Measuring Pacing, Threshold, Capture Margin, Or Contact Impedance Patents (Class 607/28)
  • Patent number: 12194304
    Abstract: Techniques for switching an implantable medical device (IMD) from a first mode to a second mode in relation to signals obtained from internal sensors are described. The internal sensors may include a temperature sensor and a biosensor. In some examples, processing circuitry of the IMD may make a first preliminary determination that the IMD is implanted based on a first signal from the temperature sensor. In response to the first preliminary determination being that the IMD is implanted, the processing circuitry may make a second preliminary determination that the IMD is implanted based on a second signal from the biosensor. The processing circuitry may switch the IMD from a first mode to a second mode based on both the first preliminary determination and the second preliminary determination being that the IMD is implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Ecker, Matthew P. Hanly, Charles R. Gordon, Gary J. Pauly, Michael B. Terry, Jerry D. Reiland, Hyun J. Yoon, Ryan D. Wyszynski, Jon E. Thissen
  • Patent number: 12172010
    Abstract: A medical device is configured to deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation pulses by generating frequency modulated electrical stimulation pulse signals. The medical device includes a pulse signal source and a modulator. The pulse signal source generates an electrical stimulation pulse signal having a pulse width. The modulator may include a high frequency modulator configured to modulate a frequency of the pulse signal from a starting frequency down to a minimum frequency during the pulse width. The modulator may include a low frequency bias generator to modulate the offset of the pulse signal between a minimum offset and a maximum offset in other examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, Melissa G. T. Christie, Mark T. Marshall, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman
  • Patent number: 12172021
    Abstract: Ventricle-from-atrium (VfA) cardiac therapy may utilize a tissue-piercing electrode implanted in the left ventricular myocardium of the patient's heart from the right atrium through the right atrial endocardium and central fibrous body. The exemplary devices and methods may determine whether the tissue-piercing electrode is achieving effective left ventricular capture. Additionally, one or more pacing parameters, or paced settings, may be adjusted in view of the effective left ventricular capture determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Subham Ghosh
  • Patent number: 12157009
    Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Anderson, Mark T. Marshall, Vladimir P. Nikolski, Robert T. Sawchuk, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, John D. Wahlstrand, Gregory A. Younker
  • Patent number: 12121732
    Abstract: For use by an implantable system including a first and second leadless pacemakers (LPs) implanted, respectively, in first and second cardiac chambers, a method comprises storing, within memory of the first LP, a paced activation morphology template corresponding to far-field signal components expected to be present in an EGM sensed by the first LP when a pacing pulse delivered to the second cardiac chamber by the second LP captures the second cardiac chamber. The method also includes the first LP comparing a morphology of a portion of an EGM sensed by the first LP to the paced activation morphology template to determine whether a match therebetween is detected, and determining whether capture of the second cardiac chamber occurred or failed to occur, based on whether the first LP detects a match between the morphology of the portion of the EGM and the paced activation morphology template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunlan Jiang, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 12070603
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using sensed evoked neural responses for informing aspects of neurostimulation therapy are disclosed. Electrical signals may be recorded during the provision of electrical stimulation to a patient's neural tissue. The electrical signals may be processed and analyzed using one or more classification criteria to determine if the electrical signals contain a neural response of interest. Examples of such neural responses include evoked neural responses that are oscillatory and/or resonant in nature. If the electrical signals include such responses of interest, one or more features may be extracted from the signals and used as biomarkers for informing aspects of neurostimulation therapy, such as directing lead placement, optimizing stimulation parameters, closed-loop feedback control of stimulation, and the like. Various methods and systems described herein are particularly relevant in the context of multi-site stimulation paradigms, such as coordinated reset neuromodulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: G. Karl Steinke, Hemant Bokil, Joseph Costello
  • Patent number: 12050246
