Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable chemical sensors for detecting a physiological analyte and medical devices including the same. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device is included. The implantable medical device can include a chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. The chemical sensor can include a sensing element. The sensing element can include an outer barrier layer forming a top, a bottom, and opposed sides of the sensing element and a structural reinforcing element contacting the outer barrier layer. The top of the outer barrier layer of the sensing element can include a polymeric matrix permeable to analytes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing; and a header mounted to the housing, the header including a header core including a bore with an electrical contact located within the bore, wherein the electrical contact includes: a first longitudinally extending arm cantilever mounted within the bore; and a second longitudinally extending arm cantilever mounted within the bore.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to a target nerve with control of direction of propagation of evoked neural signals in one or more fiber types of the target nerve using electrode configuration, thereby providing effective therapy while minimizing unintended effects. In various embodiments, mechanical parameters of a multi-polar electrode are determined to provide directed propagation of the neural stimulation by effecting neural conduction block in or near the stimulation site. In various embodiments, the electrode includes a cathode for evoking action potentials and a plurality of anodes for blocking the propagation of the evoked action potentials in specified direction(s) and fiber type(s) while minimizing the formation of virtual cathodes.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing; and a header mounted to the housing, the header including a header core including a bore with an electrical contact located within the bore, wherein the electrical contact includes: a first longitudinally extending arm cantilever mounted within the bore; and a second longitudinally extending arm cantilever mounted within the bore.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to a target nerve with control of direction of propagation of evoked neural signals in one or more fiber types of the target nerve using electrode configuration, thereby providing effective therapy while minimizing unintended effects. In various embodiments, mechanical parameters of a multi-polar electrode are determined to provide directed propagation of the neural stimulation by effecting neural conduction block in or near the stimulation site. In various embodiments, the electrode includes a cathode for evoking action potentials and a plurality of anodes for blocking the propagation of the evoked action potentials in specified direction(s) and fiber type(s) while minimizing the formation of virtual cathodes.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable chemical sensors for detecting a physiological analyte and medical devices including the same. In an embodiment, an implantable medical device is included. The implantable medical device can include a chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. The chemical sensor can include a sensing element. The sensing element can include an outer barrier layer forming a top, a bottom, and opposed sides of the sensing element and a structural reinforcing element contacting the outer barrier layer. The top of the outer barrier layer of the sensing element can include a polymeric matrix permeable to analytes.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a lead system for anchoring a lead, the lead system comprising a lead and an anchor. The anchor can comprise a ring and a flange extending from the ring. The anchor can be mounted on the lead such that the lead extends through the ring and the flange extends over an electrode of the lead. The lead system can further comprise a tether having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the tether can attached to the lead while the distal portion of the tether can be attached to a needle. During an implantation procedure, the tether can be cut to remove the needle. The tether can then be attached to the flange. The lead, the anchor, and the tether can form a loop around a section of tissue to anchor the lead to the tissue.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an elongated outer sheath and an elongated inner sheath coaxially disposed within the outer sheath. The elongated outer sheath includes an outer sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the outer sheath to an extent greater than 180° and less than 360° to define an outer sheath slot. The elongated inner sheath includes an inner sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the inner sheath to an extent greater than the difference between 360° and the circumferential extent of the outer sheath wall, and less than 360° to define an inner sheath slot. The inner sheath is rotatable relative to the outer sheath to form an enclosed lumen when the outer and inner sheath slots are not aligned, and to form an open slot along the entire length of the introducer sheath when the outer and inner sheath slots are aligned.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern an implantable lead. The lead can comprise a lead body. At least two conductors can extend within the lead body, such as in respective lumens of the lead body. The lead can comprise at least two electrodes. Each electrode can be connected to a respective one of the at least two conductors. A paddle body can be connected to the lead body. The paddle body can comprise a longitudinal axis that divides the paddle body into left and right sides. The at least two electrodes can be partially embedded within the paddle body. The at least two electrodes can be arrayed along the longitudinal axis. Each electrode can be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern shielding an implantable lead from RF energy associated with MRI scans. The lead can include a distal region, a proximal region, an intermediate region between the distal region and the proximal region, at least one electrode disposed on the distal region, and at least one conductor extending from the proximal region to the at least one electrode. Implanting of the lead can include coiling a portion of the intermediate region to define one or more loops and selectively shielding the one or more loops of the lead with a RF shield. The RF shield can comprise metallic material and can be configured to reduce RF signal coupling to the at least one conductor along the one or more loops.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a lead system for anchoring a lead, the lead system comprising a lead and an anchor. The anchor can comprise a ring and a flange extending from the ring. The anchor can be mounted on the lead such that the lead extends through the ring and the flange extends over an electrode of the lead. The lead system can further comprise a tether having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the tether can attached to the lead while the distal portion of the tether can be attached to a needle. During an implantation procedure, the tether can be cut to remove the needle. The tether can then be attached to the flange. The lead, the anchor, and the tether can form a loop around a section of tissue to anchor the lead to the tissue.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern an implantable lead. The lead can comprise a lead body. At least two conductors can extend within the lead body, such as in respective lumens of the lead body. The lead can comprise at least two electrodes. Each electrode can be connected to a respective one of the at least two conductors. A paddle body can be connected to the lead body. The paddle body can comprise a longitudinal axis that divides the paddle body into left and right sides. The at least two electrodes can be partially embedded within the paddle body. The at least two electrodes can be arrayed along the longitudinal axis. Each electrode can be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system including a mapping device, a stimulator, and a marker. The mapping device includes a plurality of electrodes to be situated on a baroreceptor region of a patient to map baroreceptors in the baroreceptor region. The stimulator is to stimulate selected electrodes of the plurality of electrodes to obtain physiological responses from the patient in response to stimulation of the selected electrodes. The marker is to be attached to the patient to mark a location of at least one of the selected electrodes based on an analysis of the physiological responses from the patient, where the marker is to maintain its location on the patient as the mapping device is removed from the patient.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern shielding an implantable lead from RF energy associated with MRI scans. The lead can include a distal region, a proximal region, an intermediate region between the distal region and the proximal region, at least one electrode disposed on the distal region, and at least one conductor extending from the proximal region to the at least one electrode. Implanting of the lead can include coiling a portion of the intermediate region to define one or more loops and selectively shielding the one or more loops of the lead with a RF shield. The RF shield can comprise metallic material and can be configured to reduce RF signal coupling to the at least one conductor along the one or more loops.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to a target nerve with control of direction of propagation of evoked neural signals in one or more fiber types of the target nerve using electrode configuration, thereby providing effective therapy while minimizing unintended effects. In various embodiments, mechanical parameters of a multi-polar electrode are determined to provide directed propagation of the neural stimulation by effecting neural conduction block in or near the stimulation site. In various embodiments, the electrode includes a cathode for evoking action potentials and a plurality of anodes for blocking the propagation of the evoked action potentials in specified direction(s) and fiber type(s) while minimizing the formation of virtual cathodes.