Abstract: In the embodiment of the invention, apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform (that comprises at least a stimulation pulse) to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. A portion of the rate period interval is identified, in which the portion comprises at least one phase. During each phase, the stimulation waveform is synthesized by a waveform controller and a waveform generator. The waveform controller utilizes waveform parameters, e.g. the initial value, final value, and step time duration, to form a digital signal to the waveform generator. The waveform generator utilizes the digital signal to form the synthesized waveform.

Abstract: A stream processor for an implantable medical device is disclosed that provides rapid computation using simple architecture and low power in which each input data sample is processed in parallel by a separate and independent central processing unit executing similar or identical kernel code consisting of the following elements. A housing contains a power source. A controller with memory coupled to the power source. A first physiological sensing apparatus and at least a second physiological sensing apparatus coupled to the controller. A first stream processing element coupled to the first physiological sensor and coupled to both the power source and the controller. At least a second stream processing element coupled to the second physiological sensor and coupled to both the power source and the controller.

Abstract: A method for fast median filtering in an implantable medical device is disclosed that provides rapid filtering using computational mechanisms with following elements. A new sample value is received into a buffer. An oldest sample value location is identified in a MIN-heap and a MAX-heap. A new sample value location is identified in either the MIN-heap or the MAX-heap by comparing the new sample value to a median value. The new sample value is placed into the oldest sample value location, if the MIN-heap or MAX-heap identified for the new sample value location is the same as the MIN-heap or MAX-heap identified for the oldest sample value location. A MIN-heap top or MAX-heap top is moved from the heap not containing the oldest value into the location of the oldest sample and the new sample is placed into the location of the MIN-heap top or MAX-heap top moved from the heap not containing the oldest value, if the heap identified for the new sample is not the same as the heap identified for the oldest sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that will allow for external communication, via an external programmer, for positive device identification and for retrieval of device or patient information stored by an implantable medical device with a depleted power source. The external programmer will deliver energy to a secondary power source located inside the implanted device using RF telemetry sufficient to charge up the secondary power source, e.g., a small capacitor. The capacitor will charge up immediately within milliseconds. Once the secondary power source is sufficiently charged, it can be used to power up a controller having the stored information in the implantable medical device. Once the controller is operational, the implanted device will transmit device and patient information to the external programmer via RF telemetry.

Abstract: A suture anchor for attaching soft tissue to bone. The anchor has a body member and a longitudinal axis. The anchor contains at least two suture mounting passages for mounting suture to the anchor. A first passage is located proximally to the second passage.

Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker improves battery longevity by automatically providing a safe threshold and an associated pulse width leading to minimum current drain. The pacemaker stores a matrix of current drain characteristics for all of the possible pulse width-voltage pairs, and a revisable strength-duration curve for a patient. Either periodically or as a result of a loss-of-capture episode--whichever occurs first--the pacemaker calculates for each possible pulse width, a new threshold value based upon a measured rheobase and a derived chronaxie. Each threshold is multiplied by a predetermined safety margin. The pacemaker chooses as the pacing stimulation signal, the voltage-pulse width pair having the lowest associated current drain, and satisfying the desired safety margin.

Abstract: A control system and method for laser angioplasty or laser ablation or welding of tissue in general, in which firing of a laser catheter is correlated with movement of a vessel or other body chamber carrying the laser catheter, whereby the laser is fired only during those times its fiberoptic-delivered beam is aimed at plaque or other target in the vessel or chamber.