Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for providing an implantable leadless pacemaker (LP) with a remote follow-up capability whereby the LP can provide diagnostic information to an external device that is incapable of programming the LP, wherein the LP includes two or more implantable electrodes used to output both pacing pulses and conductive communication pulses. Such a method can include the LP monitoring for a presence of one or more notification conditions associated with the LP and/or associated with a patient within which the LP is implanted, and the LP periodically outputting an advertisement sequence of pulses, using at least implantable electrodes of the LP, irrespective of whether the LP recognizes the presence of at least one notification condition. The method can also include the LP recognizing the presence of at least one notification condition, and based thereon, the LP also outputting a notification sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for providing an implantable leadless pacemaker (LP) with a remote follow-up capability whereby the LP can provide diagnostic information to an external device that is incapable of programming the LP, wherein the LP includes two or more implantable electrodes used to output both pacing pulses and conductive communication pulses. Such a method can include the LP monitoring for a presence of one or more notification conditions associated with the LP and/or associated with a patient within which the LP is implanted, and the LP periodically outputting an advertisement sequence of pulses, using at least implantable electrodes of the LP, irrespective of whether the LP recognizes the presence of at least one notification condition. The method can also include the LP recognizing the presence of at least one notification condition, and based thereon, the LP also outputting a notification sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes, during each of a plurality of message alert periods during which a communication capability of the IMD is enabled, determining whether a valid message is detected. In response to determining that no valid message was detected during a message alert period, the communication capability of the IMD is temporarily disable for a disable period. A length of the disable period may be increased in response to no valid message being detected during two consecutive message alert periods. A length of the disable period may be dependent on an operational mode of the IMD, such that the length of the disable period differs for different operational modes. The IMD may also enter a noise state, and remain in the noise state until the IMD receives a specified number of valid messages.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems that enable a remote non-implantable device (RNID) to send commands to a leadless pacemaker (LP) implanted within a patient. The RNID provide commands to a local non-implantable device (LNID) over one or more communication networks, and the LNID sends the commands to a second implantable device (SID) by transmitting radio frequency (RF) communication signals, which include the commands, using an antenna of the LNID. After receiving the commands from the LNID, by receiving RF communication signals that include the commands using an antenna of the SID, the SID transmits conductive communication signals, which include the commands, using electrodes of the SID. The LP receives the commands from the SID by receiving the conductive communication signals, which include the commands, using electrodes of the LP, and the LP performs command responses based on the commands that originated from the RNID.

Abstract: Described herein are external devices, and methods for use therewith, that are configured to communicate with one or more implantable medical devices (IMDs) implanted within a patient using conductive communication, wherein the external device includes or is communicatively coupled to at least three external electrodes that are in contact with the patient. Certain such methods involve the external device identifying, for each IMD, of the plurality of IMDs, which one of the plurality of communication vectors is a preferred communication vector for communicating with the IMD, based on respective indicators of conductive communication quality that are determined for the plurality of communication vectors. Certain embodiments involve determining when there should be a reassessment of which one of the plurality of communication vectors is the preferred communication vector for communicating with an IMD, and in response thereto, identifying an updated preferred communication vector for communicating with the IMD.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device (IMD) that wirelessly communicates another IMD, and methods for use therewith. Such a method can include receiving one or more implant-to-implant (i2i) communication signals from the other IMD using a communication receiver of the IMD, measuring a strength of at least one of the one or more received i2i communication signals or a surrogate thereof, and updating a strength metric based on the measured strength or surrogate thereof. The method further includes determining, based on the updated strength metric, whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the sensitivity of the communication receiver of the IMD, and responding accordingly such that the sensitivity is sometimes increased, sometimes decreased, and sometimes maintained. The method can also include selectively causing a transmitter of the IMD to transmit an i2i communication signal to the other IMD requesting that the other IMD adjust its transmission strength.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes, during each of a plurality of message alert periods during which a communication capability of the IMD is enabled, determining whether a valid message is detected. In response to determining that no valid message was detected during a message alert period, the communication capability of the IMD is temporarily disable for a disable period. A length of the disable period may be increased in response to no valid message being detected during two consecutive message alert periods. A length of the disable period may be dependent on an operational mode of the IMD, such that the length of the disable period differs for different operational modes. The IMD may also enter a noise state, and remain in the noise state until the IMD receives a specified number of valid messages.