Controlling Or Indicating Stimulation Level Patents (Class 607/7)
  • Publication number: 20150148857
    Abstract: A wearable device and method of monitoring the condition of a patient. The wearable device includes at least one sensor and at least one processor operatively connected to the at least one sensor. The wearable device also includes an operator interface device operatively connected to the at least one processor. The at least one processor causes the device to allow for customization of at least one output message to be delivered via the operator interface device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: John D. Macho, Shane S. Volpe, Richard A. Rattanni, Philip C. Skalos, Thomas E. Kaib, Marshal W. Linder
  • Publication number: 20150148856
    Abstract: This document relates to cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to systems and techniques for protecting rescuers from electrical shock during defibrillation of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Gary A. Freeman, Weilun Quan
  • Patent number: 9041551
    Abstract: A disclosed telemetry system comprises an Nth number of telemetry devices and an equal number of standard disposable circular electrode patches. A body of each telemetry device in the system includes a female snap receptor configured to attach to a single male snap post of an electrode patch. A wireless transmitter module is disposed immediately around and in direct connection with each female snap receptor. Each wireless transmitter module transmits a signal from the respective female snap receptor to a receiver. A wireless receiver module is configured to receive and to process an Nth number of transmitted signals from the Nth number of telemetry devices into an Nth?1 number of signals where the number of signals is greater than zero. There are Nth?1 number of signals because at least one of the Nth telemetry devices is configured as a ground reference for the rest of the Nth telemetry devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Darin Slack
  • Publication number: 20150134021
    Abstract: Recent advancements in power electronics technology have provided opportunities for enhancements to circuits of implantable medical devices. The enhancements have contributed to increasing circuit miniaturization and an increased efficiency in the operation of the implantable medical devices. The therapy delivery circuits and techniques of the disclosure facilitate generation of a therapy stimulation waveform that may be shaped based on the patient's physiological response to the stimulation waveform. The generated therapy stimulation waveforms include a stepped leading-edge that may be shaped having a varying slope and varying amplitudes associated with each of the segments of the slope. Unlike the truncated exponential waveform delivered by the conventional therapy delivery circuit which is based on the behavior of the output capacitors (i.e., i=C(dV/dt)), the stimulation waveform of the present disclosure may be dynamically shaped as a function of an individual patient's response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Randolph E. Crutchfield, Lonny V. Cabelka, Mark R. Boone, Marshall J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20150119651
    Abstract: Wireless systems and methods include a plurality of peripheral electronic devices each having a wireless communication system. A processor is configured to establish an association confidence level indicative of a likelihood that a peripheral electronic device is associated to a monitored subject for each peripheral electronic device based on association criteria. Indicators are configured to communicate the association the association confidence level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew George Grubis
  • Publication number: 20150094581
    Abstract: A portable defibrillator according to embodiments of the present invention includes a defibrillator engine configured to receive defibrillator information from defibrillator sensors coupled to a patient and display the defibrillator information; an external device engine configured to receive information from medical device sensors coupled to the patient; a medical device virtual machine configured to display the patient parameter information from the external device engine; and a display screen operating a user interface through which the defibrillator engine displays the defibrillator information and the medical device virtual machine displays the patient parameter information from the external device engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Gideon D.H. Butler
  • Patent number: 8996113
    Abstract: Systems and techniques that enable a user to selectively extend the time prior to providing an indication of power source depletion, e.g., allow an extended the recommended replacement time (RRT) prior to providing an elective replacement indication (ERI), are described. The user provides input, which may indicate an acceptable level of implantable medical device performance, e.g., that lesser performance for a period between a default RRT and an extended RRT is acceptable. In response to the input, the time until providing an RRT/ERI notification, or some other indication of depletion of the implantable medical device power source, may be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150088016
    Abstract: A system includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor and memory configured to determine a proficiency level of a user of a rescue application based on stored data indicative of the user's proficiency level, and based on the user's proficiency level, select a level of operation for the rescue application. The rescue application is executed on a mobile device and configured to control operation of an AED. Each of multiple levels of operation for the rescue application allows the user a different degree of control over the operation of the AED. The processor and memory are configured to present, to the user, a set of instructions associated with the selected level of operation; and to enable control of the AED according to the selected levels of operation. A different set of instructions is associated with each of the multiple levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Tyler Fleischacker, Guy R. Johnson, Gary A. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20150080670
    Abstract: A method includes receiving cardiac data and determining a cardiac index based upon the cardiac data; determining an increased risk of death associated with epilepsy if the indices are extreme, issuing a warning of the increased risk of death and logging information related to the increased risk of death. A second method comprises receiving at least one of arousal data, responsiveness data or awareness data and determining an arousal index, a responsiveness index or an awareness index, where the indices are based on arousal data, responsiveness data or awareness data respectively; determining an increased risk of death related to epilepsy if indices are extreme values, issuing a warning of the increased risk of death and logging information related to the increased risk of death. A non-transitory computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Flint Hills Scientific, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 8983598
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of a method, a predetermined cardiac activity indicated for an antitachycardia shock is detected. Neural stimulation is applied to lower a defibrillation threshold in preparation for the shock, and the shock is subcutaneously delivered. According to one embodiment, neural stimulation is applied as part of a prophylactic therapy. A predetermined cardiac activity indicated for an antitachycardia shock is detected, and the shock is subcutaneously delivered. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Joseph M. Pastore
  • Patent number: 8983604
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or other forms of neurostimulation. Far-field cardiac electrical signals are sensed using a lead of the SCS device and neurostimulation is selectively delivering using a set of adjustable SCS control parameters. Parameters representative of cardiac rhythm are derived from the far-field cardiac electrical signals. The parameters representative of cardiac rhythm are correlated with SCS control parameters to thereby map neurostimulation control settings to cardiac rhythm parameters. The delivery of further neurostimulation is then controlled based on the mapping of neurostimulation control settings to cardiac rhythm parameters to, for example, address any cardiovascular disorders detected based on the far-field cardiac signals. In this manner, a closed loop control system is provided to automatically adjust SCS control parameters to respond to changes in cardiac rhythm such as changes associated with ischemia, arrhythmia or heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Keel, Stuart Rosenberg, Rupinder Bharmi, Kyungmoo Ryu, Edward Karst, Fujian Qu, Xiaoyi Min, Yelena Nabutovsky
  • Publication number: 20150057716
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to analyze valve related timing and monitor heart failure. The method and system comprise collecting cardiac signals associated with an atrial chamber of interest; collecting dynamic impedance (DI) data along an atria-function focused (AFF) vector to form a DI data set, the DI data set including information corresponding to a mechanical function (MF) of a valve associated with the atrial chamber of interest; identifying, from the cardiac signals, an intra-atrial conduction timing (IACT) associated with the atrial chamber of interest; estimating an MF landmark at which the mechanical function of the valve occurs based on the DI data set; analyzing a timing delay between the MF landmark and the IACT; and adjusting a therapy, based on the timing delay, to encourage atrial contribution to ventricular filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, Rupinder Bharmi, Wenbo Hou, Edward Karst, Kritika Gupta, Risshi Shah
  • Patent number: 8965501
    Abstract: A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special ascending, biphasic waveform. The special waveform is characterized by a set of at least two peaks. The amplitude of the second peak is greater than the amplitude of the first peak. The waveform is generated by switching capacitance configuration in the defibrillator from a parallel configuration to a series configuration while the defibrillator is delivering the defibrillation shock to the patient. Because of the switching capacitances and/or the waveform, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8965495
    Abstract: An implantable electronic therapy device, having a therapy unit, a heart rate capturing unit, a contractility determination unit, and an evaluation and control unit. The therapy unit delivers an antitachycardiac therapy. The heart rate capturing unit determines a ventricular heart rate from an input signal, and the contractility determination unit generates from an input signal, a contraction signal reflecting a contractility of a ventricle. The evaluation and control unit is connected to the therapy unit, the heart rate capturing unit, and the contractility determination unit actuates the therapy unit to administer an antitachycardiac therapy when the heart rate capturing unit detects an increase in the heart rate above a specified threshold value and the contractility determination unit supplies a contraction signal which is not physiologically adequate for the increase in the heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Biotronik Se & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Doerr
  • Patent number: 8958875
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices switch from a constant current mode of operation to a constant voltage mode of operation. The switching may be based on the device determining that tissue impedance stability has occurred. The determination may be a measurement of output voltage stability of the constant current source or based on other factors such as an amount of time that has elapsed. The switching may be as the result of an externally generated request such as by a clinician via an external device. The implantable medical device may begin constant voltage mode by utilizing stimulation parameters based on those initially programmed for constant current mode and based upon a measurement of voltage amplitude being output by the constant current source prior to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kelly, Matthew J. Michaels, Gregory F. Molnar, Jonathan C. Werder
  • Publication number: 20150039042
    Abstract: A medical therapy device comprises: a housing; a controller positioned within the housing for monitoring a condition of a patient based on a signal received from at least one sensor associated with the patient and initiating a treatment based on the condition of the patient; and at least one indication mechanism provided on the housing and configured to provide an indication to the patient of at least one condition of at least one of the medical therapy device, the at least one sensor, and the patient. The at least one indication mechanism is visible without manipulation of the housing of the medical therapy device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Phillip Amsler, Thomas E. Kaib, Shane Volpe
  • Publication number: 20150039043
    Abstract: Cardiac systems and methods using ECG and blood information for arrhythmia detection and discrimination. Detection circuitry is configured to produce an ECG. An implantable blood sensor configured to produce a blood sensor signal is coupled to a processor. The processor is coupled to the detection and energy delivery circuitry, and used to evaluate and treat cardiac rhythms using both the cardiac electrophysiologic and blood sensor signals. The blood sensor is configured for subcutaneous non-intrathoracic placement and provided in or on the housing, on a lead coupled to the housing, and/or separate to the housing and coupled to the processor via hardwire or wireless link. The blood sensor may be configured for optical sensing, using a blood oxygen saturation sensor or pulse oximeter. A cardiac rhythm may be evaluated using the electrocardiogram signal and the blood sensor signal, and tachyarrhythmias may be treated after confirmation using the blood sense signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Apurv Kamath, Paul A. Haefner, Darrell O. Wagner, Marina V. Brockway
  • Publication number: 20150031972
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a physiological (e.g., an ECG) signal during application of chest compressions. The method includes acquiring a physiological signal during application of chest compressions; acquiring the output of a sensor from which information on the velocity of chest compressions can be determined; and using the information on the velocity to reduce at least one signal artifact in the physiological signal resulting from the chest compressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gary A. Freeman, Qing Tan, Frederick J. Geheb
  • Publication number: 20150031961
    Abstract: A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the therapy, wherein the sensor is other than an electrode in an electrical contact with the body; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored; a processor configured to determine which of the different prompts should be selected for delivery based on the progress detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8938295
    Abstract: An improvement in a light therapy device including multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned in a handheld portable device is disclosed. Where the housing and the LEDs are configured to have direct contact with the skin or tissue of the user without any intermediary materials, and light the surface and underlying layers of tissue for photodynamic stimulation of the cells. Two iterations of the device utilize light known to have a bactericidal effect in the case or acne or Rosacea. The devices are fabricated from an injection molded plastic housing. The housing contains an arrangement of 36-72 LEDs on a circuit board in an arrangement to provide even lighting over the skin or tissue surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: LED Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Baird, Stan Stanbridge
  • Publication number: 20150018894
    Abstract: A modular external defibrillator system in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: a base containing a defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient, (b) one or more pods each connectable to a patient via patient lead cables to collect at least one patient vital sign, the pods operable at a distance from the base, (c) a wireless communications link between the base and a selected one of the two or more pods to carry the at least one vital sign from the selected pod to the base, the selection being based on which pod is associated with the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Pearce, Thomas J. McGrath, Randy L. Merry, John C. Daynes, Kenneth J. Petersen, Peter Wung, Michael D. McMahon, D. Craig Edwards, Eric T. Hoierman, Rockland W. Nordness, James S. Neumiller
  • Publication number: 20140379042
    Abstract: A method for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac is disclosed and involves monitoring, with an external defibrillator, multiple parameters of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance; determining from at least one of the parameters, an indication of trans-thoracic impedance of the person receiving emergency cardiac care; determining, from at least one of the parameters corresponding to an electrocardiogram of the person receiving emergency cardiac assistance, an initial indication of likely shock effectiveness; determining, as a function of at least the indication of trans-thoracic impedance and the initial indication of likely shock effectiveness, an indication of whether a shock provided to the person receiving emergency medical assistance will be effective; and affecting control of the defibrillator by a caregiver as a result of determining the indication of whether a shock will be effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Weilun Quan, Qing Tan, Gary A. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140378854
    Abstract: A single-chamber implantable device for detecting a patient's atrial activity using a monobody lead is disclosed. The monobody lead (10) includes a ventricular coil (16), a supraventricular coil (18), a distal electrode (14) forming three electrodes for detecting depolarization signals. A generator (12) of the implantable device collects a first unipolar signal (20) between the ventricular coil and the generator housing and a second unipolar signal (22) between the supraventricular coil and the generator housing. An independent component analysis is performed to the detected depolarization signals to determine an estimated atrial activity signal from the first and second unipolar signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: SORIN CRM S.A.S.
