Abstract: An electromagnetic interference immune defibrillator lead has a first electromagnetic insulating layer. A first layer is formed on the first electromagnetic insulating layer, the first layer having a plurality of first conductive rings composed of first conductive material, each first conductive ring being separated by first insulating material. A second electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer is, formed on the second electromagnetic insulating layer, the second layer having a plurality of second conductive rings composed of second conductive material, each second conductive ring being separated by second insulating material. A third electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the second layer. The second conductive rings of second conductive material are positioned such that a second conductive ring overlaps a portion of a first conductive ring and overlaps a portion of a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring being adjacent to the first conductive ring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference immune defibrillator lead has a first electromagnetic insulating layer. A first layer is formed on the first electromagnetic insulating layer, the first layer having a plurality of first conductive rings composed of first conductive material, each first conductive ring being separated by first insulating material. A second electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer is, formed on the second electromagnetic insulating layer, the second layer having a plurality of second conductive rings composed of second conductive material, each second conductive ring being separated by second insulating material. A third electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the second layer. The second conductive rings of second conductive material are positioned such that a second conductive ring overlaps a portion of a first conductive ring and overlaps a portion of a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring being adjacent to the first conductive ring.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference immune defibrillator lead has a first electromagnetic insulating layer. A first layer is formed on the first electromagnetic insulating layer, the first layer having a plurality of first conductive rings composed of first conductive material, each first conductive ring being separated by first insulating material. A second electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the first layer. A second layer is, formed on the second electromagnetic insulating layer, the second layer having a plurality of second conductive rings composed of second conductive material, each second conductive ring being separated by second insulating material. A third electromagnetic insulating layer is formed on the second layer. The second conductive rings of second conductive material are positioned such that a second conductive ring overlaps a portion of a first conductive ring and overlaps a portion of a second conductive ring, the second conductive ring being adjacent to the first conductive ring.

Abstract: A process for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body, and comprising an outer wall, comprising the steps of measuring at least one parameter that is indicative of the function of the heart, applying a compressive force to a portion of the outer wall of the heart, and applying an expansive force to the portion of the outer wall of the heart. The process is preferably performed with an apparatus comprising a cup-shaped shell having an exterior wall, an interior wall, an apex, and an upper edge; a liner having an outer surface and an inner surface, an upper edge joined to said interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, and a lower edge joined of the interior wall of the cup-shaped shell, thereby forming a cavity between the outer surface thereof and the interior wall of the shell; and a drive fluid cyclically interposed within the cavity, the drive fluid applying a uniform force on a portion of the outer wall of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention reduces patient risks associated with RF-induced thermogenic tissue damage and with pulsed gradient-field-induced arrhythmias by using a defibrillator lead having a self-healing dielectric material that prevents induced voltages from MRI equipment from damaging an ICD or causing unintended defibrillation shocks to a patient. Another aspect of the present invention utilizes a sliding contact arrangement to prevent induced voltages from MRI equipment from being electrically coupled to an ICD thereby reducing patient risks associated with RF-induced thermogenic tissue damage and with pulsed gradient-field-induced arrhythmias.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a biological organism comprising a device for emitting and delivering energy to the biological organism, a programmable controller for varying the type and amount of energy emitted, and apparatus for sensing a condition of the biological organism.

Abstract: A medical device having electrically conductive properties includes an electrically conductive member. The electrically conductive member has an anti-antenna geometrical shape. The anti-antenna geometrical shaped electrically conductive member is shaped such that currents induced in the anti-antenna geometrical shaped electrically conductive member, by radio frequency fields, offset currents induced in the medical device by the radio frequency fields.

Abstract: An implantable, rechargeable assembly comprised of an implantable device disposed within a living organism, an electrical storage device connected to the implantable device, and a thermoelectric charging assembly operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The thermoelectric charging assembly has devices for transferring thermal energy between the living organism and a thermoelectric module, for generating an electrical current from the thermal energy, for charging the electrical storage device with the electrical current, for determining the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current, and for generating a signal whenever the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current falls below a specified value.

Abstract: A medical device having a diode configuration in a lead assembly that substantially reduces induced currents in a lead assembly and at a tissue interface. The diodes configure an electrical path such that a stimulation pulse travels from the medical device to a selected tissue, and a current induced by an external changing electromagnetic signal is reduced and/or prevented from travelling the electrical path from the selected tissue to the medical device. The diodes may be at least partially contained in an electrode of the medical device.

