Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.

Abstract: A computer-based detection method employable with a sleeping subject for aiding in the differential-character diagnosis and treatments of apneic events includes gathering heart-sound data, including S1 data and S2 data. A combined time-frequency-intensity (TFI) analysis, of the gathered data is performed, in a continuous manner, over a selected time period. Based on the performing and the performed TFI analysis, an output is produced which is indicative of the presence and character of any detected apneic event.

Abstract: A system, operatively connectable both to a cardiac-rhythm-management (CRM) subject, and to a CRM device associated with that subject, and an associated method, operable, in relation to received-and-processed, real-time, CRM-subject-specific, simultaneous ECG and heart-sound information, and other information including measurement time markers where available, for blocking, under all circumstances during the ventricular relative refractory period lying within each of successive CRM-subject cardiac cycles occupying a span of such cycles, the ventricular pacing activity of the subject-associated CRM device—the beginning and ending of such blocking in each cardiac cycle being system-defined to lie preferably, and respectively, (a) within the real-time, ventricular depolarization window in the cycle, and (b) at the time of the real-time, S2 heart-sound, plus or minus any user-defined time-delta.

Abstract: A vector method for monitoring a subject's hemodynamic condition including (a) utilizing at least one, external or internal, anatomy-attached, three-axis accelerometer, collecting from the subject, during a selected cardiac cycle, related, three-orthogonal-axes accelerometer signal data, (b) following such collecting, processing collected signal data to obtain associated, signal vector, magnitude and directionality information, and (c) analyzing such obtained vector information for assessment of the subject's heart hemodynamic condition. ECG and signal time-frequency data is also collected and used in certain manners and implementations of the invention.

Abstract: A computer method, employable during an at-rest period of a pacemaker patient, for controlling the operation of the pacemaker so as maximally to support the patient's hemodynamic behavior in a context involving inhibiting fluid overload. The method involves (a) collecting simultaneously occurring ECG and heart-sound information, (b) processing the collected information to obtain at least S3 data, and in certain instances also EMAT and/or % LVST data, (c) utilizing such obtained data, and during the at-rest period, applying (a) pacing rate, (b) pacing intensity, (c) atrio-ventricular delay, and (d) inter-ventricular delay control to the pacemaker.

Abstract: A method for acquiring, externally or internally, for utility purposes a subject's anatomical heart-sound information including (a) for a selected time period, applying continuous, near-sensor-mechanical-resonance, vibratory stimulation to an acoustic sensor placed on or within the subject's anatomy, and (b) during that time period, detecting, as direct indications of heart sounds, changes in the sensor's physical resonance properties produced by heart sounds arriving at the sensor.

Abstract: Methodology involving assessing, and applying therapy regarding, degree of ischemia and risk for sudden cardiac death in a therapy-device-equipped subject utilizing a Holter-type instrumentality. The methodology includes (a) gathering simultaneous ECG and heart-sound data, (b) computer processing and interrelating the gathered data to obtain one or more heart-functionality parameter(s), focusing on LDPT and % LVST, and (c), using these obtained parameters, adjusting, as necessary, the therapy device so as to minimize and counteract the likelihood of the onset or advancement of ischemia, and/or the onset of sudden cardiac death.

Abstract: A method for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic condition. The method offers an important option and capability for automatic, and/or manual, medical-treatment and/or pacemaker-control feedback, in real time, to improve a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic status, with such a patient's resulting hemodynamic-behavioral/status changes caused by such feedback being viewable immediately in the invention's produced output display.

Abstract: A method of providing mechanical assistance to the onset of heart-pumping activity includes selecting anatomical structure adjacent the heart which may be stimulated to produce in the selected anatomical structure motion which may be delivered as driving force to the heart in relation to heart-pumping activity; control-stimulating that selected anatomical structure in a pre-determined timed relationship with respect to the normal, expected, heart-pumping onset; and by such stimulating, and utilizing the selected anatomical structure, drivingly assisting the heart-pumping onset activity.

Abstract: A vector method for monitoring a subject's hemodynamic condition including (a) utilizing at least one, external or internal, anatomy-attached, three-axis accelerometer, collecting from the subject, during a selected cardiac cycle, related, three-orthogonal-axes accelerometer signal data, (b) following such collecting, processing collected signal data to obtain associated, signal vector, magnitude and directionality information, and (c) analyzing such obtained vector information for assessment of the subject's heart hemodynamic condition. ECG and signal time-frequency data is also collected and used in certain manners and implementations of the invention.

Abstract: A vector method for monitoring a subject's sleep-disordered breathing utilizing a single, anatomy-attached (anatomically outside or implanted inside), three-orthogonal-axis accelerometer(s), including the steps of (1) collecting from a sleeping subject three-orthogonal-axis data relating to at least one of sound data, subject posture, subject activity, snoring, and respiration, and (2) following such collecting, processing and analyzing collected data to detect associated, disordered breathing including assessing the presence of at least one of (a) sleep-disordered breathing generally, (b) sleep apnea specifically, and (c) differentiation between central and obstructive sleep apnea. Further involved is the acquiring of ECG data, and that the mentioned processing and analyzing include recognition of such acquired ECG data.

Abstract: A computer-based detection method employable with a sleeping subject for aiding in the differential-character diagnosis and treatments of apneic events includes gathering heart-sound data, including S1 data and S2 data. A combined time-frequency-intensity (TFI) analysis, of the gathered data is performed, in a continuous manner, over a selected time period. Based on the performing and the performed TFI analysis, an output is produced which is indicative of the presence and character of any detected apneic event.

Abstract: A system and a related methodology for gathering, during a selected time span, and from a common anatomical site, time-contemporaneous ECG-electrical and heart-sound signals including (1) processing such signals to effect (a) time-based, related ECG fiducials, and (b) systolic and diastolic heart-sound indicators, and (2) creating a reportable data stream which communicates such effected fiducials and indicators in a manner whereby time-based relationships between them, and non-time-based differentiation between systolic and diastolic heart-sound indicators, are made visually discernible. The methodology of the invention may also be implemented strictly for the gathering and processing of heart sounds.

Abstract: A method for acquiring, externally or internally, for utility purposes a subject's anatomical heart-sound information including (a) for a selected time period, applying continuous, near-sensor-mechanical-resonance, vibratory stimulation to an acoustic sensor placed on or within the subject's anatomy, and (b) during that time period, detecting, as direct indications of heart sounds, changes in the sensor's physical resonance properties produced by heart sounds arriving at the sensor.

Abstract: A computer-based, cardio-function cafeteria method for gathering, handling, observing and presenting cardio-function data from a selected subject patient, and for utilizing that data to effect constructive and corrective, data-trend-based, cardio-function intervention. The method features (a) gathering cardio-relevant, cardio-functionality data from a patient including, over extended time, selected-category, cardio-functionality trend data, (b) utilizing such trend data in an implemented feedback manner to effect real-time changes in the patient's cardio-functionality as evidenced by that gathered trend data, and (c), while so implementing the mentioned feedback utilization, continuing to gather and observe the same-category trend data so as to achieve, through appropriate, recurrent utilization feedback, and related constructive and corrective intervention, improved cardio-functionality in relation to the associated trend data.

Abstract: A computer method, employable during an at-rest period of a pacemaker patient, for controlling the operation of the pacemaker so as maximally to support the patient's hemodynamic behavior in a context involving inhibiting fluid overload. The method involves (a) collecting simultaneously occurring ECG and heart-sound information, (b) processing the collected information to obtain at least S3 data, and in certain instances also EMAT and/or % LVST data, (c) utilizing such obtained data, and during the at-rest period, applying (a) pacing rate, (b) pacing intensity, (c) atrio-ventricular delay, and (d) inter-ventricular delay control to the pacemaker.

Abstract: A method for assessing, and applying therapy in relation to, degree of ischemia and risk for sudden cardiac death in a therapy-device-equipped subject utilizing a Holter-type instrumentality, including (a) gathering simultaneous ECG and heart-sound data, (b) computer processing and interrelating the gathered data to obtain one or more heart-functionality parameter(s), such as LDPT, and (c) using the obtained parameter(s), adjusting, as necessary, the therapy device in a manner designed to minimize and counteract the likelihood of the onset or advancement of ischemia, and/or the onset of sudden cardiac death. Computer processing involves (1) calculating a real-time, acoustic cardiographic therapy (AC) value based on the obtained heart-functionality parameter(s), (2) comparing that calculated AC value to a pre-established, reference AC value to detect differences therebetween, and (3) performing therapy-device adjustment, as necessary so as to minimize such differences.

Abstract: A method of intentional on-again, off-again physiologic-demand heart pacing associated with at least one of (a) an implantable, and (b) an external, controllable/adjustable heart-pacing device having on and off states. The method involves gathering categories of a person's physiologic data, including ECG and heart-sound data, which are (a) relevant to that person's heart's pumping and filling functionalities, and (b) suitable for computing a selected acoustic cardiographic value; and based on such gathering and computing, and using a controlled combination of on and off states in the pacing device, recurrently adjusting the operation of that device, as necessary, so as to maintain a minimum difference between such a computed acoustic cardiographic value and a predetermined, reference acoustic cardiographic value.

Abstract: A method of providing mechanical assistance to the onset of heart-pumping activity includes selecting anatomical structure adjacent the heart which may be stimulated to produce in the selected anatomical structure motion which may be delivered as driving force to the heart in relation to heart-pumping activity; control-stimulating that selected anatomical structure in a pre-determined timed relationship with respect to the normal, expected, heart-pumping onset; and by such stimulating, and utilizing the selected anatomical structure, drivingly assisting the heart-pumping onset activity.