Abstract: An example of an apparatus for percutaneously delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient and sensing from the patient using a test device placed externally to the patient is provided. The apparatus may include a stimulation lead, a sensing reference electrode, a sensing wire, and a connection system. The stimulation lead may be configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the one or more electrodes in the patient. The sensing reference electrode may be configured to be placed in the patient. The sensing wire may be connected to the sensing reference electrode and configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the sensing reference electrode in the patient. The connection system may be configured to mate the lead connector and the wire connector and to provide electrical connections between the lead connector and the test device and between the wire connector and the test device.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes may include a stimulation circuit and a sensing circuit. The stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver the neurostimulation energy using stimulation electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and to control the delivery of the neurostimulation energy. The sensing circuit may be configured to receive one or more neural signals from sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and may include a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit may include a detection circuit and an analysis circuit. The detection circuit may be configured to detect one or more attributes of neural responses from the received one or more neural signals. The analysis circuit may be configured to analyze the detected one or more attributes of the neural responses for one or more indications of a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus for percutaneously delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient and sensing from the patient using a test device placed externally to the patient is provided. The apparatus may include a stimulation lead, a sensing reference electrode, a sensing wire, and a connection system. The stimulation lead may be configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the one or more electrodes in the patient. The sensing reference electrode may be configured to be placed in the patient. The sensing wire may be connected to the sensing reference electrode and configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the sensing reference electrode in the patient. The connection system may be configured to mate the lead connector and the wire connector and to provide electrical connections between the lead connector and the test device and between the wire connector and the test device.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes may include a stimulation circuit and a sensing circuit. The stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver the neurostimulation energy using stimulation electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and to control the delivery of the neurostimulation energy. The sensing circuit may be configured to receive one or more neural signals from sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and may include a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit may include a detection circuit and an analysis circuit. The detection circuit may be configured to detect one or more attributes of neural responses from the received one or more neural signals. The analysis circuit may be configured to analyze the detected one or more attributes of the neural responses for one or more indications of a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation energy may include a programming control circuit and a user interface. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate stimulation parameters according to a neurostimulation program including a pattern of interferential stimulation configured to effect asynchronous and/or non-regular activation of nerve fibers by simultaneously delivering a first stimulation current having a first waveform with a first frequency using a first electrode configuration and a second stimulation current having a second waveform with a second frequency using a second electrode configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing stimulation and neural response sensing in an implantable stimulation device are disclosed. A neural response database records baseline neural response information from one or more sensing electrodes for a given pole configuration that provides stimulation to a patient. The stimulation device can then take neural response measurements at the sensing electrode(s) and the system (possibly with the assistance of an external device in communication with the stimulation device) can compare the neural response measurements with the baselines. If they differ, as they might if the electrode array has moved in the patient's tissue, an algorithm can be used to move the position of the pole configuration in the electrode array to cause the neural response measurements to equal, or at least come closer to, the neural response baselines.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes may include a stimulation circuit and a sensing circuit. The stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver the neurostimulation energy using stimulation electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and to control the delivery of the neurostimulation energy. The sensing circuit may be configured to receive one or more neural signals from sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of electrodes and may include a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit may include a detection circuit and an analysis circuit. The detection circuit may be configured to detect one or more attributes of neural responses from the received one or more neural signals. The analysis circuit may be configured to analyze the detected one or more attributes of the neural responses for one or more indications of a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus for percutaneously delivering neurostimulation energy to a patient and sensing from the patient using a test device placed externally to the patient is provided. The apparatus may include a stimulation lead, a sensing reference electrode, a sensing wire, and a connection system. The stimulation lead may be configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the one or more electrodes in the patient. The sensing reference electrode may be configured to be placed in the patient. The sensing wire may be connected to the sensing reference electrode and configured to be percutaneously introduced into the patient to place the sensing reference electrode in the patient. The connection system may be configured to mate the lead connector and the wire connector and to provide electrical connections between the lead connector and the test device and between the wire connector and the test device.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation energy may include a programming control circuit and a user interface. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate stimulation parameters according to a neurostimulation program including a pattern of interferential stimulation configured to effect asynchronous and/or non-regular activation of nerve fibers by simultaneously delivering a first stimulation current having a first waveform with a first frequency using a first electrode configuration and a second stimulation current having a second waveform with a second frequency using a second electrode configuration.

Abstract: Methods, medical devices, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are provided. A patient implanted with a medical device is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field having a signature, thereby inducing mechanical vibrations in at least one component of the medical device. A vibrational characteristic of the mechanical vibrations induced in the component(s) is detected. The vibrational characteristic is analyzed, and the signature of the magnetic field is identified based on the analyzed vibrational characteristic. The medical device is automatically switched from a first operational mode to a second operational mode when the signature is identified.

Abstract: A neurostimulation device and system are provided. At least one neurostimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes is configured for being implanted within tissue of a patient. A shunt capacitance is coupled to one of the electrodes. Time-varying electrical current is delivered to at least one of the electrodes, wherein the shunt capacitance would, without compensation, absorb charge from or inject charge into the tissue in response to time-varying changes in the delivered electrical current, thereby causing an uncompensated electrical waveform to be delivered to the tissue adjacent the one electrode, The absorbed or injected charge is at least partially compensated for, thereby causing a compensated electrical waveform to be delivered to the tissue adjacent the one electrode.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD) for use with a medical lead carrying at least one lead electrode. The AIMD comprises interior electronic circuitry configured for performing a medical function via the medical lead, an electrically conductive case containing the interior electronic circuitry, at least one electrical terminal configured for electrically coupling the electronic circuitry respectively to the lead electrode(s), and an inductive element coupled in series between the electrical terminal(s) and the case. The inductive element is configured for hindering the shunting of electrical current from the at least one electrical terminal to the case that has been induced by electromagnetic interference (EMI) impinging on the medical lead.

Abstract: Methods and devices for classifying a cardiac pacing response involve using a first electrode combination for pacing and a second electrode combination for sensing a cardiac signal following pacing. The cardiac response to pacing may be classified using the sensed cardiac signal. One process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to detect the cardiac response as a fusion/pseudofusion beat. Another process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to classify the cardiac response to pacing as one of at least three cardiac response types.

Abstract: A neurostimulation device and system are provided. At least one neurostimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes is configured for being implanted within tissue of a patient. A shunt capacitance is coupled to one of the electrodes. Time-varying electrical current is delivered to at least one of the electrodes, wherein the shunt capacitance would, without compensation, absorb charge from or inject charge into the tissue in response to time-varying changes in the delivered electrical current, thereby causing an uncompensated electrical waveform to be delivered to the tissue adjacent the one electrode, The absorbed or injected charge is at least partially compensated for, thereby causing a compensated electrical waveform to be delivered to the tissue adjacent the one electrode.

Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of being placed between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The medical device comprises a magnetic field sensing device for outputting a signal in response to sensing a magnetic field. The medical device further comprises a logic circuit for continuously asserting the signal during a time period when the neurostimulation device is in the first operational mode, and intermittently asserting the signal during at least one time period when the neurostimulation device is in the second operational mode. The medical device further comprises a delay circuit for introducing a time delay into the asserted signal, the time delay being less than the time period, but greater than each of the at least one time period. The medical device further comprises control circuitry for performing a function in response to receiving the delayed signal at a first input terminal.

Abstract: A method of estimating response of a medical lead to an electromagnetic field includes providing a medical lead having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end, and a plurality of conductors extending along the medical lead and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals; individually applying a test field at each of a plurality of test positions along the medical lead using at least one excitation probe; for each application of the test field, determining a response to the application of the test field at one or more of the electrodes or terminals; generating a transfer function using a combination of the responses determined for the applications of the test field; and using the transfer function to estimate a response of the medical lead to an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An implantable medical device can include a therapy circuit coupled to a therapy delivery terminal, the therapy circuit configured to generate a specified electrostimulation therapy for delivery to a tissue site via the therapy delivery terminal, and a measurement circuit for measuring at least two impedances of a first terminal combination including the therapy delivery terminal, the two impedances corresponding to at least two instances of excitation separated enough in time to capture an impedance artifact due at least in part to a motion of the heart, such as to determine an electrostimulation therapy lead status at least in part using the at least two impedances.

Abstract: Methods and devices for classifying a cardiac pacing response involve using a first electrode combination for pacing and a second electrode combination for sensing a cardiac signal following pacing. The cardiac response to pacing may be classified using the sensed cardiac signal. One process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to detect the cardiac response as a fusion/pseudofusion beat. Another process involves using the sensed cardiac signal to classify the cardiac response to pacing as one of at least three cardiac response types.

Abstract: An ambulatory or implantable device, such as a pacer, defibrillator, or other cardiac rhythm management device, can tolerate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other noise without turning on an integrated circuit diode by selectively providing a bias voltage that can overcome an expected induced voltage resulting from the MRI or other noise.

Abstract: Methods, medical devices, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are provided. A patient implanted with a medical device is exposed to a time-varying magnetic field having a signature, thereby inducing mechanical vibrations in at least one component of the medical device. A vibrational characteristic of the mechanical vibrations induced in the component(s) is detected. The vibrational characteristic is analyzed, and the signature of the magnetic field is identified based on the analyzed vibrational characteristic. The medical device is automatically switched from a first operational mode to a second operational mode when the signature is identified.