Abstract: A medical device having a frequency independent circuit that substantially reduces induced currents in a lead assembly and at a tissue interface. The frequency independent circuit configures an electrical path such that a stimulation pulse travels from the medical device to a selected tissue, and a current induced by an external changing electromagnetic signal is prevented from travelling the electrical path from the selected tissue to the medical device.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering optical signals comprising a nuclear magnetic resonance system comprised of magnets, an NMR programmable logic unit, a signal input channel, and a command output channel; an optical interface assembly electrically connected to the nuclear magnetic resonance system, the optical interface assembly comprising a first laser modulated so as to produce laser optical signals, an interface optical to electrical signal convertor; and a catheter assembly connected to said optical interface assembly, the catheter assembly comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a fiber optic cable assembly, an electronics assembly disposed at the distal end comprised of a catheter electrical to optical signal convertor and a catheter optical to electrical signal convertor, and a first receiving coil disposed at the distal end.

Abstract: An implantable medical assist device includes a medical device. The medical device has a housing and electronics contained therein. A lead provides an electrical path to or from the electronics within the medical device. A resonance tuning module is located in the housing and is connected to the lead. The resonance tuning module includes a control circuit for determining a resonant frequency of the implantable medical assist device and an adjustable impedance circuit to change the combined resonant frequency of the medical device and lead.

Abstract: An implantable medical assist device includes a medical device. The medical device has a housing and electronics contained therein. A lead provides an electrical path to or from the electronics within the medical device. A resonance tuning module is located in the housing and is connected to the lead. The resonance tuning module includes a control circuit for determining a resonant frequency of the implantable medical assist device and an adjustable impedance circuit to change the combined resonant frequency of the medical device and lead.

Abstract: A medical device includes a pattern of electrically conductive material. The pattern of electrically conductive material has an anti-antenna geometrical shape such that the anti-antenna geometrical shape substantially prevents the medical device from creating an imaging artifact and/or substantially allows imaging of a volume within the medical device. The pattern may be formed by multiple “figure-8” shaped electrical conductors, multiple “figure-8” emulating electrical conductors, multiple sine-wave-like shaped electrical conductors, multiple zig-zag patterned electrical conductors, by multiple electrical conductors, each having sequential conductive loops, and/or a single conductor weaved into a loop mesh. The electrically conductive material may be titanium, tantalum, nitinol, stainless steel, and/or NbZr.

Abstract: An implantable, rechargeable assembly comprised of an implantable device disposed within a living organism, an electrical storage device connected to the implantable device, and a thermoelectric charging assembly operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The thermoelectric charging assembly has devices for transferring thermal energy between the living organism and a thermoelectric module, for generating an electrical current from the thermal energy, for charging the electrical storage device with the electrical current, for determining the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current, and for generating a signal whenever the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current falls below a specified value.

Abstract: Armor includes a projectile impermeable material layer and a shock stiffening layer. The shock stiffening layer has opposing shock stiffening sublayers wherein each shock stiffening sublayer has a plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers are interdigitated. The armor includes a foam layer wherein the shock stiffening layer is positioned between the foam layer and the projectile impermeable material layer. The plurality of shock stiffening sublayer elements of opposed shock stiffening sublayers may momentarily or permanently fuse in response to a projectile's impact. The shock stiffening layer spreads the energy laterally, thereby effectively mitigating the transfer of kinetic energy from a ballistic projectile directly to a region to be protected.

Abstract: An implantable, rechargeable assembly comprised of an implantable device disposed within a living organism, an electrical storage device connected to the implantable device, and a thermoelectric charging assembly operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The thermoelectric charging assembly has devices for transferring thermal energy between the living organism and a thermoelectric module, for generating an electrical current from the thermal energy, for charging the electrical storage device with the electrical current, for determining the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current, and for generating a signal whenever the extent to which the electrical storage device is being charged with the electrical current falls below a specified value.

Abstract: A process for stimulating tissue such as cardiac tissue, nerve tissue, and brain tissue. In one step of the process, there is delivered an electrical stimulating signal to the tissue that contains from about 10 to about 1,000 individual pulses. Each individual pulse has a duration of from about one microsecond to about 100 microseconds and is discontinuous, with a spacing between adjacent pulses of at least from about 1 microsecond to about 100 microseconds. The individual pulses have a voltage of from about 10 millivolts to about 100 volts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system.

Abstract: An electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system.