Abstract: A multilayer strand steel wire rope production device is provided. A pre-former is fixed on a drum, and a specific position of the pre-former is defined, a center strand payoff spool and a plurality of outer winding strand payoff spools are provided in the drum. The first wire guide mechanism is close to the corresponding outer winding strand payoff spool. One end of the outer surface of the drum away from the first wire guide mechanism is provided with a second wire guide mechanism, and a hub is additionally provided and located on one side of the drum close to the second wire guide mechanism; outer winding strands drawn from the plurality of outer winding strand payoff spools sequentially pass the first wire guide mechanism, the pre-former, and the second wire guide mechanism, and are guided to the hub for gathering to complete strand wire twisting.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device for reporting a heart failure status of a patient comprises: a parameter acquisition module configured to acquire at least one trended heart failure parameter; a predetermined event acquisition module configured to acquire at least one predetermined event corresponding to the at least one trended heart failure parameter, wherein each of the at least one predetermined event represents an event condition where a predetermined event definition is satisfied; an alert acquisition module configured to acquire at least one heart failure status alert associated with the at least one predetermined event, wherein each of the at least one alert represents an alert condition where a predetermined alert definition is satisfied; and an output communication module configured to communicate the at least one heart failure status alert.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for using environmental data to manage health care are disclosed. One aspect is an advanced patient management system. In various embodiments, the system includes at least one implantable medical device (IMD) to acquire at least one IMD parameter indicative of patient wellness, means to acquire at least one environmental parameter from at least one external source, and means to correlate the at least one parameter indicative of patient wellness and the at least one environmental parameter to assist with patient health care decisions. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Disordered breathing events may be classified as central, obstructive or a combination of central an obstructive in origin based on patient motion associated with respiratory effort. Central disordered breathing is associated with disrupted respiration with reduced respiratory effort. Obstructive disordered breathing is associated with disrupted respiration accompanied by respiratory effort. A disordered breathing classification system includes a disordered breathing detector and a respiratory effort motion sensor. Components of the disordered breathing classification system may be fully or partially implantable.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for using environmental data to manage health care are disclosed. One aspect is an advanced patient management system. In various embodiments, the system includes at least one implantable medical device (IMD) to acquire at least one IMD parameter indicative of patient wellness, means to acquire at least one environmental parameter from at least one external source, and means to correlate the at least one parameter indicative of patient wellness and the at least one environmental parameter to assist with patient health care decisions. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for using environmental data to manage health care are disclosed. One aspect is an advanced patient management system. In various embodiments, the system includes at least one implantable medical device (IMD) to acquire at least one IMD parameter indicative of patient wellness, means to acquire at least one environmental parameter from at least one external source, and means to correlate the at least one parameter indicative of patient wellness and the at least one environmental parameter to assist with patient health care decisions. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device for reporting a heart failure status of a patient comprises: a parameter acquisition module configured to acquire at least one trended heart failure parameter; a predetermined event acquisition module configured to acquire at least one predetermined event corresponding to the at least one trended heart failure parameter, wherein each of the at least one predetermined event represents an event condition where a predetermined event definition is satisfied; an alert acquisition module configured to acquire at least one heart failure status alert associated with the at least one predetermined event, wherein each of the at least one alert represents an alert condition where a predetermined alert definition is satisfied; and an output communication module configured to communicate the at least one heart failure status alert.

Abstract: An embodiment of a device for reporting a heart failure status of a patient comprises: a parameter acquisition module configured to acquire at least one trended heart failure parameter; a predetermined event acquisition module configured to acquire at least one predetermined event corresponding to the at least one trended heart failure parameter, wherein each of the at least one predetermined event represents an event condition where a predetermined event definition is satisfied; an alert acquisition module configured to acquire at least one heart failure status alert associated with the at least one predetermined event, wherein each of the at least one alert represents an alert condition where a predetermined alert definition is satisfied; and an output communication module configured to communicate the at least one heart failure status alert.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system detects edema. In response to an episode of detected edema, it initiates or adjusts a cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy.

Abstract: According to one aspect, various methods and apparatus are used for treating a condition of a patient's heart, and for monitoring cardiac operation. In one approach consistent therewith, an electrode arrangement is placed in a right ventricle of the heart. The electrode arrangement is used to capture the myocardium for re-synchronization of the left and right ventricles by providing first and second signal components having opposite polarity on respective electrodes. The electrode arrangement is connected to an implantable CRM device that has the capability of pacing/sensing atrium, pacing/sensing ventricles, and deliver defibrillation therapy from the right side of the heart. The CRM device captures ventricular contractions to treat conduction abnormalities in one or more of the ventricles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods and devices for cardiac applications. One such device is directed to a catheter, and uses thereof, for capturing myocardium of a heart by delivering pacing signals to a location in the heart. The location is near a His Bundle of the heart. The catheter has a proximal end for interfacing with an electrical pacing signal source and a distal end. The distal end includes a fixation mechanism that attaches the catheter to heart tissue. First and second electrodes are also located at the distal end. Each electrode is individually addressable for providing pacing signals to the heart tissue and also arranged to physically contact the heart tissue when the fixation mechanism is attached to the heart tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. in this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, devices and arrangements are implemented for use in pacing of the heart. One implementation is directed to methods and systems for determining a pacing location in the right ventricle of a heart and near the His bundle. A pacing signal is delivered to the location in the right ventricle. The pacing signal produces a capture of a left ventricle. Properties of the capture are monitored. Results of the monitored capture are used to assess the effectiveness of the delivered pacing signal as a function of heart function. The heart function can be, for example, at least one of a QRS width, fractionation and a timing of electrical stimulation of a late activation site of a left ventricle relative to the QRS.

Abstract: A sleep quality assessment approach involves collecting data based on detected physiological or non-physiological patient conditions. At least one of detecting patient conditions and collecting data is performed using an implantable device. Sleep quality may be evaluated using the collected data by an implantable or patient-external sleep quality processor. One approach to sleep quality evaluation involves computing one or more summary metrics based on occurrences of movement disorders or breathing disorders during sleep.

Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods and devices for cardiac applications including those relating to pacing devices. One such device is directed to a cardiac rhythm therapy (CRT) device designed for dual chamber pacing using two pacing signals each having a positive and negative component that has been modified for single chamber pacing. The device comprises a first output that connects to a pacing lead; a second output that connects to the pacing lead; a third output that connects to a reference point; and electrical circuitry connecting the second electrical connection to the first output, the third electrical connection to the second output, and the first and fourth electrical connections to the third output.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and arrangements are implemented in connection with ventricular pacing. One such method relates to a method for use in connection with ventricular pacing of a left ventricle of a heart from a pacing lead located in the right ventricle. Ventricular function of the heart is sensed. The sensed ventricular function is used to determine whether a conduction abnormality exists. The ventricular pacing is provided in response to determining a conduction abnormality exists and the ventricular pacing is inhibited in response to determining a conduction abnormality does not exist.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a condition of a patient's heart includes placing a first electrode and/or a second electrode in a right ventricle of the heart. In one example, a reference electrode is placed within the patient and internal or external to the heart. A pacing signal is generated including a first signal component, a second signal component and a reference component with the first and second signal components having opposite polarity and with both of the first and second components having a potential relative to the reference component. The pacing signal and the placement of the electrodes are selected to alter a contraction of a left ventricle of the heart.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain methods, apparatus, and processor-readable mediums that may be used to treat a conduction abnormality of the heart. In one example, the apparatus includes an implantable pacing profile generator configured to generate a specified pacing electrostimulation profile for delivery to a heart via electrodes located near a septal region of the right ventricle of the heart near the His bundle, the pacing profile including a first pulse for delivery via a first electrode; and a second pulse for delivery via a second electrode; and wherein the first and second pulses are at least partially concurrent in time and opposite in polarity to each other.

Abstract: Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions involving use of a catheter for pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by delivering pulses to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a catheter arrangement includes a fixation mechanism to attach the catheter arrangement to heart tissue, individually-addressable electrodes for providing pacing signals to the heart tissue, and an elongated structure that supports the fixation mechanism and the electrodes.