Abstract: Embodiments are directed to apparatus and methods of minimizing current drain of an implantable medical device during wireless communication with the device, thereby reducing battery depletion of the device. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device comprises a wireless receiver configured to communicate wirelessly with an external transmitter of an external device via a plurality of communication channels each having a different frequency within a frequency band. The wireless receiver comprises a wideband receiver circuit configured to detect a signal from any of the plurality of communication channels at the different frequencies within the frequency band simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods of minimizing current drain of an implantable medical device during wireless communication with the device, thereby reducing battery depletion of the device. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device comprises a wireless receiver configured to communicate wirelessly with an external transmitter of an external device via a plurality of communication channels each having a different frequency within a frequency band. The wireless receiver comprises a wideband receiver circuit configured to detect a signal from any of the plurality of communication channels at the different frequencies within the frequency band simultaneously.

Abstract: A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The monitoring device may include a telemetry unit that transmits physiological measurement data to a local data collection system (e.g., carried by the patient or located in the patient's home), which may re-transmit the data to a remote data collection system (e.g., located at a physician's office or clinic) via a suitable communication link.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing power in pressure monitoring devices are provided. The method includes monitoring a physiological function, detecting a need for an adjustment in therapy, and qualifying the need for an adjustment in therapy. Qualifying the need for an adjustment in therapy includes transmitting a signal requesting a pressure measurement based on the detected need for an adjustment in therapy, applying power to a pressure sensor and measuring pressure. The method further includes adjusting therapy when the measured pressure confirms the detected need for an adjustment in therapy.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and associated methods are disclosed. In one implementation, the implantable medical device comprises a conductive housing and a remote electrode that is mechanically coupled to the conductive housing by a lead body. An amplifier is electrically connected to the remote electrode and the conductive housing for providing a signal representative of a voltage difference between the remote electrode and the conductive housing. In some methods in accordance with the present invention, the implantable medical device is implanted in an implant site overlaying one half of a rib cage of a human body. The implantable medical device produces a signal representative of the voltage difference between the remote electrode and the conductive housing and the signal is transmitted to a receiver located outside the human body.

Abstract: Embodiment of the invention provide a technique for detecting endoleakage of an abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) stent graft on a relatively frequent basis at home or the clinic without the safety risks and/or costs associated with current approaches. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting leakage in an AAA graft comprises: an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes distributed over and coupled with a surface of the AAA graft; and an electrical circuit configured to generate a stimulus voltage or current to be applied between sets of the plurality of electrodes of the electrode array and measure an impedance between the sets of the plurality of electrodes. The sets of electrodes for measuring the impedance are same as or different from the sets of electrodes for applying the stimulus voltage or current. A leakage is detected by a decrease in the impedance measured by the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The monitoring device may include a telemetry unit that transmits physiological measurement data to a local data collection system (e.g., carried by the patient or located in the patient's home), which may re-transmit the data to a remote data collection system (e.g., located at a physician's office or clinic) via a suitable communication link.

Abstract: A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The monitoring device may include a telemetry unit that transmits physiological measurement data to a local data collection system (e.g., carried by the patient or located in the patient's home), which may re-transmit the data to a remote data collection system (e.g., located at a physician's office or clinic) via a suitable communication link.

Abstract: A device measures pressures in animals and humans and includes a pressure transmission catheter (PTC) filled with a pressure transmitting medium and implantable in an area in having a physiological pressure. A transducer communicates with the pressure transmitting medium to provide a pressure signal representing variations in the physiologic pressure on electrical wires. A connecting catheter carries the electrical wires to signal processing and telemetry circuitry, which transmits a telemetry signal representing the pressure signal to a receiver external to the animal or human. A housing holds the signal processing and telemetry circuitry, but the transducer is remote from the housing. The device is particularly useful in measuring venous pressure, pulmonary pressure, bladder pressure, or intracranial pressure without significant head pressure artifact and with a sufficient dynamic response. One embodiment of the PTC includes a multi-durometer stem.

Abstract: A system and method involve transceiving successive first and second synchronization signals defining endpoints of a frame. A digital signal is transceived by a modulating time interval between portions of the first and second synchronization signals. A first data pulse is transceived during the frame. A relative position in the frame of the first data pulse represents a first analog signal.

Abstract: A vascular access port system including means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle. The detecting and indicating means may be carried in whole or in part by one of or both of the needle and/or the vascular access port. The detecting and indicating means may utilize a conductive needle, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, a Hall effect sensor, an electric field, a magnetic field, or an inductor, for example, for detection purposes. The vascular access port system permits the practitioner to confirm that the needle has been correctly inserted into the VAP, and notifies the patient and/or practitioner if the needle has been accidentally withdrawn.

