Abstract: Systems and methods for conducted communication are described. In one embodiment, a method of communicating with a medical device implanted within a patient comprises receiving, at a medical device via electrodes connected to the patient, a conducted communication signal, wherein the conducted communication signal comprises a signal component and a noise component. The method may further comprise adjusting, by the medical device, a receive threshold based at least in part on an amplitude of the received conducted communication signal so as to reduce an amplitude of the noise component of the conducted communication signal.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for labeling an implantable medical device (IMD). In one example, an IMD can include a housing including electronic circuitry. The IMD can include a header coupled to the housing and includes a core. The core can define a bore and include a first metal label positioned adjacent to the at least one bore. The IMD includes a lead assembly including at least one lead having a distal end and a proximal end, the at least one lead including a second metal label, the distal end including at least one electrode and the proximal end received within the bore.

Abstract: Medical device systems and methods with multiple communication modes. An example medical device system may include a first medical device and a second medical device communicatively coupled to the first medical device. The first medical device may be configured to communicate information to the second medical device in a first communication mode. The first medical device may further be configured to communicate information to the second medical device in a second communication mode after determining that one or more of the communication pulses captured the heart of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implantable medical devices and headers are described. In an example, an implantable medical device includes a device container including an electronic module within the device container. A modular header core includes a header core module including at least one bore hole configured to receive a lead, an antenna attachment module coupled to the header core, and an antenna engaged with the antenna attachment module. The antenna attachment module is configured to locate the antenna in a selected position with respect to the header core module.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm system includes a first implantable medical device configured to detect a first heartbeat from a first location, and a second implantable medical device configured to detect the first heart beat of the patient from a second location. The second implantable medical device, upon detecting the first heart beat, may communicate an indication of the detected first heart beat to the first implantable medical device, and in response, the first implantable medical device may institute a blanking period having a blanking period duration such that a T-wave of the detected first heart beat is blanked out by the first implantable medical device so as to not be interpreted as a subsequent second heart beat. In some instances, the first implantable medical device is an SICD and the second implantable medical device is a LCP.

Abstract: System and methods for energy adaptive communications between medical devices are disclosed. In one example, a medical device includes a communication module configured to deliver a plurality of pulses to tissue of a patient, where each pulse has an amount of energy. A control module operatively coupled to the communication module, may be configured to, for each delivered pulse, determine whether the delivered pulse produces an unwanted stimulation of the patient and to change the amount of energy of the plurality of pulses over time so as to identify an amount of energy that corresponds to an unwanted stimulation threshold for the pulses. The control module may then set a maximum energy value for communication pulses that is below the unwanted stimulation threshold, and may deliver communication pulses below the maximum energy value during communication with another medical device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and configuring implantable medical device systems. A first medical device and a second medical device communicate with one another using test signals configured to provide data related to the quality of the communication signal to facilitate optimization of the communication approach. Some methods may be performed during surgery to implant one of the medical devices to ensure adequate communication availability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing communication strategies between implanted medical devices. Methods include temporal optimization relative to one or more identified conditions in the body. A selected characteristic, such as a signal representative or linked to a biological function, is assessed to determine its likely impact on communication capabilities, and one or more communication strategies may be developed to optimize intra-body communication.

Abstract: System and methods for energy adaptive communications between medical devices are disclosed. In one example, a medical device includes a communication module configured to deliver a plurality of pulses to tissue of a patient, where each pulse has an amount of energy. A control module operatively coupled to the communication module, may be configured to, for each delivered pulse, determine whether the delivered pulse produces an unwanted stimulation of the patient and to change the amount of energy of the plurality of pulses over time so as to identify an amount of energy that corresponds to an unwanted stimulation threshold for the pulses. The control module may then set a maximum energy value for communication pulses that is below the unwanted stimulation threshold, and may deliver communication pulses below the maximum energy value during communication with another medical device.