    Abstract: A system includes a signal generator, configured to pass a generated signal, which has two different generated frequencies, through a circuit including a bidirectional semiconductor device. The system further includes a processor, configured to identify, while the generated signal is passed through the circuit, a derived frequency, which derives from the generated frequencies, on the circuit, and to generate, in response to identifying the derived frequency, an output indicating that a property of the bidirectional semiconductor device is asymmetric. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Levin, Yevgeny Bonyak, Eyal Rotman, Alik Vilensky
  • Patent number: 11998748
    Abstract: In some examples of selecting a target therapy delivery site for treating a patient condition, a relatively high frequency electrical stimulation signal is delivered to at least two areas within a first region (e.g., an anterior nucleus of the thalamus) of a brain of a patient, and changes in brain activity (e.g., as indicated by bioelectrical brain signals) within a second region (e.g., a hippocampus) of the brain of the patient in response to the delivered stimulation are determined. The target therapy delivery site, an electrode combination, or both, may be selected based on the changes in brain activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Timothy J. Denison, Paul H. Stypulkowski, Scott R. Stanslaski, Robert S. Raike, Mae Eng, David E. Linde, Thomas Adamski
  • Patent number: 11944823
    Abstract: Methods and systems can facilitate identifying effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters, as well as determining whether to use cathodic and anodic stimulation. Alternately, the methods and systems may identify effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters based on preferential stimulation of different types of neural elements. These methods and systems can further facilitate programming an electrical stimulation system for stimulating patient tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Stephen Carcieri
  • Patent number: 11937947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuitry of a biopotential acquisition system, where the circuitry includes an input node, an ETI transmitter, a capacitor and an ETI receiver. The input node is configured to receive an input signal from an electrode of the biopotential acquisition system. The ETI transmitter is configured to generate a transmitter signal. A first node of the capacitor is coupled to the ETI transmitter, and a second node of the capacitor is coupled to the input node. The ETI receiver is coupled to the input node, and is configured to receive the transmitter signal via the capacitor to generate an ETI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 11925808
    Abstract: A method for identifying reversible cardiac dyssynchrony (RCD) of a patient and treating the RCD measures an event relating to a rapid increase in the rate of pressure increase within the left ventricle. The method calculates a first time delay between the event and a first reference time. If the first time delay is longer than a set fraction of electrical activation of the heart, then the presence of cardiac dyssynchrony in the patient is identified. Pacing is applied to the heart, and a second time delay between the event following pacing and a second reference time following pacing is calculated. If the second time delay is shorter than the first time delay, the method identifies a shortening of a delay to onset of myocardial synergy, OoS, thereby identifying the presence of RCD in the patient. Treatment of the RCD is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PACERTOOL AS
    Inventor: Hans Henrik Odland
  • Patent number: 11857795
    Abstract: The present invention involves approaches for selecting one or more electrode combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Jason Brooke, Andrea E. Acuna
  • Patent number: 11819696
    Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human or animal heart. In operation, the device performs the following steps: a) sensing an atrial electric signal a the first detection unit; b) sensing an electric signal at the His bundle with a second detection unit upon termination of a first time period starting upon sensing the atrial electric signal with the first detection unit and/or starting upon applying a stimulation pulse, wherein the first time period lies in a range of from 10 ms to 100 ms; c) classifying the electric signal sensed with the second detection unit as His bundle activity signal or as ventricular activity signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Sergey Ershov, Torsten Radtke, Ulrich Busch, Peter Schneider, Stefan Paule, Frank Becker
  • Patent number: 11759641
    Abstract: An implantable medical device for stimulating a human/animal heart, comprising a housing, a processor, a memory unit, a stimulation unit configured to stimulate the His bundle, and a detection unit configured to detect an electrical signal at the His bundle. The device performs: a) stimulating the His bundle with a stimulation pulse delivered by the stimulation unit; b) measuring an electric signal at the His bundle with the detection unit upon termination of a first period of time starting upon delivering of the stimulation pulse, wherein the first period of time is from 35 ms to 500 ms; c) measuring an impedance of the same heart with the detection unit upon termination of a second period of time starting upon delivering of the stimulation pulse, wherein the second period of time is equal to or longer than the first period of time and is from 50 ms to 500 ms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Becker, Stefan Paule
