Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart. In operation, the device performs the following steps: a) sensing an atrial electric signal a the first detection unit; b) sensing an electric signal at the His bundle with a second detection unit upon termination of a first time period starting upon sensing the atrial electric signal with the first detection unit and/or starting upon applying a stimulation pulse, wherein the first time period lies in a range of from 10 ms to 100 ms; c) classifying the electric signal sensed with the second detection unit as His bundle activity signal or as ventricular activity signal.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a sensing device for sensing a measurement quantity indicative of a presence of an MRI device, a processing device for controlling operation of the implantable medical device and for identifying a presence of an MRI device based on measurement values obtained from the sensing device; and a program memory. An analysis module is configured to store information concerning a multiplicity of events relating to operation of the implantable medical device. The program memory is configured to store at least two program routines for operating the implantable medical device in case of a presence of an MRI device. The processing device is configured, for controlling operation of the implantable medical device in the presence of an MRI device, to select one of said at least two program routines based on a statistical analysis of information concerning a predefined number of events of said multiplicity of events.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human/animal heart having a stimulation unit which stimulates the His bundle and a detection unit which detects an electrical signal at the His bundle. The device performs: a) determining a first value of a parameter of a first measuring pulse measured between a first electrode pole and a housing; b) determining a second value of the same parameter of a second measuring pulse measured between the first electrode pole and a second electrode pole; c) comparing the first and second values; d) determining, based on the comparing step, whether the first or second measuring pulses enables a higher available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter; e) measuring an impedance in a unipolar manner between the first electrode pole and the housing or in a bipolar manner between the first electrode pole and the second electrode pole depending on the determining step.

Abstract: An implantable system for the diagnostic and/or therapeutic treatment of a human or animal patient contains a processor, a memory, a treatment unit and a remote data transmission unit. The system is characterized in that the memory includes a computer-readable program which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps when the program is being executed on the processor: a) ascertaining whether a treatment functionality of the treatment unit could jeopardize a patient in whom the system was implanted if a diagnostic and/or therapeutic treatment of the patient corresponding to the treatment functionality were to be carried out; b) deactivating the treatment functionality when a potential risk for the patient was ascertained; c) receiving reactivation data by way of the remote data transmission unit; and d) reactivating the deactivated treatment functionality based on the received reactivation data.

Abstract: An implantable system stimulates a human or animal heart. The system contains a processor, a memory unit, an atrial stimulation unit, a ventricular stimulation unit, and a detection unit for detecting atrial tachycardia. The memory unit stores a computer-readable program that prompts the processor to: a) detect by the detection unit whether atrial tachycardia to be treated is present in the heart; b) when atrial tachycardia to be treated is present, carrying out a ventricular conditioning stimulation by way of the ventricular stimulation unit; and c) applying atrial antitachycardia pacing in the form of a stimulation pulse sequence of 2 to 20 pulses or a high-frequency burst having a frequency of up to 50 Hz and a duration of up to 60 seconds by way of the atrial stimulation unit as the ventricular conditioning stimulation is being carried out and/or thereafter.

Abstract: A medical system for performing a therapeutic function on a patient comprises an implantable medical device having a switching function to switch from a normal operating mode to an MRI compatible operating mode in the presence of an MRI device, and an external device for programming at least one setting of the implantable medical device. The external device is configured, based on a programming event relating to said at least one setting, to generate a notification prompting a user to confirm a continuing MRI compatibility of said MRI compatible operating mode after the programming event and/or to amend said at least one setting for achieving MRI compatibility.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating a human heart or an animal heart contains a processor, a memory unit, an atrial stimulation unit, and a detection unit for detecting atrial tachycardia. The system is characterized in that the memory unit stores a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps when the program is being executed on the processor: a) detecting by way of the detection unit whether atrial tachycardia to be treated is present in a human heart or an animal heart; b) when atrial tachycardia to be treated is present, applying atrial antitachycardia pacing by way of the atrial stimulation unit; and c) after the atrial antitachycardia pacing has been applied, carrying out an atrial post-treatment stimulation, the post-treatment stimulation being configured to be within a range of 1 minute up to 7 days.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart. In operation, the device performs the following steps: a) sensing an atrial electric signal a the first detection unit; b) sensing an electric signal at the His bundle with a second detection unit upon termination of a first time period starting upon sensing the atrial electric signal with the first detection unit and/or starting upon applying a stimulation pulse, wherein the first time period lies in a range of from 10 ms to 100 ms; c) classifying the electric signal sensed with the second detection unit as His bundle activity signal or as ventricular activity signal.

Abstract: A programming device for programming an implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart, wherein the programming device carries out the steps: a) allowing to select one of at least two electrode lead configurations for stimulating a heart, wherein the at least two electrode lead configurations comprise: i) a first electrode lead in which an atrial electrode lead and a right ventricular electrode lead are connected to electrode lead ports, and ii) a second electrode lead in which an atrial electrode lead and a His bundle electrode lead are connected to electrode lead ports; b) allowing to select a first timing parameter value if the first electrode lead is selected and to select a second timing parameter value if the second electrode lead is selected, wherein the first timing parameter value is an atrioventricular interval and the second timing parameter value is an atrial-His interval.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human/animal heart having a stimulation unit which stimulates the His bundle and a detection unit which detects an electrical signal at the His bundle. The device performs: a) determining a first value of a parameter of a first measuring pulse measured between a first electrode pole and a housing; b) determining a second value of the same parameter of a second measuring pulse measured between the first electrode pole and a second electrode pole; c) comparing the first and second values; d) determining, based on the comparing step, whether the first or second measuring pulses enables a higher available level control range of the analog-to-digital converter; e) measuring an impedance in a unipolar manner between the first electrode pole and the housing or in a bipolar manner between the first electrode pole and the second electrode pole depending on the determining step.

Abstract: A method for programming an implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart with the help of a programming device. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a first input parameter to the programming device, the first input parameter being indicative whether a first stimulation unit is to be used to stimulate the His bundle of a heart; b) if the first input parameter indicates that the first stimulation unit is to be used to stimulate the His bundle of the heart, supporting a user of the programming device to configure the implantable medical device for His bundle pacing by automatically proposing at least one stimulation parameter and an assigned stimulation parameter value specifically adapted for His bundle pacing; c) allowing programming of the implantable medical device by allowing setting the at least one stimulation parameter value.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human/animal heart, comprising a first electrode lead port for receiving an electrode lead. The first electrode lead port comprises a first marking element and a second marking element, wherein the first marking element indicates a first kind of electrode lead that can be received by the first electrode lead port and for an operation of which the first electrode lead port is designed to be configured, wherein the first kind of electrode lead is a His bundle electrode lead , wherein the second marking element indicates a second kind of electrode lead that can be received by the first electrode lead port and for an operation of which the first electrode lead port is designed to be configured. The second kind of electrode lead includes one of an atrial electrode lead, a right ventricular electrode lead, and a left ventricular electrode lead.

Abstract: A programming device for programming an implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart, wherein the following steps are performed: a) allowing to select one of at least two electrode lead configurations for stimulating a human or animal heart, wherein the at least two electrode lead configurations comprise a second electrode lead configuration in which at least one electrode lead is connected to an electrode lead port, the electrode lead port being configured to receive an electrode lead for stimulating a second cardiac region or detecting an electric signal at the second cardiac region, wherein the second cardiac region is a part of a ventricular conduction system of the heart, wherein the at least one electrode lead is intended to be implanted or is implanted in the second cardiac region; b) generating and releasing a notification signal if the second electrode lead configuration is selected.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart, comprising a first processor, a first memory unit, a stimulation unit configured to stimulate a first cardiac region of a human or animal heart, and a detection unit configured to detect an electric signal at the first cardiac region of the same heart, wherein the detection unit comprises i) an electrode lead having an electrode pole and ii) a first channel for measuring electric signals provided by the electrode lead. A maximum sensitivity of the first channel of the detection unit is adjustable in dependence on a stimulation site of the electrode pole, wherein the maximum sensitivity of the first channel lies in a range of from 0.1 mV to 0.4 mV if the electrode pole is intended to detect electric signals at the His bundle of the heart.