    Inventors: Paola Milpied, Christine Henry
  • Publication number: 20140371804
    Abstract: A method for extinguishing a cardiac arrhythmia utilizes destructive interference of the passing of the reentry wave tip of an anatomical reentry through a depolarized region created by a relatively low voltage electric field in such a way as to effectively unpin the anatomical reentry. Preferably, the relatively low voltage electric field is defined by at least one unpinning shock(s) that are lower than an expected lower limit of vulnerability as established, for example, by a defibrillation threshold test. By understanding the physics of the electric field distribution between cardiac cells, the method permits the delivery of an electric field sufficient to unpin the core of the anatomical reentry, whether the precise or estimated location of the reentry is known or unknown and without the risk of inducting ventricular fibrillation. A number of embodiments for performing the method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Washington University
    Inventors: Igor R. Efimov, Valentin I. Krinski, Vladmir P. Nikolski
  • Publication number: 20140364918
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient for ventricular tachycardia using a wearable defibrillator includes monitoring the patient for a predetermined condition via one or more electrodes on the defibrillator, sending a message to the patient in response to the predetermined condition, activating the defibrillator so that the defibrillator delivers defibrillation energy to the patient, and storing at least one of the results of the monitoring, sending and activating steps in a memory on the defibrillator. The method also includes downloading information stored in the memory of the defibrillator to a base station having an external interface, and transmitting the information downloaded from the memory of the base station to an external location via the external interface of the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: James M. Owen, Randall W. Fincke, James P. O'Leary, Mark H. Totman
  • Patent number: 8909336
    Abstract: An external defibrillator includes patient electrodes (20) for obtaining the patient's electrocardiogram (ECG) and for applying a shock to the patient. A microprocessor (24) analyses the patient's ECG using a diagnostic algorithm to detect if the patient's heart is in a shockable rhythm, and shock delivery circuitry (10) is enabled when a shockable rhythm is detected by the diagnostic algorithm. The patient electrodes also allow obtaining a signal (Z) which is a measure of the patient's transthoracic impedance and the microprocessor is responsive to Z to detect conditions likely to cause the diagnostic algorithm to generate a false detection of a shockable rhythm. If such detection is made, the microprocessor prevents detection of a shockable rhythm by the diagnostic algorithm, at least for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Heartsine Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Cesar Oswaldo Navarro-Paredes, Janice Anderson
  • Patent number: 8909337
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter provide devices and methods to treat AV-conducted ventricular tachyarrhythmia (AVCVT). According to various embodiments of the method, an AVCVT is sensed, an IVC-LA fat pad is stimulated when the AVCVT is sensed to block AV conduction, and bradycardia support pacing is provided while the IVC-LA fat pad is stimulated. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Moffitt, Andrew P. Kramer, Imad Libbus
  • Publication number: 20140350621
    Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation therapies is enabled to detect a short circuit of a medical electrical lead. A physiological signal correlated to a motion of a patient is sensed via a physiological sensor. If a lead monitoring condition is met based on the physiological signal, a cardiac signal is acquired and analyzed to detect an abnormality. The short circuit of the medical electrical lead is detected in response to detecting the abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gunderson, Marshall S. Stanton
  • Publication number: 20140350619
    Abstract: A system and method of enabling detection enhancements selected from a plurality of detection enhancements. In a system having a plurality of clinical rhythms, including a first clinical rhythm, where each of the detection enhancements is associated with the clinical rhythms, the first clinical rhythm is selected. The first clinical rhythm is associated with first and second detection enhancements. When the first clinical rhythm is selected, parameters of the first and second detection enhancements are set automatically. A determination is made as to whether changes are to be made to the parameters. If so, one or more of the parameters are modified under user control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Vickie L. Conley, Scott R. Stubbs, Douglas J. Lang
  • Publication number: 20140350618
    Abstract: The implantable cardiac treatment system of the present invention is capable of choosing the most appropriate electrode vector to sense within a particular patient. In certain embodiments, the implantable cardiac treatment system determines the most appropriate electrode vector for continuous sensing based on which electrode vector results in the greatest signal amplitude, or some other useful metric such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The electrode vector possessing the highest quality as measured using the metric is then set as the default electrode vector for sensing. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a next alternative electrode vector is selected based on being generally orthogonal to the default electrode vector. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the next alternative electrode vector is selected based on possessing the next highest quality metric after the default electrode vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Jay A. Warren, Gust H. Bardy