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for providing an implantable leadless pacemaker (LP) with a remote follow-up capability whereby the LP can provide diagnostic information to an external device that is incapable of programming the LP, wherein the LP includes two or more implantable electrodes used to output both pacing pulses and conductive communication pulses. Such a method can include the LP monitoring for a presence of one or more notification conditions associated with the LP and/or associated with a patient within which the LP is implanted, and the LP periodically outputting an advertisement sequence of pulses, using at least implantable electrodes of the LP, irrespective of whether the LP recognizes the presence of at least one notification condition. The method can also include the LP recognizing the presence of at least one notification condition, and based thereon, the LP also outputting a notification sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for providing an implantable leadless pacemaker (LP) with a remote follow-up capability whereby the LP can provide diagnostic information to an external device that is incapable of programming the LP, wherein the LP includes two or more implantable electrodes used to output both pacing pulses and conductive communication pulses. Such a method can include the LP monitoring for a presence of one or more notification conditions associated with the LP and/or associated with a patient within which the LP is implanted, and the LP periodically outputting an advertisement sequence of pulses, using at least implantable electrodes of the LP, irrespective of whether the LP recognizes the presence of at least one notification condition. The method can also include the LP recognizing the presence of at least one notification condition, and based thereon, the LP also outputting a notification sequence of pulses.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes enabling a communication capability of an IMD during a message alert period and monitoring for a message while the communication capability is enabled during the message alert period. In response to receiving a message during the message alert period, there is a determination whether the message is valid or invalid. If the message is invalid, the message is ignored, and an invalid message count is incremented. A further message is monitored for during the message alert period occurs, when the invalid message count has not yet reached a corresponding invalid message count threshold. The communication capability of the IMD is disabled for a disable period, when the invalid message count reaches the corresponding invalid message count threshold. If a valid message is received, the IMD acts upon information included therein.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) described herein, and methods for use therewith described herein, reduce how often an IMD accepts a false message and/or reduce adverse effects of an IMD accepting a false message. Such IMDs can be leadless pacemakers (LPs), or implantable cardio defibrillators (ICDs), but are not limited thereto. Such embodiments can be used help multiple IMDs (e.g., multiple LPs) implanted within a same patient maintain synchronous operation, such as synchronous multi-chamber pacing.

Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device (IMD) that wirelessly communicates another IMD, and methods for use therewith. Such a method can include receiving one or more implant-to-implant (i2i) communication signals from the other IMD using a communication receiver of the IMD, measuring a strength of at least one of the one or more received i2i communication signals or a surrogate thereof, and updating a strength metric based on the measured strength or surrogate thereof. The method further includes determining, based on the updated strength metric, whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the sensitivity of the communication receiver of the IMD, and responding accordingly such that the sensitivity is sometimes increased, sometimes decreased, and sometimes maintained. The method can also include selectively causing a transmitter of the IMD to transmit an i2i communication signal to the other IMD requesting that the other IMD adjust its transmission strength.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes enabling a communication capability of an IMD during a message alert period and monitoring for a message while the communication capability is enabled during the message alert period. In response to receiving a message during the message alert period, there is a determination whether the message is valid or invalid. If the message is invalid, the message is ignored, and an invalid message count is incremented. A further message is monitored for during the message alert period occurs, when the invalid message count has not yet reached a corresponding invalid message count threshold. The communication capability of the IMD is disabled for a disable period, when the invalid message count reaches the corresponding invalid message count threshold. If a valid message is received, the IMD acts upon information included therein.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes enabling a communication capability of an IMD during a message alert period and monitoring for a message while the communication capability is enabled during the message alert period. In response to receiving a message during the message alert period, there is a determination whether the message is valid or invalid. If the message is invalid, the message is ignored, and an invalid message count is incremented. A further message is monitored for during the message alert period occurs, when the invalid message count has not yet reached a corresponding invalid message count threshold. The communication capability of the IMD is disabled for a disable period, when the invalid message count reaches the corresponding invalid message count threshold. If a valid message is received, the IMD acts upon information included therein.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to implantable medical devices (IMDs) and methods for use therewith. Such a method includes enabling a communication capability of an IMD during a message alert period and monitoring for a message while the communication capability is enabled during the message alert period. In response to receiving a message during the message alert period, there is a determination whether the message is valid or invalid. If the message is invalid, the message is ignored, and an invalid message count is incremented. A further message is monitored for during the message alert period occurs, when the invalid message count has not yet reached a corresponding invalid message count threshold. The communication capability of the IMD is disabled for a disable period, when the invalid message count reaches the corresponding invalid message count threshold. If a valid message is received, the IMD acts upon information included therein.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices.