Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130076535 | MODULAR PATIENT COMMUNICATOR FOR USE IN LIFE CRITICAL NETWORK - A modular patient communicator provides for communications with a patient implantable medical device (PIMD) and connectivity with a central authority (CA) via an unsecured network. Medical firmware and a radio facilitate wireless interrogation of the PIMD and acquisition of PIMD data. A universal communications port facilitates mechanical and signal connectivity with one or a multiplicity of disparate detachable modules, some of which provide the communicator with an external communications facility and have disparate communication protocols. The communicator is devoid of an external communications facility other than the radio and universal communications port. Life critical network software is executed in cooperation with an attached module to cause the communicator to transmit a request to a network access facility for a connection to the unsecured network, authenticate the communicator to the CA, and facilitate secured communication between the communicator and CA upon successful communicator authentication. | 03-28-2013 |
20130096442 | MEDICAL EVENT LOGBOOK SYSTEM AND METHOD - An event-based approach to collecting and organizing information associated with events affecting respiration is presented. The detection or prediction of an event affecting the respiration of a patient initiates acquisition of information associated with the event. The respiratory logbook system acquires information associated with the event during the event and during intervals proximate in time to the event. The information is organized as a respiratory log entry. The user can access the information by operating a user interface. The information may be presented in textual or graphical form. | 04-18-2013 |
20130116766 | LEAD ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A POLYMER INTERCONNECT AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - A lead assembly includes a ring component having mechanical coupling features, and at least one polymer component mechanically coupled with the mechanical coupling features of the ring component. Elongate tubing is disposed over the polymer component and is secured with the polymer component. | 05-09-2013 |
20130123651 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING A PATIENT STATUS FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE FOR USE IN AUTOMATED PATIENT CARE - A system and method for providing diagnosis and monitoring of congestive heart failure for use in automated patient care is described. At least one recorded physiological measure is compared to at least one other recorded physiological measure on a substantially regular basis to quantify a change in patient pathophysiological status for equivalent patient information. An absence, an onset, a progression, a regression, and a status quo of congestive heart failure is evaluated dependent upon the change in patient pathophysiological status. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123883 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVELY STIMULATING NERVE ROOTS - Various system embodiments comprise an implantable lead, an implantable housing, a neural stimulation circuit in the housing, and a controller in the housing and connected to the neural stimulation circuit. The lead has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to deliver neural stimulation pulses to the ventral nerve root and the dorsal nerve root. The proximal end of the lead is adapted to connect to the housing. The neural stimulation circuit is adapted to generate neural stimulation pulses to stimulate the ventral nerve root or the dorsal nerve root using the implantable lead. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver a neural stimulation treatment. | 05-16-2013 |
20130131522 | APNEA TYPE DETERMINING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea and hypopnea and to identify an occurrence of periodic respiration. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131752 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH FRACTAL ANTENNA - An apparatus and method for enabling an implanted fractal antenna for radio frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device. The fractal antenna may be disposed within or outside of a header assembly of the device housing. Various examples include a three dimensional patterned cylinder usable as a tissue anchor or stent. In another embodiment the antenna may be cast, molded, stamped, punched, milled, laser cut, etched or other methods to form a fractal pattern in conductive media. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed of a printed circuit board (PCB) either with or without an included ground reference plane. In another embodiment the antenna may be formed in a fractal pattern and then wrapped around a part of the implantable device. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131767 | POLYISOBUTYLENE URETHANE, UREA AND URETHANE/UREA COPOLYMERS AND MEDICAL LEADS CONTAINING THE SAME - The present invention provides medical devices that contain polyisobutylene urethane copolymers, polyisobutylene urea copolymers and polyisobutylene urethane/urea copolymers. More particularly, the present invention provides medical leads that contain such copolymer. | 05-23-2013 |
20130136035 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE ACCESS WITHIN A NETWORK - Methods and systems for media access control allow master and slave nodes of a network to communicate using the same carrier while avoiding collisions of transmissions. At least one slave node is an implantable device. Master nodes initiate all data exchange sequences, and slave nodes are responsive to the data exchange sequences. The exchange sequences begin by master nodes contending for use of the carrier through a countdown procedure. A set order of communications occurs between a master node who won the contention and a slave node being communicated with by the master node to transfer a data frame. Contention is then repeated to determine the next master node that is allowed to transfer a data frame. New master nodes entering the network employ a discovery process to poll for existing devices in the network. | 05-30-2013 |
20130137997 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ATRIAL FILLING PRESSURE - A cardiac rhythm management system provides for ambulatory monitoring of hemodynamic performance based on quantitative measurements of heart sound related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such heart sound related parameters allows the cardiac rhythm management system to determine a need for delivering a therapy and/or therapy parameter adjustments based on conditions of a heart. This monitoring also allows a physician to observe or assess the hemodynamic performance for diagnosing and making therapeutic decisions. Because the conditions of the heart may fluctuate and may deteriorate significantly between physician visits, the ambulatory monitoring, performed on a continuous or periodic basis, ensures a prompt response by the cardiac rhythm management system that may save a life, prevent hospitalization, or prevent further deterioration of the heart. | 05-30-2013 |
20130138008 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYSTOLIC INTERVAL ANALYSIS - A system and method provide for systolic interval analysis. In an example, an implantable device measures a cardiac impedance signal. A transformation of the cardiac impedance interval is generated. The device also measures a heart sound signal. A time interval between a point on the transformed signal of the cardiac impedance signal and a point on the heart sound signal is calculated. | 05-30-2013 |
