Abstract: In an implantable medical device having individual modules, a coupling module couples the modules to one another. The coupling module supports electrical and/or mechanical coupling of the modules. The coupling module may assume a variety of shapes or configurations. The various embodiments of the coupling module may offer the modules varying degrees of freedom of movement relative to one another.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system that includes an implantable medical device, along with a transceiver device that exchanges data with the patient, between the patient and the implantable medical device, and between a remote location and the implantable medical device. A communication device coupled to the transceiver device exchanges data with the transceiver device, the implantable medical device through the receiver device, and between the transceiver device and the remote location to enable bi-directional data transfer between the patient, the implantable medical device, the transceiver device, and the remote location. A converter unit converts transmission of the data from a first telemetry format to a second telemetry format, and a user interface enables information to be exchanged between the transceiver device and the patient, between the implantable medical device and the patient through the transceiver device, and between the patient and the remote location through the transceiver device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system that includes an implantable medical device, along with a transceiver device that exchanges data with the patient, between the patient and the implantable medical device, and between a remote location and the implantable medical device. A communication device coupled to the transceiver device exchanges data with the transceiver device, the implantable medical device through the receiver device, and between the transceiver device and the remote location to enable bi-directional data transfer between the patient, the implantable medical device, the transceiver device, and the remote location. A converter unit converts transmission of the data from a first telemetry format to a second telemetry format, and a user interface enables information to be exchanged between the transceiver device and the patient, between the implantable medical device and the patient through the transceiver device, and between the patient and the remote location through the transceiver device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an hermetically sealed enclosure housing electrical and electronic circuitry and a battery for powering such circuitry is connected to an intracranial lead or pigtail which measures or senses intracranial physiologic signals such as intracranial fluid pressure and/or temperature. The implantable medical device is preferably implanted subcutaneously beneath a patient's skin and telemeters stored data or real-time-sensed data to an external device which may be configured to combine barometric pressure data with intracranial pressure data to derive intracranial gage pressure. The implantable medical device and its associated lead reduce the risk of intracranial infections.

Abstract: An implantable barometric pressure sensor coupled with an implantable medical device (IMD) provides a barometric pressure related, reference pressure value for use in combination with an absolute pressure value measured by an implantable absolute pressure sensor coupled to the IMD. In one embodiment, the barometric pressure sensor is implanted under the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer at or near the implant site of the IMD. In variations of this embodiment, the barometric pressure is formed as part of a connector module of the IMD or extends from the connector module. In a further embodiment, a percutaneous access device is provided which is adapted to be implanted to extend through the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient and is coupled with the barometric pressure sensor to provide for an air chamber extending between the atmosphere and the barometric pressure sensor.

Abstract: A body implantable pressure sensor attached to an endocardial lead for implantation in a heart chamber or cardiac blood vessel for sensing blood pressure and providing blood pressure signals to an implanted or external hemodynamic monitor and/or therapy delivery device and method of fabrication thereof. A pressure sensor module is formed of an elongated receptacle having an elongated receptacle cavity for receiving a calibrated, micro-machined pressure transducer having a pressure responsive element. The receptacle cavity is covered by a diaphragm disposed alongside the lead body and in parallel with the lead axis. The receptacle cavity is filled with a incompressible oil for transferring pressure forces that are applied to the diaphragm to the pressure transducer. The oil is introduced through a fill port, and the fill port is sealed after the oil is introduced to prevent leakage of the oil from the receptacle cavity and to complete the hermetic sealing of the receptacle cavity.

Abstract: An implantable sensor assembly for use with an implantable medical device are disclosed. The sensor assembly preferably includes two or more physiologic sensors coupled to the medical device via a pair of lead conductors, or alternatively an oxygen sensor having certain features. The oxygen sensor permits more accurate and reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in blood masses flowing within the human body.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a patient's cardiac output in a non-invasive manner and transmitting cardiac output data to a remote host processor, a communications system, or a local output device is disclosed. A non-invasive cardiac monitoring approach utilizes an implantable medical device coupled to an oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor provides venous oxygen saturation data to the implantable medical device. An oxygen consumption unit produces oxygen consumption data using air exhaled by a patient. A processing unit calculates a cardiac output result in real-time using the venous oxygen saturation data, the oxygen consumption data, and arterial oxygen saturation data assumed to be about 100% or acquired using a sensor external to the patient. The implantable medical device may transmit the venous oxygen saturation data to the processing unit using electromagnetic signals or acoustic signals.

