Abstract: The present technology relates to shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a method for monitoring a shunting element implanted in a patient and having a lumen fluidly coupling two body regions. The method can comprise applying an electrical input to a first contact region and a second contact region of the shunting element. The method can also include measuring an electrical output that results from the electrical input. The method can further include calculating, via the processor, an electrical parameter associated with the shunting element based, at least in part, on the electrical output. The electrical parameter can vary based on a size of the lumen of the shunting element. The method can determine, via the processor, the size of a portion of the lumen based, at least in part, on the electrical parameter.

Abstract: The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a method for monitoring a shunting element implanted in a patient and having a lumen fluidly coupling cavities of the patient's heart. The method can comprise obtaining first and second radiographic images of at least two radiopaque elements associated with the lumen of the shunting element. A spatial relationship between the radiopaque elements varies according to a size of the lumen. The first radiographic image can be taken from a first viewing angle and the second radiographic image can be taken from a second viewing angle generally orthonormal to the first viewing an The method also includes determining the size of the lumen based, at least in part. on locations of the radiopaque elements in the first and second radiographic images.

Abstract: The present technology includes systems and methods for invasively adjusting implantable devices for selectively controlling fluid flow between a first body region and a second body region of a patient. For example, in many of the embodiments described herein, a catheter can be used to mechanically and/or electrically engage an implanted medical device. Once the catheter engages the medical device, the catheter can (i) increase a dimension associated with the medical device, such as through mechanical expansion forces, and/or (ii) decrease a dimension associated with the medical device, such as by heating a shape memory component of the medical device above a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical systems that can include a first implantable device, a second implantable device, and a communication assembly that extends between and physically couples the first device and the second device. The first device can include one or more first electronic components, and the second device can include one or more second electronic components. The communication assembly can include (a) one or more first wires that are configured to wirelessly receive data from, and/or wirelessly transmit data to, a third device positioned external to the patient, and (b) one or more second wires that are configured to conductively transfer power between the first electronic components and the second electronic components. In some embodiments, the one or more first wires have a helical configuration, and the one or more second wires have a linear configuration and extend within the one or more first wires.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to implantable medical devices comprising an electrical circuit for powering one or more active components of the device, such as an actuation element, an engine, or a sensor. The electrical circuit can include one or more inductors having a plurality of receiving coils that generate a current in response to being exposed to an electromagnetic field. The current generated by the receiving coils can be used to directly or indirectly power the one or more active components. The inductors can have one or more wires having a non-concentric configuration such that, in addition to generating the current for powering the device, the receiving coils also anchor a portion of the device when it is implanted. For example, the receiving coils can be at least partially composed of a superelastic material such that they exhibit superelastic properties at body temperature.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to shunting systems having shape memory actuation elements that can selectively change a geometry of a shunting element to affect the flow of fluid therethrough. In some embodiments, the shape memory actuation elements are incorporated as part of an onboard resonant circuit. Activating the resonant circuit causes current to flow through the shape memory actuation element, thereby resistively heating the shape memory actuation element.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac pressure monitoring devices, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes an intracardiac pressure monitoring device including a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within a heart chamber of a patient. The device further includes a barrier structure operably coupled to the pressure sensor and configured to prevent tissue overgrowth over the pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical devices and associated methods. For example, a system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include a body implantable into a patient and configured to undergo a shape change, the body having a conductive path with variable conductivity in portions thereof for selective and/or preferential heating. The body can be coupled with an energy source that can delivery energy to the body and/or conductive path, to promote the shape change in the body.