  • Patent number: 11755467
    Abstract: Techniques for scheduled tests for endpoint agents are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Rodrigues, Santiago Alessandri, Sergio Freitas, Ricardo V. Oliveira
  • Patent number: 11712568
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology described herein relate to detecting atrial oversensing in a His intracardiac electrogram (His IEGM), characterizing atrial oversensing, determining when atrial oversensing is likely to occur, and or reducing the chance of atrial oversensing occurring. Some such embodiments characterize and/or avoid atrial oversensing within a His IEGM. Other embodiments of the present technology described herein relate to determining whether atrial capture occurs in response to His bundle pacing (HBP). Still other embodiments of the present technology described herein relate to determining whether AV node capture occurs in response to HBP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Qiao, Wenwen Li, Jan Mangual, Luke C. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 11697025
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for determining cardiac conduction system capture of ventricle from atrium (VfA) therapy. VfA therapy may be delivered at a plurality of different A-V delays while electrical activity of the patient is monitored. The electrical activity may then be utilized to determine whether the cardiac conduction system of the patient has been captured by the VfA therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Subham Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11648404
    Abstract: A system and method for designating between types of activation by a pulse generator configured to deliver a left ventricular (LV) pacing pulse at an LV pacing site as part of a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are provided. The system includes a sensing channel configured to collect cardiac activity (CA) signals along at least one sensing vector extending through a septal wall between the LV and right ventricle (RV). The CA signals are indicative of one or more beats and include a pre-LV pacing segment indicative of cardiac activity preceding the LV pacing pulse and a post-LV pacing segment indicative of cardiac activity following the LV pacing pulse. The system includes memory to store program instructions. One or more processors are configured to implement the program instructions to analyze the pre-LV pacing segment to identify a first myocardium activation (MA) characteristic of interest (COI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan O. Mangual-Soto, Nima Badie, Luke C. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 11547856
    Abstract: Differential charge-balancing can be used in high-frequency neural stimulation. For example, a neural stimulation apparatus can have first and second electrodes configured to be coupled proximate to a nerve fiber to implement a neural stimulation procedure. A neural stimulation circuit can be electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes. The neural stimulation circuit can apply stimulation currents to the nerve fiber through the first and second electrodes during a first stimulation phase of the neural stimulation procedure. The neural stimulation circuit can also apply a modified stimulation current to the nerve fiber through the first electrode during a second stimulation phase of the neural stimulation procedure. The modified stimulation current can be generated based on a difference between (i) a voltage at the first electrode, and (ii) a reference voltage derived from voltages on the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: James Salvia, Meisam Heidarpour Roshan
  • Patent number: 11541232
    Abstract: An example device includes an elongated housing, a first and second electrode, and signal generation circuitry. The housing can be implanted within a single first chamber of the heart. The first electrode extends distally from the distal end of the elongated housing. A distal end of the first electrode can penetrate into wall tissue of a second chamber of the heart. The second electrode, extending from the distal end of the elongated housing, is configured to flexibly maintain contact with the wall tissue of the first chamber without penetration of the wall tissue of the first chamber by the second electrode. Signal generation circuitry can be within the elongated housing and coupled to the first and second electrode. The signal generation circuitry can deliver cardiac pacing to the second chamber via the first electrode and the first chamber via the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Anderson, Zhongping C. Yang
  • Patent number: 11517372
    Abstract: A method and system for assessing lesion formation in tissue is provided. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is configured to acquire values for first and second components of a complex impedance between the electrode and the tissue, and to calculate an index responsive to the first and second values. The ECU is further configured to process the ECI to assess lesion formation in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan P. Miller, Don Curtis Deno, Saurav Paul, Liane R. Teplitsky
