Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and logging changes in brain state of a subject for administering therapy to the subject based on the at least one cardiac signal wherein the system and method comprises the steps of receiving at least one cardiac signal of the subject into a processor, analyzing the cardiac signal to detect at least one cardiac signal change indicative of a brain state change, and logging at least one characteristic of the detected signal change or the brain state change.

Abstract: The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the quality of a fiducial time marker for a candidate heart beat, quantifying the quality of a candidate heart beat, or determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart. A fiducial time marker is obtained for a candidate heart beat. A quality index of said candidate heart beat is set to a first value. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least one beat validity test. At least a second value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least one beat validity test. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least a second heart beat validity test. At least a third value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least second heart beat validity test.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.

Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.

Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the quality of a fiducial time marker for a candidate heart beat, quantifying the quality of a candidate heart beat, or determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart. A fiducial time marker is obtained for a candidate heart beat. A quality index of said candidate heart beat is set to a first value. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least one beat validity test. At least a second value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least one beat validity test. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least a second heart beat validity test. At least a third value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least second heart beat validity test.

Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting the seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by collecting cardiac data determining valid heart beats suitable for seizure detection from the cardiac data; calculating heart rate data of interest from the valid heart beats; and identifying a seizure event from the heart rate data. The medical device may then take a responsive action, such as warning, logging the time of the seizure, computing and storing one or more seizure severity indices, and/or treating the seizure.

Abstract: The present invention uses electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment is carried out by an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. The heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. In yet another embodiment, the invention may be simply a modified pacemaker having circuitry that determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated. In the event that the vagus nerve is being stimulated, the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template.

Abstract: A system using electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to treat epilepsy with minimized or no effect on the heart. Treatment includes an implantable signal generator, one or more implantable electrodes for electrically stimulating a predetermined stimulation site of the vagus nerve, and a sensor for sensing characteristics of the heart such as heart rate. Heart rate information from the sensor can be used to determine whether the vagus nerve stimulation is adversely affecting the heart. Once threshold parameters are met, the vagus nerve stimulation may be stopped or adjusted. An alternative embodiment includes a modified pacemaker to maintain the heart in desired conditions during vagus nerve stimulation. In another embodiment, a modified pacemaker determines whether a vagus nerve is being stimulated, whereupon the modified pacemaker may control the heart to maintain it within desired conditions during the vagus nerve stimulation.

Abstract: A failure detection and warning system for monitoring a medical device wherein the system includes means structured to passively or actively detect faults occurring in the medical device being monitored, and wherein the fault includes an unprogrammed and/or undesired shut off of the medical device being monitored or an unprogrammed and/or undesired shut-off of the output of the medical device being monitored by the system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods support multi-modal operation of a medical device system for a nervous system disorder. The medical device system comprises an implanted component and an external component and supports a first feature and a second feature that are associated with the treatment therapy. The medical device system supports both features when the implanted component and the external component are coupled. If the external component is decoupled, the implanted component continues to support the first feature. Moreover, the embodiment may support a plurality of features during a treatment interval. Another aspect of the invention allows for modularly expanding a medical device system in order to add a feature that enhances existing functionality or that provides additional functionality. In an embodiment, a module that is associated with an external component of the medical device system supports the added feature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method support a neurological event screening for a medical device. The medical device assists a user in determining a configuration of the medical device for delivering an effective treatment for a nervous system disorder. The medical device detects a neurological event, such as a seizure, and reports a neurological event focus location and a neurological event spread to the user. The user may use the information to provide a configuration of a therapeutic delivery unit and associated therapy parameters. Therapeutic treatment is delivered to the patient, and the medical device is provided an indication of the patient's acceptance to the treatment. The user may modify the configuration and therapy parameters in order to achieve efficacy and acceptance. Depending upon the patient's acceptance, therapy is applied in either an open loop mode or a closed loop mode. The medical device determines whether the treatment is successful in accordance with a criterion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template.

Abstract: Apparatus and method support the configuration and testing of therapy parameters for a medical device system in the treatment of nervous system disorders. With the embodiment, the medical device system operates in a manual treatment therapy mode, in which the medical device system evaluates a set of information that is indicative of a system configuration. The medical device system determines if the set of information is acceptable. During the manual treatment therapy mode, the medical device system applies therapeutic treatment to a patient in accordance with the set of information. If the patient cannot tolerate the therapeutic treatment, the user indicates so through a user interface. The medical device system may associate the patient's intolerance to therapeutic treatments that equal or exceed the patient's level of tolerance. Moreover, the medical device system may use this information to prevent a delivery of therapeutic treatment that exceeds the patient's level of tolerance during a run mode.

Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.