Abstract: An electrical connector for detachably connecting an electrical lead to an implantable medical device includes a conductive housing and a plurality of spring contacts. The conductive housing extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conductive housing has an interior surface forming a hollow cylinder. The plurality of spring contacts projects from the interior surface of the conductive housing and toward the proximal end. The plurality of spring contacts is at least partially contained within the conductive housing and configured to form an electrical connection to an electrical lead inserted within the conductive housing. The conductive housing and the plurality of spring contacts are integrally formed by an additive manufacturing process such that the electrical connector is a unitary structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rate-adaptive pacing are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a medical device for delivering electrical stimulation to a heart may include a housing configured to be implanted on the heart or within a chamber of the heart, one or more electrodes connected to the housing, and a controller disposed within the housing. The controller may be configured to sense a first signal and determine a respiration rate based at least in part on the sensed first signal. In at least some embodiments, the controller may be further configured to adjust a rate of delivery of electrical stimulation by the medical device based at least in part on the determined respiration rate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable housing, a header mounted to the implantable housing and including a connector block cavity, and a connector block located within the connector block cavity, the connector block including a plastic housing portion, a coil spring, and a metallic termination member connected to the coil spring and exposed outside the plastic housing portion.

Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) configured to sense and pace a patient's heart includes a sensor configured to sense a parameter related to cardiac contractility of the patient's heart and a power management unit that is operatively coupled to the sensor. The power management unit is configured to place the sensor in a higher power sense mode during times when sensing the parameter related to cardiac contractility is desired and to place the sensor in a lower power mode during times when sensing the parameter related to cardiac contractility is not desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implantable medical devices and headers are described. In an example, an implantable medical device includes a device container including an electronic module within the device container. A modular header core includes a first core module including a first bore hole portion of a first bore hole, the first bore hole portion configured to couple a first electrical component with the electronic module. A second core module includes a second bore hole portion of a second bore hole different than the first bore hole, the second bore hole portion configured to couple a second electrical component with the electronic module. The first core module is detachably engaged with the second core module. A header shell is disposed around the modular header core and attached to the device container.

Abstract: A wound dressing garment is provided. The wound dressing garment includes a wearable garment including a portion having a hole configured to receive a wound dressing therein in combination with the wound dressing. The wound dressing includes a border connecting the wound dressing to the wearable garment where the border extends around the perimeter of the hole to locate the wound dressing therein. The wound dressing may include one or more additional layers including a hydrogel layer. A method for treating wound or preventing bed sores using the wound dressing garment is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implantable medical devices and headers are described. In an example, an implantable medical device includes a device container including an electronic module within the device container. A header core includes an electronic connection feature electrically coupled to the electronic module within the device container, the electronic connection feature configured to engage with a lead. In some examples, the header core includes a tag holder configured to locate an identification tag in a selected position with respect to the header core. In some examples, the header core includes an antenna attachment feature configured to locate an antenna in a selected position with respect to the header core. A header shell is disposed around the header core and attached to the device container.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable housing, a header mounted to the implantable housing and including a connector block cavity, and a connector block located within the connector block cavity, the connector block including a plastic housing portion, a coil spring, and a metallic termination member connected to the coil spring and exposed outside the plastic housing portion.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm system includes a first implantable medical device configured to detect a first heartbeat from a first location, and a second implantable medical device configured to detect the first heart beat of the patient from a second location. The second implantable medical device, upon detecting the first heart beat, may communicate an indication of the detected first heart beat to the first implantable medical device, and in response, the first implantable medical device may institute a blanking period having a blanking period duration such that a T-wave of the detected first heart beat is blanked out by the first implantable medical device so as to not be interpreted as a subsequent second heart beat. In some instances, the first implantable medical device is an SICD and the second implantable medical device is a LCP.

Abstract: System and methods for energy adaptive communications between medical devices are disclosed. In one example, a medical device includes a communication module configured to deliver a plurality of pulses to tissue of a patient, where each pulse has an amount of energy. A control module operatively coupled to the communication module, may be configured to, for each delivered pulse, determine whether the delivered pulse produces an unwanted stimulation of the patient and to change the amount of energy of the plurality of pulses over time so as to identify an amount of energy that corresponds to an unwanted stimulation threshold for the pulses. The control module may then set a maximum energy value for communication pulses that is below the unwanted stimulation threshold, and may deliver communication pulses below the maximum energy value during communication with another medical device.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes a first implantable device such as a defibrillator and a second implantable device such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker. A programmer is configured to receive and display heart data emanating from the implantable defibrillator and from the leadless cardiac pacemaker. The heart data emanating from the leadless cardiac pacemaker is displayed in temporal alignment with the heart data emanating from the implantable defibrillator.