  • Patent number: 11521736
    Abstract: A system for encouraging therapeutic psychosocial activity of a patient comprising a master control system having a processor for operating system software, one or more portable communication devices in communication with the master control system, a testing device having testing input software that operates to transmit information to the master control system, wherein the master control system operates to transmit an information request to the one or more portable communication devices to direct the testing input software to create a window on a display screen informing the patient information has been requested, and the testing device operates to collect and transmit test information in response to the information request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Gastfriend, David Gastfriend, Lawrence Reisler, Amardeep Ranu
  • Patent number: 11464985
    Abstract: Techniques for switching an implantable medical device (IMD) from a first mode to a second mode in relation to signals obtained from internal sensors are described. The internal sensors may include a temperature sensor and a biosensor. In some examples, processing circuitry of the IMD may make a first preliminary determination that the IMD is implanted based on a first signal from the temperature sensor. In response to the first preliminary determination being that the IMD is implanted, the processing circuitry may make a second preliminary determination that the IMD is implanted based on a second signal from the biosensor. The processing circuitry may switch the IMD from a first mode to a second mode based on both the first preliminary determination and the second preliminary determination being that the IMD is implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Ecker, Matthew P. Hanly, Charles R. Gordon, Gary J. Pauly, Michael B. Terry, Jerry D. Reiland, Hyun J. Yoon, Ryan D. Wyszynski, Jon E. Thissen
  • Patent number: 11413463
    Abstract: A cardiac stimulation system and associated capture management method are provided in which capture and device longevity are improved. The device determines a series of capture thresholds. Capture threshold is the minimum pulse level (pulse energy or pulse amplitude or pulse width) that captures the heart. Each determination requires delivery of pacing pulses at several (at least two) known levels (pulse energy, pulse amplitude and/or pulse width) over time. The individual determined capture thresholds are combined into a set and the variability of the set is used to set the safety margin. The greater the variability in the capture thresholds, the bigger the safety margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Shilling, Karen J. Kleckner
  • Patent number: 11413467
    Abstract: The disclosure describes various aspects of an automated external defibrillator (AED) system, including shock generating electronics, a battery configured for providing power to the shock generating electronics, power management circuitry configured for managing the shock generating electronics and the battery, at least one environmental sensor configured for monitoring environmental conditions in which the AED system is placed, and a controller configured for controlling the power management circuitry and the at least one environmental sensor. The at least one environmental sensor includes a temperature sensor configured for providing a temperature measurement, and the controller is further configured for adjusting operations of the power management circuitry in accordance with the temperature measurement provided by the temperature sensor. The disclosure further describes associated methods of using the AED system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HeartHero, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford H. Wallach, Michael C. Garrett
  • Patent number: 11400295
    Abstract: Systems and methods for His bundle pacing and classifying response to pacing impulses include applying, using a pulse generator, an impulse through a stimulating electrode to induce a response from a patient heart. A response to the impulse is measured using at least one sensing electrode and time-domain based characteristics of the response are analyzed to determine whether His bundle capture has occurred and, if so, what type of capture has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, Yun Qiao, Wenwen Li, Jan O. Mangual-Soto, Luke C. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 11400298
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for using a rate of wireless telemetry of an implantable medical device (IMD) to estimate a remaining longevity of a power source of the IMD. For example, the IMD sets a timer indicative of a remaining power capacity of the power source until a recommended replacement time (RRT) threshold. The IMD determines a power consumption of the IMD due to telemetry and updates, based on the power consumption of the IMD due to telemetry, the timer indicative of the remaining power capacity of the power source. The IMD determines, based on expiration of the timer indicative of the remaining power capacity of the power source, that the power source has reached the RRT threshold. In some examples, the IMD may output, to an external device and for display to a user, an indication that the power source has reached the RRT threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Hoffman, Matthew P. Hanly, Evan S. Johnson, Gary J. Pauly, Jerry D. Reiland, Melani G. Sullivan, Ryan D. Wyszynski, Hyun J. Yoon
  • Patent number: 11351382
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an enhancement to lead monitoring techniques, which uses a sensing integrity counter (SIC). The techniques of this disclosure may enhance lead monitoring techniques by detecting possible sensing issues based on a significant increase in periodic, e.g., daily, SIC counts relative to previous periods. Some issues with sensing cardiac signals via implantable cardiac leads can result in an implantable medical device (IMD) measuring very short intervals between what appears to be sensed heart beats. Examples of issues include insulation breach, conductor fracture, or poor electrical connection, which may cause noise that appears to be an R-wave. The IMD may detect the noise, along with actual R-waves, and determine that there are relatively short (e.g., less than a threshold) intervals between the “R-waves.” A significant increase in the number or frequency of very short intervals between R-waves may indicate the date/time of a significant sensing issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 11344236
    Abstract: A method of generating an electrophysiology map of a portion of a patient's anatomy using an electroanatomical mapping system, includes defining a plurality of inclusion criteria, collecting a plurality of electrophysiology data points, each being associated with inclusion data, and identifying those electrophysiology data points that have inclusion data satisfying the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria can then be automatically adjusted to drive the number of electrophysiology data points having inclusion data satisfying the inclusion criteria towards a target number. A graphical representation of the electrophysiology map can be rendered using the final set of electrophysiology data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Markovitz, Louis-Philippe Richer, Chunlan Jiang, Cyrille Casset
  • Patent number: 11318298
    Abstract: An exemplary monitoring system 1) monitors evoked responses that occur in response to acoustic stimulation during an insertion procedure in which a lead that is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant is inserted into a cochlea of a patient, the monitoring comprising using an intracochlear electrode disposed on the lead to measure a first and a second evoked response at a first and a second insertion depth within the cochlea, the second insertion depth nearer to an apex of the cochlea than the first insertion depth, 2) determines that a change between the first evoked response measured at the first insertion depth and the second evoked response measured at the second insertion depth is greater than a predetermined threshold, and 3) determines, based on the determination that the change is greater than the predetermined threshold, that cochlear trauma has likely occurred at the second insertion depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Kanthaiah Koka, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 11311734
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to pacing of cardiac tissue, and more particularly to adjusting delivery of His bundle or bundle branch pacing in a cardiac pacing system to achieve synchronized ventricular activation. A leadless pacing device (LPD) may include a plurality of electrodes comprising a bundle pacing electrode leadlessly connected to the housing, which may be implanted proximate to or in the His bundle or bundle branch of the patient's heart. An electrical pulse generator may generate and deliver electrical His-bundle or bundle-branch stimulation pulses using the bundle pacing electrode based on sensing one or both of an atrial event and a ventricular event. The LPD may receive communication from another implantable device, such as a subcutaneously implanted device, and deliver His-bundle or bundle-branch pacing in response to the communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaohong Zhou
  • Patent number: 11305124
    Abstract: A medical device system and associated method predict a patient response to a cardiac therapy. The system includes for delivering cardiac pacing pulses to a patient's heart coupled to a cardiac sensing module and a cardiac pacing module for generating cardiac pacing pulses and controlling delivery of the pacing pulses at multiple pace parameter settings. An acoustical sensor obtains heart sound signals. A processor is enabled to receive the heart sound signals, derive a plurality of heart sound signal parameters from the heart sound signals, and determine a trend of each of the plurality of heart sound signal parameters with respect to the plurality of pace parameter settings. An external display is configured to present the trend of at least one heart sound parameter with respect to the plurality of pace parameter settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xusheng Zhang, Jeffrey M. Gillberg, Thomas J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 11235161
