Abstract: Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet.

Abstract: Devices and systems for obtaining conductance data and methods of manufacturing and using the same. In at least one embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device is an elongated body with at least one groove defined therein, the at least one groove configured to receive one or more conductor wires therein. In another embodiment, the device is an elongated core body having a plurality of conductive elements positioned thereon and a coating to result in a device having an overall round-cross section.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) performs periodic testing of a patient to determine ischemia threshold information. At selected times while the patient is at rest, the IMD increases the pacing rate over time until it receives feedback either from the patient or from an ischemia sensor. The IMD determines the threshold based upon the pacing rate at the time when the feedback was received. The threshold information can be used to adjust the upper pacing rate that can be used during rate adaptive pacing, to determine the effects of drug therapy, and to provide a general indication of the state of coronary artery disease in the patient. The periodic increase of pacing rate to the ischemic zone also provides a preconditioning of the myocardium to allow the patient greater exercise benefit without angina.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system and method in which the implantable device is adapted to operate in a minimum ventricular pacing mode. The device delivers cardiac pacing pulses in a first pacing mode during a normal mode of operation and upon detecting myocardial ischemia alters the first pacing mode in response to the myocardial ischemia detection.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the airspeed of an aircraft. A plurality of recommended airspeeds are initially determined based upon different objectives. The recommended airspeeds may be based upon various objectives including: (1) delivery of the aircraft to its destination within a predefined arrival window; (2) maximization of the fuel efficiency of the aircraft during the flight; and (3) reduction in the passenger's perceptibility of airspeed changes of the aircraft. Based upon the different objectives taken in view of the current flight conditions, a resulting airspeed is determined from the plurality of recommended airspeeds. As each objective may suggest a different recommended airspeed, the system and method may compromise between the various objectives based upon the current flight conditions so as to define the resulting airspeed. The resulting airspeed may then be applied to the auto-throttle of the aircraft.

Abstract: An implantable medical device provides ventricular pacing capabilities and optimizes AV intervals for multiple purposes. In general, intrinsic conduction is promoted by determining when electromechanical systole (EMS) ends and setting an AV interval accordingly. EMS is determined utilizing various data including QT interval, sensor input, and algorithmic calculations.

Abstract: An implantable medical device provides ventricular pacing capabilities and optimizes AV intervals for multiple purposes. In general, intrinsic conduction is promoted by determining when electromechanical systole (EMS) ends and setting an AV interval accordingly. EMS is determined utilizing various data including QT interval, sensor input, and algorithmic calculations.

Abstract: An implantable medical device provides ventricular pacing capabilities and optimizes AV intervals for multiple purposes. In general, intrinsic conduction is promoted by determining when electromechanical systole (EMS) ends and setting an AV interval accordingly. EMS is determined utilizing various data including QT interval, sensor input, and algorithmic calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for varying a parameter in an implantable medical device that includes a plurality of electrodes stimulating heart tissue and sensing cardiac signals, a timing and control device controlling the stimulation of heart tissue by the plurality of electrodes and measuring intervals between the sensed cardiac signals, a storage device storing the measured intervals, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines heart rate variability in response to the stored intervals, compares the determined heart rate variability to a predetermined target rate profile, adjusts the parameter from a first setting to a second setting different from the first setting in response to the comparing of the determined heart rate variability and the predetermined target rate profile, and adjusts the parameter from the second setting to a termination setting in response to a termination event or expiration of a first predetermined time period.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for monitoring organ rejection. An implanted device monitors the impedance of the transplanted organ. When the impedance measurements indicate that the organ is being rejected, the device provides early warning of rejection.

Abstract: Subcutaneous Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (SubQ ICDS) are disclosed that are entirely implantable subcutaneously with minimal surgical intrusion into the body of the patient and provide distributed cardioversion-defibrillation sense and stimulation electrodes for delivery of cardioversion-defibrillation shock and pacing therapies across the heart when necessary. The SubQ ICD is implemented with other implantable and external medical devices and communicates to provide drugs and therapy in a coordinated and synergistic manner.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices having two or more leads can utilize digital signal processing to sample and filter the acquired data. The processed data is utilized to identify electrical activity in cardiac tissue remote from the lead location. An atrial lead and a ventricular lead are used to acquire data and the data is processed to indicated electrical timing with the HIS bundle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for monitoring organ rejection. An implanted device monitors the impedance of the transplanted organ. When the impedance measurements indicate that the organ is being rejected, the device provides early warning of rejection.

Abstract: A method of terminating ventricular fibrillation by the delivery of an asymmetric biphasic current pulse to three separate electrodes. A first catheter mounted electrode is located in the apex of the right ventricle (RV). A second electrode carried on the same catheter is located outside the atrium preferably in the superior vena cava (SV). A third plate electrode is located subcutaneously outside the chest cavity. Preferably, the SVC electrode and the subcutaneous plate electrode are electrically interconnected and an asymmetrical biphasic current pulse is applied between this electrode pair and the RV electrode to defibrillate the heart.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying material from a press machine. The conveyor is advanced by apparatus adapted to be connected toi the movable head of the press machine. The apparatus includes an arm having a plurality of outwardly extending fingers which is connected to the head of the press machine for movement therewith. A rachet wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced finger engaging members is fixably mounted to the drive rod of the conveyor. The fingers on the arm engage the finger engaging members of the rachet wheel upon movement of the head of the press in a first direction which causes the rachet wheel as well as the drive rod to rotate. The rotation of the drive rod results in an incremental advance of the conveyor which removes material deposited thereon from the press machine.