Abstract: A system comprises an implantable medical device (IMD), a external user interface device, and a radio frequency link quality assessment (LQA) device. The external user interface device and the IMD are adapted to potentially use one or more of a plurality of available wireless communication channels to communicate. The LQA device is positioned to receive a radio frequency communication between the IMD and the external user interface device. At least one of the IMD, the external user interface device, and the LQA device is adapted to evaluate signal and noise strength of the available channels to determine respective signal and noise levels for each channel by using the noise level for the target channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel as inputs to a function to provide a value for a LQA for the target channel, and select a preferred communication channel based on the LQA value for each of the available wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A first chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a first transthoracic impedance signal received from a first chamber of a heart and a second chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a second transthoracic impedance signal received from a second chamber of the heart. A processor compares the minute ventilation rates to determine a rate. In one embodiment, an accelerometer sensor provides data for evaluating propriety of a rate. Before implementing a rate change, signals from multiple sensors are cross-checked.

Abstract: A system and method for repeating radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an RF repeater. According to various embodiments, the repeater includes a first antenna and a first communication circuit electrically connected to the first antenna. The first communication circuit is adapted to communicate with an IMD, the IMD including a built-in active telemetry transceiver, over a first channel. The device also includes a second antenna and a second communication circuit electrically connected to the second antenna. The second communication circuit is adapted to communicate with a programmer over a second channel different from the first channel. The device also includes a control circuit coupled to the first and second communication circuits. The control circuit is adapted to enable or disable the first and second communication circuits. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A minute ventilation sensing device in which transthoracic impedance is measured with voltage sense electrodes during injection of current by excitation current electrodes. The device is capable of operating with different configurations of voltage sense and excitation current electrodes. By computing a signal and/or noise level for a number of available configurations, the electrodes resulting in the highest signal-to-noise ratio may be selected for use by the device.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between implantable medical devices and an external device in a manner which increases the effective range over which such communications may take place. Devices are configured to relay communications from one device to another.

Abstract: A first chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a first transthoracic impedance signal received from a first chamber of a heart and a second chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a second transthoracic impedance signal received from a second chamber of the heart. A processor compares the minute ventilation rates to determine a rate. In one embodiment, an accelerometer sensor provides data for evaluating propriety of a rate. Before implementing a rate change, signals from multiple sensors are cross-checked.

Abstract: A system and method for repeating radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an RF repeater. According to various embodiments, the repeater includes a first antenna and a first communication circuit electrically connected to the first antenna. The first communication circuit is adapted to communicate with an IMD, the IMD including a built-in active telemetry transceiver, over a first channel. The device also includes a second antenna and a second communication circuit electrically connected to the second antenna. The second communication circuit is adapted to communicate with a programmer over a second channel different from the first channel. The device also includes a control circuit coupled to the first and second communication circuits. The control circuit is adapted to enable or disable the first and second communication circuits. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A first chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a first transthoracic impedance signal received from a first chamber of a heart and a second chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a second transthoracic impedance signal received from a second chamber of the heart. A processor compares the minute ventilation rates to determine a rate. In one embodiment, an accelerometer sensor provides data for evaluating propriety of a rate. Before implementing a rate change, signals from multiple sensors are cross-checked.

