Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically modifying pacing timing and backup pacing delivery in cardiac stimulation devices include applying pacing impulses, measuring corresponding responses, and, based on such responses, automatically modifying timing or operational settings of the stimulation device to improve pacing functionality. Among other things, the approaches described herein reduce unnecessary backup pacing impulses in HIS bundle pacing applications, facilitate fusion in bundle branch block applications, and automatically enable or disable backup pacing in response to achieving QRS complex correction.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing cardio resynchronization therapy (CRT) on a patient heart include the use of a stimulation system having at least one processor, at least one memory, a pulse generator, a stimulating electrode disposed in proximity to a His bundle of the patient heart, and a sensing electrode adapted to sense electrical activity of the left ventricle (LV) of the patient heart. CRT is provided by applying, using the pulse generator and through the stimulating electrode, a His bundle pacing (HBP) impulse having a first impulse energy. The sensing electrode is then used to measure an LV activation time in response to the HBP impulse. At least one setting of the pulse generator is modified based on the LV activation time such that a subsequent HBP impulse may be provided by the pulse generator via the stimulating electrode using a modified impulse energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for His bundle pacing and classifying response to pacing impulses include applying, using a pulse generator, an impulse through a stimulating electrode to induce a response from a patient heart. A response to the impulse is measured using at least one sensing electrode and time-domain based characteristics of the response are analyzed to determine whether His bundle capture has occurred and, if so, what type of capture has occurred.

Abstract: Systems and methods for His bundle pacing and classifying response to pacing impulses include applying, using a pulse generator, an impulse through a stimulating electrode to induce a response from a patient heart. A response to the impulse is measured using at least one sensing electrode and frequency characteristics of the response are analyzed to determine whether His bundle capture has occurred and, if so, what type of capture has occurred. To facilitate analysis, the response measured from the patient heart may also be filtered to pass or stop frequencies indicative of certain capture types.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, devices and systems for monitoring a trend in heart failure (HF) progression are provided. The method comprises sensing left ventricular (LV) activation events at multiple LV sensing sites along a multi-electrode LV lead. The activation events are generated in response to an intrinsic or paced ventricular event. The method implements program instructions on one or more processors for automatically determining a conduction pattern (CP) across the LV sensing sites based on the LV activation events, identifying morphologies (MP) for cardiac signals associated with the LV activation events and repeating the sensing, determining and identifying operations, at select intervals, to build a CP collection and an MP collection. The method calculates an HF trend based on the CP collection and MP collection and classifies a patient condition based on the HF trend to form an HF assessment.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing cardio resynchronization therapy (CRT) on a patient heart include the use of a stimulation system having at least one processor, at least one memory, a pulse generator, a stimulating electrode disposed in proximity to a His bundle of the patient heart, and a sensing electrode adapted to sense electrical activity of the left ventricle (LV) of the patient heart. CRT is provided by applying, using the pulse generator and through the stimulating electrode, a His bundle pacing (HBP) impulse having a first impulse energy. The sensing electrode is then used to measure an LV activation time in response to the HBP impulse. At least one setting of the pulse generator is modified based on the LV activation time such that a subsequent HBP impulse may be provided by the pulse generator via the stimulating electrode using a modified impulse energy.

