Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving data management between implantable medical devices (IMDs) and external devices for the detection of volume overload and volume depletion conditions. Data acquired by the IMD is periodically communicated to the external device where a volume overload monitoring algorithm is operated to detect whether a volume overload condition is present in the patient by monitoring the acquired data at the external device at a first lower, non-real-time frequency rate. Upon detection of a volume overload condition, the external device issues an instruction to the IMD causing the IMD to initiate a volume depletion condition monitoring algorithm for detecting in real time whether a volume depletion condition is present in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring obstructive sleep apnea. The apparatus includes an intracardiac impedance sensor to measure intracardiac impedance, a movement sensor to measure an amount of movement of a patient, and a controller operatively coupled to said intracardiac impedance sensor and said movement sensor, said controller adapted to receive at least one of an intracardiac impedance and the amount of movement of the patient and detect obstructive sleep apnea based upon said intracardiac impedance and said movement.

Abstract: A therapy regimen, e.g., a contingent medication prescription, may be created and automatically distributed to a patient via an integrated patient care system. A clinician may create therapy instructions by at least associating patient conditions with one or more therapy regimens, e.g., medication prescriptions. In some examples, the integrated patient care system may present historical condition data to the clinician to aid the clinician with creating and/or updating the therapy instructions specific to the patient. A therapy module of the integrated patient care system may use the therapy instructions to automatically select a therapy regimen from the therapy instructions based on a patient condition detected based on a sensed physiological parameter. The physiological parameter of the patient may be sensed by an implanted or external sensor. In some examples, the therapy regimen can be presented to the patient according to a predetermined schedule or in response to the detected condition.

Abstract: A resin composition for a pre-coated steel sheet having good processibility, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, and a pre-coated steel sheet fabricated by using the resin composition are disclosed. The resin composition includes a 10 to 40 parts by weight of a hardener comprising end-capped blocked polyisocyanate and a melamine resin by 2:1 to 3:1 by parts by weight and 0. 1 to 10 parts by weight of organized layered nano-clay, based on a 100 parts by weight of a base resin. The pre-coated steel sheet obtained by the method exhibits good processibility, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include an implantable pulse generator (IPG), such as a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving data management between implantable medical devices (IMDs) and external devices for the detection of volume overload and volume depletion conditions. Data acquired by the IMD is periodically communicated to the external device where a volume overload monitoring algorithm is operated to detect whether a volume overload condition is present in the patient by monitoring the acquired data at the external device at a first lower, non-real-time frequency rate. Upon detection of a volume overload condition, the external device issues an instruction to the IMD causing the IMD to initiate a volume depletion condition monitoring algorithm for detecting in real time whether a volume depletion condition is present in the patient.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator evaluates the hemodynamic stability of an arrhythmia to determine whether or not to defibrillate. The device obtains cardiac pressure and cardiac impedance data and evaluates a phase relationship between these parameters. Hemodynamically stable rhythms will result in an out of phase relationship.

Abstract: A Cr-free steel sheet includes a Zn-based electroplated steel sheet, a Cr-free layer which is formed by a Cr-free treatment liquid coated on the steel sheet, the Cr-free treatment liquid containing silicate of 3 to 40 parts by weight, silane of 0.5 to 10 parts by weight, titanium compound of 0.2 to 8 parts by weight, binder resin of 10 to 50 parts by weight, the binder resin being selected from the group consisting of urethane resin, epoxy resin and a combination thereof, and phosphoric ester of 1 to 5 parts by weight based on the Cr-free treatment liquid of 100 parts by weight, and a resin layer which is formed by a resin treatment liquid coated on the Cr-free layer, the resin treatment liquid containing melamine resin of 3 to 25 parts by weight, colloidal silica of 10 to 20 parts by weight, metal powder of 5 to 40 parts by weight, and phosphoric ester of 1 to 5 parts by weight based on phenoxy resin of 100 parts by weight.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include an implantable pulse generator (IPG), such as a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a device body, a lead body, or a lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a current and heat induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate the induced current and heat created due to an induced current in the lead.

