Abstract: In specific embodiments, one or more cardiogenic impedance signal template is stored, where each template has a corresponding morphology. Additionally, one or more cardiogenic impedance signal is obtained using electrodes implanted within a patient, where each signal has a corresponding morphology. The morphology of one or more obtained cardiogenic impedance signal is compared to the morphology of one or more stored template, to determine one or more metric indicative of similarity between the compared morphologies. The one or more metric indicative of similarity is used to analyze the patient's cardiac condition, to discriminate among arrhythmias and/or to adjust a cardiac pacing parameter.

Abstract: An implantable system includes terminals, a pulse generator, a sensing circuit, separate signal processing channels, and first, second and third multiplexers. The terminals are connected to electrodes via conductors of leads. Different subsets of the electrodes are used to define different electrical pulse delivery vectors, and different subsets of the electrodes are used to define different sensing vectors. The pulse generator produces electrical pulses, and the sensing circuit senses a signal indicative of an impedance associated with a selected sensing vector. The first multiplexer selectively connects outputs of the pulse generator to a selected one of the different electrical pulse delivery vectors at a time. The second multiplexer selectively connect inputs of the sensing circuit to a selected one of the different sensing vectors at a time. The third multiplexer selectively connects an output of the sensing circuit to one of the plurality of separate signal processing channels at a time.

Abstract: An implantable device monitors and treats heart failure, pulmonary edema, and hemodynamic conditions and in some cases applies therapy. In one implementation, the implantable device applies a high-frequency multi-phasic pulse waveform over multiple-vectors through tissue. The waveform has a duration less than the charging time constant of electrode-electrolyte interfaces in vivo to reduce intrusiveness while increasing sensitivity and specificity for trending parameters. The waveform can be multiplexed over multiple vectors and the results cross-correlated or subjected to probabilistic analysis or thresholding schemata to stage heart failure or pulmonary edema. In one implementation, a fractionation morphology of a sensed impedance waveform is used to trend intracardiac pressure to stage heart failure and to regulate cardiac resynchronization therapy. The waveform also provides unintrusive electrode integrity checks and 3-D impedancegrams.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling therapy provided by the implantable cardiac stimulation device based on cardiogenic impedance. A cardiogenic impedance signal (or intracardiac impedance signal) is an impedance signal representative of the beating of the heart of the patient in which the device is implanted. The cardiogenic impedance signal is sensed along a sensing vector passing through at least a portion of the heart so that the sensed impedance is affected by the mechanical beating of the heart along that sensing vector. Pacing therapy is automatically and adaptively adjusted based on the cardiogenic impedance signal. For example, pacing timing parameters such as the atrioventricular delay and the inter-ventricular delay may be adjusted. Preferably, the adjustments are adaptive, i.e. the adjustments are performed in a closed-loop so as to adapt the adjustments to changes in the cardiogenic impedance signal so as to optimize therapy.

Abstract: An implantable device monitors and treats heart failure, pulmonary edema, and hemodynamic conditions and in some cases applies therapy. In one implementation, the implantable device applies a high-frequency multi-phasic pulse waveform over multiple-vectors through tissue. The waveform has a duration less than the charging time constant of electrode-electrolyte interfaces in vivo to reduce intrusiveness while increasing sensitivity and specificity for trending parameters. The waveform can be multiplexed over multiple vectors and the results cross-correlated or subjected to probabilistic analysis or thresholding schemata to stage heart failure or pulmonary edema. In one implementation, a fractionation morphology of a sensed impedance waveform is used to trend intracardiac pressure to stage heart failure and to regulate cardiac resynchronization therapy. The waveform also provides unintrusive electrode integrity checks and 3-D impedancegrams.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cooking foodstuff in a liquid includes an outer shell having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a base enclosing the lower surface of the outer shell. A cooking pot is positioned within the outer shell for receiving the foodstuff and the liquid. The cooking pot has an upper rim and an air gap is defined by the outer shell, the base and the cooking pot. A heating element is positioned within the air gap. A rib is mounted between the upper surface of the outer shell and the upper rim of the cooking pot for preventing the flow of liquid into the air gap.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cooking foodstuff in a liquid including a container for receiving the foodstuff and the liquid. The container having an open end and a closed end. The open end of the container includes two spaced-apart lips. A lid is removably mountable to the open end of the container to enclose the foodstuff and the liquid therein. The lid includes two oppositely oriented elongated sliders. Each slider has a proximal and a distal end. At least one biasing member engages the proximal ends of each of the sliders. In a resting position, the at least one biasing member urges each of the distal ends of the sliders into one of the lips for selective engagement of the lid to the container.

Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a kitchen appliance includes a socket having at least one electrical contact and at least one metallic member. A plug having at least one electrical contact and a magnet which is movably positioned within the plug. A power cord is movably positioned within the plug and is operatively connected to the at least one electrical contact of the plug. An attractive force exists between the at least one metallic member and the magnet when the plug is engaged with the socket and the magnet is within a predetermined distance of the at least one metallic member. Movement of a leading end of the power cord toward a distal end of the plug moves the magnet toward the distal end of the plug to reduce a magnitude of the attractive force and permit the plug to be more easily removed from the socket.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cooking foodstuff in a liquid including a container for receiving the foodstuff and the liquid. The container having an open end and a closed end. The open end of the container includes two spaced-apart lips. A lid is removably mountable to the open end of the container to enclose the foodstuff and the liquid therein. The lid includes two oppositely oriented elongated sliders. Each slider has a proximal and a distal end. At least one biasing member engages the proximal ends of each of the sliders. In a resting position, the at least one biasing member urges each of the distal ends of the sliders into one of the lips for selective engagement of the lid to the container.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for cooking foodstuff in a liquid includes an outer shell having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a base enclosing the lower surface of the outer shell. A cooking pot is positioned within the outer shell for receiving the foodstuff and the liquid. The cooking pot has an upper rim and an air gap is defined by the outer shell, the base and the cooking pot. A heating element is positioned within the air gap. A rib is mounted between the upper surface of the outer shell and the upper rim of the cooking pot for preventing the flow of liquid into the air gap.

Abstract: Pacing pulse power efficiency is increased in an implantable cardiac stimulation device. The invention includes a cardiac function sensor for sensing cardiac functions. A controller is coupled to the sensor for determining a required cardiac pacing pulse voltage level. A determining means is coupled to the controller for determining a desired battery voltage multiplication factor as a function of the required pacing pulse voltage level. A setting means is coupled to the determining means for setting a battery voltage multiplier to multiply the battery voltage to a level as close as possible to the required pacing pulse voltage level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pacing and sensing the right side as well as the left side of the heart (bi-ventricular pacing and sensing). The bi-ventricular pacing and sensing is accomplished by introducing an additional dedicated pacing and sensing path for the left ventricle of the heart. Two additional terminals are added to the pacing and sensing path for the left ventricle to enable pacing and sensing in the left ventricle of the heart. In addition, switches are added to the pacing path for the left ventricle of the heart. The switches are controlled by a programmable controller and allow the selection of the desired ventricle(s) in which pacing is to occur.

Abstract: A single-pass transvenous lead for atrial sensing and pacing, ventricular sensing and pacing, as well as for ventricular and atrial defibrillation. The lead optimizes the positioning of the electrodes in various patients regardless of variations in these patients' hearts, by enabling independent adjustment of the spacing between various pacing, sensing and defibrillation electrodes, before and after implantation or insertion in the heart. The lead includes an elongated lead body, an outer sheath that extends coaxially with the lead body, and two atrial windows positioned along the outer sheath, adjustable relative to a reference point such as a distal pacing tip. The outer sheath includes an atrial section that is slidably adjustable along the lead body by means of an expandable member.