Abstract: The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes interatrial shunting systems that include a shunting element having a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to fluidly couple the left atrium and the right atrium when the shunting element is implanted in a patient. The system can also include an energy receiving component for receiving energy from an energy source positioned external to the body, an energy storage component for storing the received energy, and/or a flow control mechanism for adjusting a geometry of the lumen.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac sensors and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a device for monitoring pressure within a patient's heart. The device can include an implantable capacitor having a capacitance value that is variable based on the pressure within the patient's heart and a sensing circuit configured to measure the capacitance value. The device can also include an implantable inductor and a power circuit configured to wirelessly receive power from an external source via the inductor. When the device is in a first configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the sensing circuit and the inductor can be electrically coupled to the power circuit. When the device is in a second configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the inductor to form a resonant circuit.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to adjustable shunting systems having a shunting element, a shape memory actuator, and a lumen extending therethrough for transporting fluid. The shape memory actuator can have a plurality of struts proximate the shunting element and a plurality of projections extending from the plurality of struts. In operation, the shape memory actuator can be used to adjust a geometry of the lumen. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that (a) any strain in the shape memory actuator is concentrated in the struts, and/or (b) the struts experience greater resistive heating than the projections when an electrical current is applied to the actuator.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical devices and associated methods. For example, a system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include a body implantable into a patient and configured to undergo a shape change, the body having a conductive path with variable conductivity in portions thereof for selective and/ or preferential heating. The body can be coupled with an energy source that can delivery energy to the body and/or conductive path, to promote the shape change in the body.

Abstract: The present technology relates to power management for interatrial shunting systems. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a system for shunting blood between a left atrium and a right atrium of a patient. The system can include a shunting element and a plurality of active electronic components operably coupled to the shunting element. At least some of the active electronic components have different power consumption characteristics. The system also includes a plurality of energy storage components, with some of the energy storage components have different characteristics. During operation, the system is configured to receive a signal indicating that an active electronic component is to be operated, and select an energy storage component associated with power output characteristics capable of accommodating the power consumption characteristics of the active electronic component.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac sensors and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a device for monitoring pressure within a patient's heart. The device can include an implantable capacitor having a capacitance value that is variable based on the pressure within the patients heart and a sensing circuit configured to measure the capacitance value. The device can also include an implantable inductor and a power circuit configured to wirelessly receive power from an external source via the inductor. When the device is in a first configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the sensing circuit and the inductor can be electrically coupled to the power circuit. When the device is in a second configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the inductor to form a resonant circuit.

Abstract: The present technology includes systems and methods for invasively adjusting implantable devices for selectively controlling fluid flow between a first body region and a second body region of a patient. For example, in many of the embodiments described herein, a catheter can be used to mechanically and/or electrically engage an implanted medical device. Once the catheter engages the medical device, the catheter can (i) increase a dimension associated with the medical device, such as through mechanical expansion forces, and/or (ii) decrease a dimension associated with the medical device, such as by heating a shape memory component of the medical device above a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac pressure monitoring devices, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a device for monitoring pressure within a patient's heart. The device can include a pressure sensor configured to reside within a first chamber of a heart of a patient, and a pressure transmission element configured to extend from the first chamber through a septal wall to a second chamber of the heart of the patient. When the device is implanted in the patient's heart, the pressure transmission element is configured to transmit pressure from the second chamber to the pressure sensor residing within the first chamber.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac sensors and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a device for monitoring pressure within a patient's heart. The device can include an implantable capacitor having a capacitance value that is variable based on the pressure within the patients heart and a sensing circuit configured to measure the capacitance value. The device can also include an implantable inductor and a power circuit configured to wirelessly receive power from an external source via the inductor. When the device is in a first configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the sensing circuit and the inductor can be electrically coupled to the power circuit. When the device is in a second configuration, the capacitor can be electrically coupled to the inductor to form a resonant circuit.

Abstract: The present technology relates to interatrial shunting systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes interatrial shunting systems that include a shunting element having a lumen extending therethrough that is configured to fluidly couple the left atrium and the right atrium when the shunting element is implanted in a patient. The system can also include an energy receiving component for receiving energy from an energy source positioned external to the body, an energy storage component for storing the received energy, and/or a flow control mechanism for adjusting a geometry of the lumen.

Abstract: The present technology relates to intracardiac pressure monitoring devices, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the present technology includes a device for monitoring pressure within a patient's heart. The device can include a pressure sensor configured to reside within a first chamber of a heart of a patient, and a pressure transmission element configured to extend from the first chamber through a septal wall to a second chamber of the heart of the patient. When the device is implanted in the patient's heart, the pressure transmission element is configured to transmit pressure from the second chamber to the pressure sensor residing within the first chamber.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for supplying power to a medical device employ serially-connectable portable batteries. A method of supplying electrical power to a medical device includes discharging a first external battery to output electrical power to a second external battery. Distribution of the electrical power received by the second external battery is controlled to simultaneously charge the second external battery and output electrical power from the second external battery to supply electrical power to the medical device.