Abstract: A pacing system analyzer (PSA) having three or more individually controllable sensing and pacing channels provides for testing and measurement during an operation for implanting a pacemaker having three or more sensing and pacing channels. The PSA allows control and adjustment of pacing parameters including cross-channel pacing parameters relating activities between any two of the three or more channels, such as atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delays. The PSA is also capable of, among other things, displaying real-time cardiac signals, measuring amplitude and slew rate of cardiac depolarizations, and measuring lead impedance for each of the sensing and pacing channels, as well as measuring time intervals between cardiac depolarizations in two different sensing and pacing channels. In one embodiment, the PSA includes individually controllable atrial, right ventricular (RV), and left ventricular (LV) sensing and pacing channels.

Abstract: A structure and method for electrically isolating a universal serial bus (USB) communication link is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for isolating a host from a peripheral. The system includes a first programmable logic device for selectively passing two host USB lines into four host unidirectional lines. Four optoisolators are connected to the first programmable device via the four host unidirectional lines. A second programmable logic device for selectively passing four peripheral unidirectional lines into two peripheral USB lines is connected to the four optoisolators via the four peripheral unidirectional lines. The first and second programmable logic devices detect arriving edge transitions to determine whether a signal is arriving from a host or a peripheral, and disable and enable corresponding input and output lines to maintain unidirectional flow of the signal through the four optoisolators. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A pacing system analyzer (PSA) having three or more individually controllable sensing and pacing channels provides for testing and measurement during an operation for implanting a pacemaker having three or more sensing and pacing channels. The PSA allows control and adjustment of pacing parameters including cross-channel pacing parameters relating activities between any two of the three or more channels, such as atrioventricular and interventricular pacing delays. The PSA is also capable of, among other things, displaying real-time cardiac signals, measuring amplitude and slew rate of cardiac depolarizations, and measuring lead impedance for each of the sensing and pacing channels, as well as measuring time intervals between cardiac depolarizations in two different sensing and pacing channels. In one embodiment, the PSA includes individually controllable atrial, right ventricular (RV), and left ventricular (LV) sensing and pacing channels.

Abstract: A handheld cardiac rhythm management device for use by a patient to request status information from an implantable pulse generating device and to request that the pulse generating device provide a rhythm altering shock to the patient's heart. The device includes a plurality of deadfront status indicator lamps on a front of a case that are visible to the patient when the controller is held in the patient's hand. The device also includes buttons on the front of the case and a telemetry circuit for bi-directional communication with the implantable pulse generating device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for programming a wireless handheld device and communicating between the handheld device and a programmer using inductive telemetry. The method may include the steps of activating a boot load mode of the handheld device, positioning the handheld device in proximity to a programming device, and downloading firmware to the handheld device from the programming device using inductive telemetry. The apparatus may include an inductive coil for inductive telemetry and a memory. The inductive coil is configured to be activated in response to inductive signals from an inductive coil of the programmer, thereby providing communication between the handheld device and the programmer. Communication between the handheld device and the programmer may include downloading firmware to the handheld device, and storing the downloaded firmware in the memory.

Abstract: There is provided a water dissolvable tampon applicator comprising a first polyvinyl alcohol, a second polyvinyl alcohol having a lower percent hydrolysis than said first polyvinyl alcohol, a plasticizer. Preferably, the first polyvinyl alcohol is polyvinyl alcohol 98% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity, the second polyvinyl alcohol is polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed ultra low viscosity, and the third polyvinyl alcohol is polyvinyl alcohol 88% hydrolyzed low viscosity. The applicator also includes a plasticizer and an antioxidant. The applicator further includes a water insoluble coating that holds moisture. The water insoluble coating is preferably a vinylidene chloride copolymer, and can be used on any polyvinyl alcohol tampon applicator. In another preferred embodiment, the applicator is exposed to humidity prior to application of the coating.

Abstract: A stabilized polycarbonate composition comprising in admixture an aromatic carbonate polymer and a stabilizing amount of a cyclic diphosphite. The composition may additionally contain co-stabilizers such as epoxides or silanes.