Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject is provided where at least two types of electrical stimulation are provided to cause diaphragm contraction. At least one type of stimulation is configured to bias lung volume of a subject. The stimulation method may include without being limited to a method to treat a subject having neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm. The stimulation method may also include without being limited to a method to treat a subject who has been diagnosed with central sleep apnea.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a variety of conditions, disorders or diseases with diaphragm/phrenic nerve stimulation is provided.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a subject is provided where electrical stimulation may be separately provided to each hemidiaphragm to cause diaphragm contraction. Fatigue may be avoided among other possible benefits. Each hemidiaphragm may also be stimulated with different stimulation parameters. Stimulation may be smoothly transitioned between hemidiaphragms. Such stimulation may provide an increase in functional residual capacity or other therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting and treating airflow limitations in a subject is provided. Levels of flow limited breathing may be differentiated. Obstruction versus flow limited breathing may be differentiated as well. The EMG complex characteristics may be used to detect obstruction or flow limited breathing. The power spectral density plot of the EMG may be used to detect obstruction or flow limited breathing.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting two or more event interval times associated with an arrhythmic condition, averaging event interval times to provide an average event interval time, providing a fraction and calling for delivery of an anti-arrhythmia shock at a delivery time based on the fraction and the average event interval time. In this exemplary method, the events optionally correspond to early coarse ventricular fibrillation events and the delivery time is optionally less than about three seconds from the detecting of a first event of a first event interval time. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Receiving an action potential signal associated with a myocardial contraction sensed at a myocardial site, receiving an action potential signal associated with the myocardial contraction sensed at a different myocardial site, comparing a common characteristics of each of the action potential signals wherein the common characteristics relates to at least one member selected from the group consisting of depolarization of tissue at the myocardial sites and repolarization of tissue at the myocardial sites, and, based on the comparing, deciding whether to call for anti-arrhythmia therapy.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting ventricular fibrillation, delivering a low voltage cardiac stimulus, determining whether the low voltage cardiac stimulus terminated the ventricular fibrillation, and delivering a higher voltage cardiac stimulus if the low voltage cardiac stimulus did not terminate the ventricular fibrillation. In one example, the delivering the low voltage cardiac stimulus occurs within approximately 10 event intervals from the detected onset of ventricular fibrillation; otherwise, delivery of an appropriate higher voltage cardiac stimulus occurs. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device provides a learned premature ventricular contraction density function responsive to detected premature ventricular contractions. A current premature ventricular contraction density is then compared to the learned premature ventricular contraction density function to derive an indication of a condition of a heart and/or to control therapy administered to the heart.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting ventricular fibrillation, delivering a low voltage cardiac stimulus, determining whether the low voltage cardiac stimulus terminated the ventricular fibrillation, and delivering a higher voltage cardiac stimulus if the low voltage cardiac stimulus did not terminate the ventricular fibrillation. In one example, the delivering the low voltage cardiac stimulus occurs within approximately 10 event intervals from the detected onset of ventricular fibrillation; otherwise, delivery of an appropriate higher voltage cardiac stimulus occurs. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for applying atrial therapy to a human heart using a defibrillator includes detecting an atrial arrhythmia and delivering electrical energy to at least one atrium in response to a detected atrial arrhythmia. A first atrial activation is detected after delivering the electrical energy, occurrence of a detected first atrial activation defining a first moment. Finally, a first pacing pulse is delivered to a number of locations within the atria when the first atrial activation is detected. The first pacing pulse is delivered at a second moment substantially synchronous with the first moment.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for therapeutic stimulating, augmenting, manipulating and/or controlling breathing, in combination with stimulation of auxiliary respiratory nerves or muscles including the upper airway tract, chest wall muscles or abdominal muscles. Stimulation may be provided, for example, to augment breathing or to prevent closing of the upper airway during therapeutic stimulation. Stimulation may be also provided to the Hypoglossal nerve during exhalation.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for improving upper airway functionality by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of a subject.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for controlling breathing of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for treating obstructive respiratory events by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the phrenic nerve or diaphragm to elicit a respiratory response.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for increasing the functional residual capacity of lungs of a subject by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve of the subject.

Abstract: A method for delivering cardiac therapy, particularly defibrillation therapy, using an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or other cardiac therapy device. The method can be used either alone or in conjunction with any other suitable defibrillation (or other cardiac) therapy regimen. If used in conjunction with a conventional or other suitable defibrillation therapy regimen, the method can be considered to precondition the heart in advance of delivery of the defibrillation shock(s), in order to reduce the defibrillation threshold (DFT), and thus reduce the overall energy required for delivery of effective defibrillation therapy. In either case, in accordance with the method, the voltage gradients (VGs) across a plurality of different regions of the heart are sensed, e.g., using an endocardial sensor array (ESA), and a respective plurality of electrograms (EGMs) are produced in respective EGM channels. The excitable gaps (i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for defibrillation utilizes a ratio of short and long window moving averages to provide optimum selection of the time for shock delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cardiac defibrillation which utilizes a lower voltage defibrillation output to depolarize the myocardial cells by providing a rapid sequence of defibrillation shocks synchronized with sensed sequential cardiac events or features during an arrhythmia. Each shock may be a conventional monophasic or biphasic pulse. Each of the shocks may be relatively short in duration, i.e. on the order of 0.5 to 3 milliseconds or may be relatively long, i.e. up to about 100 milliseconds. The amplifiers of the sensing circuitry are particularly adapted quickly recover to after each shock is delivered to allow synchronization of the next shock to the next cardiac feature. This is accomplished by using broad band amplifiers which have DC-baseline restoration capability in order to eliminate offsets caused by a preceding shock. A microprocessor in the pulse generator delivers a programmed number of pulses synchronized to the ECG.