Abstract: An implantable pulse generator system includes a stimulation unit delivering vagal nerve stimulation pulses, an activity sensor determining an exertion level of the user and generating a signal representing metabolic demand, an autonomic tone sensor determining an autonomic status of the user and generating a signal representing autonomic status, and a control unit in communication with the foregoing components, and which is adapted to control the stimulation unit depending on both the signal representing metabolic demand and the signal representing autonomic status.

Abstract: A nerve cuff stimulation electrode for cervical VNS is provided and configured to be arranged so as to at least partially surround or enclose one of the vagus nerves. The cuff stimulation electrode has at least two contacts configured to deliver electric stimulation pulses to a vagus nerve. The cuff stimulation electrode further has or may be attached or connected to a tilt sensor, a kinematic sensor, and/or a pulsation sensor configured to generate a signal representative of arterial and venous pressures. The implantable tilt sensor is configured to output a posture signal indicating a patient's posture, thus allowing discrimination between supine and semi-recumbent or erect postures.

Abstract: A medical implant, a catheter, and a system including a medical implant and a catheter, where the catheter is used to position the medical implant and to reposition or explant the medical implant.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator system includes a stimulation unit delivering vagal nerve stimulation pulses, an activity sensor determining an exertion level of the user and generating a signal representing metabolic demand, an autonomic tone sensor determining an autonomic status of the user and generating a signal representing autonomic status, and a control unit in communication with the foregoing components, and which is adapted to control the stimulation unit depending on both the signal representing metabolic demand and the signal representing autonomic status.

Abstract: An implantable leadless pacemaker having a housing and two electrodes arranged on said housing. The two electrodes are made of biocompatible materials that have different sensitivities to pH changes. The two electrodes are connected to an activity monitoring unit that is adapted to determine an open-circuit potential difference between the two electrodes and to generate an activity signal derived from said open-circuit potential difference.

Abstract: A nerve cuff stimulation electrode for cervical VNS is provided and configured to be arranged so as to at least partially surround or enclose one of the vagus nerves. The cuff stimulation electrode has at least two contacts configured to deliver electric stimulation pulses to a vagus nerve. The cuff stimulation electrode further has or may be attached or connected to a tilt sensor, a kinematic sensor, and/or a pulsation sensor configured to generate a signal representative of arterial and venous pressures. The implantable tilt sensor is configured to output a posture signal indicating a patient's posture, thus allowing discrimination between supine and semi-recumbent or erect postures.

Abstract: A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both.

Abstract: A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a particularly preferred form, the TANK filter is manufactured using very low k materials of sufficient strength to handle forces applied thereto during installation and use.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such us strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provided the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimping is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such as strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provide the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimp is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such as strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator systems, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provided the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimp is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a particularly preferred form, the TANK filter is manufactured using very low k materials of sufficient strength to handle forces applied thereto during installation and use.

Abstract: A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. In a preferred form, the TANK filter reduces or even eliminates the use of ferro-magnetic materials, and instead uses non-ferromagnetic materials so as to reduce or eliminate MRI image artifacts or the force or torque otherwise associated during an MRI image scan.

Abstract: The self-resonance insertion loss dip of a feedthrough capacitor is reduced or eliminated by raising the equivalent series resistance of the capacitor, thus minimizing the capacitor Q. The equivalent series resistance of the capacitor can be raised by forming voids in the active and/or ground electrode plates of the capacitor. The electrode plates may be formed so as to have a relatively reduced thickness, or a relatively increased thickness. A conductive material having a relatively high resistivity may be used to form the active and/or ground electrode plates of the capacitor. Alternatively, the conductive material forming the electrode plates may have a dielectric material added thereto.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such as strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provide the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structual intergrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimp is biocomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such us strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provided the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimping is acomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD. The capacitor and the inductor form a band pass filter for attenuating electromagnetic signals through the antenna except at a selected frequency band. Values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band pass filter is resonant at the selected frequency band.