Abstract: According to another disclosed embodiment, an energy efficient implantable neurostimulator for delivering one or more electrical pulses to a target region within a patient's body is provided. The neurostimulator includes a converter for generating the stimulation current, wherein the converter includes a voltage increasing circuit and a voltage reducing circuit. The stimulator may also include a current source that includes a pair of cascode arranged transistors that are controlled to maintain an amplitude of the stimulation current substantially constant. The neurostimulator may also include a bias voltage power supply that powers a selecting circuit for selecting one of the voltage increasing or voltage decreasing circuits.

Abstract: Techniques for minimizing rate of depletion of a non-rechargeable power source, to extend the operational lifetime of an implantable medical device that includes the non-rechargeable power source, by enforcing operational-mode-specific communication protocols whereby inter-device communication between the implantable medical device and another implantable medical device is such that level of power draw from the non-rechargeable power source by the implantable medical device is less than level of power draw from the rechargeable power source by the another implantable medical device for the implantable medical devices to engage in communication with each other.

Abstract: Switching systems are positioned along a bidirectional signal carrying line, typically between an electrode in a catheter at the heart of a patient, and an external console. The switching system provides for switching the bidirectional signal carrying line between: a main line, which carries acquired electrocardiac signals from the electrode of the catheter at the heart of the patent to the external console, via a switch unit; and, a bypass line, which carries pacing signals, directly from the external console to the electrode of the catheter. The bypass line provides an uninterrupted electrical connection between the electrode and the external console, thus avoiding the switch unit.

Abstract: System and methods are provided herein and include a HIS electrode configured to be located proximate to a HIS bundle and to at least partially define a HIS sensing vector. They system includes memory to store program instructions and cardiac activity (CA) signals for a series of beats utilizing a candidate sensing configuration. The candidate sensing configuration is defined by i) the HIS sensing vector and ii) a sensing channel that utilizes sensing circuitry configured to operate based on one or more sensing settings to detect near field and far field activity. The system includes one or more processors that, when executing the program instructions, are configured to analyze the CA signals to obtain an atrial (A) feature of interest (FOI) and a ventricular (V) FOI for the corresponding beats within the series of beats and identify a V-A FOI relation between the A FOIs and the V FOIs across the series of beats.

Abstract: In some examples, determining a heart failure status includes using an implantable medical device configured for subcutaneous implantation and comprising a plurality of electrodes and an optical sensor. Processing circuitry of a system comprising the device may determine, for a patient, a current tissue oxygen saturation value based on a signal received from the at least one optical sensor, a current tissue impedance value based on a subcutaneous tissue impedance signal received from the electrodes, and a current pulse transit time value based on a cardiac electrogram signal received from the electrodes and at least one of the signal received from the optical sensor and the subcutaneous tissue impedance signal. The processing circuitry may further compare the current tissue oxygen saturation value, current tissue impedance value, and current pulse transit time value to corresponding baseline values, and determine the heart failure status of the patient based on the comparison.

Abstract: An ischemic cardiopathy diagnosis assistance system includes pressure data acquisition means 11 for acquiring pressure data including proximal pressure Pa in a proximal stenotic segment A1 and distal pressure Pd in a distal stenotic segment A2; intracoronary electrocardiogram data acquisition means 12 for acquiring intracoronary electrocardiogram data made up of a local intracoronary artery electrocardiogram in a neighborhood of the distal stenotic segment; and computational processing means 14 for finding a pressure ratio Pa/Pd between the proximal pressure Pa and distal pressure Pd at a time suitable for diagnosis of ischemic cardiopathy based on these data.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry and a display. The processing circuitry is configured to concurrently obtain a plurality of cardiac function indexes for at least two or more cardiac chambers including a left ventricle and a right ventricle among cardiac chambers appearing on an apical 4-chamber moving image of a subject during one or more heartbeats, based on boundary positions of the cardiac chambers appearing on the apical 4-chamber moving image. The display displays at least one or more of the plurality of cardiac function indexes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing heart failure are described. The system receives physiological information including a first HS signal corresponding to paced ventricular contractions and a second HS signal corresponding to intrinsic ventricular contractions. The system detects worsening heart failure (WHF) using the received physiological information. A signal analyzer circuit can generate a paced HS metric from the first HS signal and a sensed HS metric from the second HS signal, and determine a concordance indicator between the paced and the sensed HS metrics. In response to the detected WHF, the system can use the concordance indicator to generate a therapy adjustment indicator for adjusting electrostimulation therapy, or a worsening cardiac contractility indicator indicating the detected WHF is attributed to degrading myocardial contractility.

