Abstract: Catheter systems including one or more flow restrictors are disclosed. The catheter systems may include two or more delivery branches. The delivery branches may be connected to a supply catheter section using a branching catheter connector that may include one or more flow restrictors. The flow restrictors may include a restrictor body located within a lumen with a channel located between the restrictor body and interior surface of the lumen, the channel restricting flow through the lumen past the flow restrictor. The channel may be defined by a groove formed in the restrictor body and/or the interior surface of the lumen. Methods of providing pressure relief by flowing fluid past a flow restrictor are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable lead has a lead body construction designed to accommodate loading forces exerted on the lead body during patient movement. The lead body may be sufficiently stretchable to resist forces that could otherwise cause lead failure, axial migration of the electrodes, anchor damage, or tissue damage. Increasing stretchability of a lead body can also increase the vulnerability of the lead body to flex fatigue, buckling fatigue, kinking, and crush. Therefore, the lead described herein includes conductors that comprise coiled wires positioned substantially parallel to a center axis of the lead. The conductors described herein may be coiled around fibers that limit the axial stiffness of the coiled wires to ensure full recovery from axial loading.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and many other conditions. The therapeutic substance delivery device has a permanent magnet solenoid pump that is energy efficient, accurate, small, compatible with therapeutic substances, and has many other improvements. The implantable therapeutic substance delivery device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source, electronics, and a permanent magnet solenoid pump. The therapeutic substance reservoir is configured to contain a therapeutic substance and is coupled to the housing. The power source is carried in the housing to power the electronics and solenoid pump. The electronics are coupled to the solenoid pump and the solenoid pump is coupled to the therapeutic substance reservoir.

Abstract: An implantable drug infusion pump for delivering drug therapy is made more reliable and its performance improved by monitoring drug pump temperature. Monitoring pump temperature can also provide for temperature-related drug therapy modification. A pump temperature sensor is read by the infusion pump's microprocessor. Pump temperature data is stored in pump memory for later access by a remote controller. A simple thermistor or semiconductor temperature sensor can provide fast and reliable temperature monitoring of the pump and/or of a patient by reading the temperature sensor's value and calculating a temperature therefrom.

Abstract: A system may include a processor configured to automatically obtain magnetic resonance imaging compatibility information relating to compatibility of an active implantable medical device implantable in a patient with an MRI modality from at least two information sources. The processor may also be configured to automatically determine compatibility of the active implantable medical device with the magnetic resonance imaging modality based on the magnetic resonance imaging compatibility information.

Abstract: A system may include a patient information terminal that receives magnetic resonance imaging compatibility information from a patient and a processor that automatically determines compatibility of an active implantable medical device with an magnetic resonance imaging modality based on the magnetic resonance imaging compatibility information. The magnetic resonance imaging compatibility information includes information relating to compatibility of the active implantable medical device implantable in the patient and the magnetic resonance imaging modality.

Abstract: A system may include an active implantable medical device implantable in a body of a patient and a patient programmer for the AIMD. The patient programmer may be configured to obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility information relating to compatibility of the AIMD with an MRI modality.

Abstract: Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities.

Abstract: An implantable drug infusion pump for delivering drug therapy is made more reliable and its performance improved by monitoring drug pump temperature. Monitoring pump temperature can also provide for temperature-related drug therapy modification. A pump temperature sensor is read by the infusion pump's microprocessor. Pump temperature data is stored in pump memory for later access by a remote controller. A simple thermistor or semiconductor temperature sensor can provide fast and reliable temperature monitoring of the pump and/or of a patient by reading the temperature sensor's value and calculating a temperature therefrom.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an electrode having a thermal switch. The thermal switch is configured to electrically decouple components of the implantable medical device when in contact with tissue at temperatures above normal body temperature.

Abstract: An implantable lead has a lead body construction designed to accommodate loading forces exerted on the lead body during patient movement. The lead body may be sufficiently stretchable to resist forces that could otherwise cause lead failure, axial migration of the electrodes, anchor damage, or tissue damage. Increasing stretchability of a lead body can also increase the vulnerability of the lead body to flex fatigue, buckling fatigue, kinking, and crush. Therefore, the lead described herein includes a reinforcement to create a lead body that is resistant to flex fatigue, buckling fatigue, kinking and crush.

Abstract: Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities.