Abstract: An implantable system for treating a heart contains a processor, a memory unit, a treatment unit including a treatment electrode, and a detection unit for detecting a cardiac event requiring treatment. The memory unit includes a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to perform the following steps: a) detecting by way of the detection unit whether a cardiac event to be treated has occurred in the heart; b) if a cardiac event to be treated has occurred, determining a position of the treatment electrode or determining a variable correlating with this position; and c) comparing the position of the treatment electrode or the variable correlating with the position to a reference variable, and carrying out, or not carrying out a cardiac treatment by way of the treatment unit and the treatment electrode as a function of the position of the treatment electrode or the variable correlating with the position.

Abstract: An implantable medical device which performs the following steps during operation: a) performing a detection of whether the implantable medical device is in an implanted state; b) if it is detected that the implantable medical device is in an implanted state, activating a first diagnostic or therapeutic function of the implantable medical device, and subsequently activating a second diagnostic or therapeutic function of the implantable medical device, wherein the second diagnostic or therapeutic function is activated only after the fulfillment of at least one activation criterion selected from the group consisting of an elapse of a first time period from the activation of the first diagnostic or therapeutic function, an elapse of a second time period from the detection that the implantable medical device is in an implanted state, and a passing of a function test.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating a heart contains a processor, a memory, a stimulator, and a first detection unit for detecting a cardiac rhythm disturbance of a cardiac region. The memory includes a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps: a) detecting via the first detection unit whether a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present in a cardiac region of a heart of a patient; b) when a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present, selecting a stimulation strategy based on a selection criterion; c) stimulating the cardiac region in which the cardiac rhythm disturbance was detected by way of the stimulator, using the selected stimulation strategy; d) detecting a success and/or an efficiency of the conducted stimulation; e) comparing the success and/or the efficiency to a predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion; and f) if the predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion was not achieved, optimizing the stimulation strategy.

Abstract: A coated steel substrate coated with a first coating including above 40 wt. % of chromium and optionally one or several elements chosen from yttrium, silicon, calcium, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium and nickel in an amount below 10 wt. % for each element, the balance being chromium and a second coating including from 2 to 30 wt. % of Aluminum, from 10 to 40 wt. % of chromium and optionally one or several elements chosen from yttrium, silicon, calcium, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, niobium and nickel in an amount below 10 wt. % for each element, the balance being iron, the steel substrate including Cr?2.0% by weight; a method for the manufacture of this coated steel substrate; a method for the manufacture of a coated hot steel product; a coated hot steel product and the use of a hot steel product.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating a heart contains a processor, a memory, a stimulator, and a first detection unit for detecting a cardiac rhythm disturbance of a cardiac region. The memory includes a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps: a) detecting via the first detection unit whether a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present in a cardiac region of a heart of a patient; b) when a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present, selecting a stimulation strategy based on a selection criterion; c) stimulating the cardiac region in which the cardiac rhythm disturbance was detected by way of the stimulator, using the selected stimulation strategy; d) detecting a success and/or an efficiency of the conducted stimulation; e) comparing the success and/or the efficiency to a predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion; and f) if the predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion was not achieved, optimizing the stimulation strategy.

Abstract: An implantable system for stimulating a human heart or an animal heart contains a processor, a memory unit, an atrial stimulation unit, and a detection unit for detecting atrial tachycardia. The system is characterized in that the memory unit stores a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps when the program is being executed on the processor: a) detecting by way of the detection unit whether atrial tachycardia to be treated is present in a human heart or an animal heart; b) when atrial tachycardia to be treated is present, applying atrial antitachycardia pacing by way of the atrial stimulation unit; and c) after the atrial antitachycardia pacing has been applied, carrying out an atrial post-treatment stimulation, the post-treatment stimulation being configured to be within a range of 1 minute up to 7 days.