Abstract: The system and method described provides for the non-invasive detection and quantification of systolic and diastolic heart failure, including subclinical, not-yet symptomatic systolic and diastolic heart failure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine a measure of patient weight using existing medical device sensors, comprising receiving acceleration information of a patient and, if a value of the acceleration information exceeds an activity threshold over a measurement window, detecting patient steps in the measurement window using the acceleration information, determining a patient step rate over the measurement window using the detected patient steps, determining a measure of patient step force for the measurement window, and determining a measure of patient weight using the determined patient step rate and measure of patient step force.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with a protection device for isolating electronic circuitry, devices, and/or other components from a set of electrodes during a cardiac ablation procedure. A system can include a first set of electrodes disposable near cardiac tissue of a heart and a second set of electrodes disposable in contact with patient anatomy. The system can further include a signal generator configured to generate a pulse waveform, where the signal generator coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to repeatedly deliver the pulse waveform to the first set of electrodes. The system can further include a protection device configured to selectively couple and decouple an electronic device to the second set of electrodes.

Abstract: Medical devices coupled to a sensor, and systems including such devices, can generate data and analysis based on that data, which may be used to identify and/or address problems associated with the implanted medical device, including incorrect placement of the device, unanticipated degradation of the device, and undesired movement of the device. Also provided are medical devices coupled to a sensor, and devices and methods to address problems that have been identified with an implanted medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling blood pressure by controlling atrial pressure and atrial stretch are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to at least one cardiac chamber of a heart of a patient, and at least one controller may be configured to execute delivery of one or more stimulation patterns of stimulation pulses to the at least one cardiac chamber, wherein at least one of the stimulation pulses stimulates the heart such that an atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction of an atrium overlaps in time a passive pressure build-up of the atrium, such that an atrial pressure of the atrium resulting from the stimulation is a combination of the atrial pressure resulting from atrial contraction and the passive pressure build-up and is higher than an atrial pressure of the atrium would be without the stimulation, and such that the blood pressure of the patient is reduced.

Abstract: A device receives a request to display a learning module. The device receives sensor values from a set of one or more sensor devices attached to a patient. The device displays a set of survey questions. The device receives user-specified responses to the set of survey questions. The device selects a first learning module from a plurality of learning modules based on the sensor values and the user-specified responses to the set of survey questions. The device displays the first learning module on the display in response to receiving the request to displaying the learning module.

Abstract: A cardiac pacing system having a pulse generator for generating therapeutic electric pulses, a lead electrically coupled with the pulse generator having an electrode, a first sensor configured to monitor a physiological characteristic of a patient, a second sensor configured to monitor a second physiological characteristic of a patient and a controller. The controller can determine a pacing vector based on variables including a signal received from the second sensor, and cause the pulse generator to deliver the therapeutic electrical pulses according to the determined pacing vector. The controller can also modify pacing characteristics based on variables including a signal received from the second sensor.

Abstract: Diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, which are configured to be disposed at different, respective locations on a thorax of a living body so as to direct radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves from different, respective directions toward a heart in the body and to output RF signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from the heart. Processing circuitry is configured to process the RF signals over time so as to provide a multi-dimensional measurement of a movement of the heart.

Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.

Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.

Abstract: An orthopedic system configured for pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative assessment of a musculoskeletal system. The orthopedic system comprises a first screw, a second screw, a first device, a second device, and a computer. The first screw and the second screw are respectively coupled in a first bone and a second bone of a musculoskeletal system. The first and second screws each include electronic circuitry, one or more sensors, and an IMU. In one embodiment, a first device and a second device can be respectively located in proximity to the first and second screws. The first and second devices respectively transmit a radio frequency signal to the first and second screws. The first and second screws harvest a predetermined amount of energy and then are enabled to perform at least one task and an orderly shutdown. The computer receives measurement data from the first and second screws.

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: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media for determining hemodynamic stability in a subject. In one example method, an optical signal is transmitted via at least one optical fiber in a set of one or more optical fibers partially disposed in a heart of the subject, wherein the at least one optical fiber in the set is configured to bend with the mechanical movement of the heart. A reflected portion of the optical signal is received via the at least one optical fiber, wherein changes in at least one parameter of the received reflected portion of the optical signal are indicative of the mechanical movement of the heart. A hemodynamic stability of the heart is determined based on the received reflected portion. Hemodynamic stability of the subject may further be determined based on thermal, ultrasound, and/or impedance signals measured in or near the heart.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, devices, and systems that use electrogram (EGM) or electrocardiogram (ECG) data for sleep apnea detection. An apparatus and method detect potential apnea events (an apnea or hypopnea event) using a signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity of a patient's heart, such as an EGM or ECG. Variations in one or more morphological or temporal features of the signal over several cardiac cycles are determined and used to detect a potential apnea event in a measurement period. Checks can then be made for a number of factors which could result in a false detection of an apnea event and if such factors are not present, an apnea event is recorded. Described herein are also methods, devices, and systems for classifying a patient as being asleep or awake, which can be used to selectively enable and disable sleep apnea detection monitoring, as well as in other manners.

