Abstract: In a method and a system for initiating communication with an implantable medical device to conduct a wireless communication session between the implantable medical device and an external programmer device. A directional antenna is employed for initiating communication between a programmer device and an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD is targeted by the programmer device by having an operator of the programmer device orient the directional antenna toward the IMD and transmitting a communication-initiating signal from the programmer to the IMD via the directional antenna. The directional antenna has a directional characteristic and communication range. the IMD responds to the communication-initiating signal by sending identification information to the programmer. the programmer may then use this identification to establish a communication session with the IMD targeted by the directional antenna.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead has at least one electric conductor running along a lead body and electrically interconnecting at least one electrode at the distal portion of the lead with at least one lead terminal at the proximal portion of the lead. The lead also has at least one closed channel running along at least a portion of the lead body. The closed channel contains an extracorporeally detectable detection substance. A rupture to the lead will cause the detection substance to leak out of the channel and outside of the lead body. Lead damage can be confirmed by the absence of or a reduced amount of said detection substance inside the lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead has at least one electric conductor running along a lead body and electrically interconnecting at least one electrode at the distal portion of the lead with at least one lead terminal at the proximal portion of the lead. The lead also has at least one closed channel running along at least a portion of the lead body. The closed channel contains an extracorporeally detectable detection substance. A rupture to the lead will cause the detection substance to leak out of the channel and outside of the lead body. Lead damage can be confirmed by the absence of or a reduced amount of said detection substance inside the lead.

Abstract: In a method and a system for initiating communication with an implantable medical device to conduct a wireless communication session between the implantable medical device and an external programmer device. A directional antenna is employed for initiating communication between a programmer device and an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD is targeted by the programmer device by having an operator of the programmer device orient the directional antenna toward the IMD and transmitting a communication-initiating signal from the programmer to the IMD via the directional antenna. The directional antenna has a directional characteristic and communication range. the IMD responds to the communication-initiating signal by sending identification information to the programmer. the programmer may then use this identification to establish a communication session with the IMD targeted by the directional antenna.

Abstract: In a method and system for identifying an implantable medical device (IMD), which is arranged to be disposed in a body, by conducting a telemetry communication session between the implantable medical device and an external programmer device, cardiac data are registered from a point on the body of a patient having an IMD with which a communication session is to be established. The registered cardiac data are compared with one or more sets of intracardiac data pertaining to patients having an IMD implanted and to identify the IMD with which the communication session is to be conducted by the performed comparison.

Abstract: An implantable heart defibrillator and a method for defibrillating a heart, employ a shock pulse generator for delivering a defibrillation shock to a heart, the delivered energy being mechanical. The shock pulse generator includes an electromechanical energy converter which generates, e.g., pressure, by means of a piezoelement, in a pressure chamber. Pressure is transmitted by a fluid in an electrode devised like a hydraulic line to a balloon-like electrode head in contact with heart tissue. The generated pressure causes the electrode head to expand and deliver a mechanical shock to the heart corresponding to the pressure.

Abstract: A defibrillation system includes circuitry and other components contained in a defibrillator housing, to which at least two defibrillation electrodes are connected, at least one defibrillation electrode being intended for intracardiac placement. This defibrillation electrode contains a flexible electrode cable with at least one elongate, electrically insulated conductor and at least one defibrillation surface disposed at the distal end of the electrode cable for delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart. The system further includes control components and circuitry for determining when defibrillation therapy, in the form of one or more pulses is to be administered.

Abstract: Implantable medical device comprising a device for stimulating tissue contractions with adjustable stimulation intensity, whereby the stimulation intensity is set such that a stimulated event is detected after stimulation with a detector device. The detector device detects stimulated tissue contractions in a signal corresponding to the chronological curve of the electrical impedance of the tissue to be stimulated.

Abstract: A medical device interacting with the body of a patient for stimulating and/or monitoring a physiological function includes control electronics which uses a parameter set which can be fetched from a memory, the parameter set defining the interaction. A number of different parameter sets can be stored in the memory, with a switching system being provided to fetch respectively different parameter sets under differing conditions.

Abstract: An implantable medical stimulation system optionally operable in a bipolar or a unipolar mode includes a stimulation device and a bipolar electrode and a unipolar electrode optionally electrically connectable thereto. The electrodes conduct electrical signals between the stimulation device and the body of a patient in whom the system is implanted. The connection located at the stimulation device for the electrodes has a terminal carrying a signal potential and a terminal carrying a reference potential. When the device is switched for unipolar operation, the terminal carrying the reference potential is connected so that reference potential is supplied to the body of the patient by some means other than the unipolar electrode.

Abstract: An implantable heart pacemaker includes a detector for natural heart muscle contractions in the region of the atrium and circuitry for stimulating heart muscle contractions in the region of the ventricle, the stimulating circuitry generating a stimulating pulse following the detection of a natural heart muscle contraction in the region of the atrium. The repetition rate of the pulses which stimulate heart muscle contractions in the region of the ventricle is limited to a maximum value which tracks and is not less than the heartbeat frequency adapted to the current physical activity of the pacemaker user.

Abstract: A medical device implantable into the body of a patient with which spontaneous tissue contractions can be detected and tissue contractions can be stimulated, generates a stimulation after the expiration of an adjustable first time interval, started by the respective detection or the stimulation of a tissue contraction, if a spontaneous tissue contraction is not detected before the expiration of the first time interval and if a shorter, second time interval, started by the detection or stimulation of a tissue contraction, has not yet expired. Detection of a spontaneous tissue contraction during the second time interval starts a new second time interval. The duration of the second time interval is automatically set such that it is always shorter by a defined amount than the duration of the first time interval.

Abstract: A medical device adapted to be implanted in a patient includes components for detecting physiological events and/or for stimulating physiological events, and includes control logic connected to the detecting and or stimulating components, and further components for the telemetric transmission of data relating to the logical status of the control logic to and from an external receiver. The components for telemetrically transmitting data are connected to the control logic, and continuously transmit data identifying the current logical status of the control logic to the external receiver.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a physiological event in a patient at a stimulation intensity includes circuitry for adapting the stimulation intensity to the physical activity of the patient with refernce to a parameter contained within a physical activity signal obtained from a sensor. Circuitry is also provided for reducing, under certain circumstances, the sensitivity for the parameter of the physical activity signal which is used to adapt the stimulatin intensity. Reducing the sensitivity ensues dependent on the time over which the stimulation intensity is below a defined threshold. A method for operating the device is also disclosed.