Abstract: A method of identifying sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in a patient includes monitoring a hemodynamic pressure, deriving high, middle, and low values representative of the distribution of the hemodynamic pressure over a storage interval, measuring a ratio of a lower range to a full range of the hemodynamic pressure based on the derived high, middle, and low values, and using the ratio to determine whether the patient has experienced an SDB episode. Certain embodiments of the invention compare the ratio to a threshold value to identify the occurrence of an SDB episode, while other embodiments of the invention identify the occurrence of an SDB episode by monitoring for a simultaneous increase in both the ratio and the full range of the hemodynamic pressure. In certain other embodiments of the invention, activity level and/or duration criteria may be employed to confirm the occurrence of an SDB episode detected using the ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a therapy to the patient that includes a therapy component configured to provide the therapy to the patient, sensing circuitry sensing a parameter of the patient, and a microprocessor coupled to the therapy component and the sensing circuitry to determine onset of a first state of the patient in response to the sensed physiologic parameter, and to determine whether the onset of the first state is detected for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing implementing external data into an implantable medical device. A first stress test is performed using an external sensor. External data resulting from the initial stress test is acquired. An external data injection process is performed. The external data injection process includes providing the external data to the implantable medical device. A second stress test is performed, the second stress test being substantially similar to the first stress test. Internal data resulting from the second stress test is acquired. Internal data resulting from the second stress test along with the external data resulting from the first stress test, are processed.

Abstract: A method is provided, the method comprising detecting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interference signal and enabling at least one preventive measure to protect an implantable medical device from interference by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interference signal. The method also comprises switching from a first sensing mode more affected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interference signal to a second sensing mode less affected by the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interference signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for reducing the potentially harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on an implantable medical device. In one embodiment of the present invention, an implantable medical system comprising a dual threshold magnetic sensor capable of detecting an elevated magnetic field is disclosed. The sensor can comprise a solid-state sensor capable of detecting a static magnetic field in excess of about 1500 Gauss. The magnetic sensor can be operatively coupled to electronics that are capable of altering the operation of the system upon detection of an elevated magnetic field by the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing rate responsive control in an implantable medical device using a scaling factor. Sensor data is acquired using a sensor operatively coupled with the implantable medical device. At least one setpoint for controlling a rate of therapy is generated, the setpoint being based upon the sensor data. A scaling factor adjustment process is performed for scaling the internal sensor data to correlate the sensor data to the setpoint. The rate of therapy is adjusted based upon the scaling factor adjustment.

Abstract: An electrical medical lead is provided having two or more electrodes, electrically insulated from each other and electrically coupled to individually insulated filars in a multi-filar coiled conductor. When the lead is used with a medical device equipped with a switch matrix, electrodes are selected individually or simultaneously to serve as an anode or cathode in any unipolar, bipolar or multi-polar configuration for delivering stimulation and/or sensing signals in excitable tissue. In one embodiment, a tip electrode array is expandable for improving electrode contact with targeted tissue and stabilizing lead position.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a sensor for monitoring parameters indicative of sleep disordered breathing. The IMD also includes a position sensor that indicates the relative position and/or activity level of the patient. The position sensor data is used in one or more ways in conjunction with the SDB sensing. The position data is used to confirm that such sensed data is likely indicative of SDB or to select the appropriate criteria for comparison.

Abstract: An electrical lead includes an elongate body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a first electrode disposed adjacent and joined to the distal end portion of the elongate body. Current flow within the first electrode is limited when a predetermined condition occurs, such as the generation of an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency range. The medical electrical lead may further comprise one or more second electrodes disposed adjacent the first electrode and joined to the elongate body to shunt current to body tissue when the predetermined condition occurs.

Abstract: An automatic rate response sensor mode switch is implemented in an implantable medical device to monitor and isolate any sensor in an integrated sensor scheme. The isolated sensor is based on identification of problems associated with the sensor. The implantable medical device will switch to operate with the remainder sensor(s). Specifically, an algorithm tests and determines sensor status to initiate and operate the sensor mode switch. The software continuously monitors, isolates or qualifies a sensor to come back on-line automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a therapy to the patient that includes a therapy component configured to provide the therapy to the patient, sensing circuitry sensing a parameter of the patient, and a microprocessor coupled to the therapy component and the sensing circuitry to determine onset of a first state of the patient in response to the sensed physiologic parameter, and to determine whether the onset of the first state is detected for a predetermined time period.