Abstract: Variations in certain genomic sequences useful as genetic markers of Sudden Cardiac Death (“SCD”) or Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) risk are described. Novel diagnostic kits, DNA microarrays, and methods employing these genetic markers are used in assessing the risk of SCD or SCA. Methods of distinguishing patients having an increased susceptibility to SCD or SCA, through use of these markers, alone or in combination with other markers, are also provided. Further, methods of detecting a polymorphism associated with SCD or SCA are taught.

Abstract: Variations in certain genomic sequences useful as genetic markers of Sudden Cardiac Death (“SCD”) or Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) risk are described. Novel genetic markers useful in assessing the risk of SCD or SCA and compositions containing the same are provided herein. Methods of distinguishing patients having an increased susceptibility to SCD or SCA, through use of these markers, alone or in combination with other markers, are also provided. Further, methods of detecting a polymorphism associated with SCD or SCA are taught.

Abstract: In some examples, the disclosure relates to a systems, devices, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method including delivering a series of pulses with alternating pulse polarities to a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The series of pulses includes at least a first pulse of a first polarity, a second pulse of a second polarity, and a third pulse of the first polarity, where the first, second and third pulses are delivered in direct succession and in that order. The first and second pulses are separated by a first time delay and the second and third pulses are separated by a second time delay. In some examples, each of the first and second time delays depend on the frequency that the series of pulses are delivered.

Abstract: Genetic tests and methods for treatment based on markers to identify patients suffering from life-threatening ventricular tachy-arrhythmias, such as Ventricular Tachycardias (“VT”) and Ventricular Fibrillation (“VF”) that might lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) or Sudden Cardiac Death (“SCD”) are provided. Patients who cannot be sufficiently protected by medication alone, such as those refractory to anti-arrhythmic medication, are identified based on their genotype. The resulting information is used in a diagnostic test to identify and treat those patients who would benefit from the implantation of an Implantable Cardio Defibrillator (“ICD”).

Abstract: Heart pacing systems include at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a primary pacemaker, and at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a backup pacemaker. When implanted, the primary pacemaker(s) produce primary pacing stimuli that modulate cardiac function. The backup pacemaker(s) provide backup pacing stimuli when the electronic pacemaker is unable to modulate cardiac function at the predetermined pacing rate. The heart pacing systems are implemented by implantation in regions where they can provide pacing stimuli to cardiac tissue.

Abstract: A method and device are described to form a heat producing plant with replaceable fusion-based reaction cartridges, where the fuel is embedded in casings in the preferred embodiment, and the heat can be converted into electrical or mechanical energy. The replaceable unit consists of sheets containing individual heating elements that are addressed sequentially to trigger the heat producing reactions. A controller governs the triggering activity until all the elements are used. The resulting heat can be converted into mechanical energy using turbines and into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. This inventive device can be used in mobile environments as well as at fixed locations where heat, mechanical power or electricity are needed.

Abstract: The invention is a method for identifying proteins associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and for assessing a patient's risk of SCD by determining the amount of one or more SCD-associated proteins in the patient. Typically, the patient submits a sample, such as a blood sample, which is tested for one or more SCD-associated proteins. Based upon the results of the tests, the patient's risk of SCD may be assessed.

Abstract: A needle driver is described that can be used to drive a plurality of surgical needles into or proximate to tissue of a living body. The needle driver assists the surgeon in perforating the tissue, creating the tracts at a desired depth, and creating multiple tracts simultaneously. The needle driver is configured to hold the needles securely when creating the tracts, and is also configured to disengage from the needles after the tracts have been created.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to systems and techniques for assessing a risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia in a patient by measuring one or more biochemical markers that reflect the health of a patient. Typically, the patient submits a sample, such as a blood sample, which is tested for one or more biomarkers. Based upon the results of the tests, the patient's risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia may be assessed. When the patient is found to be at risk, the patient may receive an implantable medical device or drug therapy to address the risk.

Abstract: The invention is a method for identifying proteins associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) and for assessing a patient's risk of SCD by determining the amount of one or more SCD-associated proteins in the patient. Typically, the patient submits a sample, such as a blood sample, which is tested for one or more SCD-associated proteins. Based upon the results of the tests, the patient's risk of SCD may be assessed.

Abstract: Variations in certain genomic sequences useful as genetic markers of Sudden Cardiac Death (“SCD”), or Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) risk, are described. Novel genetic markers useful in assessing the risk of SCD, or SCA, and kits containing the same are provided herein. Methods of distinguishing patients having an increased susceptibility to SCD, or SCA, through use of these markers, alone or in combination with other markers, are also provided. Further, methods of assessing the need for an Implantable Cardio Defibrillators (“ICD”) in a patient are taught.