Abstract: A system is provided for augmenting a three-dimensional (3D) model of a heart to indicate the tissue state. The system accesses a 3D model of a heart, accesses two-dimensional (2D) images of tissue state slices of the heart, and accesses source location information of an arrhythmia. The system augments the 3D model with an indication of a source location based on the source location information. For each of a plurality of the tissue state slices of the heart, the system augments a 3D model slice of the 3D model that corresponds to that tissue state slice with an indication of the tissue state of the heart represented by the tissue state information of that tissue state slice. The system then displays a representation of the 3D model that indicates the source location of the arrhythmia and the tissue state of the heart.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a user interface and a control unit. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify an electrode combination and determine a threshold charge for use in stimulating the body tissue. The processors identifications and determinations may be based at least partially on input received via the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating an inflammatory or allergic response associated with a replicating pathogen, such as a virus in the coronaviridae family. The methods include emitting an electrical impulse near a vagus nerve within the patient sufficient to inhibit or reduce an inflammatory or allergic response in the patient, provide relief for bronchoconstriction that results in the tightening of airways and the inability to breath without ventilator support and/or lessen the abnormal blot clotting that develops in some patients. The systems and methods are particularly useful for treating post-COVID conditions or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 that develop in “long-haul” or COVID patients.

Abstract: System and methods are provided herein and include a HIS electrode configured to be located proximate to a HIS bundle and to at least partially define a HIS sensing vector. They system includes memory to store program instructions and cardiac activity (CA) signals for a series of beats utilizing a candidate sensing configuration. The candidate sensing configuration is defined by i) the HIS sensing vector and ii) a sensing channel that utilizes sensing circuitry configured to operate based on one or more sensing settings to detect near field and far field activity. The system includes one or more processors that, when executing the program instructions, are configured to analyze the CA signals to obtain an atrial (A) feature of interest (FOI) and a ventricular (V) FOI for the corresponding beats within the series of beats and identify a V-A FOI relation between the A FOIs and the V FOIs across the series of beats.

Abstract: A system for stimulating body tissue may include a user interface and a control unit. The control unit may include a processor and non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to identify an electrode combination and determine a threshold charge for use in stimulating the body tissue. The processors identifications and determinations may be based at least partially on input received via the user interface.

Abstract: A blood pump including a housing having an inflow tube defining a major axis spanning through the inflow tube and a flow path spanning along the major axis, a rotor disposed within the inflow tube, the rotor and the inflow tube defining a gap therebetween, a stator surrounding the inflow tube and the rotor, and the housing defining an access conduit spanning through the inflow tube and the stator transverse to the major axis, the access conduit being in communication with the gap.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device includes a detection electrode and a pulse generator. The pulse generator is configured to collect via the detection electrode at least two EGM signals, combine the EGM signals into two time components, and combine the components into a single 2D parametric characteristic representing the cardiac cycle. During a tachyarrhythmia episode, the device measures stores values of a cycle-to-cycle variation in an amplitude of the at least one of the EGM signals, distributes the amplitude variation values into a plurality of classes, each class corresponding to an amplitude interval, and analyzes a size of each of the plurality of classes to deliver at least one of an indicator of suspicion of an artifact of extracardiac origin or an indicator of a type of tachyarrhythmia selectively as a function of at least one predetermined criterion applied to the distribution of the amplitude variation values.

