Abstract: A filter circuit embedded into a header of an implantable medical device attenuates energy that may otherwise enter the implantable medical device. At MRI frequencies, the impedance of the filter circuit is much higher than the impedance of the feedthrough capacitor of the implantable medical device. Thus, MRI-induced current that would otherwise enter the implantable medical device is limited by the filter circuit. Consequently, localized device heating that may otherwise occur during MRI scanning is significantly reduced by operation of the filter circuit. In some implementations, the header embedded filter circuit is electrically isolated from the header housing. In this way, localized heating of the header housing also may be avoided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a lead, a monitoring module, a multi-function conductive (MFC) coil, and a field detection module. The monitoring module identifies cardiac events based on the cardiac signals and directs stimulus pulses to be delivered to the heart through one or more electrodes connected to the lead. The MFC coil has an electric characteristic that varies based on exposure of the coil to an external magnetic field. The field detection module detects exposure of the coil to the external magnetic field by applying a field detection signal to the coil and identifying a change in the electric characteristic of the MFC coil. The field detection module switches operation of the monitoring module to an MR safe mode based on the change that is identified.

Abstract: An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The lead includes a first electrode and a first electrical circuit. The first electrode is near a distal portion of the lead. The first electrical circuit extends through the lead to the first electrode and includes at least one conductor and a first band stop filter coupled between the distal end of the conductor and the electrode. The first band stop filter includes a first group of inductors in parallel and a second group of inductors in parallel. The first group is in series with the second group. The first group of inductors may include a self resonant L. The first group of inductors may include a self resonant tank LC. The first group of inductors may include a miniature self resonant L or miniature self resonant tank LC. The first group of inductors may include an integrated circuit of L and C components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for measuring the dilatation and effacement of the uterine cervix in a manner that is non-invasive to the cervix. The system having a probe and a monitoring unit serve to measure the cervix dimensions during routine clinical visits and is also suitable for personal checkup at home. The probe primarily includes a camera for imaging the cervix and a set of circles of different diameters imprinted on the imaging window of the probe. The probe is inserted into the vagina until its imaging window abuts the cervix. The system captures and displays images of the cervix opening superimposed with the set of concentric circles, which allows the user to perform a visual comparison and determine the diameter of the opening. The probe may also include an ultrasonic transducer operating in pulse-echo mode to measure the thickness of the cervix and determine its effacement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a minimally invasive system and method for monitoring changes in a cervix opening during labor, including changes in its diameter. The system having a probe and a monitoring unit serve to monitor periodically the cervix opening during labor and obtain measurements of the diameter of the cervix opening. The probe primarily includes a camera for imaging the cervix opening, a lens to provide an optimal field of view for the camera at close range to the cervix opening, a light source to illuminate the cervix and a balloon to expand the vagina around the probe and position the probe to allow unobstructed imaging of the cervix. The monitoring unit which controls the probe to acquire images of the cervix and receives and processes image data from the probe includes a processor which uses image segmentation techniques to identify and measure the opening of the cervix and generates data signals.