    Abstract: Ventricle-from-atrium (VfA) cardiac therapy may utilize a tissue-piercing electrode implanted in the left ventricular myocardium of the patient's heart from the right atrium through the right atrial endocardium and central fibrous body. The exemplary devices and methods may determine whether the tissue-piercing electrode is achieving effective left ventricular capture. Additionally, one or more pacing parameters, or paced settings, may be adjusted in view of the effective left ventricular capture determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Subham Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11239928
    Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device (IMD) that wirelessly communicates another IMD, and methods for use therewith. Such a method can include receiving one or more implant-to-implant (i2i) communication signals from the other IMD using a communication receiver of the IMD, measuring a strength of at least one of the one or more received i2i communication signals or a surrogate thereof, and updating a strength metric based on the measured strength or surrogate thereof. The method further includes determining, based on the updated strength metric, whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the sensitivity of the communication receiver of the IMD, and responding accordingly such that the sensitivity is sometimes increased, sometimes decreased, and sometimes maintained. The method can also include selectively causing a transmitter of the IMD to transmit an i2i communication signal to the other IMD requesting that the other IMD adjust its transmission strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Fishler, Benjamin T. Persson, Suresh Gurunathan
  • Patent number: 11185701
    Abstract: An intracardiac ventricular pacemaker having a motion sensor, a pulse generator and a control circuit coupled to the pulse generator and the motion sensor is configured to identify a ventricular systolic event, detect a ventricular passive filling event signal from the motion signal, and determine a time interval from the ventricular systolic event to the ventricular passive filling event. The pacemaker establishes a minimum pacing interval based on the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M. Demmer, Juliana E. Pronovici, Todd J. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 11160487
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a condition of a heart, comprises receiving a plurality of electric signals, which are acquired by non-invasive measurement on the skin of a person or animal, each signal representing electrical activity in a respective region of the heart of the person or animal; calculating a derivative value of each signal at a plurality of time instances; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a first signal and determining a first point in time of a first event based on the selected derivative values; selecting a plurality of the calculated derivative values of a second signal and determining a second point in time of a second event, corresponding to the first event, based on the selected derivative values of the second signal, and calculating at least one measure based on a difference of the first point in time and the second point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AALBORG UNIVERSITET
    Inventors: Jacob Melgaard, Johannes Jan Struijk, Claus Graff
  • Patent number: 11077305
    Abstract: In some examples of selecting a target therapy delivery site for treating a patient condition, a relatively high frequency electrical stimulation signal is delivered to at least two areas within a first region (e.g., an anterior nucleus of the thalamus) of a brain of a patient, and changes in brain activity (e.g., as indicated by bioelectrical brain signals) within a second region (e.g., a hippocampus) of the brain of the patient in response to the delivered stimulation are determined. The target therapy delivery site, an electrode combination, or both, may be selected based on the changes in brain activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Timothy J. Denison, Paul H. Stypulkowski, Scott R. Stanslaski, Robert S. Raike, Mae Eng, David E. Linde, Thomas Adamski
  • Patent number: 11052255
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pacing cardiac conductive tissue are described. A medical system includes an electrostimulation circuit to generate His-bundle pacing (HBP) pulses. A sensing circuit senses a physiologic signal, and detect a local His-bundle activation discrete from a pacing artifact of the HBP pulse. A control circuit verifies capture status in response to the HBP pulses. Based on the capture status, the control circuit determines one or more pacing thresholds including a selective HBP threshold representing a threshold strength to capture only the His bundle but not the local myocardium, and a non-selective HBP threshold representing a threshold strength to capture both the His bundle and the local myocardium. The electrostimulation circuit may deliver HBP pulses based on the selective and non-selective HBP thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Jean Brisben, David J. Ternes, Allan Charles Shuros, Deepa Mahajan, David L. Perschbacher
  • Patent number: 11024404
