Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) comprising shocking electrodes configured to reduce the defibrillation threshold. The S-ICD may include a canister housing a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses heart rhythms and an electrode and lead assembly. The electrode and lead assembly may comprise a lead, at least one sensing electrode, and at least one shocking electrode. The at least one shocking electrode may extend over a length in the range of 50 to 110 millimeters and a width in the range of 1 to 40 millimeters.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a heterogeneous housing configured to receive and store one or more components of the IMD. The housing includes an intrinsically non-conductive and non-magnetic base material and at least one dopant with a property of at least one of electrical conductance and magnetic permeability. The base material and the dopant form a first region of the housing including a first skin depth and a second region of the housing including a second skin depth different than the first skin depth.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices including interconnections having strain-relief structure. The interconnections can take the form of flexible circuits. Strain relief gaps and shapes are integrated in the interconnections to relieve forces in each of three dimensions. In some examples, the region of an interconnection which couples with a component of the implantable medical device is separated by a strain relief gap from a connection to a second component and/or a location where the flex bends around a corner.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) with a receiving coil for wireless power transfer. The receiving coil may be disposed about a flux concentrator located in a housing of the IMD. The flux concentrator may concentrate non-radiative near-field energy through the receiving coil. In some cases, the near-field energy may be captured and converted into electrical energy that may be used to recharge a rechargeable power source of the IMD.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices including interconnections having strain-relief structure. The interconnections can take the form of flexible circuits. Strain relief gaps and shapes are integrated in the interconnections to relieve forces in each of three dimensions. In some examples, the region of an interconnection which couples with a component of the implantable medical device is separated by a strain relief gap from a connection to a second component and/or a location where the flex bends around a corner.

Abstract: A method includes placing a plastic connector block housing portion into a connector block cavity of a header; placing a coil spring into the connector block housing portion; and connecting a metallic termination member to the coil spring and positioning the metallic termination member to be exposed outside the plastic housing portion.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) is configured with a pressure sensor. The IMD includes a housing and a diaphragm that is exposed to the environment outside of the housing. The diaphragm is configured to transmit a pressure from the environment outside of the housing to a piezoelectric membrane. In response, the piezoelectric membrane generates a voltage and/or a current, which is representative of a pressure change applied to the housing diaphragm. In some cases, only changes in pressure over time are used, not absolute or gauge pressures.

Abstract: Tunneling tools and systems comprising electrodes and tunneling tool. In some examples the tunneling tools have a width that is greater than thickness, or may have enlarged portions to allow tunneling of a space. The tunneling tools may have expandable dissection portions including expandable balloons, linkages and/or springs in different examples. Systems may include tunneling tools with a lumen for receiving a lead having an electrode in a collapsed configuration, where the electrode is designed to expand once placed in a patient, with the tunneling tool designed to create a space in which the electrode can expand.

Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) comprising shocking electrodes configured to reduce the defibrillation threshold. The S-ICD may include a canister housing a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses heart rhythms and an electrode and lead assembly. The electrode and lead assembly may comprise a lead, at least one sensing electrode, and at least one shocking electrode. The at least one shocking electrode may extend over a length in the range of 50 to 110 millimeters and a width in the range of 1 to 40 millimeters.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices comprising electromagnetic interference shields which incorporate a dump resistor and various enhancements to control high voltage arcing. Included are embodiments in which a dump resistor is provided in a flexible shield having first and second conductive layers, where the resistor is provided in a layer between the conductive layers. In additional examples the design of plated through-holes is done to avoid the potential for arcing while maintaining close spacing.

Abstract: A medical system for providing a defibrillation therapy to a patient includes a cardiac monitoring device (CMD) configured to sense and record physiological data indicative of the patient's cardiac function. The CMD includes a communication component. The system also includes an external therapy device configured to deliver defibrillation therapy, and configured to be positioned external to and supported by the patient. The external therapy device includes an external therapy device communication component. The CMD communication component and the external therapy device communication component are configured to operatively couple the CMD and the external therapy device to one another, so as to work as a system to detect and treat fibrillation.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices including interconnections having strain-relief structure. The interconnections can take the form of flexible circuits. Strain relief gaps and shapes are integrated in the interconnections to relieve forces in each of three dimensions. In some examples, the region of an interconnection which couples with a component of the implantable medical device is separated by a strain relief gap from a connection to a second component and/or a location where the flex bends around a corner.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices comprising electromagnetic interference shields which incorporate a dump resistor and various enhancements to control high voltage arcing. Included are embodiments in which a dump resistor is provided in a flexible shield having first and second conductive layers, where the resistor is provided in a layer between the conductive layers. In additional examples the design of plated through-holes is done to avoid the potential for arcing while maintaining close spacing.

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 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 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 housing portion, a coil spring, and a metallic conductor connected around the coil spring and extending directly to a feedthrough.

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 a bore hole portion and at least two electronic connection features disposed within the bore hole portion. The bore hole portion includes at least one cavity configured to allow placement of at least one of the electronic connection features within the bore hole portion. The at least two electronic connection features are electrically coupled to the electronic module within the device container. The header core is configured to allow location of the at least two electronic connection features in a selected configuration within the bore hole portion. 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: 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 a bore hole portion and at least two electronic connection features disposed within the bore hole portion. The bore hole portion includes at least one cavity configured to allow placement of at least one of the electronic connection features within the bore hole portion. The at least two electronic connection features are electrically coupled to the electronic module within the device container. The header core is configured to allow location of the at least two electronic connection features in a selected configuration within the bore hole portion. A header shell is disposed around the header core and attached to the device container.

Abstract: A printed circuit assembly for use in an implantable medical device comprises a plurality of panels having active and passive circuit components on one major surface thereof, the plurality of panels being interconnected with flexible flat cable segments allowing the assembly to be folded so as to place the individual panels carrying the circuit components in a stacked relationship. By providing conductive layers on predetermined surfaces of the panels, shielding is provided to inhibit noise generating circuitry from contaminating wanted signals passing between the components and the plural panels.