Abstract: A hearing device includes: a first microphone configured to provide a first input signal; a first processor unit configured to provide a processed signal based on the first input signal to compensate for a hearing loss of a user of the first hearing device; a receiver configured to output sound based on the processed signal; and a first sensor configured to provide a first sensor signal for detecting an atrial fibrillation condition of the user. An electronic device includes: a communication interface configured to communicate with a hearing device; and a processing unit configured to obtain, via the communication interface, information associated with an atrial fibrillation condition of a user, the information comprising a sensor data transmitted from the hearing device and/or information indicating the atrial fibrillation condition detected based on the sensor data; wherein the accessory device is configured to output a signal indicative of the atrial fibrillation condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices to infer changes in pulmonary artery pressure in a subject using Doppler radar. A portable, non-invasive device for non-invasively measuring right ventricular cardiac motion that can be used in a subject's home can infer pulmonary artery pressure changes to increase patient compliance and mitigate the likelihood of heart decompensation. A mobile pulmonary artery pressure monitor can be especially useful to patients with congestive heart failure who are elderly, incapacitated, or do not have easy access to a clinic, doctor's office, or hospital.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides systems and techniques to counter a high write amplification in physical memory, to ensure the longevity of the physical memory, and to ensure that the physical memory wears in a more uniform manner. In this regard, aspects of this disclosure include the design of a Flash Translation Layer (FTL), which may manage logical to physical mapping of data within the physical memory. In particular, the FTL may be designed with a mapping algorithm, which uses reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize data mapping within the physical memory. The RL technique may use a Bellman equation with q-learning that may rely on a table being updated with entries that take into account at least one of a state, an action, a reward, or a policy. The RL technique may also make use a deep neural network to predict particular values of the table.

Abstract: An apparatus includes data acquisition circuitry and a processor. The data acquisition circuitry is configured to acquire multiple signals using multiple respective electrodes of an array of electrodes coupled to one of an organ of a patient and tissue or a cell culture. The processor is configured to hold a definition of a mixed-norm that is defined as a function of relative positions of the electrodes in the array, and jointly compress the multiple signals in a compressed-sensing (CS) process that minimizes the mixed-norm.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.

Abstract: A wireless wearable sensor device, system, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for screening for structural heart disease based on electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and/or accelerometer signals on a patient's skin surface.

Abstract: A neuromodulation system and method of providing sub-threshold modulation therapy. Electrical modulation energy is delivered to a target tissue site of the patient at a programmed intensity value, thereby providing therapy to a patient without perception of stimulation. In response to an event, electrical modulation energy is delivered at incrementally increasing intensity values. At least one evoked compound action potential (eCAP) is sensed in a population of neurons at the target tissue site of the patient in response to the delivery of the electrical modulation energy at the incrementally increasing intensity values. One of the incrementally increased intensity values is selected based on the sensed eCAP(s). A decreased intensity value is automatically computed as a function of the selected intensity value. Electrical modulation energy is delivered to the target tissue site of the patient at the computed intensity value, thereby providing sub-threshold therapy to the patient.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting arrhythmia episodes for a patient. A medical device may receive one or more sensor values indicative of motion of a patient. The medical device may determine, based at least in part on the one or more sensor values, an activity level of the patient. The medical device may determine a heart rate threshold for triggering detection of an arrhythmia episode based at least in part on the activity level of the patient. The medical device may determine whether to trigger detection of the arrhythmia episode for the patient based at least in part on comparing a heart rate of the patient with the heart rate threshold. The medical device may, in response to triggering detection of the arrhythmia episode, collect information associated with the arrhythmia episode.

Abstract: A leadless pacemaker device for providing an intra-cardiac pacing includes processing circuitry configured to generate ventricular pacing signals for stimulating ventricular activity at a ventricular pacing rate, a first sensor configuration receiving a first sense signal, and a second sensor configuration receiving a second sense signal. The processing circuitry derives, in a first sensing state, atrial events from the first sense signal for controlling the ventricular pacing rate based on the atrial events. The processing circuitry switches, based on at least one switching criterion, from the first sensing state to a second sensing state in which the processing circuitry derives atrial events from the second sense signal. The second sense signal is received by the second sensor configuration for detection of atrial events and the second sensor configuration is a motion sensor or a sound sensor. A method for operating the pacemaker device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) comprising a signal processor (2) for processing measurement signals (3) from a motion-mode ultrasound measurement and a rendering device (4) coupled to a processor (2) for rendering a one-dimensional representation (40) along a temporal axis (41) indicative of a property within a tissue. The values (42) in the one-dimensional representation (40) are derived on the basis of measured values in an observation window (12, 22, 32) defined on an M-mode ultrasound image (10), a tissue velocity image (20) or a strain rate image (30).