  • Publication number: 20140350617
    Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) having a treatment decision processor (28) is described which estimates the probability of successful resuscitation made from an analysis of a patient parameter measured in the presence of CPR artifact. The invention may also adjust its analysis protocol and guidance outputs depending on a comparison of the estimate with a subsequent shock analysis. The invention also may use the trend of the measured patient parameter to adjust the CPR protocol either during a CPR pause or after the initial CPR pause. The AED (10) thus enables an improved rescue protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: DAWN BLILIE JORGENSON, CHRISTIAN CARY, JAMIE FROMAN, KENNETH RUCKER
  • Publication number: 20140350620
    Abstract: An implantable medical device capable of sensing cardiac signals and delivering cardiac electrical stimulation therapies is enabled to detect a short circuit event. A signal is sensed by a sensing module coupled to electrodes. A controller detects a short circuit event in response to a slope of the sensed signal exceeding a short circuit threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce D. Gunderson, Marshall S. Stanton
  • Patent number: 8897885
    Abstract: A method and associated stimulation device for ensuring firing of an action potential in an intended physiological target activated by a stimulus pulse generated by an electrode of a non-invasive surface based stimulation device irrespective of skin-to-electrode impedance by: (i) increasing internal impedance of the stimulation device so as to widen a Chronaxie time period thereby ensuring firing of the action potential of the intended physiological target irrespective of the skin-to-electrode impedance; and/or (ii) generating a stimulation waveform that optimizes a non-zero average current (e.g., non-zero slope of the envelope of the stimulation waveform) during preferably substantially the entire current decay of the stimulus pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony DiUbaldi, Stephen Wahlgren
  • Publication number: 20140336519
    Abstract: An ambulatory medical device including a plurality of electrodes configured to be disposed at spaced apart positions about a patient's body, an electrode signal acquisition circuit, and a monitoring circuit. The acquisition circuit has a plurality of inputs each electrically coupled to a respective electrode of the plurality of electrodes and is configured to sense a respective signal provided by a plurality of different pairings of the plurality of electrodes. The monitoring circuit is electrically coupled to an output of the acquisition circuit and is configured to analyze the respective signal provided by each of the plurality of different pairings and to instruct the acquisition circuit to select at least one of the plurality of different pairings to monitor based on at least one of the quality of the respective signal, a phase difference between the respective signal and that of other pairings, a position of electrodes relative to the patient's body, and other criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kaib, Shane Volpe, John D. Macho
  • Patent number: 8886314
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for inducing ventricular fibrillation in a patient to facilitate defibrillation threshold testing. The apparatus includes a plurality of output capacitors that are dynamically configurable in a selected stacking arrangement that facilitates delivery of energy for inducing the ventricular fibrillation. An output of the apparatus is coupled to patient electrodes and a threshold energy level delivered by the output capacitors is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph E. Crutchfield, Lonny V. Cabelka, Mark R. Boone, Marshall J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20140330327
    Abstract: Substernal implantable cardioveter-defibrillator (ICD) systems and methods for providing substernal electrical stimulation therapy to treat malignant tachyarrhythmia, e.g., ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) are described. In one example, an implantable cardioveter-defibrillator (ICD) system includes an ICD implanted in a patient and an implantable medical electrical lead. The lead includes an elongated lead body having a proximal end and a distal portion, a connector at the proximal end of the lead body configured to couple to the ICD, and one or more electrodes along the distal portion of the elongated lead body. The distal portion of the elongated lead body of the lead is implanted substantially within an anterior mediastinum of the patient and the ICD is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a heart of the patient using the one or more electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Melissa G.T. Christie, Paul J. DeGroot, Rick D. McVenes, Becky L. Dolan
  • Publication number: 20140324112
