Abstract: A componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed that flexibly integrates with a catheter lab infrastructure for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor. Furthermore the processing unit adapted to: coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and generate images from image data provides by the PIM. The PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for creating, in a coordinated manner, graphical images of a body including vascular features from a combination of image data sources. The method includes initially creating an angiographic image of a vessel segment. The angiographic image is, for example, either a two or three dimensional image representation. Next, a vessel image data set is acquired that is distinct from the angiographic image data. The vessel image data set comprises information acquired at a series of positions along the vessel segment. An example of such vessel image data is a set of intravascular ultrasound frames corresponding to circumferential cross-section slices taken at various positions along the vessel segment. The angiographic image and the vessel image data set are correlated by comparing a characteristic rendered independently from both the angiographic image and the vessel image data at positions along the vessel segment.

Abstract: A componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed that flexibly integrates with a catheter lab infrastructure for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor. Furthermore the processing unit adapted to: coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and generate images from image data provides by the PIM. The PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lead configurations for sensors that allow for less invasive sensor replacement procedures. In one configuration, a sensor lead assembly includes an outer lead body and an inner lead including a sensor such as an electrochemical glucose sensor. The inner lead can be positioned in an inner conduit of the outer lead body. The outer lead body may be substantially permanently implanted in the patient, and the inner lead can be implanted through the inner conduit of the outer lead body. Once the sensor of the inner lead has worn out or otherwise exhausted its useful life, the inner lead can be removed, and a new inner lead can be implanted in place of the old inner lead.

Abstract: A touchpad controller for a componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The touchpad controller facilitates use beneath a sterile drape and sensitivity to gloved touch. Furthermore, the touchpad controller is sized for handheld use during an imaging session. A rail mount facilitates easy attachment of the touchpad controller alongside a patient table.

Abstract: A method and system facilitates the access by a patient of implanted medical device related data for patient participation in their own clinical care and therapy. In an example embodiment, the method includes establishing a communications link between an implanted medical device and a data processor via an implanted medical device interface. Access to a secured database is obtained via the implanted device data processor using a set of patient identification data. A query is then submitted via the data processor to the secured database in response to input patient diagnostic data. Data received from the secured database is then displayed for use in a patient evaluation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lead configurations for sensors that allow for less invasive sensor replacement procedures. In one configuration, a sensor lead assembly includes an outer lead body and an inner lead including a sensor such as an electrochemical glucose sensor. The inner lead can be positioned in an inner conduit of the outer lead body. The outer lead body may be substantially permanently implanted in the patient, and the inner lead can be implanted through the inner conduit of the outer lead body. Once the sensor of the inner lead has worn out or otherwise exhausted its useful life, the inner lead can be removed, and a new inner lead can be implanted in place of the old inner lead.

Abstract: The invention is directed to lead configurations for sensors that allow for less invasive sensor replacement procedures. In one configuration, a sensor lead assembly includes an outer lead body and an inner lead including a sensor such as an electrochemical glucose sensor. The inner lead can be positioned in an inner conduit of the outer lead body. The outer lead body may be substantially permanently implanted in the patient, and the inner lead can be implanted through the inner conduit of the outer lead body. Once the sensor of the inner lead has worn out or otherwise exhausted its useful life, the inner lead can be removed, and a new inner lead can be implanted in place of the old inner lead.

Abstract: A communication system is provided which permits of communication between an deployed implantable medical device (IMD) and a large-scale powerful computer capable of manipulating complex nonlinear modeling of physiologic systems, and also capable of accounting for large amounts of historical data from a particular patient or a cohort group for improved modeling and predictive power, which may be expected to lead to improved patient outcomes. A deployed IMD may be polled by a routing instrument external to the host patient, and data may be received by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a central large-scale or other relatively powerful computer for processing according to an appropriate model. A treatment or instruction regimen, as well as appropriate firmware or software upgrades, may then be transmitted to the routing instrument for immediate or eventual loading into the IMD via wireless communication.

Abstract: A patient-controlled system for temporarily disabling an electrical cardioverting therapy in order to prepare the patient psychologically and physiologically for the pain associated with electrical cardioversion therapy. In an example embodiment, the system includes a capacitive circuit capable of charging and discharging in order to apply the electrical therapy. The implanted medical device automatically causes the capacitive circuit to charge and discharge at least once within a selected period. The system includes a patient activator device that communicates with the implanted device. A disabling circuit is also included within the implanted medical device that temporarily disables the electrical therapy application in response to the patient activator device. The system further includes an alerting arrangement that alerts the patient activator device in response to the disabling circuit.

Abstract: A hand-holdable structure implementing electrodes to enable good skin-electrode contact to acquire ECG readings is disclosed. Specifically, the structure is shaped to enable patients to apply a simple gentle grip to have a reliable skin-electrode contact and to automatically commence ECG tracing transmission to a patient monitoring station. In one embodiment the structure incorporates an RF telemetry head to simultaneously transfer IMD stored data in conjunction with the ECG tracings. The structure independently or in combination with the RF telemetry head is adaptable to a system of data communications with a programmer or equivalent instrument to transfer ECG and IMD data to a remotely located physician station or patient data storage server. The system is also adaptable for use with a web-enabled network such as, without limitation, the Internet, intranet, World Wide Web, extranet or equivalent.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.