Abstract: A vascular access port system including circuits for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle. The detecting and indicating circuits may be carried in whole or in part by one of or both of the needle and/or the vascular access port. The detecting and indicating circuits may utilize a conductive needle, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, a Hall effect sensor, an electric field, a magnetic field, or an inductor, for example, for detection purposes. The vascular access port system permits the practitioner to confirm that the needle has been correctly inserted into the VAP, and notifies the patient and/or practitioner if the needle has been accidentally withdrawn.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices and associated methods are disclosed. In one implementation, the implantable medical device comprises a conductive housing and a remote electrode that is mechanically coupled to the conductive housing by a lead body. An amplifier is electrically connected to the remote electrode and the conductive housing for providing a signal representative of a voltage difference between the remote electrode and the conductive housing. In some methods in accordance with the present invention, the implantable medical device is implanted in an implant site overlaying one half of a rib cage of a human body. The implantable medical device produces a signal representative of the voltage difference between the remote electrode and the conductive housing and the signal is transmitted to a receiver located outside the human body.

Abstract: A system and method involve transceiving successive first and second synchronization signals defining endpoints of a frame. A digital signal is transceived by a modulating time interval between portions of the first and second synchronization signals. A first data pulse is transceived during the frame. A relative position in the frame of the first data pulse represents a first analog signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring intravascular pressure of a patient. The system includes a pressure sensor and catheter assembly having a pressure sensor portion and a transdermal catheter portion. The transdermal catheter portion has a fluid filled lumen and a distal barrier to maintain patency. A transmitter unit may be connected to the pressure sensor portion via a lead. The transmitter unit transmits pressure data to a remote receiver unit that may communicate (directly or indirectly) with a cable management device, a data acquisition device, a monitoring instrument, a computer, a modem, a telecommunication line, a network, etc. In addition, the system may include means to correct for pressure variations due to any difference in elevation between the sensor assembly and the heart.

Abstract: An implantable sensor device, such as a pressure monitor, is implanted in the left ventricle (LV), in other heart chambers, or elsewhere, from which it wirelessly communicates pressure information to a remote communication device. The sensor device can be implanted using a placement catheter, an endoscope, or a laparoscope. The device can be secured entirely within the LV or heart wall, such as by using a corkscrew, a helical anchor, a harpoon, a threaded member, a hook, a barb, a fastener, a suture, or a mesh or coating for receiving fibrous tissue growth. The implantable sensor device provides less invasive chronic measurements of left ventricular blood pressure or other physical parameters. The wireless communication techniques include radio-telemetry, inductive coupling, passive transponders, and using the body as a conductor (referred to as “intracorporeal conductive communication” or a “personal area network”). Data from the receiver is downloadable into a computer for analysis or display.

Abstract: A vascular access port system including means for detecting and indicating the presence or absence of a needle. The detecting and indicating means may be carried in whole or in part by one of or both of the needle and/or the vascular access port. The detecting and indicating means may utilize a conductive needle, a mechanical switch, a magnetic switch, a Hall effect sensor, an electric field, a magnetic field, or an inductor, for example, for detection purposes. The vascular access port system permits the practitioner to confirm that the needle has been correctly inserted into the VAP, and notifies the patient and/or practitioner if the needle has been accidentally withdrawn.

Abstract: A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The monitoring device may include a telemetry unit that transmits physiological measurement data to a local data collection system (e.g., carried by the patient or located in the patient's home), which may re-transmit the data to a remote data collection system (e.g., located at a physician's office or clinic) via a suitable communication link.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments present improved catheters with physiological sensors. In one embodiment, the catheter includes, generally, a pressure transducer/electronics assembly connected to a pressure transmission catheter. The pressure transmission catheter includes a hollow tube made from a low compliance material. The distal end of the hollow tube is filled with a gel-like material or plug which acts as a barrier between the catheter liquid and the target fluid. The hollow tube is partially filled with a low viscosity liquid and is in fluid communication with the gel-like material and the pressure transducer. The pressure of the target fluid is transmitted to the liquid in the hollow tube through the gel-like material and/or the wall of the distal tip and is fluidically transmitted to the pressure transducer. The pressure transmission catheter is capable of being inserted into a vessel lumen or inserted into a lumen of a therapeutic or diagnostic catheter for biomedical applications.