    Abstract: A wearable defibrillator and method of monitoring the condition of a patient. The wearable defibrillator includes at least one therapy pad, at least one sensor and at least one processing unit operatively connected to the one or more therapy pads and the one or more sensors. The wearable defibrillator also includes at least one audio device operatively connected to the one or more processing units. The one or more audio devices are configured to receive audio input from a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: John D. Macho, Shane S. Volpe, Richard A. Rattanni, Philip C. Skalos, Thomas E. Kaib, Marshal W. Linder
  • Publication number: 20140324111
    Abstract: A defibrillation system includes an electrode set to contact a biological subject, and a portable electronic device supporting mobile wireless communications and coupled to the electrode set. The portable electronic device includes a processor and a memory unit. The memory unit stores program instructions which, when executed by the processor, enables the processor to obtain an electro-cardiac signal of the biological subject through the electrode set, and output a discharge command according to the electro-cardiac signal for delivering an electrical shock to the biological subject through the electrode set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: THINKCLOUD DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Jen WU
  • Patent number: 8874210
    Abstract: An implantable cardiac prosthesis device conducting an analysis of a patient tolerance to a pacing mode favoring the spontaneous atrioventricular conduction is disclosed. The device operates in a dual chamber (DDD or biventricular) mode and in a pacing mode favoring the spontaneous atrioventricular conduction such as an AAI mode (10) with a ventricular sensing or a mode with hysteresis of the atrioventricular delay. The device controls (10-18) the conditional switching from one mode to the other. The device comprises a hemodynamic sensor, including an endocardial acceleration sensor, derives a hemodynamic index representative of the hemodynamic tolerance of the patient to the spontaneous atrioventricular conduction. The device controls inhibiting or (20) forcing the conditional switching of the device to the DDD (or biventricular) mode according to the evolution of the hemodynamic index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sorin CRM SAS
    Inventor: Laurence Graindorge
  • Patent number: 8868185
    Abstract: A medical device and associated method for delivery of a cardiac therapy that includes determining a first impedance signal along a thoracic electrode vector extending within a portion of a thoracic cavity, determining a second impedance signal along an extra-thoracic electrode vector extending outside the thoracic cavity, comparing first amplitude measurements corresponding to the first impedance signals and second amplitude measurements corresponding to the second impedance signals, comparing first slope measurements corresponding to the first impedance signals and second slope measurements corresponding to the second impedance signals, and determining delivery of the cardiac therapy in response to the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Zielinski, Douglas A. Hettrick, Yong K. Cho, Eduardo N. Warman, Paul A. Sobotka
  • Patent number: 8862227
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept are directed to external defibrillators that include an electrode connection port having multiple connection options, and include a detection device to determine an electrode connection configuration so as to provide an appropriate electrical shock to a patient. The detection device detects the electrode connection configuration of a plug connector for connected electrodes to determine if the plug connector is in an adult orientation or a pediatric orientation. The external defibrillator is configured to a deliver an electrical shock with less energy when the pediatric orientation is detected rather than the adult orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan William Apperson, John Carlton Daynes, Kelly Schneiderman
  • Publication number: 20140303680
    Abstract: A wearable treatment device includes a cardiac sensing electrode, a treatment electrode, a user interface, and a sensor. The cardiac sensing electrode detects cardiac information, and the treatment electrode applies treatment to a subject. The user interface receives quality of life information from the subject, and the sensor detects subject activity and wellness information. A controller coupled with the cardiac sensing electrode, the treatment electrode, the user interface, and the sensor receives the detected cardiac information, the quality of life information, and the detected subject activity and wellness information, and determines that treatment is to be applied to the body of the subject based upon the detected cardiac to information. The controller can adjust the treatment based on at least one of the detected subject activity and wellness information and the quality of life information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward J. Donnelly, Thomas E. Kaib, Marshal W. Linder, Steven J. Szymkiewicz, Jason T. Whiting, Shane S. Volpe
  • Patent number: 8855783
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including (1) an external device, configured for placement outside of a body of a subject and to sense a factor of the subject, and to generate a signal in response to the sensed factor, and (2) an implant, which comprises a wireless receiver for receiving the signal, and at least one electrode, the implant configured to drive the electrode to apply current to an aortic and/or vagal site of the subject in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Enopace Biomedical Ltd.