Abstract: A system and method for repeating radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an RF repeater. According to various embodiments, the repeater includes a first antenna and a first communication circuit electrically connected to the first antenna. The first communication circuit is adapted to communicate with an IMD, the IMD including a built-in active telemetry transceiver, over a first channel. The device also includes a second antenna and a second communication circuit electrically connected to the second antenna. The second communication circuit is adapted to communicate with a programmer over a second channel different from the first channel. The device also includes a control circuit coupled to the first and second communication circuits. The control circuit is adapted to enable or disable the first and second communication circuits. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing link quality for radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. An embodiment of the method includes measuring a plurality of available wireless communication channel potentially used to communicate between an implantable medical device (IMD) and a programmer to determine signal and noise levels for the channels. The method also includes storing the signal and noise levels. The method further includes processing the stored levels to determine the interference potential on the channels adjacent to the available channels. In this embodiment, the method also includes selecting a preferred communication channel based on a function of noise level for a target center channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A system comprises an implantable medical device (IMD), a external user interface device, and a radio frequency link quality assessment (LQA) device. The external user interface device and the IMD are adapted to potentially use one or more of a plurality of available wireless communication channels to communicate. The LQA device is positioned to receive a radio frequency communication between the IMD and the external user interface device. At least one of the IMD, the external user interface device, and the LQA device is adapted to evaluate signal and noise strength of the available channels to determine respective signal and noise levels for each channel by using the noise level for the target channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel as inputs to a function to provide a value for a LQA for the target channel, and select a preferred communication channel based on the LQA value for each of the available wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing link quality for radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. An embodiment of the method includes measuring a plurality of available wireless communication channel potentially used to communicate between an implantable medical device (IMD) and a programmer to determine signal and noise levels for the channels. The method also includes storing the signal and noise levels. The method further includes processing the stored levels to determine the interference potential on the channels adjacent to the available channels. In this embodiment, the method also includes selecting a preferred communication channel based on a function of noise level for a target center channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: An external interface device provides telemetry between an implantable apparatus and a remote device. The interface device includes a battery powered circuit and a wireless transceiver. A power supply of the remote device is isolated from the implantable apparatus by a wireless communication link.

Abstract: A minute ventilation sensing device in which transthoracic impedance is measured with voltage sense electrodes during injection of current by excitation current electrodes. The device is capable of operating with different configurations of voltage sense and excitation current electrodes. By computing a signal and/or noise level for a number of available configurations, the electrodes resulting in the highest signal-to-noise ratio may be selected for use by the device.

Abstract: A minute ventilation sensing device in which transthoracic impedance is measured with voltage sense electrodes during injection of current by excitation current electrodes. The device is capable of operating with different configurations of voltage sense and excitation current electrodes. By computing a signal and/or noise level for a number of available configurations, the electrodes resulting in the highest signal-to-noise ratio may be selected for use by the device.

Abstract: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between implantable medical devices and an external device in a manner which increases the effective range over which such communications may take place. Devices are configured to relay communications from one device to another.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing link quality for radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. An embodiment of the method includes measuring a plurality of available wireless communication channel potentially used to communicate between an implantable medical device (IMD) and a programmer to determine signal and noise levels for the channels. The method also includes storing the signal and noise levels. The method further includes processing the stored levels to determine the interference potential on the channels adjacent to the available channels. In this embodiment, the method also includes selecting a preferred communication channel based on a function of noise level for a target center channel and interference potential for corresponding adjacent channels to the target channel. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for repeating radio frequency (RF) transmissions between a programmer and an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an RF repeater. According to various embodiments, the repeater includes a first antenna and a first communication circuit electrically connected to the first antenna. The first communication circuit is adapted to communicate with an IMD, the IMD including a built-in active telemetry transceiver, over a first channel. The device also includes a second antenna and a second communication circuit electrically connected to the second antenna. The second communication circuit is adapted to communicate with a programmer over a second channel different from the first channel. The device also includes a control circuit coupled to the first and second communication circuits. The control circuit is adapted to enable or disable the first and second communication circuits. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for the automatic extension and retraction of an antenna for a pacemaker programmer. One embodiment of the apparatus includes an antenna in a shaft, a sensor, and a motor. The sensor detects the opening and closing of the display of the programmer and directs the motor to extend or retract the antenna. The present invention allows extension and retraction of the antenna, which allows full utilization of the antenna during use and protection of the antenna when not in use.

Abstract: Methods and systems involve selecting lead configurations in a pulse generator capture verification system. Capture threshold data is collected from at least one alternative electrode configuration. The capture threshold data from the at least one alternative electrode configuration is compared with capture threshold data collected using a primary electrode configuration. A pacing electrode configuration is selected based on the comparison. Backup safety pacing is provided using the primary electrode configuration.