    Abstract: A system and method for medical image based patient-specific ischemic stroke risk prediction is disclosed. Left atrium (LA) and left atrium appendage (LAA) measurements are extracted from medical image data of a patient. Derived metrics for the LA and LAA of the patient are computed using a patient-specific computational model of cardiac function based on the LA and LAA measurements extracted from the medical image data of the patient. A stroke risk score for the patient is calculated based on the extracted LA and LAA measurements and the computed derived metrics for the LA and LAA of the patient using a trained machine learning based classifier, which inputs the extracted LA and LAA measurements and the computed derived metrics for the LA and LAA as features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Viorel Mihalef, Puneet Sharma
  • Patent number: 10918876
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices and methods that produce at least two distinct temporal components from two distinct endocardial electrogram (EGM) signals collected concurrently, determines a non-temporal 2D characteristic representative of the cardiac cycle to be analyzed, from the variations of one of the temporal components as a function of another of the temporal components and comparing the characteristic of the current cycle to two reference characteristics previously obtained and stored, one in a situation of complete capture and the other in a situation of spontaneous rhythm. Respective values of similarity descriptors are derived of these two comparisons, which are used to calculate a metric quantifying a fusion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
    Inventors: Paola Milpied, Delphine Feuerstein
  • Patent number: 10905349
    Abstract: A method for mapping atrial fibrillation (AF) in a heart, the method includes receiving an electrogram (EGM) signal, which is acquired at a given position in the heart, and is exhibiting the AF. Two or more primary peaks are identified in the EGM signal, and a cycle length (CL) is calculated between adjacent primary peaks. One or more secondary peaks are identified in the EGM signal within the CL. A local fragmentation index (FI) that is indicative of a number of the secondary peaks per CL, is calculated. The local FI is visualized on a map of at least part of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Ziyad Zeidan, Aharon Turgeman, Benjamin Cohen, Yaron Kadoshi
  • Patent number: 10799281
    Abstract: A medical device system may be configured to detect an improper energy transmission configuration therein. The condition may be detected by way of a detection of a condition where an energy-transmitting electrode of the medical device system becomes too close to or becomes in contact with an object resulting in an inability of the electrode to properly transmit energy. For example, if the energy-transmitting electrode is a first electrode configured in its operational state to transmit energy to bodily tissue adjacent the first electrode, but the first electrode is inadvertently contacting a second electrode, such contact may cause at least some energy transmitted by the first electrode to follow an unintended path away from its intended path to the adjacent tissue. Such a condition may be detected based at least upon an analysis of information acquired from a sensing device system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KARDIUM, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Wayne Goertzen, Daniel Martin Reinders, Daniel Robert Weinkam
  • Patent number: 10596381
    Abstract: An implantable or other ambulatory medical apparatus comprises a posture sensing circuit, a physiologic sensing circuit that senses a time varying physiologic signal, and a processor circuit. The processor circuit includes a posture calculation circuit and a measurement circuit. The posture calculation circuit determines a posture of the subject using posture data obtained using the posture signal and determines when the posture of the subject is steady state. The measurement circuit derives a physiologic measurement using physiologic data extracted from the physiologic signal during at least one time period when posture is determined to be steady state and provides the physiologic measurement to at least one of a user and a process in association with the determined steady state posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Viktoria A. Averina, John D. Hatlestad, Abhilash Patangay, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Yi Zhang, Kenneth C. Beck
  • Patent number: 10575346
    Abstract: A method, system and external instrument are provided. The method initiates a communication link between an external instrument (EI) and an implantable medical device (MD), established a first connection interval for conveying data packets between the EI and IMD and monitors a connection criteria that includes at least one of a data throughput requirement. A battery indicator or link condition of the communications link is between the IMD and EI. The method further changes from the first connection interval to a second connection interval based on the connection criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Yongjian Wu, Chao-Wen Young, Jun Yang, Xing Pei, Reza Shahandeh
  • Patent number: 10561326
    Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a lightweight wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a reusable monitor recorder that removably snaps into a receptacle on the electrode patch. The wearable monitor sits centrally (in the midline) on the patient's chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline, with its unique narrow “hourglass”-like shape, significantly improves the ability of the wearable monitor to cutaneously sense cardiac electrical potential signals, particularly the P-wave and, to a lesser extent, the QRS interval signals indicating ventricular activity in the ECG waveforms. Additionally, the monitor recorder includes an ECG sensing circuit that measures raw cutaneous electrical signals and performs signal processing prior to outputting the processed signals for sampling and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BARDY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Felix, Jon Mikalson Bishay, Gust H. Bardy
  • Patent number: 10525270
    Abstract: According to some methods, for example, preprogrammed in a microprocessor element of an implantable cardiac pacing system, at least one of a number of periodic pacing threshold searches includes steps to reduce an evoked response amplitude threshold for evoked response signal detection. The reduction may be to a minimum value measurable above zero, for example, as determined by establishing a ‘noise floor’. Alternately, amplitudes of test pacing pulses and corresponding post pulse signals are collected and reviewed to search for a break, to determine a lower value to which the evoked response threshold may be adjusted without detecting noise. Subsequent to reducing the threshold, if no evoked response signal is detected for a test pulse applied at or above a predetermined maximum desirable pulse energy, an operational pacing pulse energy is set to greater than or equal to the maximum desirable in conjunction with a reduction in pacing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J Sheldon, Wade M Demmer
  • Patent number: 10512784
    Abstract: Systems, methods and implantable devices configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or bradycardia pacing therapy. A first device located in the heart of the patient is configured to receive a communication from a second device and deliver a pacing therapy in response to or in accordance with the received communication. A second device located elsewhere is configured to determine an atrial event has occurred and communicate to the first device to trigger the pacing therapy. The second device may be configured for sensing the atrial event by the use of vector selection and atrial event windowing, among other enhancements. Exception cases are discussed and handled as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Hahn, Krzysztof Z. Siejko, William J. Linder, Keith R. Maile, Amy Jean Brisben, Keith L. Herrmann, Brendan E. Koop, Benjamin J. Haasl
  • Patent number: 10493286
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) automatically determines at least a portion of the parameters and, in some instances all of the parameters, of an exposure operating mode based on stored information regarding sensed physiological events or therapy provided over a predetermined period of time. The IMD may configure itself to operate in accordance with the automatically determined parameters of the exposure operating mode in response to detecting a disruptive energy field. Alternatively, the IMD may provide the automatically determined parameters of the exposure operating mode to a physician as suggested or recommended parameters for the exposure operating mode. In other instances, the automatically determined parameters may be compared to parameters received manually via telemetry and, if differences exist or occur, a physician or patient may be notified and/or the manual parameters may be overridden by the automatically determined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Ellingson, Hyun J. Yoon
  • Patent number: 10441789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface means, especially an interface means for a medical device, comprising at least one or more lines, whereby the lines are configured such that each line has at least one specific functionality and/or is able to connect a first connection means with a second connection means, and at least one grouping and/or redistributing means, wherein the at least one grouping and/or redistributing means is configured such that the lines can be grouped and/or redistributed onto one or more lines and/or the functionality of lines can be grouped and/or redistributed onto one or more lines, preferably onto at least one single line. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for communicating a plurality of signals, in particular power and/or data signals and/or control signals, over a plurality of lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Bakken Research Center, B.V.
    Inventor: Jeroen Jacob Arnold Tol
  • Patent number: 10434314
    Abstract: A medical system may include a first medical device such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) that is configured to pace a patient's heart and a second medical device that is configured to have a capture threshold capability. The second medical device may monitor the patient's heart to ascertain whether the pacing pulses from the first medical device are capturing the heart, and to send the first medical device instructions to alter an energy level of subsequent pacing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Ludwig, Keith R. Maile