Abstract: A system that comprises a memory device storing instructions, and a processing device communicatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device executes the instructions to: receive user data obtained from records associated with a user; generate a modified treatment plan based on the user data; and send, to a treatment apparatus accessible to the user, the modified treatment plan, wherein the modified treatment plan causes the treatment apparatus to update at least one operational aspect of the treatment apparatus, and update at least one operational aspect of at least one other device communicatively coupled to the treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Auricular nerve stimulation techniques for addressing patient disorders, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a signal generator having instructions to generate an electrical therapy signal, at least a portion of the electrical therapy signal having a frequency at or above the patient's auditory frequency limit, an amplitude in an amplitude range from about 0.1 mA to about 10 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 5 microseconds to 30 microseconds. The system further includes at least one earpiece having a contoured outer surface shaped to fit against the skin of the patient's external ear, external ear canal, or both, the at least one earpiece carrying at least two transcutaneous electrodes positioned to be in electrical communication with the auricular innervation of the patient, e.g., the auricular vagal nerve.

Abstract: In part, the disclosure relates to computer-based methods, and systems suitable for evaluating a cardiac system using a diagnostic metric such as a pressure value-based ratio. Selection of a subset or portion of a cardiac cycle is avoided in one embodiment to increase reliability and usability of a diagnostic ratio and parameters described herein. In one embodiment, a minimum or a relative extrema of a series of diagnostic metrics plotted on a per cycle basis are used to inform diagnosis of a stenosis or other intravascular event or phenomena.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fluid procedure comprising a reusable separation apparatus controlled by a microprocessing controller. A sterile circuit is configured to associate with the reusable separation apparatus and provide a first fluid flow path in association with a pressure sensor in communication with the controller and a first pump configured to transmit pulsatile pressure signals to the pressure sensor during operation in association with the first fluid flow path. The reusable apparatus and the controller are configured to receive from the pressure sensor pressure signals comprising the pulsatile pressure signals, perform a frequency analysis of the pressure signals received by the pressure sensor over a time duration, derive a first rotation rate of the first pump or a first fluid flow rate at the first pump from the frequency analysis, and provide a response action based on the first rotation rate or the first fluid flow rate.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to determine a response between received cardiac electrical information from a subject, such as a time of a P wave, and received cardiac acceleration information of the subject, such as a time of a first heart sound (S1) or a second heart sound (S2), across a set of stimulation signals provided to the subject at different AVD intervals, and determining one or more cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) parameters using an inflection point of the determined response.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for obtaining and tracking motions and gestures of a body part (e.g. a hand) of a user, by using antennas worn on the body (e.g. on a wrist band). The antennas may be near-field antennas which transmit and receive short-range electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields may be modified by interaction with the body part, depending on the exact position of the body part. The modified electromagnetic field may be received by the antennas. The received signal may be processed, to provide additional spatial information (e.g. beamforming). The processed signal may be interpreted by pattern recognition (e.g. neural network, database table). The pattern recognition may be trained using labeled pair data (e.g. known hand positions and corresponding processed signals).

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to determine a response curve between received cardiac electrical information from a subject, such as a time of a P wave, and received cardiac acceleration information of the subject, such as a time of a first heart sound (S1) or a second heart sound (S2), to a set of stimulation signals provided to the subject at different AVD intervals. In certain examples, one or more cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) parameters can be determined for the subject using the determined response curve.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to receive physiologic information from a patient during different first and second pacing periods having respective, different first and second atrioventricular (AV) delays, determine first and second physiologic parameters using respective received physiologic information from the first and second pacing periods, and adjust the first AV delay using the determined first and second physiologic parameters, wherein the second AV delay is longer than the first AV delay.

Abstract: A method of detecting an early onset of neurocardiogenic syncope in a patient uses respiratory functions as a predictor of the syncope. According to the method, at least one sample of baseline minute ventilation, tidal volume and respiratory rate of the patient is obtained. The detection unit is set to detect an increase in tidal volume and in minute ventilation over a predetermined respiratory period. The detecting unit also detects any rate of change in respiratory rate and sends a signal to a microprocessor to determine whether the increase in minute ventilation is a sole function of increased tidal volume. The impending syncope is diagnosed if variance in respiratory rate is less than 25% in relation to the sampled baseline during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A device and method for cardiac pacing is disclosed in which anodal pacing of the left ventricle is provided. Anodal pacing occurs when an anodal surface area is sufficiently small to create an area of hyper-polarization of the myocardial cell membrane. This creates a virtual cathode at a location remote from the anode. The virtual cathode results in depolarization of the heart in a manner similar to the virtual cathode at the true fixed cathode. In addition a device and method for summation anodal pacing is provided in which one anode is common between two or more cathodes. This results in hyperpolarization of a larger segment of the myocardium as compared to non-summation anodal pacing and thereby forms a larger virtual electrode to enable capture of localized, discrete cardiac structures such as the bundle of His or the very proximal portions of the right and left bundles.