Abstract: A method and device for dynamic device based AV delay adjustment are provided. The method provides electrodes that are configured to be located proximate to an atrial (A) site and a right ventricular (RV) site. The method utilizes one or more processors, in an implantable medical device (IMD), for detecting an atrial paced (Ap) event or atrial sensed (As) event. The method determines a measured AV interval corresponding to an interval between the Ap event or the As event and a ventricular sensed event and calculates a percentage-based (PB) offset based on the measured AV interval. The method automatically dynamically adjusting an AV delay, utilized by the IMD, based on the measured AV interval and the PB offset and manages a pacing therapy, utilized by the IMD, based on the AV delay after the adjusting operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for His bundle pacing using a stimulation device include applying an impulse to a His bundle of a patient heart using the stimulation device. The stimulation device then measures a response of the patient heart to application of the impulse that includes a response of a ventricle of the patient heart. The stimulation device calculates a ventricular delay as a time from application of the impulse to onset of the response of the ventricle and delivers, using a lead of the stimulation device, a backup impulse to the ventricle when at least the ventricular delay exceeds a delay value stored in a memory of the stimulation device. The stored delay may, for example, correspond to a previously determined value indicative of selective or other His bundle capture.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, devices and systems for monitoring a trend in heart failure (HF) progression are provided. The method comprises sensing left ventricular (LV) activation events at multiple LV sensing sites along a multi-electrode LV lead. The activation events are generated in response to an intrinsic or paced ventricular event. The method implements program instructions on one or more processors for automatically determining a conduction pattern (CP) across the LV sensing sites based on the LV activation events, identifying morphologies (MP) for cardiac signals associated with the LV activation events and repeating the sensing, determining and identifying operations, at select intervals, to build a CP collection and an MP collection. The method calculates an HF trend based on the CP collection and MP collection and classifies a patient condition based on the HF trend to form an HF assessment.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, devices and systems for monitoring a trend in heart failure (HF) progression are provided. The method comprises sensing left ventricular (LV) activation events at multiple LV sensing sites along a multi-electrode LV lead. The activation events are generated in response to an intrinsic or paced ventricular event. The method implements program instructions on one or more processors for automatically determining a conduction pattern (CP) across the LV sensing sites based on the LV activation events, identifying morphologies (MP) for cardiac signals associated with the LV activation events and repeating the sensing, determining and identifying operations, at select intervals, to build a CP collection and an MP collection. The method calculates an HF trend based on the CP collection and MP collection and classifies a patient condition based on the HF trend to form an HF assessment.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for automatically determining capture thresholds for an implantable medical device equipped for cardiac stimulus pacing using a multi-pole left ventricular (LV) lead. The methods and systems measures a base capture threshold for a base pacing vector utilizing stimulation pulses varied over at least a portion of an outer test range. The base pacing vector is defined by a first LV electrode provided on the LV lead and a second electrode located remote from an LV chamber. The methods and systems designate a secondary pacing vector that includes the first LV electrode and a neighbor LV electrode provided on the LV lead. The methods and systems further define an inner test range having secondary limits based on the base capture threshold, wherein at least one of the limits for the inner test range differs from a corresponding limit for the outer test range.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for selecting one or more left ventricular multi-electrode pacing site(s). The methods, devices and systems measure arrival times of LV activation events for corresponding LV sensing sites, where the arrival times each correspond to a conduction time from an intrinsic ventricular event or delivery of a pacing pulse until sensing of the corresponding LV activation event. Site-to-site (STS) relative delays are calculated as differences between the arrival times associated with adjacent LV sensing sites. The STS relative delays represent STS arrival delays for corresponding combinations of the adjacent LV sensing sites. An LV electrode combination is identified that is associated with at least one of the STS relative delays that satisfy selection criteria, where the LV electrode combination corresponds to a target tissue region exhibiting a select degree of non-uniformity.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for selecting one or more left ventricular multi-electrode pacing site(s). The methods, devices and systems measure arrival times of LV activation events for corresponding LV sensing sites, where the arrival times each correspond to a conduction time from an intrinsic ventricular event or delivery of a pacing pulse until sensing of the corresponding LV activation event. Site-to-site (STS) relative delays are calculated as differences between the arrival times associated with adjacent LV sensing sites. The STS relative delays represent STS arrival delays for corresponding combinations of the adjacent LV sensing sites. An LV electrode combination is identified that is associated with at least one of the STS relative delays that satisfy selection criteria, where the LV electrode combination corresponds to a target tissue region exhibiting a select degree of non-uniformity.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that provide feedback regarding lead stability for a candidate target vessel, and provide guidance on a type of lead to be used. The method and system utilize a surgical navigation system and information regarding patient anatomy to predict lead stability within the patient anatomy. The method and system provide patient-specific force measurements for one or more vessels of a patient.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that provide feedback regarding lead stability for a candidate target vessel, and provide guidance on a type of lead to be used. The method and system utilize a surgical navigation system and information regarding patient anatomy to predict lead stability within the patient anatomy. The method and system provide patient-specific force measurements for one or more vessels of a patient.