Abstract: A system for ablating bodily tissue of a patient includes a high-voltage electrical generator configured to provide electrical pulses of at least 500 volts, a fluid having an electrical conductivity of not more than 0.01 Siemens per meter, and an ablation catheter that includes a catheter shaft, an expandable membrane attached to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of electrodes, each electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical generator. The fluid inflates the expandable membrane when provided to the interior space of the expandable membrane.

Abstract: A method of selecting a combination of electrodes for use in neurostimulation includes testing combinations of electrodes in an electrode array to identify an atrial capture. The atrial capture is indicated by at least one effect on an atrium. The method includes excluding electrodes with the atrial capture to result in remaining electrodes of the electrode array, testing combinations of the remaining electrodes of the electrode array for effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation, and selecting a combination of electrodes from the remaining electrodes. The selected combination has both a desired effect on cardiac contractility and/or relaxation and does not have an undesired side effect.

Abstract: A system for ablating bodily tissue of a patient includes a high-voltage electrical generator configured to provide electrical pulses of at least 500 volts, a fluid having an electrical conductivity of not more than 0.01 Siemens per meter, and an ablation catheter that includes a catheter shaft, an expandable membrane attached to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of electrodes, each electrically coupled to the high-voltage electrical generator. The fluid inflates the expandable membrane when provided to the interior space of the expandable membrane.

Abstract: A cardio-pulmonary resuscitation apparatus and method that provides mechanical compressions and oxygen delivery to a patient. The delivered oxygen quantity is based on the anterior to posterior distance of the patient. Tidal volumes of the delivered oxygen are calculated from the anterior to posterior distance. The compressions and oxygen may be delivered in sequences that enhance the circulation of the patient. The compressions may be sensed by a sensor to effect such sequences. Oxygen delivered based on the anterior to posterior distance may be further adjusted by airway pressure. Embodiments may include a tube with lumens to deliver oxygen, monitor airway pressure, and contain wires to activate the airway valve and monitor airway pressure. Embodiments may also include a carbon dioxide sensor and may use two tidal volumes, the larger one to sample the end tidal carbon dioxide. Also included in some embodiments is a safety relief valve.

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method provides enhanced circulation by an inventive sequence of states of chest compression and airway valve opening and closure. The embodiments of the invention produce enhanced circulation during cardiac arrest, while maintaining a degree of ventilation to the patient, including oxygen delivery in some embodiments. Some embodiments include mechanical compression units. Other embodiments include a compression sensor to detect manually delivered compressions.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for improved ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. An apparatus of the invention may include sealing means, a valve that is configured to the sealing means to control the airway of a patient, means to actuate the valve, a control unit coupled to the valve actuating means, and means to deliver mechanical compressions to the chest. The control unit is configured to actuate the valve and the mechanical compression means to affect a number of sequences of states. Further, an apparatus of the present invention may include an oxygen source, oxygen valve, and oxygen valve actuator. The apparatus may also include a means for measuring an anterior to posterior distance, airway pressure monitoring means, means to monitor exhaled carbon dioxide, and/or an inventive airway valve consistent with the described invention.

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method provides enhanced circulation by an inventive sequence of states of chest compression and airway valve opening and closure. The embodiments of the invention produce enhanced circulation during cardiac arrest, while maintaining a degree of ventilation to the patient, including oxygen delivery in some embodiments. Some embodiments include mechanical compression units. Other embodiments include a compression sensor to detect manually delivered compressions. Embodiments include a simplified and compact airway valve.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for improved ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. An apparatus of the invention may include sealing means, a valve that is configured to the sealing means to control the airway of a patient, means to actuate the valve, a control unit coupled to the valve actuating means, and means to deliver mechanical compressions to the chest. The control unit is configured to actuate the valve and the mechanical compression means to affect a number of sequences of states. Further, an apparatus of the present invention may include an oxygen source, oxygen valve, and oxygen valve actuator. Methods consistent with the afore-described apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for detecting infections associated with implantable medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of detecting infection in a patient including measuring a physiological parameter using a chronically implanted sensor at a plurality of time points and evaluating the physiological parameter measurements to determine if infection is indicated. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device including a first chronically implantable sensor configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a physiological parameter and a controller disposed within a housing, the controller configured to evaluate the first physiological parameter signal to determine if an infection is indicated. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method provides enhanced circulation by an inventive sequence of states of chest compression and airway valve opening and closure. The embodiments of the invention produce enhanced circulation during cardiac arrest, while maintaining a degree of ventilation to the patient, including oxygen delivery in some embodiments. Some embodiments include mechanical compression units. Other embodiments include a compression sensor to detect manually delivered compressions.

