregiver in context at the proper time. The system has multiple information sources available from which to gather additional information based upon conclusions drawn or issues identified from the patient data.

Abstract: Oxygen saturation data is monitored during a predefined window to obtain a measurement of circulation delay. The measured circulation delay is used as a basis for determining therapies, including overdrive pacing. In some embodiments, circulation delay is used to identify patients that will benefit from overdrive pacing as a therapy for sleep disordered breathing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for monitoring for sleep disordered breathing or other types of disordered breathing such as Cheyne-Stokes breathing. More specifically, a device and method for detecting disordered breathing is provided that monitors a physiological parameter, which becomes cyclical due to apnea-hyperpnea (or arousal) alternation and provides the basis for the determination of a number of breathing disorder metrics.

Abstract: An implantable medical device delivers augmentation therapy to intervene in a pattern of sleep-disordered breathing. Augmentation therapy includes the delivery of electrical stimulation to cardiac tissue above and/or below a capture threshold. PESP and NES/CCM are possible augmentation therapies that are used alone or in combination. In addition, augmentation therapies can be used with other pacing therapies such as atrial overdrive pacing and atrial coordinated pacing as a therapy for sleep-disordered breathing.

Abstract: Delivery of genetic material to a stimulation site causes transgene expression by tissue at the stimulation site. In some embodiments, the delivered genetic material causes increased expression of proteins, such as connexins, gap junctions, and ion channels, to increase the conductivity of the tissue at the stimulation site. In some embodiments, the delivered genetic material causes expression of a metalloproteinase, an anti-inflammatory agent, or an immunosuppressant agent. Genetic material is delivered to the stimulation site via a stimulation lead. A stimulation lead for delivering genetic material to a stimulation site includes a chamber that contains a polymeric matrix. The matrix absorbs the genetic material and elutes the genetic material to the stimulation site.

Abstract: A weaving board includes a flat base, a first pair of longitudinally spaced apart ridges projecting from one side of the base, and a second pair of ridges projecting from an opposite side of the base. The ridges on each side of the base are located relatively near the opposite ends of the base, and each ridge is continuous for the width of the base. Separate series of grooves are formed in opposite ends of the base. The grooves are preferably wider than the spacing between them; and preferably, the projections formed between the grooves are rounded at their remote ends. The grooves segregate separate rows of warp yarns extending lengthwise around the board and over the ridges. The ridges space the warp yarns from the opposite sides of the board to provide room for weaving consecutive rows of woof of weft yarns through the warp yarns.