Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for ambulatory, long term monitoring of a physiological signal from a patient. At least a portion of the systems of the present invention may be implanted within the patient in a minimally invasive manner. In preferred embodiments, brain activity signals are sampled from the patient and are transmitted to a handheld patient communication device for further processing.

Abstract: A method of comparing a patient's neurological data to data that is indicative of the patient's clinical manifestation of a seizure. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of monitoring neurological data from a patient indicative of the patient's propensity for having a seizure; automatically recording clinical manifestation data from the patient that may be indicative of the occurrence of a clinical seizure; and analyzing the automatically recorded clinical manifestation data and the monitored neurological data to determine if one of the clinical manifestation data and the neurological data indicates the occurrence of a seizure while the other does not.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having a concave ceramic housing component; a concave metal housing component attached to the ceramic housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure. Another aspect of the invention provides an implantable medical device having a ceramic housing component; a metal housing component; a circumferential sealing member attached to a periphery of the ceramic housing component and to a periphery of the metal housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A patient advisory device (“PAD”) and its methods of use. The PAD may be configured to alert the patient about an estimated brain state of the patient. In preferred embodiments, the PAD is adapted to alert the patient of the patient's brain state, which corresponds to the patient's propensity of transitioning into an ictal brain state, e.g., having a seizure. Based on the specific type of alert, the patient will be made aware whether they are highly unlikely to have a seizure for a given period of time, an elevated propensity of having a seizure, a seizure is occurring or imminent, or the patient's brain state is unknown.

Abstract: Methods are provided for modulating a drug response comprising determining that a patient has an elevated or reduced susceptibility for a neurological event; outputting a signal that indicates to the patient to administer an acute dosage of a pharmacological agent that is sufficient to modulate the patient's susceptibility for the neurological event, wherein the drug response is modulated. Systems are also provided for treating epilepsy comprising an electrode array configured to receive a signal from a patient; a processing assembly configured to receive and process the signal to determine the patient's susceptibility for a neurological event; an output assembly configured to produce an output that indicates to the patient to administer an acute dosage of a pharmacological agent that is sufficient to reduce the patient's susceptibility for the neurological event, wherein the drug response to the pharmacological agent is attenuated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring a subject's neurological condition are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of analyzing a physiological signal (such as an EEG) from a subject to determine if the subject is in a contra-ictal condition; and if the subject is in a contra-ictal condition, providing an indication (e.g., to the subject and/or to a caregiver) that the subject is in the contra-ictal condition. The systems and methods may utilize a minimally invasive, leadless device to monitor the subject's condition. In some embodiments, if the subject is in a pro-ictal condition, the method includes the step of providing an indication (such as a red light) that the subject is in the pro-ictal condition.

Abstract: A method of developing a brain state advisory system including the following steps: deriving a brain state advisory algorithm; applying the brain state advisory algorithm to patient EEG data to identify occurrences of the target patient brain state (such as, e.g., a pro-ictal state or a contra-ictal state) in the patient EEG data; determining if a performance measure of the advisory algorithm for the target brain state exceeds the performance measure of a chance predictor for the target brain state; and if the performance measure of the advisory algorithm for the target brain state exceeds the performance measure of a chance predictor for the target brain state, storing the advisory algorithm in memory of the brain state advisory system. The invention also includes seizure advisory systems.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring a subject's neurological condition. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of analyzing a physiological signal (such as an EEG) from a subject to determine if the subject is in a contra-ictal condition; and if the subject is in a contra-ictal condition, providing an indication (e.g., to the subject and/or to a caregiver) that the subject is in the contra-ictal condition, such as by activating a green light or other visible output. In some embodiments, if the subject is in a pro-ictal condition, the method includes the step of providing an indication (such as a red light) that the subject is in the pro-ictal condition. The invention also provides neurological system monitors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring physiological signals from a subject to determine the subject's susceptibility for having a seizure. Also includes are systems and methods for activating an alert when there is a communication error between an implanted device and the external assembly. Additionally included are systems and method for long-term substantially continuous physiological signal data collection. At least a portion of the systems of the present invention may be implanted within the subject. In some embodiments, brain activity signals are sampled from the subject with implanted electrodes and are communicated to an external assembly where the brain activity signals are analyzed to determine the subject's susceptibility for having a seizure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to neurological systems and methods of use which acquire physiological signals from a subject and stimulate the subject. The system is adapted to control the timing at which the system acquires the physiological signals from the subject and the timing of the stimulation signal to reduce the amount of stimulation induced artifact that is acquired by the system.

Abstract: A battery system including a main battery cell having a first capacity; a sense battery cell connected in series with the main battery cell, the sense battery cell having a second capacity less than the first capacity; and a battery capacity indicator monitoring a parameter of the sense battery cell. A method of determining a battery condition in a battery operated device, the method including providing a battery system, the battery system comprising a main battery cell having a first capacity and a sense battery cell, the sense battery cell having a second capacity less than the first capacity, the main battery cell and the sense battery cell being coupled in series; monitoring a parameter of the sense battery cell; and determining a condition of the main battery cell from the monitored sense battery cell parameter.