    Inventors: Amir Dagan, Yossi Gross, Yotam Reisner, Offer Glasberg, Nitai Hanani, Gal Ariav, Oded Meiri
  • Publication number: 20140296931
    Abstract: A wearable defibrillator system includes a support structure with one or more electrodes in an unbiased state. A monitoring device monitors, for the long term, a parameter of the person that is not the person's ECG; rather, the monitored parameter can be the person's motion, a physiological parameter, or both. When a value of the monitored parameter reaches a threshold, such as when the person is having an actionable episode, the electrode becomes mechanically biased against the person's body, for making good electrical contact. Then, if necessary, the person can be given electrical therapy, such as defibrillation. As such, the electrodes of the wearable defibrillator system can be worn loosely for the long term, without making good electrical contact. This can reduce the person's aversion to wearing the defibrillation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Fred W. Chapman, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Publication number: 20140296930
    Abstract: A multi-modal electrotherapy apparatus including circuitry for administering defibrillation therapy and for administering medium voltage therapy (MVT) adapted to reduce the side effects of MVT. The electrotherapy apparatus is configured to selectively deliver MVT to vectors not involving the ventricles and defibrillation therapy to vectors involving the ventricles. The apparatus can use biphasic waveforms configured to avoid capture of cardiac cells during MVT. The electrotherapy apparatus can minimize the risk of applying MVT at inappropriate times, such as during atrial fibrillation or where conventional ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation therapy is more appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Galvani, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark W. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20140275928
    Abstract: A device adapted to attach to a subject for detecting an ECG signal of the subject. The device includes a first, a second, and a third electrode, where the electrodes form an orthogonal configuration. Two channels of ECG data can be obtained using a common electrode, and can be further combined to obtain a further channel using vector mathematics. The channel combination can be performed at vector angles suitable for optimizing the detection of various features of the ECG spectra of the subject. A method of using an implantable cardiac device together with surface-attached wireless sensor(s) is also provided where the acquired data from the implantable cardiac device and from the surface-attached wireless sensor(s) are both used for diagnosing patient's heart conditions and administering appropriate therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Peerbridge Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Joseph Acquista, Avi Kometz, Leung-Hang Ma, John Shambroom
  • Publication number: 20140277227
    Abstract: A defibrillator is provided with two processors for enhancing the defibrillation process. A first processor is dedicated to controlling when an electrical charge is applied to a patient. A second processor is dedicated to data operations for enhancing the coaching of the defibrillation process. The second data processor is in communication with one or more external devices for transmission and receipt of network data for further enhancing the coaching process. The second data processor allows both the defibrillator to be maintained with updated network data and software and the one or more external devices to be maintained with updated defibrillator data. Independent controllers provide multiple processing paths on critical charge and coaching functions; with the second data processor further providing redundancy control in the event of any malfunction of the first charge processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Peterson, Mitchell A. Smith, Denny Craig Edwards, Jeffery Scott Edwards, Pablo Gonzalez-Gandolfi, Rockland W. Nordness, Matthew Lawrence Bielstein, Clayton Ming Young, James Wootten, David B. Stewart, Paul R. Juhasz, David Okey, Steven Witters, Ira M. Turner
  • Publication number: 20140277228
    Abstract: A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed that includes one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the patient; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors to identify a phase in which a patient being monitored by the system is in relative to a time at which an adverse cardiac event for patient began.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Weilun Quan, Gary A. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140277224
    Abstract: A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed that includes one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the patient; a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using (a) information about a prior defibrillating shock, and (b) a value that is a function of current ECG signals from the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Weilun Quan, Gary A. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20140277225
    Abstract: A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance is disclosed that includes one or more capacitors for delivering a defibrillating shock to a patient; one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the patient; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors using code stored in non-transitory media and to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using (a) a mathematical transform from a time domain to a frequency domain applied to the indication of the ECG, and (b) a tapered window for identifying the portion of the indications of the ECG on which the transform is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Weilun Quan, Gary A. Freeman