Abstract: An implantable sensor assembly for use with an implantable medical device are disclosed. The sensor assembly preferably includes two or more physiologic sensors coupled to the medical device via a pair of lead conductors, or alternatively an oxygen sensor having certain features. The oxygen sensor permits more accurate and reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in blood masses flowing within the human body.

Abstract: An implantable sensor assembly for use with an implantable medical device are disclosed. The sensor assembly preferably includes two or more physiologic sensors coupled to the medical device via a pair of lead conductors, or alternatively an oxygen sensor having certain features. The oxygen sensor permits more accurate and reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in blood masses flowing within the human body.

Abstract: An implantable sensor assembly for use with an implantable medical device are disclosed. The sensor assembly preferably includes two or more physiologic sensors coupled to the medical device via a pair of lead conductors, or alternatively an oxygen sensor having certain features. The oxygen sensor permits more accurate and reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in blood masses flowing within the human body.

Abstract: An implantable sensor assembly for use with an implantable medical device are disclosed. The sensor assembly preferably includes two or more physiologic sensors coupled to the medical device via a pair of lead conductors, or alternatively an oxygen sensor having certain features. The oxygen sensor permits more accurate and reliable measurement of oxygen saturation in blood masses flowing within the human body.

Abstract: A system for chronically measuring a physiologic parameter by an implantable device which has several forms is described. At its core a fixture for holding on to a blood vessel and forcing a sensor against a surface of the vessel is taught. Numerous adaptations and uses with various sensors are described.

Abstract: A method for construction ond delivery of a novel implantable medical device provides for use of a kit having sizeable fixture components for holding a blood vessel and a sensor portion connectable during surgery to the appropriately sized fixture.

Abstract: An implantable barometric pressure sensor coupled with an implantable medical device (IMD) provides a barometric pressure related, reference pressure value for use in combination with an absolute pressure value measured by an implantable absolute pressure sensor coupled to the IMD. In one embodiment, the barometric pressure sensor is implanted under the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer at or near the implant site of the IMD. In variations of this embodiment, the barometric pressure is formed as part of a connector module of the IMD or extends from the connector module. In a further embodiment, a percutaneous access device is provided which is adapted to be implanted to extend through the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient and is coupled with the barometric pressure sensor to provide for an air chamber extending between the atmosphere and the barometric pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems, and methods for accurately calibrating a pressure sensor which is incorporated into a lead, e.g., a pacemaker lead, prior to implant into a patient. A calibration vessel is provided which has a housing which forms a reservoir for containing the portion of the lead having the pressure sensor. The vessel also has a connector for receiving a reference pressure into the reservoir, and a sealable opening for receiving the distal end of the lead that carries the pressure sensor. The calibration vessel can be used in a system comprising an electronic display module and an external pressure reference, for establishing an accurate sensor baseline for zero pressure; and can also be used in a system comprising an electronic display module, a reference pressure input source, and a manometer for establishing an accurate scale factor for the lead pressure sensor.

Abstract: An optical window assembly for use in implantable medical devices includes a generally U-shaped ferrule having a strain relief channel to accommodate residual stresses remaining in the ferrule after welding the ferrule to the housing of an implantable medical device. The assembly may be used to transmit optical energy and/or electrically insulate a feedthrough. The assembly can be mounted in a window opening in a housing. The ferrule can include a ferrule body forming a lens opening, the ferrule body having a generally U-shaped cross-section with an inner leg, an outer leg, and a strain relief channel in the ferrule body between the inner leg and the outer leg. A lens is mounted in the lens opening of the ferrule. The ferrule can also include a lens flange on the inner leg of the ferrule body, a support flange on the outer leg of the ferrule body, and/or a braze stop to control flow of the braze. The ferrule and housing can be constructed of titanium.

Abstract: An endocardial lead for implantation in a right heart chamber for responding to blood pressure and temperature and providing modulated pressure and temperature related signals to an implanted or external hemodynamic monitor and/or cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator. The lead has a sensor module formed in its distal end and is coupled to a monitor that powers a sensor circuit in the sensor module. The sensor module is formed with a pickoff capacitor that changes capacitance with pressure changes and a reference capacitor that is relatively insensitive to pressure changes. The sensor circuit provides charge current that changes with temperature variation at the implant site, alternately charges and discharges the two capacitors, and provides timing pulses having distinguishable parameters at the end of each charge cycle that are transmitted to the demodulator.