Abstract: Variations in certain genomic sequences useful as genetic markers of Sudden Cardiac Death (“SCD”), or Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) risk, are described. Novel diagnostic kits and methods employing these genetic markers are used in assessing the risk of SCD, or SCA. Methods of distinguishing patients having an increased susceptibility to SCD, or SCA, through use of these markers, alone or in combination with other markers, are also provided. Further, methods of assessing the need for an Implantable Cardio Defibrillators (“ICD”) in a patient are taught.

Abstract: Activation of an enzyme in a bodily fluid is detected based on the amount of cleavage of a substrate for the enzyme. The substrate is tagged with two fluorescent dyes—a donor and an acceptor. The tagged substrate is presented to the bodily fluid. A device emits energy at a first wavelength into the bodily fluid, and detects energy at second and third wavelengths emitted by the dyes in response to the energy at the first wavelength. Prior to enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the acceptor emits energy at the third wavelength in response to energy at the second wavelength received through fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) from the donor. After enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the donor emits energy at the second wavelength. The device can determine the concentration of activated enzyme within the bodily fluid based on the relative intensities of energy at the second and third wavelengths.

Abstract: Activation of an enzyme in a bodily fluid is detected based on the amount of cleavage of a substrate for the enzyme. The substrate is tagged with two fluorescent dyes—a donor and an acceptor. The tagged substrate is presented to the bodily fluid. A device emits energy at a first wavelength into the bodily fluid, and detects energy at second and third wavelengths emitted by the dyes in response to the energy at the first wavelength. Prior to enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the acceptor emits energy at the third wavelength in response to energy at the second wavelength received through fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) from the donor. After enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the donor emits energy at the second wavelength. The device can determine the concentration of activated enzyme within the bodily fluid based on the relative intensities of energy, at the second and third wavelengths.

Abstract: Heart pacing systems include at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a primary pacemaker, and at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a backup pacemaker. When implanted, the primary pacemaker(s) produce primary pacing stimuli that modulate cardiac function. The backup pacemaker(s) provide backup pacing stimuli when the electronic pacemaker is unable to modulate cardiac function at the predetermined pacing rate. The heart pacing systems are implemented by implantation in regions where they can provide pacing stimuli to cardiac tissue.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to methods for electrically stimulating transplanted biological material, such as transplanted cells, to improve the performance of the heart during systole. In particular, the invention is directed to devices and techniques for stimulating biological material transplanted in a myocardium of a heart during an ejection phase of a cardiac cycle. The transplanted biological material may include cells, such as skeletal myoblasts, precursor cells, endothelial cells, differentiated or undifferentiated stem cells, undifferentiated contractile cells, fibroblasts and genetically engineered cells. In general, stimulation of the transplanted biological material during the ejection phase of the cardiac cycle, when the aortic and pulmonary valves are open, provides hemodynamic assistance to the heart.

Abstract: A method and device are described to form a sensor using a cardiomyocyte by advancing a catheter into the tissue of interest, cardiac in the preferred embodiment, and using the catheter to ablate a cone- or a dome-shaped region to form an electrically isolated section of tissue. An electrode is later fixed to the region encompassed by the dome-shaped area of tissue and used to detect the electrophysiological activity of this electrically independent cluster of cells. These cells combined with the electrode and a detection circuitry will form a cell-based sensor to monitor the effects of the anti-arrhythmic drugs in the circulation. The inventive device includes an ablation catheter and a sensing lead. Catheter is a hollow conductor which used to carry RF power from the external generator to the myocardium and to form a cone-shaped ablation zone to electrically isolate a part of myocardium from the rest.

Abstract: An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated and/or differentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient's myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient's myocardium or otherwise damaged or diseased myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode array is described. The electrode array can include multiple electrode sets, and can be connected by a single lead to an implantable pulse generator. The implantable pulse generator can drive one set of electrodes to one potential, and another set to a different potential. When implanted in target tissue, the electrodes can stimulate the target tissue while avoiding stimulation of neighboring muscles, organs or nerves.

Abstract: An electrode assembly is described that can be implanted in target tissue of a living body. The electrode assembly includes an introduction needle, a flexible leader coupled to the introduction needle, and an elongated electrode with fixation mechanisms on its proximal and distal ends. The introduction needle includes a visible marker that is a fixed distance from the pointed tip of the needle. This distance is approximately the same as the length of the electrode. During implantation, a surgeon penetrates the tissue with the introduction needle, thereby creating a tract in the tissue, and drives the needle in the tissue up to the marker, then perforates the tissue to cause the needle to emerge. This creates a tract that is approximately the same length as the electrode. The electrode can be pulled into the tract, where the fixation mechanisms resist migration from the tract.