| MEDTRONIC, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120136422 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE CONDUCTOR INSULATION AND PROCESS FOR FORMING - An implantable medical device that includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a plurality of conductors extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the lead body, and an insulative layer formed of a hydrolytically stable polyimide material surrounding the plurality of conductors. In one embodiment, the hydrolytically stable polyimide material is an SI polyimide material. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120136413 | PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE TRAINING - Electrical stimulation is delivered to a patient based on input from a patient indicative of an intent of the patient to contract a pelvic floor muscle or an attempt by the patient to contract the pelvic floor muscle. The electrical stimulation is configured to induce a contraction of the pelvic floor muscle of the patient to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120136263 | DETECTION OF RELAXATION ABNORMALITY IN HEART TISSUE - A chronically implanted medical device, connected to a medical electrical lead that includes a sensor, is used to detect diastolic dysfunction. A LV accelerometer signal is sensed through the sensor. Based on the LV accelerometer signal, a determination is made as to whether diastolic dysfunction data exists. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120130466 | MULTI-POLAR ELECTRICAL MEDICAL LEAD CONNECTOR SYSTEM - A lead connector is terminated proximally by a connector pin and includes a circumferential array of connector pads, each connector pad coupled to an electrode via an elongated insulated conductor. A lumen of an adaptor is adapted to engage the lead connector and includes an electrical contact zone formed therein and positioned for coupling with a one of the array of connector pads, when the connector is engaged within the lumen, in order to facilitate electrical connection of a selected electrode corresponding to the one of the array of connector pads. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130461 | RADIOPAQUE MARKERS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS, DEVICES, AND SYSTEMS - Radiopaque markers represent that a lead is suitable for a particular medical procedure such as a magnetic resonance image scan and are added to the lead or related device. The markers may be added after implantation of the lead in various ways including suturing, gluing, crimping, or clamping a radiopaque tag to the lead or to the device. The markers may be added by placing a radiopaque coil about the lead, and the radiopaque coil may radially contract against the lead to obtain a fixed position. The markers may be added by placing a polymer structure onto the lead where the polymer structure includes a radiopaque marker within it. The polymer structure may include a cylindrical aperture that contracts against the lead to fix the position of the structure. The polymer structure may form a lead anchor that includes suture wings that can be sutured to the lead. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130444 | INCONTINENCE THERAPY - Techniques for managing urinary or fecal incontinence include delivering a first type of therapy to generate a first physiological response and, upon detecting a trigger event, delivering a second type of therapy to generate a second physiological response. The first type of therapy can be delivered on a substantially regular basis, while the second type of therapy is delivered as needed to provide an additional boost of therapy. The trigger event for activating the delivery of the second type of therapy may include input from a sensor that indicates a bladder condition, patient activity level or patient posture, or patient input. In some examples, the therapy is stimulation therapy. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130438 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH SWAPPABLE HEADERS - An implantable electrical medical device system includes a device body portion having a plurality of contacts operably coupled to discrete channels of electronics. One or more swappable headers may be attached to the device body portion by an end user, such as an implanting physician, to operably couple internal lead receptacle contacts in the header to the contacts of the device body portion. The swappable headers may have lead receptacles configured to receive differing types or combinations of leads, allowing an end user to select one or more appropriate headers as desired. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130437 | VARYING LEAD CONFIGURATION IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable electrical medical device includes (i) electronics configured to generate or receive an electrical signal and containing a plurality of channels through which the electrical signal may be transmitted; (ii) a first lead receptacle having a first defined number of internal contacts, wherein each of the internal contacts are independently operably coupled to a discrete channel of the electronics; and (iii) a second lead receptacle having a second defined number of internal contacts, wherein the second defined number is less than the first defined number, and wherein each of the internal contacts of the second receptacle are independently operably coupled to a discrete channel of the electronics. At least one of the internal contacts of the first lead receptacle and at least one of the internal contacts of the second lead receptacle are operably coupled to the same channel of the electronics. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130303 | RATE CONTROL DURING AF USING CELLULAR INTERVENTION TO MODULATE AV NODE - A biologic intervention method and apparatus generates a persistent modification to an AV node that is physiologically stable after the agent has matured but is alterable with subsequent application of an agent. Specifically, the generic agent is used to modulate a node in a cardiac conduction system including rate control using one and a combination of a family of K | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120130232 | Illustrating a Three-Dimensional Nature of a Data Set on a Two-Dimensional Display - A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125978 | COLD WELD - A cold weld is formed in a multilayer-material. A first pin is coupled to a first block. A second pin is coupled to a second block. The multilayer material is disposed between the first pin and the second pin. The first pin opposes the second pin. The multilayer material is held in the XY plane and floats in the Z axis. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120124831 | METHODS OF MANUFACTURING A HERMETIC LEAD CONNECTOR - A method of manufacturing a hermetic lead connector includes fixing an electrically insulating ring between an electrically conducting contact ring and an electrically conducting spacer ring to form a hermetic ring subassembly, and fixing a plurality of the hermetic ring subassemblies in axial alignment to form a hermetic lead connector. The hermetic lead connector includes an open end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining a lead aperture. The hermetic lead connector provides a hermetic seal between the outer surface and the inner surface. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120123503 | PATIENT PROGRAMMER WITH CUSTOMIZABLE PROGRAMMING - This disclosure describes techniques for configuring external programmers for use with implantable medical devices. The techniques may include customizing a generic external programmer, e.g., a patient programmer, with an application for interfacing with the implanted medical device. In one example, a method includes receiving, from a clinician programmer, a selected one of a plurality of applications, wherein each of the applications is configured to control the operation of a patient programmer, the selected application is associated with a type of the IMD, and others of the plurality of applications are associated with different types of IMDs, and configuring, based on the received application, the patient programmer to present an interface that enables a user to interact with the IMD via the patient programmer. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120123499 | Therapy Control Using Relative Motion Between Sensors - The invention is directed to controlling therapy delivery based on a relative motion between a first and second activity sensor. The relative motion between the activity sensors is representative of the relative motion between the locations of the body of the patient at which the respective activity sensors are located. The use of relative motion, however, may substantially remove motion experienced by both the activity sensors, e.g., motion caused by the environment in which patient is located, thus providing a new reference frame from which to analyze the motion measurements. The relative motion may be used to detect a condition of a movement disorder and/or control delivery of the therapy delivered to patient to treat or reduce the condition. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120123496 | CONNECTIVITY DETECTION AND TYPE IDENTIFICATION OF AN IMPLANTED LEAD FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device (IMD) configured to detect lead connectivity as well as to identify lead type. Detecting lead connectivity provides, among other information, confirmation that the lead is connected to the IMD and that such connection has good integrity between the IMD and the electrodes of its leads. With positive affirmation regarding lead connectivity, the IMD can in turn accurately identify the lead type. Such connectivity and lead type information gives a physician enhanced confidence in using and/or reprogramming the IMD with respect to such leads. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120123449 | BRIDGE CLIP TISSUE CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND METHODS - A novel bridge clip tissue connector includes two clips separated by a bridge portion. The clips allow for the connecting of tissue at two positions that are maintained by the bridge portion. The connector can be used for performing a wide variety of surgical procedures, including anastomosis and a horizontal mattress suture-like connection. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120123338 | DAMPING SYSTEMS FOR STABILIZING MEDICATIONS IN DRUG DELIVERY DEVICES - The invention relates to systems and methods for stabilizing therapeutic formulations used in medical devices. In particular, the invention relates to systems designed to inhibit the aggregation of therapeutic molecules such as polypeptides stored within a medication delivery device, for example polypeptide aggregation that can result from jostling the medication within a fluid medication reservoir. In embodiments of the invention, a damping system is operably connected to a fluid medication reservoir that is disposed within the housing of a device so as to inhibit the agitation of a fluid medication. Typically the damping system comprises one or more energy absorbing materials. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120116475 | AROUSAL STATE MODULATION WITH ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - In some examples, an arousal network of a brain of a patient can be activated to modify the arousal state of the patient, which may be useful in treating a cognitive disorder of the patient. In some examples, a bioelectrical brain signal indicative of electrical activity in a first portion of the brain is monitored to determine whether the patient is in a first arousal state, and, in response to determining the patient is in the first arousal state, electrical stimulation is delivered to a second portion of the brain to activate an arousal neural network in the first portion of the brain to induce a second arousal state to treat the cognitive disorder, where the second arousal state is different than the first arousal state. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116470 | LEAD CONNECTOR WITH GLASS INSULATORS - A medical device lead connector includes two or more electrically conducting contact rings spaced apart by electrically insulating glass material. The electrically insulating glass material fixes the two or more electrically conducting contact rings in axial alignment. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116360 | TREATMENT OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS - This invention provides treatment compositions as well as systems and methods of determining and administering an effective amount of treatment for a neurological disorder. The treatment composition can contain a labeled interfering RNA (iRNA) agent capable of decreasing expression of a target RNA associated with the neurological disorder. The methods of the invention include determining an effective amount of a therapeutic composition by introducing a solution containing a tracer into the brain of a mammal. The tracing solution is monitored until a target volume of distribution at steady state distribution is substantially achieved, and the rate of delivery of the therapeutic composition is determined. The therapeutic composition can then be administered at the rate determined by use of the tracing solution. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116179 | TECHNIQUES FOR DATA RETENTION UPON DETECTION OF AN EVENT IN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120110808 | CAPACITOR REFORMATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of reforming a wet-tantalum capacitor includes providing a medical device comprising a wet-tantalum capacitor. The capacitor has a rated voltage and including a hydrated anodic deposit. The method further includes charging the capacitor to a voltage that is less than approximately seventy-five percent of the rated voltage and at least partially discharging the capacitor after the charging step. The charging step is performed at a sufficient voltage to dehydrate the anodic deposit while not significantly decreasing the service life of the capacitor. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120109272 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH COMPRESSIBLE FIXATION MEMBER - An implantable medical device and method of implanting a medical device, the device including a housing surrounding an operative component and a resiliently deformable fixation member. The fixation member includes a ring shaped annulus circumscribing the housing and a plurality of elongated struts having a proximal end affixed to the housing and a distal end affixed to the annulus. The fixation member may be comprised of a hydrogel such that it may be in a smaller, dehydrated form during implantation, and then may absorb fluid to expand to a larger, hydrated form after insertion to engage the surrounding tissue. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109271 | REINFORCED SILICONE INSULATION FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEADS - An improvement to silicone insulation for implantable medical electrical leads includes a plurality of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene multi-filament fibers, wherein each of the plurality includes approximately 25 monofilaments and has a titer of approximately 25. The plurality of fibers are embedded within a wall of the insulation that has a thickness of no greater than approximately 0.008 inch. A first fiber of the plurality preferably extends helically, and a second fiber of the plurality preferably extends linearly such that the second crosses over or under and directly adjacent to the first at a plurality of points, which are spaced apart from one another along an overall length of the silicone insulation. The aforementioned wall thickness is maintained, since, at least at each crossing point of the first and second multi-filament fibers, a coincident cross-section of each of the fibers is compressed in the radial direction. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109261 | PROTECTING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE FROM EFFECTS CAUSED BY AN INTERFERING RADIATION FIELD - Techniques are described for protecting an implantable medical device (IMD) from effects caused by interfering radiated fields. An IMD incorporating these techniques may include a telemetry conduction path that includes a first end electrically coupled to a telemetry antenna and a second end electrically coupled to a telemetry circuit disposed within a housing of the IMD. The IMD may further include a stub filter electrically coupled to the telemetry conduction path and configured to attenuate an interfering signal induced in the telemetry conduction path. The stub filter may include a dielectric and a conductor disposed within the dielectric. The conductor may include a first end electrically coupled to the telemetry conduction path and a second end configured in an open circuit configuration. The conductor may have an electrical length approximately equal to one-quarter wavelength of the interfering signal when propagating through the stub filter. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109260 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE TELEMETRY IN DISRUPTIVE ENERGY FIELD - An implantable medical device may include a telemetry module, a sensing module, a therapy delivery module, and a processor. The processor may be configured to detect a patient event based on data generated by the sensing module, operate the IMD in a first mode in which the telemetry module is disabled and the therapy delivery module is at least partially disabled when the patient event is not detected, and operate the IMD in a second mode in which the telemetry module is enabled and the therapy delivery module is at least partially disabled when the patient event is detected. In some examples, the processor is configured to, in the second mode, generate a notification of the cardiac arrhythmia and transmit the notification to an external device via the telemetry module. The external device may reside inside an MRI room or outside the MRI room, and may communicate with other devices. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109259 | LOW-POWER SYSTEM CLOCK CALIBRATION BASED ON A HIGH- ACCURACY REFERENCE CLOCK - Various techniques are described for periodically performing a calibration routine to calibrate a low-power system clock within an implantable medical device (IMD) based on a high accuracy reference clock also included in the IMD. The system clock is powered continuously, and the reference clock is only powered on during the calibration routine. The techniques include determining a clock error of the system clock based on a difference between frequencies of the system clock and the reference clock over a fixed number of clock cycles, and adjusting a trim value of the system clock to compensate for the clock error. Calibrating the system clock with a delta-sigma loop, for example, reduces the clock error over time. This allows accurate adjustment of the system clock to compensate for errors due to trim resolution, circuit noise and temperature. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109258 | DETERMINATION OF DIPOLE FOR TISSUE CONDUCTANCE COMMUNICATION - Aspects of the present disclosure include a medical device system including an implantable medical device and an external device with three or more electrodes configured to contact a patient's skin. The external device either transmits or receives a test signal to or from the implantable medical device using a plurality of possible receive dipoles, where each possible receive dipole is formed by a pair of electrodes. A signal quality monitor, either at the implantable medical device or at the external device, measures a signal quality for the possible receive dipoles. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109254 | IMPEDANCE-BASED STIMULATION ADJUSTMENT - Techniques for adjusting stimulation are disclosed. A medical device measures an impedance associated with one or more electrodes, e.g., the impedance presented to the medical device by a total electrical circuit that includes the one or more electrodes, the conductors associated with the electrodes, and tissue proximate to the electrodes. The medical device stores at least one patient-specific relationship between impedance and a stimulation parameter, and adjusts the value of the stimulation parameter based on the measured impedance according to the relationship. The medical device may store multiple relationships, and select one the relationships based on, for example, an activity level of the patient, posture of the patient, or a current stimulation program or electrode combination used to deliver stimulation. By adjusting a stimulation parameter, such as amplitude, according to such a relationship, the stimulation intensity as perceived by the patient may be kept substantially constant. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109247 | PACING INTERVAL DETERMINATION FOR VENTRICULAR DYSSYNCHRONY - A left-ventricular pacing interval and a right-ventricular pacing interval for timing the delivery of pacing pulses to a left ventricle and a right ventricle of a heart, respectively, may be based an intrinsic conduction time interval between at least one of an atrial sensing event or an atrial pacing event of an atrial chamber of a heart and a ventricular sensing event of a ventricular chamber of the heart. In some examples, the left-ventricular pacing interval is based on the time interval, where the left-ventricular pacing interval is less than the time interval. In some examples, the right-ventricular pacing interval is based on the time interval, where the right-ventricular pacing interval is greater than the left-ventricular pacing interval and less than the time interval. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109246 | ASSESSING A LEAD BASED ON HIGH-FREQUENCY RESPONSE - In general, this disclosure is directed to techniques and circuitry to determine characteristics of an implantable lead associated with an implantable medical device (IMD). The implantable lead may be designed to be MRI-safe by having one or more components that attenuate frequencies associated with an MRI that, if left unreduced, may interfere with the performance of the lead and/or cause harm to the tissue in which the lead is implanted. The circuitry may transmit a signal through the lead and receive a response signal. The device may determine the lead characteristics by comparing the transmitted signal with the received signal. In addition to determining whether the lead is MRI-safe, the techniques of this disclosure may be also utilized to determine whether the lead is faulty. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109243 | HEART FAILURE MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION - Techniques for generating a heart failure risk score with detected patient metrics are described. An implantable medical device (IMD) may collect and store patient data regarding therapy use statistics, thoracic impedance, heart rate, patient activity, and other patient metrics. Based on the number of patient metrics exceeding their respective metric thresholds, the IMD may automatically generate a risk score that indicates the likelihood that the patient will suffer from heart failure. The risk score may identify a patient as requiring immediate medical attention to reduce the risk of heart failure. The IMD may push an alert of the heart failure risk score to a clinician, and the clinician may review the patient metric data on an external device. In some examples, a clinician may prioritize patient treatment with a presented list ranking patients with the most severe heart failure risk scores. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109238 | AUTOMATIC PERSONALIZATION OF PARAMETER SETTINGS AND ALGORITHMS IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - A system includes a data retrieval module and a determination module. The data retrieval module receives a command from a user, the command indicating a first implantable medical device (IMD) and a second IMD. The data retrieval module also retrieves a first set of data from the first IMD in response to the command and retrieves a second set of data from a datastore. The second set of data includes data retrieved from the first IMD and stored in the datastore prior to receiving the command. The determination module determines a third set of data based on the first and second sets of data and transfers the third set of data to the second IMD. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109237 | SUPRAVENTRICULAR STIMULATION TO CONTROL VENTRICULAR RATE - Various techniques for delivering atrial pacing and supraventricular stimulation to achieve a desired ventricular rate and/or cardiac output are described. One example method described includes delivering a pacing signal configured to cause an atrial depolarization to a heart of a patient, wherein the atrial depolarization results in an associated refractory period during the cardiac cycle, and delivering a signal to a supraventricular portion of the heart of the patient subsequent to the atrial refractory period and during a ventricular refractory period of the cardiac cycle. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109235 | CAPTURE DETECTION IN RESPONSE TO LEAD RELATED CONDITIONS - Various techniques for detecting cardiac capture in response to a detected lead related condition are described. One example method described includes delivering a pacing therapy to a heart of a patient, periodically determining whether the pacing therapy captures the heart of the patient, detecting a lead related condition, and, in response to the detected lead related condition, increasing a frequency of determining whether the pacing therapy captures the heart. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109099 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL PUMP DIAGNOSTICS - A method of detecting a fault condition within an implantable medical pump comprises delivering therapeutic fluid using a medical pump comprising an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke, detecting a property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism, and determining whether the property associated with energizing the actuation mechanism indicates that a fault condition exists with the medical pump. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109079 | Telescoping Catheter Delivery System for Left Heart Endocardial Device Placement - A transseptal catheter delivery system includes an elongate first tubular member and an elongate second tubular member receivable within the first tubular member. The first tubular member includes an adjustable portion adjacent a distal end. The second tubular member is adapted to receive an instrument to be placed in the left ventricle, and includes a curved portion adjacent its distal end in a relaxed state. The adjustable portion is deflectable toward the atrial septum to guide a puncturing tool and/or guide insertion of the second tubular member through a septal puncture into the left atrium. Within the left atrium, the curved portion is oriented toward the left ventricle to guide insertion of a guide wire, and subsequently the second tubular member, into the left ventricle. Methods of transvenously accessing a left ventricle are also provided. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109012 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT USING IMPLANTABLE ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCERS - Implantable systems and methods (e.g., using an implantable medical device) for measuring distance including a transmit/receive acoustic transducer implantable at a first location for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals, an echo acoustic transducer implantable at a second location for receiving the acoustic signal from the transmit/receive acoustic transducer and in response thereto transmitting a return echo signal to be received by the transmit/receive acoustic sensor, and a controller to control transmission of the acoustic signal from the transmit/receive acoustic transducer at a transmit time and determine a receive time corresponding to the time the transmit/receive acoustic transducer receives the return echo signal. The distance between the transmit/receive acoustic transducer and the echo acoustic transducer is determined as a function of the transmit time and the receive time. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109002 | MEDICAL DEVICE FIXATION ATTACHMENT MECHANISM - A fixation member configured to anchor an implantable medical device within a patient is attached to an implantable medical device by introducing at least a portion of the fixation member in a tube mechanically connected to the medical device, and plastically deforming the tube in order to pinch the fixation member within a hollow space of the tube. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108993 | ELECTRODE SHAPES AND POSITIONS FOR REDUCING LOSS OF CONTACT IN AN IMPLANTABLE ECG RECORDER - An improved design for subcutaneous monitors that addresses the problem caused by bubbles of air may remain in the pocket in which the device is implanted. As implantable monitors and their associated electrodes are reduced in size, these bubbles may in some cases cover one or both electrodes, interfering with sensing of the ECG signal. The invention addresses this problem by configuring the electrodes to increase the pressure of the electrodes against the tissue above the electrodes relative to the pressures exerted by the adjacent outer facing surfaces of the device. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108991 | ISCHEMIA DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION - Techniques for detecting ischemia and classifying a type of ischemia are described. Electrograms of cardiac activity may be generated using implanted or external electrodes, e.g., electrodes carried on vascular leads within the heart and a housing electrode. In some examples, ischemia is detected and classified as benign or malignant based on whether a change an electrogram metric is detected, or first detected, in an endocardial electrogram or a non-endocardial electrogram. The relative timing of the change in the electrogram metric and a change in heart rate or patient activity may also be considered. In some examples, the system may create a stress test for detecting ischemia by instructing the patient to exercise or increasing the cardiac pacing rate. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108984 | INTEGRATED PATIENT CARE - A therapy regimen, e.g., a contingent medication prescription, may be created and automatically distributed to a patient via an integrated patient care system. A clinician may create therapy instructions by at least associating patient conditions with one or more therapy regimens, e.g., medication prescriptions. In some examples, the integrated patient care system may present historical condition data to the clinician to aid the clinician with creating and/or updating the therapy instructions specific to the patient. A therapy module of the integrated patient care system may use the therapy instructions to automatically select a therapy regimen from the therapy instructions based on a patient condition detected based on a sensed physiological parameter. The physiological parameter of the patient may be sensed by an implanted or external sensor. In some examples, the therapy regimen can be presented to the patient according to a predetermined schedule or in response to the detected condition. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108954 | ERROR CORRECTION TECHNIQUES IN SURGICAL NAVIGATION - A medical system includes a sensor location module, a first module, and a second module. The sensor location module determines a location of a magnetic field sensor within a magnetic field. The first module determines an acceleration of the magnetic field sensor. The second module indicates a modified location of the magnetic field sensor in an image of a medical patient based on the acceleration and one or more previously determined locations. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120108923 | SYMMETRICALLY PACKAGED OPTICAL SENSORS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Implantable medical devices and methods include an optical sensor that includes at least two optical sensor portions. The light emitting devices of the optical sensor are distributed among the at least two optical sensor portions. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107677 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE FLUID APERATURE - An energy storage device may include a housing and a fluid access aperture extending through a sidewall of housing that is used to fill the device with electrolytic fluid. In some examples, the fluid access aperture may define a length extending through the housing that is greater than a major width that extends across a cross-sectional area of the fluid access aperture. In some additional examples, the fluid access aperture may be angled relative to an axis that is substantially orthogonal to the housing. Depending on the situation, such example fluid access apertures may prevent electrolytic fluid from escaping from the energy storage device while the fluid access aperture is being sealed. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107670 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL WITH ELECTRODE ELEMENTS THAT INCLUDE ALIGNMENT APERATURES - A battery comprises a battery case forming a substantially sealed enclosure and an electrode stack within the enclosure. The electrode stack includes a first set of electrode elements and a second set of electrode elements. The electrode elements in the second set alternate with the electrode elements in the first set within the electrode stack. In addition, the electrode elements include coincident alignment apertures. The coincident alignment apertures are configured to restrict rotation of the electrode elements to align the electrode elements when the alignment apertures are positioned over mating alignment protrusions during assembly of the electrode stack. The battery further comprises a feedthrough including a feedthrough pin extending through the battery case. The feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to the electrode stack and serves as a positive terminal for the battery. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107669 | ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN A FEEDTHROUGH PIN AND AN ELECTRODE STACK - A battery comprises a battery case forming a substantially sealed enclosure and an electrode stack within the enclosure. The electrode stack includes a first set of electrode elements and a second set of electrode elements. The electrode elements in the second set alternate with the electrode elements in the first set within the electrode stack. A conductive tab extends from each of the electrode elements in the first and second sets, wherein each of the conductive tabs in the first set forms an aperture, wherein the apertures are coincident with each other. The battery further comprises a feedthrough including a feedthrough pin extending through the battery case and through each of the coincident apertures, wherein the feedthrough pin serves as a positive terminal for the battery. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101572 | Mitral Bioprosthesis with Low Ventricular Profile - A heart valve prosthesis configured for placement at a mitral valve in the heart is disclosed that includes a stent-like support structure for supporting a prosthetic mitral valve. The support structure is configured to have a low ventricular profile with only a short length thereof protruding into the left ventricle when deployed in vivo. The support structure includes an upstream section that is outwardly expandable to sit against the atrial wall so as to at least partially anchor the prosthesis therein and a downstream section to which the prosthetic mitral valve is coupled that extends between the left atria and ventricle through the native mitral valve. The low-ventricular profile of the prosthesis is achieved by shaping the support structure such that the downstream section extends within and overlaps with the upstream section at given regions around the circumference of the support structure in an expanded configuration. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101552 | STEREO DATA REPRESENTATION OF BIOMEDICAL SIGNALS ALONG A LEAD - Various embodiments concern sensing bioelectrical signals using electrodes along a lead, the electrodes having a spatial configuration along the lead, generating signal data sets, one signal data set being generated for each bioelectrical signal, and graphically representing the electrodes and data representations of the signal data sets on a display. In various embodiments, each data representation indicates a parameter of a respective one of the data sets, the electrodes are graphically represented on the display in a spatial configuration representative of the spatial configuration of the electrodes along the lead, and each data representation is graphically represented on the display in spatial association with at least one electrode through which the bioelectrical signal on which the signal data set is based was sensed. The parameter can be indicative of the relative presence of a biomarker in the bioelectrical signals. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101547 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION BASED ON PHASE RESPONSE MAPPING - This disclosure describes techniques for delivering electrical stimulation at one or more phases relative to an ongoing oscillating signal in a patient, and then mapping the response to the oscillating signal. The techniques may reduce or eliminate the oscillating signal. In one example, the disclosure is directed to a method that includes delivering a set of first electrical stimulation at a plurality of phases relative to an oscillating signal, measuring a response in the oscillating signal to the set of first electrical stimulation after delivering electrical stimulation at each respective phase of the plurality of phases, determining a phase at which to deliver second electrical stimulation based on the measured responses, and delivering the second electrical stimulation to the patient at the determined phase to produce a therapeutic effect. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101546 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE ENERGY EXPENDITURE FOR A PLURALITY OF PACING VECTORS - A medical device system determines and displays relative energy expenditure information for programmable parameter values. The system establishes a programmable parameter and multiple values of the parameter to be compared. A module performs a measurements for each of the multiple values and related to energy expenditure of a battery of an implantable medical device when operating according to each of the multiple parameter values. An energy expenditure for each of the values is computed using the measurements, and a graphical user interface is generated for displaying information corresponding to the computed energy expenditure for multiple parameter values. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101545 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT MODULE FOR COMMUNICATION WITH ONE OR MORE LEAD-BORNE DEVICES - Example techniques for communicating between two medical devices are described. One medical device may be an implantable medical device. Another medical device may be a lead-borne implantable medical device. The lead-borne implantable medical device may be referred to as a satellite. The implantable medical device may measure impedance of a path including at least two electrodes, at least one of which is on the lead, using an impedance measurement module. In some example implementations of this disclosure, the implantable medical device may also use the impedance measurement module to communicate with the satellite on the lead. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101543 | CAPTURE THRESHOLD MEASUREMENT FOR SELECTION OF PACING VECTOR - Various techniques for selecting a pacing vector based on pacing capture thresholds are described. One example method described includes for each of a plurality of vectors, iteratively delivering at least one pacing stimulus at each of a plurality of magnitudes within a predetermined range of magnitudes to a first chamber, determining if a depolarization occurred in a second chamber of the heart within a predetermined threshold time interval after the pacing stimulus that is less than an interval, identifying a pacing stimulus for which a depolarization in the second chamber does not occur within the predetermined threshold time interval, determining a capture threshold magnitude for the vector based on the magnitude of the pacing pulse for which a depolarization in the second chamber does not occur within the predetermined threshold time interval, and recording the capture threshold magnitudes. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101541 | DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY OF BIGEMINY AND FREQUENT PREMATURE CONTRACTIONS - The disclosure describes techniques for diagnosing premature contractions of a patient's heart. This system may differentiate premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) from atrial fibrillation by identifying changes in R-wave intervals, i.e., R-R intervals, on a Lorenz plot, measuring a coupling interval between R-waves, and analyzing a morphology of the premature contractions, e.g., the QRS complex. These techniques may also identify when severe premature contractions, or bigeminy, are present. In response to the type of premature contractions detected, the system may alert a user of the premature contractions and/or deliver cardiac pacing at an increased pacing rate to eliminate the abnormal intrinsic contractions. The system may also adjust the pacing rate and pacing rate duration for persistent premature contractions. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101540 | WAFER-SCALE PACKAGE INCLUDING POWER SOURCE - A medical device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a control module, and an energy storage device. The first substrate includes at least one of a first semiconductor material and a first insulating material. The second substrate includes at least one of a second semiconductor material and a second insulating material. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate such that the first and second substrates define an enclosed cavity between the first and second substrates. The control module is disposed within the enclosed cavity. The control module is configured to at least one of determine a physiological parameter of a patient and deliver electrical stimulation to the patient. The energy storage device is disposed within the cavity and is configured to supply power to the control module. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120100318 | LASER ASSISTED DIRECT BONDING - Techniques are described for directly bonding different substrates together. In some examples, a technique includes placing a first surface of a first substrate in contact with a second surface of a second substrate to directly bond the first substrate to the second substrate at a contact location. The contact location is defined where at least a portion of the first surface of the first substrate contacts at least a portion of the second surface of the second substrate. The technique may also include directing a laser beam on at least a portion of the contact location to strengthen the direct bond between the first substrate and the second substrate. In this manner, a direct bond may be heated with localized laser energy to strengthen the direct bond. Localized laser energy may create a strong direct bond while minimizing thermal defects in regions proximate the direct bond. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095540 | ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDICAL LEAD - An implantable medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion having a longitudinal axis and an arcuate distal body portion extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The arcuate distal body portion has a concave surface. The lead includes a plurality of elongate electrodes disposed at the arcuate distal end portion of the lead body along the concave surface. The electrodes extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lead body. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095521 | DETECTION OF HEART RHYTHM USING AN ACCELEROMETER - Various techniques for using an accelerometer to detect cardiac contractions are described. One example method described includes filtering a signal received by an electrical sensing channel of an implantable medical device (IMD) configured to detect electrical depolarizations of a heart of a patient, identifying a failure of the electrical sensing channel of the IMD based on the filtered signal and, in response to identifying the failure, initiating a mechanical sensing channel of the implantable medical device to identify mechanical cardiac contractions. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120088713 | TNF INHIBITOR FORMULATION FOR USE IN IMPLANTABLE INFUSION DEVICES - A formulation for use in an implantable infusion device includes between about 5 mg/ml and about 500 mg/ml (e.g., about 10-25 mg/ml) of a TNF inhibitor polypeptide, 10 mM-25 mM of a phosphate or citrate buffer, has an ionic strength of the combined buffer and an optional salt of the equivalent of about 0.1-0.2 NaCl (e.g., about 0.15 M), 5% to 10% of a carbohydrate (e.g., trehalose or sucrose), has a pH of between 6 and 7, is fluid at room temperature and at 37° C., and has a viscosity of less than about 10 centipoise (e.g., between about 1 centipoise and 9 centipoise, between about 1 cp and about 5 cp, between about 1 cp and about 3 cp, or between about 1 cp and about 2.5 cp) at room temperature. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087869 | METHODS FOR DISTRIBUTING AGENTS TO AREAS OF BRAIN - Broad cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) distribution of an agent is achievable by delivering the agent in a liquid formulation to the CSF at flow rates less than 500 microliters per hour, such as between about 2 microliters per hour and about 100 microliters per hour. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083879 | Prosthetic Cardiac Valve from Pericardium Material and Methods of Making Same - A prosthetic stented heart valve which includes a compressible and expandable stent structure having first and second opposite ends, an expanded outer periphery, and a compressed outer periphery that is at least slightly smaller than the expanded outer periphery when subjected to an external radial force. The valve further includes a valve segment comprising a dual-layer sheet formed into a generally tubular shape having at least one longitudinally extending seam, and a plurality of leaflets formed by attachment of an outer layer of the dual-layer sheet to an inner layer of the dual-layer sheet in a leaflet defining pattern. The valve segment is at least partially positioned within the stent structure. The valve may further include at least one opening in the outer layer of the dual-layer sheet that is spaced from both the first and second ends of the stent structure. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083867 | HUB FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120083866 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXPANDING A STIMULATION LEAD BODY IN SITU - An implantable lead is provided with at least one extendable member to position therapy delivery elements, which may be electrodes or drug delivery ports, after the lead has been inserted into the body. The lead may formed as a resilient element which is contained in a retainer tube that may be removed to permit the lead to deploy. Alternatively, a non-resilient lead may be provided with a slotted retainer tube. A series of mechanical linkages for expanding and retracting the lead within the human body may be actuated with various mechanisms. A control system may be provided for closed-loop feedback control of the position of the extendable members. The invention also includes a method for expanding an implantable lead in situ. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078334 | ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUBORBITAL FORAMEN MEDICAL LEAD - A medical lead includes a plurality of electrodes on an annular distal end portion of the lead. The electrodes may be arranged along a circle concentric with the center of a void defined by the annular portion. The annular medical lead design is well suited for application of electrical signal therapy to the suborbital nerve at its point of exit from the inferior orbital foramen in the skull. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078332 | HELICAL ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDICAL LEADS - A medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end for electrical connection to an implantable electric signal generator and a distal end portion having a plurality of electrodes extending in a helical manner longitudinally along the distal end portion. Adjacent helical electrodes may be offset, for example, 90 degrees or 180 degrees. The helical electrodes may extend less than, greater than, or 360 degrees. The electrode arrangement provides increased surface area, improving the capability of positioning the lead against the nerve as desired. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078325 | IDENTIFYING COMBINATIONS OF ELECTRODES FOR NEUROSTIMULATION THERAPY - A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078320 | PRIORITIZED PROGRAMMING OF MULTI-ELECTRODE PACING LEADS - Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating selection of at least one vector from among a plurality of vectors for pacing a chamber of a heart. In one example, a method includes presenting, by a computing device, a plurality of criteria by which each of the plurality of vectors may be prioritized, selecting at least one criterion from among a plurality of criteria by which each of the plurality of vectors may be prioritized, measuring the at least one selected criterion for each of the plurality of vectors, and automatically prioritizing, by the computing device, the plurality of vectors based on the measurement of the at least one selected criterion. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078268 | ARCUATE INTRODUCER - An introducer for a medical lead, the introducer having an arcuate component for creating an arcuate path in a patient. When used to percutaneously implant a medical device such as a medical lead with electrodes, the implanted lead has an arcuate configuration. The implanted lead can be used to at least partially encircle or bracket a region of chronic pain and provide therapeutic electrical signals to the region. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078266 | TRANSVENOUS ACTIVE FIXATION LEAD SYSTEM - A medical electrical lead system that includes a catheter extending from a proximal catheter end to a distal catheter end; a lead, insertable within the catheter, including a lead body extending from a proximal lead end to a distal lead end and an active fixation member positioned at the distal lead end; and an advancement tool for advancing the distal lead end outward from the distal catheter end. The advancement tool is adapted to be positioned around the lead body and further adapted to be removably fixedly engaged with the proximal catheter end. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120078165 | ELEMENT FOR IMPLANTATION WITH MEDICAL DEVICE - A therapeutic agent eluting element includes an elongate body member and one or more therapeutic agents elutable from the body member. The elongate body member is configured to be implanted subcutaneously along side of a therapy delivery element. The elongate body member may be formed from a polymeric material, and the agent eluting element may consist essentially of the body member and the one or more therapeutic agents. The therapeutic agent eluting element may be a part of a system or kit that includes a therapy delivery element and a tunneling tool, such as a dilator, sheath, catheter passer, or the like. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120071958 | Medical Leads and Related Systems that Include a Lumen Body That Is Joined to a Lead Body and That Has Multiple Filar Lumens - Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071947 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVENT-TRIGGERED REINFORCEMENT OF A FAVORABLE BRAIN STATE - Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for potentiating a favorable brain state that is associated with relief in symptoms of a brain condition. Techniques include monitoring one or more brain signals and detecting an episode of a favorable brain state based on the one or more brain signals, the favorable brain state associated with a decrease in one or more symptoms of a brain condition of the patient. Then, in response to the detection of the favorable brain state episode, electrical stimulation that potentiates the favorable brain state is delivered to the brain of the patient, the electrical stimulation delivered within a window of time opened for detection of each favorable brain state episode. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120071944 | IDENTIFICATION AND REMEDIATION OF OVERSENSED CARDIAC EVENTS USING FAR-FIELD ELECTROGRAMS - In general, the disclosure is directed to techniques for identification and remediation of oversensed cardiac events using far-field electrograms (FFEGMs). Identification of oversensed cardiac events can be used in an ICD to prevent ventricular fibrillation (VF) detection, and thereby avoid delivery of an unnecessary defibrillation shock. Alternatively, or additionally, identification of oversensed cardiac events can be used in an ICD to support delivery of bradycardia pacing during an oversensing condition. In some cases, bradycardia pacing delivered in response to detection of oversensed cardiac events may include pacing pulses from multiple vectors to provide redundancy in the event the oversensing may be due to a lead-related condition. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066534 | POWER SOURCE COUPLING AND DECOUPLING IN MEDICAL DEVICE - Aspects of this disclosure relate to coupling and decoupling a power source of a device with circuitry within the device. For example, in aspects of this disclosure, when a short develops within the device, a switch circuit may decouple the power source from the some of the circuitry within the device. Decoupling the power source when a short develops may extent the operational time of the power source, and may reduce thermal excursion. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065503 | RADIOPAQUE MARKERS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A radiopaque marker for inclusion within an implantable medical device (IMD) may comprise one or more radiopaque articles selected from a predetermined set of radiopaque articles. The one or more radiopaque articles may be carried by an object formed of or including, a desiccant. The predetermined set of radiopaque articles may undergo a single qualification process that approves the use of any combination of one or more of the articles as a radiopaque marker within an IMD. This allows a potentially-limitless number of markers to be made available based on a single qualification process. The radiopaque marker may serve to provide information such as the make, model, and feature set of the device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065500 | RADIOPAQUE EMBEDDED INTO DESICCANT FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A molded desiccant article for placement in an implantable medical device includes an affixed radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker may serve to provide information regarding the make and model of the device or may be used for purposes of determining whether the desiccant was placed in the device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065253 | GENETIC MODIFICATION OF TARGETED REGIONS OF THE CARDIAC CONDUCTION SYSTEM - Disclosed are methods and systems for preventing or treating cardiac dysfunction, particularly cardiac pacing dysfunction by genetic modification of the conduction system of the heart. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of genetically modifying the cells by delivering to the cells one or more coding sequence in a genetic construct capable of modifying the expression of ion channels of the cells. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064670 | APPARATUS FOR RESTRICTING MOISTURE INGRESS - Apparatus and methods to protect circuitry from moisture ingress, e.g., using a metallic structure as part of a moisture ingress barrier. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059778 | SELF-IMPROVING CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - A self-improving classification system classifies specimens based on class identifiers. The system stores specimen profiles in a database that is updated with additional specimen profiles and with follow-up data that corrects classification of specimens that were initially incorrectly classified. Algorithms use the updated database to discover new class identifiers, modify thresholds of known class identifiers, and drop unnecessary class identifiers to improve classification of specimens. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059454 | Stented Prosthetic Heart Valves - A surgical sutureless valve that is attached to a stent frame for delivery to a location in a patient using percutaneous implantation devices and methods. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046722 | SHIELDING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Implantable medical leads are shielded with a braided shield that surrounds an inner layer of insulation. An outer layer of insulation may also surround the shield. The shield is designed with parameters that limit the passage of radio frequency energy, particularly in the magnetic resonance imaging spectrum, to filars that are surrounded by the inner layer of insulation. The braided shield has a plurality of parameters and corresponding ranges. The parameters include one or more of braid angle, wire size, number of wires wound per direction, number of wires in a bundle, wire spacing in an axial dimension, ultimate tensile strength, cross-sectional wire shape, material, and distance from termination to a nearest electrode. Additional parameters of the lead related to the shielding also include one or more of inner insulation thickness, and outer insulation thickness. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046642 | OPTICAL DETECTOR FOR USE IN THERAPY - Activation of an enzyme in a bodily fluid is detected based on the amount of cleavage of a substrate for the enzyme. The substrate is tagged with two fluorescent dyes—a donor and an acceptor. The tagged substrate is presented to the bodily fluid. A device emits energy at a first wavelength into the bodily fluid, and detects energy at second and third wavelengths emitted by the dyes in response to the energy at the first wavelength. Prior to enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the acceptor emits energy at the third wavelength in response to energy at the second wavelength received through fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET) from the donor. After enzymatic cleavage of the substrate, the donor emits energy at the second wavelength. The device can determine the concentration of activated enzyme within the bodily fluid based on the relative intensities of energy at the second and third wavelengths. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120046542 | Method and Apparatus for Performing a Navigated Procedure - A system can be used to navigate or guide an instrument or device into an anatomy of a patient. The navigation can occur with the use of image data acquired of the patient. The image data can be registered to the patient space for navigation. Also, one or more coils can be used for tracking or localization. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120041529 | ESTABLISHING CONTINUITY BETWEEN A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD AND A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE LEAD EXTENSION - Implantable medical leads and implantable lead extensions include a shield. The implantable medical lead is coupled to the implantable lead extension. Stimulation electrodes of the implantable medical lead contact stimulation connectors within a housing of the implantable extension to establish a conductive pathway for stimulation signals from filars of the implantable extension to filars of the implantable medical lead. Continuity is established between the shield of the implantable medical lead and the implantable extension by providing a radio frequency conductive pathway within the housing. The radio frequency conductive pathway extends from a shield of the implantable extension to a shield connector that contacts a shield electrode of the implantable medical lead. The radio frequency conductive pathway may have various forms such as a jumper wire or an extension of the shield within the implantable extension. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041528 | TERMINATION OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041527 | LEAD INSERTION VISIBILITY - An implantable medical device system that includes a housing containing an electrical circuit and a connector header mounted on the housing. A first inner surface of the connector header forms a connector bore adapted for receiving a lead connector assembly for electrically coupling a medical lead to the circuitry contained in the housing, and one of the connector header and the lead connector includes a visibly modified surface for facilitating visual verification of full insertion of the medical lead connector assembly in the connector bore. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041510 | FLEXIBLE TUBE SENSOR FOR SENSING URINARY SPHINCTER PRESSURE - The disclosure describes a therapeutic sphincter control system with a fluid tube pressure sensor. The system senses sphincter pressure and sends the information to a stimulator that is capable of stimulation therapy to control sphincter contractility, thus reducing unwanted urinary incontinence. Measuring sphincter pressure is accomplished through the use of a fluid-filled tube placed through the sphincter and attached to a module implanted within the bladder. Pressure within the tube is transduced to generate an electrical signal that is sent wirelessly to an implanted stimulator connected to a lead positioned near pelvic floor nerves. An external device may be used to wirelessly send information to the implanted stimulator and inhibit stimulation in order for the patient to empty the bladder. Pressure information and stimulation information may be recorded and reviewed for continued patient monitoring. In addition, the system may only include the pressure sensor to monitor patient pressure information. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041501 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ADAPTIVE OPERATION - An implantable medical device operates with an algorithm that promotes intrinsic conduction and reduces ventricular pacing. The IMD monitors the occurrence of necessary ventricular pacing and takes certain actions based upon whether this occurrence has been relatively high or relatively low. When noise is detected, asynchronous pacing is provided when the occurrence is relatively high and is not provided when relatively low. When atrial threshold testing is performed, the incidence will determine which methodology is utilized. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120040548 | CONNECTOR FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A connector ( | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120038477 | DETECTION OF PROPER INSERTION OF MEDICAL LEADS INTO A MEDICAL DEVICE - Proper insertion of medical leads into medical devices is detected at the time the lead is being inserted. An external device initiates impedance testing by the medical device that is receiving the lead prior to the insertion of the lead being completed. The medical device reports back the results of the impedance testing so that the external device can determine whether the lead is properly inserted at the time of lead insertion and can provide an output to a user to indicate whether the lead insertion is proper. The medical device may poll only a last connector expected to be connected before responding, test other connector combinations before or after responding, and so forth. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036720 | SLITTER WITH MECHANICAL HOLDING FINGER - A slitter for slitting a guide catheter is assembled from a handle, a blade assembly coupled to the handle, and a holding mechanism coupled to the handle. The blade assembly includes a shroud for receiving an elongated body of a medical device and a slitting blade having an exposed cutting edge to slit the guide catheter. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120035951 | VERIFICATION THAT A PATIENT WITH AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL SYSTEM CAN UNDERGO A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCAN - Verification that an implantable medical system within a patient is MRI safe is provided. Several verifications may be performed such as verifying that the device and leads are of an MRI safe type, that the leads have adequate electrical integrity, that the device has entered an MRI safe mode, that the lead routing and device placement are MRI safe, and that the MRI settings of the MRI machine are safe for the implantable medical system. The result of these verifications may lead to a conclusion that the implantable medical system of interest is or is not MRI safe for a given MRI scan. An indication of this result may be output such as via a display so that an MRI technician can have some assurance as to whether to conduct the MRI scan. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035699 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIXATING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A fixation mechanism coupled to an implantable device body extends from a proximal portion of the body to a distal portion of the body and includes a fixation element and a push tube segment. A push tube segment of the mechanism extends proximally from the fixation mechanism to the proximal portion of the body and is adapted to deploy the mechanism. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035696 | TERMINATION OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. Barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035694 | GROUNDING OF A SHIELD WITHIN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - Grounding of a shield that is located in an implantable medical lead may be done in many ways. The shield may be grounded directly to tissue from the lead body at one or more points along the lead body. The pathway for grounding may be a direct current pathway or be capacitively coupled. The pathway for grounding may utilize an exposed or nearly exposed shield at one or more points along the lead body. A jacket forming the lead body may have an outer layer removed at these points to provide the RF pathway to ground. Alternatively, the jacket may be doped with conductive particles at these points. Metal conductors such as ring electrodes and/or lead anchors may be attached to the lead at one or more points to provide the RF pathway to ground. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035616 | STEERING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD VIA A ROTATIONAL COUPLING TO A STYLET - An implantable medical lead has a torsional stiffness and is rotationally coupled to a stylet. Applying rotation directly to the lead in turn causes rotation of the stylet. Where the stylet has a bent tip for purposes of steering the lead, the rotation applied to the lead rotates the bent tip so that the lead can be steered by rotating the lead rather than rotating a hub of the stylet. The rotational coupling may be achieved through one or more features provided for the lead and/or the stylet, such as a feature within a lumen of the lead that mates to a feature along the stylet or a feature of the stylet hub that engages the proximal end of the lead. The torsional stiffness of the lead may be provided by adding a feature within the lead body, such as a braided metal wire or an overlapping foil. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035544 | MEDICAL DEVICES WITH PLASMA-TREATED SURFACE AND METHODS - A medical device (e.g., an implantable medical device) including a sealing apparatus (sealing element, e.g., a grommet for securing a lead to the device) that includes an element (e.g., a body) having a plasma-treated surface and methods (e.g., methods of making the device). | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033706 | MULTIPLE USE TEMPERATURE MONITOR ADAPTER, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME - An adapter slip configured to be seated in a fluid port, the adapter slip including a lumen, an exterior wall, a shoulder, and a sleeve. The lumen extending along a length of a longitudinal axis, the lumen configured to receive a temperature probe. The exterior wall including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the proximal end portion includes a tapered portion tapered at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The shoulder extending outward from the exterior wall distal to the tapered portion configured to engage with a distal end of the fluid port. The sleeve configured extend within the lumen and project a predetermined distance beyond the proximal end portion of the exterior wall, the sleeve including a sleeve lumen and a closed proximal end, the sleeve lumen configured to receive at least a temperature sensor of the temperature probe. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120029600 | NERVE SIGNAL DIFFERENTIATION IN CARDIAC THERAPY - Methods of nerve signal differentiation, methods of delivering therapy using such nerve signal differentiation, and to systems and devices for performing such methods. Nerve signal differentiation may include locating two electrodes proximate nerve tissue and differentiating between efferent and afferent components of nerve signals monitored using the two electrodes. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029587 | NERVE SIGNAL DIFFERENTIATION IN CARDIAC THERAPY - Methods of nerve signal differentiation, methods of delivering therapy using such nerve signal differentiation, and to systems and devices for performing such methods. Nerve signal differentiation may include locating two electrodes proximate nerve tissue and differentiating between efferent and afferent components of nerve signals monitored using the two electrodes. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029586 | PARASYMPATHETIC STIMULATION TO ENHANCE TACHYARRHYTHMIA DETECTION - This disclosure is directed toward techniques for classifying a tachycardia as supraventricular tachycardia or ventricular tachycardia. A method comprises detecting a tachycardia based on at least one value of a cardiac interval, delivering vagal stimulation in response to the detection of the tachycardia, sensing a physiological parameter other than the cardiac interval during or subsequent to delivering the vagal stimulation, and classifying the tachycardia as supraventricular or ventricular based on the sensed physiological parameter. In some examples, the method includes sensing a response of a physiological parameter other than cardiac rate to the vagal stimulation, such as pressure or a morphological characteristic of the cardiac electrical waveform. The method may include providing an indication to a user based on the classification of supraventricular tachycardia, or delivery of appropriate electrical therapy based on the classification of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029482 | TOOLS AND METHODS RELATED TO CATHETER DELIVERY - A syringe adapter tool facilitates inline connection of a syringe with a catheter lumen, as well as torque transfer between the syringe and catheter. The adapter tool may further facilitate passage of an instrument through a seal zone portion of the catheter lumen, which seal zone portion is located in a proximal section of the catheter. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029480 | CATHETER APPARATUS - A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029474 | SEALING FOR MEDICAL DEVICES/INSTRUMENTS - A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029421 | MEDICAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS - A catheter proximal section is preferably formed from a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, and includes a proximal terminal end that defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter. The proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool. An inner surface of each of the relatively soft and rigid parts may be located opposite one another, on either side of the catheter lumen. The relatively soft and rigid parts may be included in a sealing assembly that further includes an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the proximal section catheter. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029373 | PREVENTION OF FALSE ASYSTOLE OR BRADYCARDIA DETECTION - In general, this disclosure is directed to signal processing based methods to reject undersensing in a signal indicative of cardiac activity, e.g., ECG. The undersensing may be due to very small signal amplitudes or due to a sudden increase in single peak amplitude resulting in an increased sensing threshold. The undersensing may result in falsely detecting a cardiac event, e.g., asystole or bradycardia. The techniques of this disclosure monitor the behavior of the signal to determine when a detected asystole is false. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029343 | INDUCTIVE COIL DEVICE ON FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE - A device includes a flexible substrate, N coiled conductors, and a plurality of folding regions. The N coiled conductors are deposited on the flexible substrate and connected in series by conductive interconnects. N is greater than 1. Each of the folding regions is defined by a separation distance between adjacent ones of the N coiled conductors. The conductive interconnects traverse the folding regions between the N coiled conductors to connect the N coiled conductors in series. The flexible substrate is folded such that the N coiled conductors form a stack of N coiled conductors. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029271 | Tissue Stabilizing Device and Methods Including a Self-Expandable Head-Link Assembly - A tissue stabilizer including an elongated arm, a collet, and a head-link assembly. The collet is disposed at a distal end of the arm. The head-link assembly includes a tube and a spreading mechanism. The tube forms an intermediate section and opposing arms each terminating at a tip. The spreading mechanism can adjust a lateral distance between the tips, and includes first and second articulating members each having a leg and a collet interface body. The first member further includes a female hinge feature, whereas the second member includes a male hinge feature differing from the female hinge feature. The legs of are mounted to discrete regions of the tube, and the male hinge feature is pivotably coupled to the female hinge feature. Automatic spreading of a lateral distance between the tips occurs in response to a compressive force applied to the collet interface bodies. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024064 | TECHNIQUES FOR APPROXIMATING A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO CAPACITANCES - A system includes a capacitance adjustment module and a control module. The capacitance adjustment module is configured to connect one or more of N capacitors in parallel with one of a first and second capacitance. The control module identifies the smaller of the first and second capacitances and identifies the larger of the first and second capacitances. Subsequently, the control module, during each of M iterations, instructs the capacitance adjustment module to connect at least one of the N capacitors across a set of nodes in parallel with the smaller identified capacitance, and determines whether the capacitance associated with the set of nodes is greater than the larger identified capacitance. After the M iterations, the control module approximates the difference between the first and second capacitances based on which of the N capacitors are connected across the nodes. M and N are integers greater than or equal to 1. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120022628 | Attachment Mechanism for Stent Release - An attachment mechanism for coupling a stent to a delivery system is disclosed. The attachment mechanism is configured to pivot relative to an inner shaft assembly of the delivery system in order to release the stent from the delivery system. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022605 | SYSTEM FOR NERVE STIMULATION AND CARDIAC SENSING PRIOR TO AND DURING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - A system for performing a cardiac medical procedure can included a cardiac medical device, a steerable catheter device, a cardiac stimulator, and a controller. The cardiac stimulator can be configured to adjust beating of a heart by electrically stimulating the heart. The controller can be configured to control electrical stimulation provided by the cardiac stimulator to adjust the beating of the heart to a first condition and to adjust the beating of the heart to a second condition. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022340 | DETECTING SLEEP TO EVALUATE THERAPY - A system includes one or more sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors generates a signal as a function of at least one physiological parameter of a patient that may discernibly change when the patient is asleep. The processor monitors the physiological parameters, and determines whether the patient is asleep based on the parameters. In some embodiments, the processor determines plurality of sleep metric values, each of which indicates a probability of the patient being asleep, based on each of a plurality of physiological parameters. The processor may average or otherwise combine the plurality of sleep metric values to provide an overall sleep metric value that is compared to a threshold value in order to determine whether the patient is asleep. In addition, an electroencephalogram signal may be used to identify sleep states of the patient. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016432 | EVALUATION OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE DATA - A system includes an episode classification module and a data retrieval module. The episode classification module receives electrograms (EGMs) from N implantable medical devices (IMDs) and determines whether the EGMs are associated with deliveries of therapy by the N IMDs. The episode classification module analyzes at least some of the EGMs and determines whether the deliveries or non-deliveries of therapy by the IMDs were appropriate. The data retrieval module receives a request from a computing device, via a network, that indicates at least two groups of the N IMDs. The data retrieval module provides to the computing device via the network, in response to the request, data for presentation to a user that indicates for each of the groups, at least one of how many of the one or more deliveries or non-deliveries were appropriate, or how many of the one or more deliveries or non-deliveries were inappropriate. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014919 | MODULATION OF SOCS EXPRESSION IN THERAPEUTIC REGIMENS - A method is provided for treating conditions that are susceptible of treatment with a cytokine wherein certain physiological processes normally associated with cytokine administration (e.g. the induction of SOCS 1 and/or SOCS 3) are diminished or eliminated. The method comprises continuously administering a controlled dose of a cytokine to an individual afflicted with a condition susceptible of treatment with the cytokine. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120010689 | LEAD ELECTRODE FOR USE IN AN MRI-SAFE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical lead is configured to be implanted into a patients body and comprises a lead body, and an electrode coupled to the lead body. The electrode comprises a first section configured to contact the patient's body, and a second section electrically coupled to the first section and configured to be capacitively coupled to the patient's body. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010680 | CONDITIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - In general, the disclosure describes techniques for providing conditional electrical stimulation to a patient for pelvic health. An implantable medical device (IMD) may adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to a patient in response to receiving a delivery cycle parameter associated with one or more of the following: a time in a time schedule, a control device output from a control device, and physiological information from a physiological information sensing device. As an example, the IMD may monitor a status of one or more inputs of the IMD and adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to the patient based on the status of the input(s). | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004699 | IDENTIFYING A LEAD RELATED CONDITION BASED ON MOTION-BASED LEAD IMPEDANCE FLUCTUATIONS - Techniques for determining whether a lead related condition exists based on a correlation between a parameter indicative of impedance of a lead and a parameter indicative of motion of the lead. In some examples, the techniques include generating an electrical signal that is indicative of impedance of the lead, generating an electrical signal that is indicative of motion of the lead, and monitoring the frequency, amplitude, and phase of the electrical signals in order to identify a correlation. In some examples, if a lead related condition is identified, an alert is provided or a sensing or therapy modification is suggested. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004589 | DELIVERING A CONDUIT INTO A HEART WALL TO PLACE A CORONARY VESSEL IN COMMUNICATION WITH A HEART CHAMBER AND REMOVING TISSUE FROM THE VESSEL OR HEART WALL TO FACILITATE SUCH COMMUNICATION - Devices and methods for delivering conduits into the wall of a patient's heart to communicate a coronary vessel with a heart chamber. The devices are passed through the coronary vessel and the heart wall to place the conduit and establish a blood flow path between the vessel and the heart chamber. Additional devices and methods are provided for removing tissue from a coronary vessel or the heart wall to establish a flow path between the coronary vessel in communication with the heart chamber. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004538 | SYSTEM INCLUDING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC VALVE INDICATOR AND LOCATOR DEVICE - A system including an implantable flow control device and an electronic valve indicator and locator device. The implantable device includes a valve and a magnetic device. The electronic device includes a locator tool, an indicator tool, and an adjustment tool. The indicator tool includes an electronic compass module for measuring an orientation of sensed magnetic fields and a locator tool interface module for electronically communicating sensed magnetic fields to the processing module. The locator tool has a processing module which receives and stores background magnetic field data, receives target magnetic field data when the indicator tool is coupled to the locator tool and positioned above the implanted device, and electronically determines the setting of the valve based on the background magnetic field data and the target magnetic field data. The adjustment tool aligns with the locator tool for modifying the valve setting when magnetically coupled to the implantable device. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120004526 | SENSOR ASSEMBLIES FORMED OF SILICONE RUBBER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEADS - A sensor assembly, which may be incorporated by a medical electrical lead, includes an insulative body, formed from a biocompatible plastic, and a sensor mounted on a mounting surface of the insulative body. The mounting surface extends distally from a proximal portion of the insulative body in which first and second conductive inserts extend, being spaced apart and isolated from one another. The sensor is coupled to each of the first and second conductive inserts, and the first conductive insert includes a conductor-coupling end extending proximally from the proximal portion of the insulative body. The sensor assembly may further include an electrode extending around the sensor and the insulative body, wherein the electrode includes an aperture approximately aligned with an active surface of the sensor to expose the active surface. A mounting platform assembly for the sensor assembly may include the conductive inserts and the insulative body. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001812 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE ANTENNA - This disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional antenna that may be used for an implantable medical device (IMD). The antenna includes a first antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first plane. The antenna further includes a second antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The antenna further includes a third antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a third plane. The plurality of segments of the third portion are coupled between segments of the first and second portions. The third plane is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319962 | MEDICAL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING A NEURAL BRAIN NETWORK - Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within the brain by two or more electrodes to determine characteristics of a function of the brain. The signals obtained by the electrodes may be plotted over time to determine whether the brain function exhibits a normal or an abnormal pattern. If the brain function exhibits an abnormal pattern, an implantable medical device may dynamically determine based on the abnormal pattern and a previously-obtained plot associated with normal brain function, an appropriate electrical stimulation therapy. Application of the appropriate electrical stimulation therapy causes the brain function to shift from the abnormal pattern to the normal pattern. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319952 | TERMINATING TACHYARRHYTHMIAS - This disclosure is directed to techniques for treating tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation, in which a number of electrodes are employed to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient's heart in a manner designed to terminate the tachyarrhythmia episode. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110319478 | Compositions to Treat Cardiac Pacing Conditions - The HCN polynucleotide includes a nucleotide sequence encoding an HCN polypeptide having channel activity. The amino acid sequence of the HCN polypeptide and the amino acid sequence of a reference polypeptide have at least 80% identity, where the reference polypeptide begins with an amino acid selected from amino acids 92-214 and ends with an amino acid selected from amino acids 723-1188 of SEQ ID NO:8. An example of a reference polypeptide is amino acids 214-723 of SEQ ID NO:8. The HCN polynucleotide may be DNA or RNA. The HCN polynucleotide may be present in a vector, such as a viral vector (including, for instance, a single strand adeno-associated virus or a self complementary adeno-associated virus), a transposon vector, or a plasmid vector. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318635 | CONTOURED BATTERY FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110313485 | GUIDED PROGRAMMING WITH FEEDBACK - Techniques that involve generating test stimulation programs based upon specific patient feedback to guide the programming process for stimulation therapy are described. The patient describes positive effects and adverse effects of the test stimulation by listing and/or rating specific types of effects, both positive and adverse, and the location of each effect. In this manner, a programming device, i.e. a programmer, uses the feedback to generate subsequent test stimulation programs. Initially, programs with unipolar electrode configurations are tested, but the programmer may generate bipolar electrode configurations to test if the patient rates the unipolar electrode combinations poorly. After the stimulation programs are tested and rated, the programmer sorts the tested programs based upon the feedback and presents the tested programs to the user. The user selects the best tested program to use for chronic stimulation therapy. Additionally, the patient may utilize the guided programming technique for continued therapy optimization. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307284 | COMMAND CENTER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEX MEDICAL ENVIRONMENTS - Computer-implemented systems, apparatus and methods for managing information, operations and functions in a complex medical environment and providing a command control center interface for receiving/sending/displaying data, relating to products, instructions, diagnosis, consultation, patient's information, supplies and their provision, registration, scheduling, updating and like operational functions and features, and updating on an ongoing basis to coordinate, control and synchronize necessary and/or desirable operations within the environment, whereby the “hospital of the future” is effectively facilitated with proficiency and efficiency in an accurate and reliable manner. Such systems may also include one or more client terminal devices in communication with a data interchange subsystem. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307274 | INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDICAL DEVICE INFORMATION - Computer-implemented systems and methods for managing information include one or more client terminal devices in communication with a data interchange system. In one instance, the data interchange system may facilitate communication between a device manufacturer and a clinical site. One or more of the client terminals devices may be configured to: (a) collect the medical device information from the medical device; (b) transmit the medical device information to the medical device manufacturer and/or the clinical site via the interchange system; and (c) receive information from the medical device manufacturer and/or the clinical site via the interchange system. The client terminal device may be further configured to: (d) activate, deactivate or configure a medical device. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307033 | CHARGE LEVEL MEASUREMENT - This disclosure describes techniques for estimating an amount of charge on a power source. A processor may determine an uncertainty value associated with a first charge level of a power source and an uncertainty value associated with a second charge level of the power source. Based on the uncertainties, the processor may adjust the first charge level to generate an adjusted charge level. The processor may further adjust the adjusted charge level based on the behavior of the power source. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307032 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING RATE OF CHANGE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - Techniques are described, for medical devices that deliver electrical stimulation therapy, for controlling a transition from an initial stimulation location or initial stimulation shape to a user-specified target stimulation location or target stimulation shape in order to limit the rate of change of stimulation. One example method includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input indicating a target stimulation zone, and controlling the electrical stimulator to transition electrical stimulation from an initial stimulation zone to the target stimulation zone via one or more intermediate stimulation zones. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301702 | Transcatheter Delivery System and Method with Controlled Expansion and Contraction of Prosthetic Heart Valve - A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301680 | MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD - A medical device lead is presented. The lead includes one or more jacketed conductive elements. The jacket comprises one or more covers. A first cover of polyether ketone (PEEK) is in direct contact with the at least one conductive element. At least one conductive element and a PEEK cover are coiled. The coiled conductive element can substantially retain its original coiled shape. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301678 | LEAD HAVING REINFORCING MEMBER - An implantable medical device, such as a lead or lead extension, includes a body having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion configured to be at least partially received by an apparatus. The device further includes a conductive member at the distal end portion of the body and an electrical contact at the proximal end portion of the body. The electrical contact is electrically coupled to the conductive member and is positioned such that, when received by the apparatus, at least a portion of the apparatus is capable of electrically coupling to the electrical contact. The device further includes a reinforcement member integrated in the body. The reinforcement member: (i) may be located in the body at a location that receives a compressive force when the proximal end portion is received by the apparatus; (ii) may be non-conductive and may be in contact with the electrical contact, and may extend distally within the body from the electrical contact; or (iii) may be located in the body at a location receivable by the apparatus. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301667 | INDUCTIVELY RECHARGEABLE EXTERNAL ENERGY SOURCE, CHARGER, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A TRANSCUTANEOUS INDUCTIVE CHARGER FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A mechanism for transferring energy from an external power source to an implantable medical device is disclosed. A sensor may be used to measure a parameter that correlates to a temperature of the system that occurs during the transcutaneous coupling of energy. For example, the sensor may measure temperature of a surface of an antenna of the external power source. The measured parameter may then be compared to a programmable limit. A control circuit such as may be provided by the external power source may then control the temperature based on the comparison. The programmable limit may be, for example, under software control so that the temperature occurring during transcutaneous coupling of energy may be modified to fit then-current circumstances. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301656 | PREFERRED ADI/R: A PERMANENT PACING MODE TO ELIMINATE VENTRICULAR PACING WHILE MAINTAINING BACKUP SUPPORT - A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction however possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial based pacing). | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301575 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL PUMP WITH PRESSURE SENSOR - The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110296925 | CAPACITIVE PRESSURE SENSOR ASSEMBLY - The disclosure is directed to a capacitive pressure sensor, and the assembly of a capacitive pressure sensor, that may be used within an implantable medical pump. In one example, a housing ferrule that encloses one capacitive plate and includes at least one protrusion for attaching a support structure of the capacitive plate. The at least one protrusion defines a smaller inner diameter as a reference point for securing the support structure while the ferrule provides a larger inner diameter to allow the support structure to tilt inside the ferrule to orient the capacitive plate into a desired plane. Despite manufacturing irregularities, the capacitive plate can be mounted in the desired plane parallel to another capacitive plate, a diaphragm, mounted to an edge of the ferrule. In another example, an assembly tool provides a stage to orient the capacitive plate and support structure within the ferrule at a desired depth. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110291210 | BETAVOLTAIC POWER CONVERTER DIE STACKING - A power converter comprises a first die and a second die. Each die comprises a semiconductor substrate comprising a junction for converting nuclear radiation particles to electrical energy, the junction of each semiconductor substrate comprising a first side and a second side, a first electrode comprising a nuclear radiation-emitting radioisotope deposited on the semiconductor substrate, the first electrode being electrically connected to the first side of the junction, and a second electrode deposited on the semiconductor substrate, the second electrode being electrically connected to the second side. A bond is formed between one of the first electrode or the second electrode of the first die and one of the first electrode or the second electrode of the second die, wherein the bond forms an electrical contact between the bonded electrodes. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110288620 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD WITH COPLANAR CONTACT COUPLING - An implantable lead for a medical device with a coplanar coupling for connecting a conductor to a contact reduces conductor bending moments to improve lead reliability. The implantable lead comprises a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one conductor, at least one contact carried on the proximal end, at least one contact carried on the distal end, and at least one coupling. The lead body has an exterior surface. The conductor is contained in the lead body and extends from the lead proximal end to the distal end. The conductor is also electrically insulated. The contact carried on the proximal end is electrically connected to the conductor. The coupling has a conductor coupling and a contact coupling. The conductor coupling is placed over the conductor and attached to the conductor. The contact coupling exits the lead body and has a weld to connect the contact coupling to the contact. The contact coupling is configured to exit the conductor lumen and mate with the contact while retaining the conductor coplanar to the lead body. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110288408 | DIASTOLIC CORONARY PERFUSION DETECTION FOR TIMED DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC AGENTS - During diastolic coronary perfusion, blood perfuses through the heart via the coronary arteries. Delivery of a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to the heart during diastolic coronary perfusion allows the therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent to efficiently perfuse through the heart. A medical device according to the invention detects closure of the aortic valve of a heart, and initiates delivery of a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent upon detection of aortic valve closure. The medical device detects aortic valve closure by processing a signal. Exemplary signals used by the medical device to detect aortic valve closure include left or right ventricular accelerometer signals, left or right ventricular flow signals, left or right ventricular pressure signals, aortic pressure signals, pulse pressure signals, systemic arterial pressure signals, electrogram signals, and phonocardiogram signals | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110283514 | PROSTHESIS FIXTURING DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Devices for fixturing a prosthesis to a first mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Complementary fixturing devices and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve gasket body to a biological annulus. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110282438 | Valve Introducers And Methods For Making And Using Them - A valve introducer is provided for delivering a valve prosthesis into a biological annulus. During use, a gasket member is introduced into the biological annulus, and secured relative to the biological annulus. A distal end of a valve introducer is introduced into a passage communicating with the biological annulus, and disposed adjacent the gasket member. A valve prosthesis is advanced through the valve introducer towards the gasket member, and secured to the gasket member. In one embodiment, the valve introducer and valve prosthesis have corresponding shapes, requiring the valve prosthesis to be oriented to properly align the valve prosthesis before advancing the valve prosthesis into the valve introducer. Optionally, the valve introducer is manipulated (e.g., by pivoting at a pivot point) to reduce a profile of the distal end before introduction into the passage, which may facilitate introducing the valve introducer through the passage, e.g., past the sino-tubular junction. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282420 | FORMING CONDUCTIVE COUPLINGS IN MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEADS - An inner surface of a coupling component sidewall forms first and second portions of a cavity of the coupling component. A conductive coupling between an electrode and a conductor of a medical electrical lead may be formed by inserting a segment of the conductor into the first portion of the cavity, crimping the sidewall of the coupling component around the inserted segment, inserting a segment of the electrode into the second portion of the cavity, and welding an edge of the sidewall to the inserted electrode segment. The edge of the sidewall may define a slot, extending between first and second portions of the cavity, or a hole extending through the sidewall. The electrode may be part of an electrode assembly, mounted around an inner insulation layer of the lead, and the conductor may be part of a conductor assembly extending between inner and outer insulation layers of the lead. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282225 | TECHNIQUES FOR REVIEWING AND ANALYZING IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM DATA - A computing device includes a memory device, a communication module, an interface, a processor, a display controller, and an input device. The communication module wirelessly receives a stream of first electrogram waveforms (EGMs) from an implantable medical device (IMD). The interface receives a stream of second EGMs. The processor stores the first and second EGMs and retrieves the stored first and second EGMs. The display controller displays the first and second EGMs together when the first and second EGMs are received. The input device is configured to receive a selection command from a user. The processor retrieves a portion of at least one of the first and second stored EGMs in response to the selection command. The display controller displays the retrieved portion of the at least one of the first and second stored EGMs while the processor concurrently stores the streams of the first and second EGMs. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280737 | END OF STROKE DETECTION FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC PUMP - Detection of end of stroke for an electromagnetic pump is performed using, for example, a calculated first flux derivative. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110270358 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE PROGRAMMING USING GESTURE-BASED CONTROL - A programming device includes a touchscreen display, a processor, and a communication module. The processor controls the display to present a graphical icon on a first portion of the display. The processor detects a gesture-based contact between an object and the first portion of the display and determines a value of a therapy parameter associated with therapy delivered by a medical device based on the detection of the gesture-based contact. The communication module transmits information to the medical device to control the medical device to deliver the therapy based on the value of the therapy parameter. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270357 | STIMULATION WITH UTILIZATION OF NON-SELECTED ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation current via at least two user-selected electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) and automatically delivering balancing current below via at least one non-selected electrode. Balancing currents delivered via the at least one non-selected electrode may be configured with an amplitude below a perception threshold of a patient. Delivery of balancing current via the at least one third electrode may allow an implantable medical device to automatically balance the total current delivered to a patient. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270348 | BRAIN STIMULATION PROGRAMMING - A programming system allows a user to program therapy parameter values for therapy delivered by a medical device by specifying a desired therapeutic outcome. In an example, the programming system presents a model of a brain network associated with a patient condition to the user. The model may be a graphical representation of a network of anatomical structures of the brain associated with the patient condition and may indicate the functional relationship between the anatomical structures. Using the model, the user may define a desired therapeutic outcome associated with the condition, and adjust excitatory and/or inhibitory effects of the stimulation on the anatomical structures. The system may determine therapy parameter values for therapy delivered to the patient based on the user input. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270343 | THERAPY USING PERTURBATION AND EFFECT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS - Methods for treating a patient and further to devices for performing such treatment, e.g., methods and devices to perturb at least one physiological system and deliver therapy to the patient based on the effects of such perturbation. For example, a method for using an implantable medical device is disclosed that involves a method for using an implantable medical device delivering electrical stimuli to an afferent nerve associated with the selected organ. The efferent electrical activity is monitored in an efferent nerve responsive to delivering electrical stimuli to the afferent nerve, the monitored efferent electrical activity includes an indirect component of a compound action potential (CAP). A status of the selected organ is assessed based upon the indirect component. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270342 | THERAPY USING PERTURBATION AND EFFECT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS - Methods for treating a patient and further to devices for performing such treatment, e.g., methods and devices to perturb at least one physiological system and deliver therapy to the patient based on the effects of such perturbation. For example, a method for using an implantable medical device is disclosed that involves delivering electrical stimuli to an efferent nerve associated with the selected organ. Afferent electrical activity is monitored during delivery of electrical stimuli to the efferent nerve, the monitored afferent electrical activity includes an indirect component of a compound action potential (CAP). A status of the selected organ is assessed based upon the indirect component. A determination is made as to whether to deliver therapy to the selected organ in response to assessing the status of the selected organ. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270341 | HERMETIC WAFER-TO-WAFER BONDING WITH ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION - An implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The IMD includes a first substrate having a front side and a backside. A first via is formed in the front side, the via extending from a bottom point in the front side to a first height located at a surface of the front side. A first conductive pad is formed in the first via, the first conductive pad having an exposed top surface lower than first height. A second substrate is coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate having a second via formed in the front side, the via extending from a bottom point in the front side to a second height located at a surface of the front side. A second conductive pad is formed in the second via, the second conductive pad having an exposed top surface lower than second height. The coupled substrates are heated until a portion of one or both conductive pads reflow, dewet, agglomerate, and merge to form an interconnect, hermetic seal, or both depending on the requirements of the device. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270332 | THERAPY USING PERTURBATION AND EFFECT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS - Methods for treating a patient and further to devices for performing such treatment, e.g., methods and devices to perturb at least one physiological system and deliver therapy to the patient based on the effects of such perturbation. For example, a method for using an implantable medical device is disclosed that involves delivering electrical stimuli to an efferent nerve associated with the selected organ. Afferent electrical activity is monitored during delivery of electrical stimuli to the efferent nerve, the monitored afferent electrical activity includes an indirect component of a compound action potential (CAP). A status of the selected organ is assessed based upon the indirect component. A determination is made as to whether to deliver therapy to the selected organ in response to assessing the status of the selected organ. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270330 | DIFFUSION BONDED LEAD CONNECTOR - A medical device lead connector includes electrically conducting contact rings spaced apart by an electrically insulating ring and in axial alignment. The electrically conducting contact ring and the insulating ring having an interface bond on an atomic level. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270329 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE THERAPY DURING STIMULATION OF VAGUS NERVE - A method and apparatus stimulating a vagus nerve of a patient. The apparatus includes a pulse generator having an adjustable pulse output parameter and adapted to be electrically coupled to the vagus nerve. The pulse generator generates pulses for a burst period that is followed by a rest period. The apparatus also includes a respiration sensor coupled to the pulse generator. The respiration sensor detects the inspiration and the expiration phases of the respiration. The pulse generator generates stimulation pulses during both the detected inspiration and expiration phases. The pulses are delivered with the output parameter adjusted to provide greater stimulation strength during the inspiration phase than during the expiration phase. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270276 | Methods and Devices for Cardiac Valve Repair or Replacement - A delivery system for percutaneously guiding a repair or replacement device into a desired position relative to a valve within a patient. The delivery system includes a longitudinal support tube having a distal end, a deformable centering loop extending from the distal end of the support tube, at least one stop positioned on the centering loop and spaced from the distal end of the support tube, at least one clip delivery system slideably attached to the centering loop, and a sheath that is longitudinally slideable relative to the support tube, the centering loop, and the at least one clip delivery tube. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270243 | Subxiphoid Connective Lesion Ablation System and Method - Instrument and systems for applying ablative energy to epicardial tissue via a subxiphoid access surgical approach. The instrument has a head assembly sized and shaped for a subxiphoid surgical approach to a patient's heart and defines a contact face. The head assembly includes a paddle body, a first ablation electrode, and a second ablation electrode. The ablation electrodes are coupled to the paddle body in a spaced apart, spatially-fixed fashion. The ablation electrodes are exteriorly exposed at the contact face. A tubular member extends from the head assembly and maintains wiring connected to the ablation electrodes. The instrument is manipulable to locate the contact face on epicardial tissue of a patient's heart via a subxiphoid surgical approach, such as between the left and right pulmonary vein junctions of the posterior left atrium. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270230 | CATHETER CONNECTORS AND SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF USING SAME - Catheter connectors, systems, and methods of use in which a catheter is attached to a connector such that the catheter is retained on the connector by inward radial compression between an outer surface of a hollow pin located within the catheter and a collet fitted over the portion of the catheter containing the pin. The collet may be moved from an unlocked position to a locked position by axial displacement of the collet along a longitudinal axis of the connector. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270212 | PHARMACOKINETIC CONTROL FOR OPTIMIZED INTERFERON DELIVERY - Methods and devices for treating patients having chronic hepatitis C infection so as to eradicate detectable HCV-RNA and/or inhibit the emergence of a drug resistant HCV variant are disclosed. Certain methods of the invention involve the use of a continuous infusion pump in a multiphasic combination therapy using a therapeutically effective amount of a small molecule inhibitor such as ribavirin and a therapeutically effective amount of interferon-α. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270171 | Steerable Medical Device Having Means For Imparting Multiple Curves in the Device - A steerable elongated medical device that is capable of forming as “s” shaped bend and having a guidewire tip at its distal end. The devices include an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and first and second elongated outer tube slots through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The first elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and formed between a first outer tube slot proximal end and a first outer tube slot distal end and extending axially along the outer tube distal segment through a first outer tube slot length to define a first cutaway portion of the outer tube. The second elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and formed between a second outer tube slot proximal end and a second outer tube slot distal end and extending axially along the outer tube distal segment through a second outer tube slot length to define a second cutaway portion of the outer tube and offset about 180 degrees from the first elongated outer tube slot. Each of the first and second outer tube slots have reinforcing sleeves, each of the reinforcing sleeves having reinforcing sleeve slot portions and reinforcing sleeve overlap portions. The medical devices further include a handle coupled to the outer tube proximal end, and a pull wire positioned within the outer tube lumen and extending between a pull wire proximal end coupled to the handle and a pull wire distal end comprising a guidewire tip, the pull wire extending through the first and second reinforcing sleeve lumens, the outer tube lumen, and a distal pull wire stop, and the guidewire tip extending distally from the distal pull wire stop, wherein the pull wire proximal end is adapted to be manipulated to separate the pull wire proximal end from the outer tube proximal end to induce a bend in each of the first and second cutaway portions. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270170 | Steerable Medical Device Having Means For Imparting Multiple Curves in the Device - A steerable elongated medical device that is capable of forming as “s” shaped bend. The devices include an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and first and second elongated outer tube slots through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The first elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and formed between a first outer tube slot proximal end and a first outer tube slot distal end and extending axially along the outer tube distal segment through a first outer tube slot length to define a first cutaway portion of the outer tube. The second elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and formed between a second outer tube slot proximal end and a second outer tube slot distal end and extending axially along the outer tube distal segment through a second outer tube slot length to define a second cutaway portion of the outer tube and offset about 180 degrees from the first elongated outer tube slot. Each of the first and second outer tube slots have reinforcing sleeves, each of the reinforcing sleeves having reinforcing sleeve slot portions and reinforcing sleeve overlap portions. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270169 | Steerable Stylet with Guidewire Tip - According to an embodiment of the present invention, a steerable elongated medical device includes an outer tube extending between an outer tube proximal segment and an outer tube distal segment, and having an outer tube wall forming an outer tube lumen and an elongated outer tube slot through the outer tube wall to the outer tube lumen. The elongated outer tube slot has a first portion and a second portion and is formed between an outer tube slot proximal end and an outer tube slot distal end and extends axially along the outer tube distal segment through an outer tube slot length to define a cutaway portion of the outer tube. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned within the outer tube lumen and extends between a reinforcing sleeve proximal end and a reinforcing sleeve distal end. The reinforcing sleeve forms a reinforcing sleeve slot portion aligned with and extending along the first portion of the outer tube slot and includes a reinforcing sleeve overlap portion extending over the second portion of the outer tube slot. A handle is coupled to the outer tube proximal end, and a pull wire is positioned within the outer tube lumen and extends between a pull wire proximal end coupled to the handle and a pull wire distal end comprising a guidewire tip. The pull wire extends through the reinforcing sleeve lumen, the outer tube lumen, and a distal pull wire stop, and the guidewire tip extending distally from the distal pull wire stop and the pull wire proximal end is adapted to be manipulated to separate the pull wire proximal end from the outer tube proximal end to induce a bend in the cutaway portion. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270147 | Rolled Mat Heat Exchanger and Method of Manufacture - A method of manufacturing a bundled mat construction for an extracorporeal blood circuit heat exchanger includes attaching a leading edge of a first capillary tube mat segment to a first side of a mandrel. A leading edge of a second capillary tube mat segment is attached to a second side of the mandrel. The first side is diametrically opposite the second side. The mandrel is rolled relative to the mat segments to generate a bundled mat construction. Radial layers of the bundled mat construction are symmetrical relative to a central axis of the mandrel. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270134 | DETECTING POSTURE SENSOR SIGNAL SHIFT OR DRIFT IN MEDICAL DEVICES - In general, the disclosure relates to medical devices and systems for detecting the posture state of patient. For example, a medical system may detect a posture state of a patient and deliver therapy based at least in part on the detected patient posture state. In some examples, the system may comprise a posture sensor that generates posture sensor data when a patient is in a posture state, and a processor that receives the first posture sensor data, compares the first posture state data to reference posture sensor data, and detects the presence of at least one of sensor signal drift or sensor signal shift for the posture sensor based at least in part on the comparison. In some examples, the processor may be configured to determine one or more offset correction values to apply to posture sensor data generated by the posture sensor when the at least one of sensor signal drift or sensor signal shift is determined to be present. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270099 | HERMETIC WAFER-TO-WAFER BONDING WITH ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION - An implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The IMD includes a first substrate having a front side and a backside. A first via is formed in the front side, the via extending from a bottom point in the front side to a first height located at a surface of the front side. A first conductive pad is formed in the first via, the first conductive pad having an exposed top surface lower than first height. A second substrate is coupled to the first substrate, the second substrate having a second via formed in the front side, the via extending from a bottom point in the front side to a second height located at a surface of the front side. A second conductive pad is formed in the second via, the second conductive pad having an exposed top surface lower than second height. The coupled substrates are heated until a portion of one or both conductive pads reflow, dewet, agglomerate, and merge to form an interconnect, hermetic seal, or both depending on the requirements of the device. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110270068 | NEUROLOGICAL SCREENING CONNECTOR - A medical lead screening connector includes a housing, a plurality of lead receptor channels disposed within the housing, a cover hingedly attached to the housing, and a base element rotationally attached to the housing. Each lead receptor channel includes at least two lead receptor contacts. A conductor cable is attached to and extends away from the housing. The base element is configured to reel in the conductor cable upon rotation of the base element. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269720 | MINOCYCLINE AND RIFAMPIN MICROPARTICLES - Methods and kits for treating infection associated with implantation of a medical device use of minocycline and rifampin microparticles. The microparticles, in a suitable medium, can be injected in a patient in proximity to the device. The drugs may be configured to be released from the polymer matrix in a controlled manner by manipulation of the properties of the polymer forming the microparticle. By injecting the drugs in the form of microparticles, the drugs can be distributed in a manner so that the entire pocket is protected without affecting device function. The microparticles can be produced aseptically without affecting the manufacturing of the device. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269350 | NEUROLOGICAL SCREENING CONNECTOR - A medical lead screening connector includes a first housing portion having a first lead receptor channel and a second housing portion having a second lead receptor channel and the second housing portion is pivotally connected to the first housing portion. The first lead receptor channel includes two first contact apertures and the second lead receptor channel comprising two second contact apertures. The first housing portion includes two second lead receptor contacts that mate with the second contact apertures and the second housing portion includes two first lead receptor contacts that mate with the first contact apertures. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110269311 | GOLD-TIN ETCH USING COMBINATION OF HALOGEN PLASMA AND WET ETCH - The present disclosure relates to an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device includes a component comprising a first substrate bonded to a second substrate. A method for forming the component includes removing a first portion of tin (Sn) from gold tin (AuSn) through a halogen plasma. A first portion of gold (Au) is exposed in response to removing the first portion of the Sn. The first portion of the Au through a wet etch. A second portion of the Sn is exposed in response to removing the first portion of Au. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267212 | CAPACITIVE INTERFACE CIRCUIT FOR LOW POWER SENSOR SYSTEM - This disclosure describes a capacitive interface circuit for a low power system. The capacitive interface circuit is configured to achieve very low noise sensing of capacitance-based transducers, such as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based sensor, with high resolution and low power. The capacitive interface circuit uses a differential amplifier and correlated triple sampling (CTS) to substantially eliminate, or at least reduce, kT/C noise, as well as amplifier offset and flicker (1/f) noise, from the output of the amplifier. The capacitive interface circuit may further include an output stage that reduces glitching, i.e., clock transients, in the output signal by allowing transients in the amplifier output to settle. In this manner, the circuit can be used in a low power system to produce a stable, low-noise output. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110264208 | Prosthetic Heart Valve Devices and Methods of Valve Repair - A mechanism for adjusting the chordae connecting the leaflets of a mitral valve to the papillary muscles in order to restore normal functioning of the mitral valve. The devices or mechanisms can correct problems associated with both prolapsed leaflets and restricted leaflets to allow the leaflets to properly coapt, thereby preventing or minimizing regurgitation. In accordance with the invention, the mechanisms or devices used for adjusting the chordae can be delivered and implanted in a minimally invasive and/or percutaneous manner, such as via transapical methods, transfermoral methods, or trans-septal methods. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264206 | Prosthetic Valve with Sealing Members and Methods of Use Thereof - Embodiments of the present invention provide prosthetic valves having sealing members on the external surface thereof. The prosthetic heart valves of the present invention are preferably delivered by catheter directly through the apex of the heart or by other close range transcatheter delivery methods. Because these methods of implantation require a shorter length of catheter, a prosthetic valve can be more accurately oriented in the desired implantation location. Fluoroscopy can be used to further assist in orientation of the valve. The sealing members of the present invention can be positioned on the prosthetic valve such that, when the prosthetic valve is implanted in a native annulus, each provided sealing member is located adjacent to a commissural point of the native valve leaflets. Because the sealing members are precisely oriented on the prosthetic valve, a physician can ensure that the sealing members are aligned with the commissural points of the native valve leaflets. In embodiments of the present invention, the prosthetic valve can have a waisted middle section, and the sealing members can be located in the waisted middle section such that the crimped diameter of the prosthetic valve is not negatively impacted by the sealing members. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264201 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Post-Dilatation Remodeling Devices and Methods - A system and method for restoring (e.g., replacing) a defective heart valve of a patient. A delivery system is manipulated to percutaneously deliver and implant a stented prosthetic heart valve to a native heart valve. A post-dilatation balloon is percutaneously delivered to the implantation site, and a compliant segment thereof is arranged within a region of the implanted prosthesis. The balloon is inflated such that the compliant segment expands and contacts the prosthesis, expanding a remodeling region of the prosthesis to a remodeled state. With these and related techniques, remodeling of an implanted, stented prosthetic heart valve to better match the native valve shape is possible, providing many benefits such as reducing the risk of paravalvular leaks. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264200 | Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery System with Spacing - A device for percutaneously deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve includes a distal portion, a spacing collar, and an outer collar. The distal portion provides a coupling structure configured to selectively engage the stented prosthetic heart valve. The spacing collar is located proximal to the distal portion. The spacing collar is transitionable from a loaded state to an activated state. The spacing collar in the loaded state has a radial dimension less than the spacing collar in the activated state. The outer collar is configured to be movable relative to the distal portion and the spacing collar. The outer collar is slidably disposed over the spacing collar to provide the loaded state and is slidably retracted from the spacing collar when in the activated state. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264199 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery System with Flush Report - A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached includes a shaft assembly including a distal portion and an intermediate portion, and an inner lumen extending through the shaft assembly. The delivery system includes a sheath assembly defining an outer lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. At least one flush port is formed in the intermediate portion. The at least one flush port is in fluid communication with the inner lumen and the outer lumen. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264198 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery System and Method with Controlled Expansion of Prosthetic Heart Valve - A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached includes a shaft assembly including a distal end, an intermediate portion, and a first coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve via a first tether. A sheath assembly defines a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The first coupling structure is configured to be manipulated in a first direction to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264196 | Stents for Prosthetic Heart Valves - A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264191 | Delivery Systems and Methods of Implantation for Prosthetic Heart Valves - A delivery system for delivery of an implantable stented device to a body lumen that includes an elongated member having a distal tip and a proximal end portion, a wire connection member positioned between the distal tip and proximal end portion of the elongated member, and a plurality of capturing wires extending from a distal end of the wire connection member. Each of the capturing wires includes a distal end having a lower portion that is moveable relative to an upper portion between an open position and a closed position, and a slot defined by the upper and lower portions when they are in the closed position. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264171 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATOR WITH VOLTAGE MODE EMULATION USING REGULATED CURRENT - Techniques are described for generating electrical stimulation current pulses for delivery of electrical stimulation therapy via a current-controlled system that emulates voltage pulses generated via a voltage-controlled system. In one example, a method includes receiving user input specifying a voltage level of electrical stimulation to be delivered by one or more of a plurality of electrodes implanted within the patient, selectively coupling the one or more electrodes to respective regulated current paths to deliver the electrical stimulation to the patient, selectively coupling at least another of the plurality of electrodes implanted within the patient to an unregulated current path to deliver the electrical stimulation to the patient, determining a regulated current for each respective regulated current path in order to produce the specified voltage level at the one or more electrodes selectively coupled to the respective regulated current paths, and delivering the determined regulated currents via the respective regulated current paths. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264167 | MODULATION OF TRIGEMINAL REFLEX STRENGTH - A method includes evoking and recording the response of a trigeminal reflex in the presence and absence of occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) to determine whether, and to what extent, ONS modulates the trigeminal reflex. If the ONS modulates the trigeminal reflex, e.g. to a sufficient degree, the subject may be considered a candidate for ONS for treatment of headache. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264165 | STIMULATION ELECTRODE SELECTION - One or more stimulation electrodes may be selected based on a bioelectrical signal sensed in a brain of a patient with a sense electrode combination that comprises at least one electrode and a physiological model that indicates one or more anatomical structures of the brain of the patient that are proximate the implanted at least one electrode. In some examples, the bioelectrical brain signal indicates which electrodes are located closest to a target tissue site. The physiological model can be generated based on a location of implanted at least one electrode within a patient and patient anatomy data, which can, for example, indicate one or more characteristics of patient tissue proximate to the implanted at least one electrode. In some example, the physiological model includes a therapy field model that represents a region of the tissue of the patient to which therapy is delivered via a selected set of electrodes. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264034 | MEDICAL THERAPY MODIFICATION AUTHORIZATION TECHNIQUES - Techniques for programming therapy delivered a patient via a medical device are described. One example technique includes receiving a request for a modification to a therapy delivered to a patient via medical device, transmitting a request to a remote networking device for authorization for the modification to the therapy in response to the request for the modification to the therapy, receiving a response to the request for authorization, where the response to the request for authorization indicates whether the requested modification is authorized, and modifying the therapy according to the requested modification when the requested modification is determined to be authorized. In some examples, the medical device includes a medical fluid delivery device. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264006 | Detecting Empty Medical Pump Reservoir - A medical device system comprises a reservoir configured to store a therapeutic fluid and a medical pump configured to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir to a patient. The system also comprises a sensor that can detect a characteristic associated with the pump and a processor to determine if the characteristic detected indicates the reservoir is empty or near empty. The characteristic may comprise a property associated with the energization of an actuation mechanism configured to be energized to provide a pump stroke. The characteristic may also comprise a characteristic of a noise made by an actuator within the pump at the end of a pump stroke. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110263999 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS - Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based upon comparisons of long-term and short-term representations of physiological signals. Further embodiments of the invention include preparing for the delivery of therapy by warming up therapy delivery components prior to the expected delivery of therapy. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110259951 | Method for Tracing Individual Dies - A method for tracing individual dies within stacked chip scale packages includes the steps of recording unique die identifiers from layers of marked dies and associating the unique identifiers with a die bonding substrate and the resulting die or stacked chip scale packages. The unique die identifiers are also associated with wafer numbers, x-y positions on a wafer, wafer lot numbers or any combination thereof. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110257907 | PRESSURE-BASED TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257798 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A THERAPEUTIC AGENT ACCORDING TO DEFAULT INFUSION SCHEDULE - A fluid delivery system comprises a pump configured to deliver a therapeutic agent to a patient, a memory storing a therapy program defining the delivery of the therapeutic agent to the patient by the pump and a default infusion schedule based on the therapy program, and a processor configured to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the therapy program, to determine an error condition that prevents the pump from continuing to deliver therapy according to the therapy program, and, upon determination of the error condition, to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the default infusion schedule. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257737 | BIOLOGICALLY IMPLANTABLE PROSTHESIS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257733 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery System and Method with Expandable Stability Tube - A device for percutaneously delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve. The device includes an inner shaft assembly, a delivery sheath assembly, an outer stability tube, and a handle. The sheath assembly is slidably disposed over the inner shaft, and includes a capsule and a shaft. The capsule compressively contains the prosthesis over the inner shaft. The stability tube is slidably disposed over the delivery sheath, and includes a distal region configured to be radially expandable from a first shape having a first diameter to a second shape having a larger, second diameter. In a first delivery state, the distal region assumes the first shape, providing a low profile appropriate for traversing a patient's vasculature. In a second delivery state, the distal region has the expanded diameter second shape, sized to receive the capsule, such as when retracting the capsule to implant the prosthesis. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257728 | Catheter-Based Annuloplasty System and Method - A catheter-based annuloplasty system for use in repairing a heart valve having leaflets and a valve annulus, includes a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and an expandable stent disposed on the distal end of the catheter. An adjustable annuloplasty ring is disposed on the expandable stent and is configured to expand and contract in response to expansion and contraction of the stent. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257721 | Prosthetic Heart Valves and Delivery Methods - A method of remodeling a stented device and an adjacent a valve region of a patient, including the steps of implanting a stented device into a native valve region of a patient, providing a first remodeling ring on a portion of a delivery system, advancing the remodeling ring into an interior area of the implanted stented device with the delivery system, radially expanding the remodeling ring until it modifies at least one of an aspect of a shape of the interior area of the implanted stented device and an aspect of a shape of the valve region in which it is positioned, and removing the delivery system from the patient. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257717 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - An implantable medical lead includes a lead body, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a fourth electrode. The electrodes are located at fixed positions along the length of the lead body, and the second and third electrodes are positioned between the first and fourth electrodes. The first electrode has a proximal end, the fourth electrode has a distal end, and the distance from the proximal end of the first electrode to the distal end of the fourth electrode is between 5 centimeters and 7 centimeters. The combined length of the second and third electrodes is between 2.5 and 5 times greater than the combined length of the first and fourth electrodes. The lead may be used for applying electrical signals to an occipital nerve of a patient. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257711 | Medical Devices Including Flexible Circuit Bodies with Exposed Portions of Circuit Traces Attached to Electrical Contacts of Components - Medical devices include stimulation and/or sensing circuitry that is interconnected to electrical components by a flexible circuit body having exposed portions of circuit traces that are attached to electrical contacts of the electrical components. Each circuit trace may span a separate window formed in an insulative body of the flexible circuit body, or a plurality of circuit traces may span a single window or may be freely extending from the insulative body. The exposed portion of the circuit trace may be plated with a conductive metal and then attached to the electrical contact of the electrical component. The flexible circuit body may be an extension from a flexible electrical circuit board containing the circuit. The circuit may be present on a circuit board that includes electrical contacts and where the flexible circuit body has exposed portions of circuit traces attached to the electrical contacts of the circuit board. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257659 | STRAIN RELIEF APPARATUS FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD - An extensible implantable medical device includes a body defining a lumen extending through the body. The lumen is configured to receive at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The body includes a non-rectilinearly shaped portion. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a first shape spanning a first distance in a relaxed state. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a second, more rectilinear, shape spanning a second distance when subjected to a stretching force. The second distance is greater than the first distance. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion returns to the relaxed first shape upon release of the stretching force and is configured to assume the first shape when the lead is inserted into the lumen and no load is placed on the lead or the shaped body portion. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257593 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETECTING CATHETER COMPLICATIONS - A method for determining status of an implanted catheter includes acquiring raw pressure data from a pressure sensor of in an implantable infusion device. The pressure sensor is in communication with a lumen of the catheter operably coupled to the infusion device. The catheter has a delivery region, in communication with the lumen, intended to be positioned in a fluid-filled target location of a patient. The method further includes filtering the raw pressure data to remove the DC component, leaving the AC component within a relevant physiological frequency range; rectifying the AC component to produce a rectified pressure signal; calculating a mean magnitude of the rectified signal; and determining whether the mean magnitude is below a predetermined threshold. If the mean magnitude is below the threshold, the catheter is determined to be in a state other than a normal state. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257591 | VOLUME MONITORING FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - Unexpected changes in the volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir of a fluid delivery device are detected based on changes in the pressure of the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor. Additionally, an ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is provided to indicate an actual volume of therapeutic fluid in a fluid delivery device reservoir. The actual volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir indicated by the ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is determined based on changes in the pressure in the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257509 | COORDINATION OF FUNCTIONAL MRI SCANNING AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - Changes in electrical stimulation therapy delivered via a medical device are coordinated with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a patient in an MRI unit, where the medical device is configured to cycle electrical stimulation therapy between a plurality of stimulation states. An indication that the medical device will cycle the electrical stimulation therapy or has cycled the electrical stimulation therapy while the patient is in the MRI unit or being imaged by the MRI unit is generated, and an MRI scan of the patient via an MRI workstation is initiated based on the indication. In another example, a medical device detects activation of an MRI scan and automatically switches stimulation states based upon the detection of the MRI scan, such that the scan is associated with a particular stimulation state. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257503 | NEUROLOGICAL SCREENING CONNECTOR - A medical lead screening connector includes a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the housing, where each lead receptor channel includes at least two lead receptor contacts, and a cover hingedly attached to the housing. The cover includes a protrusion that is arranged and configured to register with one of the lead receptor channels and contacts a lead body received in the lead receptor channel when the cover is in a closed position. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257500 | TEMPORARY IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEADS - A temporary implantable medical electrical lead includes a conductor extending along a proximal, extracorporeal length and a distal, subcutaneous length of the lead. Electrically isolated first and second wire filars of the conductor are wound to form an elongate lumen of the lead. First and second electrodes are mounted directly onto the conductor, along the subcutaneous length, and each is directly coupled to the corresponding filar. A fixation member is attached to a tubular member, which is conformed to an outer surface of the conductor so as to only cover the conductor along the subcutaneous length, leaving the outer surface exposed along a portion thereof, adjacent to the extracorporeal length. When the lead is implanted, the fixation member holds the subcutaneous length in a relatively fixed location, and fluid communication exists between the outer surface of the conductor and the lumen of the lead. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254686 | RESERVOIR MONITORING FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICES - A number of parameters related to the operation of a fluid delivery device are determined based on a pressure within the device sensed using a pressure sensor. In one example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from a reservoir of a fluid delivery device is determined based on a sensed pressure of the reservoir. In another example, the volume of therapeutic fluid added to or removed from the reservoir is determined based on a sensed pressure of a refill port assembly of the device. In another example, an initial temperature of the reservoir as a therapeutic fluid is removed from the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. In another example, a temperature of a therapeutic fluid added to the reservoir is estimated based on a sensed pressure within the device. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110251683 | Transcatheter Prosthetic Heart Valve Delivery Device with Stability Tube and Method - A device for percutaneous delivery of a stented prosthetic. heart valve. The device includes a sheath, a handle, and an outer stability tube. The sheath includes a distal capsule and a proximal shaft. The handle has a housing maintaining an actuator mechanism that is coupled to the shaft. The actuator mechanism is configured to selectively move the shaft, and thus the capsule, relative to the housing. The stability tube is coupled to the housing and is coaxially received over the shaft such that the shaft is slidable relative to the stability tube. In a delivery state, the capsule encompasses the prosthetic valve. In a deployed state, the capsule is withdrawn from the prosthetic valve. The shaft slides relative to the stability tube in transitioning from the loaded state to the deployed state. When used with an introducer device, the stability tube frictionally isolates the sheath. | 10-13-2011 |