Abstract: An implantable medical system that includes an implantable electrical lead having a lead body having a connector portion wherein at least the connector portion of the lead body has an axial cross section that is substantially non-circular; and a connector block that is configured to be operably coupled to the implantable electrical lead, wherein the connector block includes a lumen having an inner surface that is configured to be complementary to the outer surface of at least the connector portion of the lead body. Leads and connector blocks are also discussed.

Abstract: An implantable system that includes a lead and an implantable signal generator wherein the plurality of electrical contacts and the plurality of insulating regions on the lead, and the plurality of electrical connectors and the plurality of electrical insulators in the connector block are configured so that each of the plurality of electrical contacts form operable connections to the electronic circuitry through each of the plurality of electrical connector, and the insulating regions and the electrical insulators electrically isolate adjacent operable connections. Leads, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance delivery device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and many other conditions. The therapeutic substance delivery device has a permanent magnet solenoid pump that is energy efficient, accurate, small, compatible with therapeutic substances, and has many other improvements. The implantable therapeutic substance delivery device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source, electronics, and a permanent magnet solenoid pump. The therapeutic substance reservoir is configured to contain a therapeutic substance and is coupled to the housing. The power source is carried in the housing to power the electronics and solenoid pump. The electronics are coupled to the solenoid pump and the solenoid pump is coupled to the therapeutic substance reservoir.

Abstract: Catheter systems including one or more flow restrictors are disclosed. The catheter systems may include two or more delivery branches. The delivery branches may be connected to a supply catheter section using a branching catheter connector that may include one or more flow restrictors. The flow restrictors may include a restrictor body located within a lumen with a channel located between the restrictor body and interior surface of the lumen, the channel restricting flow through the lumen past the flow restrictor. The channel may be defined by a groove formed in the restrictor body and/or the interior surface of the lumen. Methods of providing pressure relief by flowing fluid past a flow restrictor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device known as an implantable therapeutic substance infusion device is configured for implanting in humans to deliver a therapeutic substance such as pharmaceutical compositions, genetic materials, and biologics to treat a variety of medical conditions such as pain, spastisity, cancer, and many other conditions. The therapeutic substance infusion device has a piston pump with an anti-cavitation valve to reduce gas formation, increase accuracy, improve efficiency and has many other improvements. The therapeutic substance infusion device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source carried in the housing, electronics, a piston pump, an inlet valve, and anti-cavitation valve. The piston pump is configured for pumping therapeutic substance from the therapeutic substance reservoir through an infusion port at a programmed rate.

Abstract: A pulse stimulation system configured for implantation into a patient's body comprises a pulse stimulator, a conductive stimulation lead having a proximal end electrically coupled to the pulse simulator and having a distal end, and an electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the stimulation lead. The electrode assembly comprises an electrode body having a therapy electrode thereon that is electrically coupled to the stimulation lead for delivering therapy to the patient. A floating electrode is configured to contact the patient's body tissue and has a surface area substantially larger than that of the therapy electrode. A filter is coupled between the therapy electrode and the floating electrode for diverting RF energy toward the floating electrode and away from the therapy electrode.

Abstract: Low profile inlet valve embodiments for a piston pump therapeutic substance infusion device are disclosed that reduce dead volume, occupies little residential space, operates rapidly, and have many other improvements. The therapeutic substance infusion device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source carried in the housing, electronics, a piston pump, and an inlet valve. The piston pump is configured for pumping therapeutic substance from the therapeutic substance reservoir through an infusion port at a programmed rate. The inlet valve is in fluid communication with a reservoir outlet to control the flow of therapeutic substance into the piston pump. The inlet valve has a substantially coplanar valve surface and valve spring. Many embodiments of the low profile inlet valve and its methods of operation are possible.

Abstract: A connector and method of medical tubing is disclosed. The connector defines a fluid passageway, and the connector includes a first end, a first intermediate portion, a middle portion, a second intermediate portion, and a second end. The middle portion is located between the first intermediate portion and the second intermediate portion, and the first end is adapted to fit inside a proximal connector-receiving portion, and the second end is adapted to fit inside a distal connector-receiving portion. The connector includes at least a first protrusion and a second protrusion projecting from the connector, wherein a first protrusion is located between the first end and the first intermediate portion, and the second protrusion is located between the second intermediate portion and the second end.