Abstract: The invention is a percutaneous electrical therapy system with sharp point protection. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode assembly adapted to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, where the electrode assembly has an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient's tissue; and a sharp point protection assembly operable with the electrode assembly for reducing risk of unintended exposure to the electrode's point. The invention also includes an electrode assembly and sharp point protection assembly for a percutaneous electrical therapy system as described above, apart from the control unit.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for storing one or more electrode pads such as a defibrillator electrode pad. The cartridge includes a housing having a rigid portion, a storage space disposed within the housing, and a storage-space opening that allows one to remove/insert the electrode pad or pads from/into the storage space. Because it has a housing with a rigid portion, such a cartridge can better protect one or more electrode pads from handling damage. Furthermore, one can construct the cartridge such that it is attachable to a medical device such as an AED. This allows an operator to carry or store the medical device, cartridge, and one or more electrode pads as a single unit. In addition, one can construct the cartridge such that the one or more electrode pads can be pre-connected to the medical device. This can eliminate connecting the one or more electrode pads to the medical device during an emergency.

Abstract: A percutaneous electrical therapy system includes sharp point protection. In one embodiment, the system includes a control unit; an electrode assembly adapted to deliver electrical therapy to a patient, where the electrode assembly has an electrode electrically connectable to the control unit, the electrode having a sharp point at a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient's tissue; and a sharp point protection assembly operable with the electrode assembly for reducing the risk of unintended exposure to the electrode's point. The system can also include an electrode assembly and sharp point protection assembly for a percutaneous electrical therapy system, as described above, apart from the control unit.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for storing one or more electrode pads such as a defibrillator electrode pad. The cartridge includes a housing having a rigid portion, a storage space disposed within the housing, and a storage-space opening that allows one to remove/insert the electrode pad or pads from/into the storage space. Because it has a housing with a rigid portion, such a cartridge can better protect one or more electrode pads from handling damage. Furthermore, one can construct the cartridge such that it is attachable to a medical device such as an AED. This allows an operator to carry or store the medical device, cartridge, and one or more electrode pads as a single unit. In addition, one can construct the cartridge such that the one or more electrode pads can be pre-connected to the medical device. This can eliminate connecting the one or more electrode pads to the medical device during an emergency.

Abstract: An energy reduction unit is removably connectable to an external defibrillator to reduce the defibrillation energy delivered by the defibrillator to a patient. Use of the energy reduction unit is particularly suited to defibrillating pediatric patients (infants and children under 8) with an automatic or semi-automatic external defibrillator (AED). In one embodiment, the energy reduction unit includes an attenuator which partially dissipates energy produced by the AED. The attenuator is advantageously designed to present an impedance to the AED which, when connected to the patient, is approximately equal to the patient's impedance. The energy reduction unit may include a presence-detect function which enables the defibrillator to modify analysis of ECG signals to account for differences heart rhythms of pediatric and adult patients. In a second embodiment, the energy reduction unit includes an energy control modifier circuit which affects the charging operations performed internal to the AED.

Abstract: A defibrillator is provided with a test load feature which is automatically inserted into electrode paddle jacks when a defibrillator housing lid is closed, placing the defibrillator controller into a TEST MODE. Closing the lid permits actual firing of a shock pulse through the electrode connector through the test load, opening the lid automatically disconnects the test load and permits insertion of electrode paddles, placing the defibrillator into a PATIENT-READY MODE.

Abstract: An automatic external defibrillator (“AED”) is described that includes a high voltage delivery circuit for producing a biphasic electrical pulse to defibrillate a patient. The delivery circuit includes a plurality of capacitors controlled by IGBTs. The bridge circuit has four SCRs which are selectively switched to produce, for example, a biphasic steering of current.

Abstract: A defibrillator having an energy storage capacitor network with multiple configurations selected according to patient impedance and desired energy level for delivery of an impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse is provided. The set of configurations may include series, parallel, and series/parallel combinations of energy storage capacitors within the energy storage capacitor network. The impedance-compensated defibrillation pulse may be delivered over an expanded range of energy levels while limiting the peak current to levels that are safe for the patient using configurations tailored for lower impedance patients and limiting the range of defibrillation pulse durations and providing adequate current levels for higher impedance patients. Configurations of the energy storage capacitor network may be readily added to extend the range of energy levels well above 200 joules.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a medical electrode system having a flexible substrate with two electrodes in electrical communication disposed at either end along its length. The electrode system also has one or more sensors for detecting the rate and pressure at which CPR is administered. The electrode is adjustable in length and protects the user from the potential of incidental shock when using the electrode in conjunction with a defibrillator.