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method provides enhanced circulation by an inventive sequence of states of chest compression and airway valve opening and closure. The embodiments of the invention produce enhanced circulation during cardiac arrest, while maintaining a degree of ventilation to the patient, including oxygen delivery in some embodiments. Some embodiments include mechanical compression units. Other embodiments include a compression sensor to detect manually delivered compressions.

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method that provides enhanced circulation by an optimal combination and sequencing of maximal positive and maximal negative intrathoracic pressures, while maintaining a degree of passive ventilation to the patient. Namely, the embodiments of the invention provide for an optimal positive thoracic pressure compression state, with passively or actively filled lungs, achieved by either passive chest recoil with an open airway, or an active inflation mechanism. Said embodiments also provide for an optimal negative pressure decompression state, combined with actively emptied lungs (by chest compression).

Abstract: A cardio pulmonary CPR device and method provides enhanced circulation by an inventive sequence of states of chest compression and airway valve opening and closure. The embodiments of the invention produce enhanced circulation during cardiac arrest, while maintaining a degree of ventilation to the patient, including oxygen delivery in some embodiments. Some embodiments include mechanical compression units. Other embodiments include a compression sensor to detect manually delivered compressions.

Abstract: A plethysmogram signal is sensed from a patient and provided to a programmer device for monitoring the condition of the patient and for optimizing pacing parameters of a cardiac device implanted in the patient. The programmer device analyzes the plethysmogram signal for cardiac performance associated with different pacing parameters. The cardiac performance is indicated by, for example, a pulse amplitude response, a degree of pulsus alternans, or irregularity in the pressure pulses detected in an atrial fibrillation patient. The pacing parameters resulting in the best cardiac performance are selected as the optimum pacing parameters. In one embodiment, the programmer device monitors a Valsalva maneuver performed by a patient. Optimum pacing parameters are derived by analysis of the plethysmogram signals obtained during performance of the Valsalva maneuver while the patient is paced using different pacing parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for detecting infections associated with implantable medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of detecting infection in a patient including measuring a physiological parameter using a chronically implanted sensor at a plurality of time points and evaluating the physiological parameter measurements to determine if infection is indicated. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device including a first chronically implantable sensor configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a physiological parameter and a controller disposed within a housing, the controller configured to evaluate the first physiological parameter signal to determine if an infection is indicated. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Non-invasive method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a heart failure patient and for optimizing the pacing parameters of a cardiac device implanted in a patient. A plethysmogram signal, e.g., a finger photoplethysmogram, is obtained from a patient and provided to a programmer device. The plethysmogram signal is analyzed by the programmer device to obtain a cardiac performance parameter, e.g., a pulse amplitude response, a degree of pulsus alternans, or irregularity in the pressure pulses detected in an atrial fibrillation patient. The effect on the cardiac performance parameter derived from the plethysmogram is determined for various pacing parameter values in a manner so as to reject noncardiogenic effects and artifacts. Pacing parameters resulting in the best cardiac performance parameter may be selected as the optimum pacing parameters. The programmer device may monitor a Valsalva maneuver performed by a patient.

Abstract: Non-invasive method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of a heart failure patient and for optimizing the pacing parameters of a cardiac device implanted in a patient. A plethysmogram signal, e.g., a finger photoplethysmogram, is obtained from a patient and provided to a programmer device. The plethysmogram signal is analyzed by the programmer device to obtain a cardiac performance parameter, e.g., a pulse amplitude response, a degree of pulsus alternans, or irregularity in the pressure pulses detected in an atrial fibrillation patient. The effect on the cardiac performance parameter derived from the plethysmogram is determined for various pacing parameter values in a manner so as to reject noncardiogenic effects and artifacts. Pacing parameters resulting in the best cardiac performance parameter may be selected as the optimum pacing parameters. The programmer device may monitor a Valsalva maneuver performed by a patient.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system provides a nonlinear gain characteristic. The system operates without blanking switches that decouple its inputs from electrodes during delivery of a pacing or recharge pulse. The nonlinear gain characteristic includes piecewise linear and logarithmic gain characteristics. Signals having amplitudes that are smaller than an input threshold voltage are amplified by less than signals having amplitudes that exceed the input threshold voltage. Intrinsic heart activity signals are amplified. Detected pacing pulses are attenuated. The system is capable of detecting an evoked response to determine whether a pacing pulse resulted in a successful heart contraction. Autocapture techniques allow adjustment of the pacing pulse energy based on the evoked response.