Abstract: A medical device for implantation within a patient comprising a lead body including a conductor within the lead body and a transducer supported by the lead body. The conductor is electrically coupled to the transducer by a conductive fluid, paste or gel. The conductive fluid, paste or gel may be contained within a well in the lead body. The transducer may be a MEMS chip and/or an integrated circuit and may perform any of a variety of functions such as sensing physiological data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining vulnerable plaque in a cardiovascular lumen is disclosed. In one embodiment, a guide member comprising a temperature sensor and a distance sensor are inserted into the cardiovascular lumen. The temperature of the cardiovascular wall is measured with the temperature sensor, and the distance from the temperature sensor to the cardiovascular wall is determined. The cardiovascular wall temperature is adjusted based on the distance determination, and the vulnerable plaque is determined based on the adjusted wall temperature measurement.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to methods and devices for determining an ion concentration in the extracellular fluid of a patient. As examples, the ion may be one or more of potassium, sodium, chloride, or calcium. A system includes an electrode deployed in or near a tissue, such as a skeletal muscle, of the patient. A pulse generator supplies one or more stimulations to the tissue, and a sensor, such as an accelerometer, detects the response of the tissue to the stimulations. A processor determines a concentration of ions in the extracellular fluid as a function of the response. The system may detect an ion imbalance based upon the determined concentration of ions.

Abstract: A data collection system includes remote, implantable sensors for monitoring one or more patient parameters, collecting and processing data from those sensors and utilizing that data in the performance of a clinical study of a drug or other pharmacological agent. The system assists with preparation of a protocol for a clinical trial; presentation of that protocol; assuring compliance with the protocol; and generating useful results from data collected via the system and externally for presentation to an approval forum.

Abstract: A data collection system includes remote, implantable sensors for monitoring one or more patient parameters, collecting and processing data from those sensors and utilizing that data in the performance of a clinical study of a drug or other pharmacological agent. The system assists with preparation of a protocol for a clinical trial; presentation of that protocol; assuring compliance with the protocol; and generating useful results from data collected via the system and externally for presentation to an approval forum.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to methods and devices for determining a potassium ion concentration in the extracellular fluid of a patient. A system includes an electrode deployed in or near a tissue, such as a skeletal muscle, of the patient. A pulse generator supplies one or more stimulations to the tissue, and a sensor, such as an accelerometer, detects the response of the tissue to the stimulations. A processor determines a concentration of potassium ions in the extracellular fluid as a function of the response.

Abstract: The temperature mapping balloon of the present invention provides a device for locating inflammation and increased metabolic activity associated with conditions such as vulnerable plaque, by mapping temperature of a body lumen, such as an artery or blood vessel. The temperature mapping balloon comprises a balloon with a thermal mapping coating disposed on the inside or outside of the balloon. The thermal mapping coating can be a thermochromic coating that changes color in response to temperature or a sensor coating comprising a plurality of temperature sensors.

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: A method and system for determining vulnerable plaque in a cardiovascular lumen is disclosed. A guide member is inserted into the cardiovascular lumen. Temperature is sensed from a first position and a second position along the inserted guide member. Vulnerable plaque is determined based on the sensed temperature from the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining vulnerable plaque in a cardiovascular lumen is disclosed. In one embodiment, a guide member comprising a temperature sensor and a distance sensor are inserted into the cardiovascular lumen. The temperature of the cardiovascular wall is measured with the temperature sensor, and the distance from the temperature sensor to the cardiovascular wall is determined. The cardiovascular wall temperature is adjusted based on the distance determination, and the vulnerable plaque is determined based on the adjusted wall temperature measurement.

Abstract: An integrated activation system for an implantable medical device (IMD) sharing a power source, the activation system having a switching circuit and a sensing element coupled to the switching circuit. The switching circuit is configured to gate power from the power source to the IMD. The sensing element is configured to draw current from the power source of less than or equal to about 1 nA during inactivation, enable an operation interval of the switching circuit, and trigger a first state change in the switching circuit. The switching circuit further is configured to gate power to the IMD upon receipt of a pre-determined number of signals from the sensing element.

Abstract: A method for detecting vulnerable plaque lesions in a blood vessel includes subjecting a localized area of the blood vessel to pressure pulses, while emitting electromagnetic radiation at the same localized area of the blood vessel. The pressure pulses cause vibrations of the vascular tissue and the vulnerable plaque lesions that are characteristic for each, which results in differing amounts of deflection of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the vascular surface. The presence or absence of vulnerable plaque is determined from the extent of the deflection of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the vascular surface. In another embodiment according to the invention, the presence or absence of vulnerable plaque lesions is determined from the intensity of vibrations of the vascular tissue in response to a pressure pulse.

Abstract: The temperature mapping balloon of the present invention provides a device for locating inflammation and increased metabolic activity associated with conditions such as vulnerable plaque, by mapping temperature of a body lumen, such as an artery or blood vessel. The temperature mapping balloon comprises a balloon with a thermal mapping coating disposed on the inside or outside of the balloon. The thermal mapping coating can be a thermochromic coating that changes color in response to temperature or a sensor coating comprising a plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: A PCI card is inserted through an I/O opening in a computer panel. On one edge of the card is a cover from one end of which projects a tab. A resilient gasket is attached to the panel to create a flexible EMC seal around the opening. Preferably the gasket is formed of tin-plated beryllium copper. The gasket has alternate staggered spring fingers oriented opposite to the direction of insertion of the PCI card. To retain the gasket the panel is formed with slots at either end and an outward struck projection at the middle. The gasket is formed with a tongue at either end to be inserted in one of the slots and a punched-out opening to receive the projection.

Abstract: PCI cards are plugged into vertical risers, the lower edges of which have been plugged into a motherboard. This involves a considerable force being applied to the riser card, both during insertion and removal, and may damage the card or the underlying motherboard. A support for the top edge of the riser card clips onto the upper end thereof. Rearward extensions of the support are gripped by tabs struck out of a wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: A computer housing or electronic apparatus frame (10) includes a compartment (12) that provides space for mounting a fan assembly (14) or similar component. The fan assembly (14) is mounted on a fan tray support (16), which is removably mountable within the computer housing (10) by means of the fan tray mounts (18). Fan tray mounts (18) are oriented facing one another so that side rails (22) of fan tray (16) are slidably received by the fan tray mounts (18). The fan tray mounts (18) further includes an elongated guide channel (31) that extends the length of the fan tray mount and is formed in the inside face (30) thereof. The fan tray mounts (18) also include a first, outwardly projecting stop (52) that is positioned inwardly from end wall (38) and a second, outwardly-projecting, resiliently-deflectable stop and latch lever (54) provided adjacent end wall (36).

Abstract: A structural foam, injection molded superstructure is attached to a motherboard by means of threaded inserts. The superstructure is formed with guide ways for CPU processor modules, and also for the edges of PCI cards. Features of the structure include cam levers on the CPU modules to install and extract the modules. A metal transverse vertical retaining bracket is attached to the superstructure to hold sides thereof parallel and prevent splaying of the free, open end of the superstructure upon extraction of CPU processor modules. The assembly provides stiffness to the motherboard.