20130138172 | PACE COUNTER ISOLATION FOR CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION PACING - A system and method for recording sensing and pacing events in a cardiac rhythm management device. The method may be particularly useful in assessment of pacing parameters for ventricular resynchronization therapy. | 05-30-2013 |
20130141842 | SINTERED CAPACITOR ELECTRODE INCLUDING A FOLDED CONNECTION - This document discusses capacitive elements including a first, second and third electrode arranged in a stack. The third electrode is positioned between the first and second electrode. An interconnect includes a unitary substrate shared with the first and second electrodes. The interconnect is adapted to deform to accommodate the stacked nature of the first and second electrodes. The unitary substrate includes a sintered material disposed thereon. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147622 | MEDICAL DATA TRANSPORT OVER WIRELESS LIFE CRITICAL NETWORK - A communicator facilitates communications with a remote server via a wireless network supporting a plurality of disparate data transport mechanisms having differing characteristics. A processor coupled to memory is disposed in a communicator housing, which is configured for portability. The memory stores wireless radio firmware and data transfer instructions that are executable by the processor for transferring data to the remote server in accordance with a priority level. The priority level is based in part on criticality of the data and the communicator status. A radio disposed in the housing effects communications via the wireless network in accordance with the firmware. A power source in the housing supplies power for communicator components. The processor executes program instructions for selecting a data transport mechanism among the plurality transport mechanisms based on the priority level, and transmits the data via the wireless network via the radio using the selected transport mechanism. | 06-13-2013 |
20130150910 | APPARATUS FOR REVERSAL OF MYOCARDIAL REMODELING WITH PRE-EXCITATION - An apparatus for reversing ventricular remodeling with electro-stimulatory therapy. A ventricle is paced by delivering one or more stimulatory pulses in a manner such that a stressed region of the myocardium is pre-excited relative to other regions in order to subject the stressed region to a lessened preload and afterload during systole. The unloading of the stressed myocardium over time effects reversal of undesirable ventricular remodeling. | 06-13-2013 |
20130150914 | HANDLING IMPROPER DEVICE DATA IN IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - A system and method for handling data received from an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided. The method includes communicating a device parameter value of an IMD device parameter from the IMD to an external device and determining, at the external device, that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value. Additionally, in response to the determining that the communicated device parameter value is at an improper value, automatically performing at least one of re-programming the IMD device parameter with a selected substitute device parameter value, ignoring, or purging non-programmable data. | 06-13-2013 |
20130150927 | SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTABLE NEURAL STIMULATOR - A neural stimulation system includes a safety control system that prevents delivery of neural stimulation pulses from causing potentially harmful effects. The neural stimulation pulses are delivered to one or more nerves to control the physiological functions regulated by the one or more nerves. Examples of such harmful effects include unintended effects in physiological functions associated with autonomic neural stimulation and nerve injuries caused by excessive delivery of the neural stimulation pulses. | 06-13-2013 |
20130152380 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING INDUCTOR SATURATION IN MAGNETIC FIELDS - This document discusses, among other things, an inductive component that can include a core having two portions: (1) a first portion composed of a first material having a first magnetic saturation level; and (2) a second portion composed of a second material selected to provide inductance for the inductive component when an external magnetic field is greater than the first magnetic saturation level. In an example, the first portion can be composed of a material having a relatively low magnetic saturation level (e.g., a ferrite), and the second portion can be composed of a material having a relatively high magnetic saturation level (e.g., a high permeability iron alloy). | 06-20-2013 |
20130158361 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIORITIZING MEDICAL CONDITIONS - The technology disclosed herein generally relates to a method for providing an index disorder in automated patient care. A set of device measures is stored in a database. Quantitative health care data indicators in the database are provided, where the indicators were regularly recorded by a medical device for a patient under automated patient care. Collected device measures are retrieved with a processor. An index disorder is identified through derived measure determination and statistical calculation with a processor. | 06-20-2013 |
20130158416 | ADVANCED PATIENT MANAGEMENT FOR DEFINING, IDENTIFYING AND USING PREDETERMINED HEALTH-RELATED EVENTS - Systems, devices and methods for defining, identifying and using health-related significant events are disclosed. One aspect is a programmable device having machine executable instructions for performing a method to assist with managing a patient's health. In various embodiments, at least one previously-defined event is detected based on a number of acquired health-related parameters. The at least one detected event is recorded with an associated time when the at least one detected significant event occurred. An action is triggered based on the at least one detected event. The at least one detected event is displayed with at least one trended health-related parameter in a single display area. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein. | 06-20-2013 |
20130158641 | MRI CONDITIONALLY SAFE LEAD WITH LOW-PROFILE MULTI-LAYER CONDUCTOR FOR LONGITUDINAL EXPANSION - An implantable electrical lead includes a lead body and a multi-layer coil conductor extending within the lead body. The multi-layer coil conductor includes a first coil layer and a second coil layer disposed about the first coil layer. The first and second coil layers are configured such that the multi-layer coil conductor has an axial stiffness substantially equal to an axial stiffness of the lead body adjacent to the multi-layer coil conductor. | 06-20-2013 |
20130165844 | METHODS FOR MODULATING CELL FUNCTION - Methods for modulating nerve function are disclosed. An example method for modulating nerve function may include providing a transgene including a neuron-specific promoter and a gene encoding a light-sensitive protein, delivering the transgene to a body tissue including one or more target neurons, implanting a light source adjacent to the cell bodies of the one or more target neurons, and emitting light from the light source. Light may be exposed to the cell bodies of the one or more target neurons and may cause a conformational change in the light-sensitive protein. | 06-27-2013 |
20130172924 | HEMOSTASIS VALVE AND GUIDEWIRE PACING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for temporarily pacing a patient's heart are provided. One system includes a hemostasis valve with an adjustable electrical connection, the adjustable electrical connection having one or more adjustable contacts. The adjustable contacts have a first, radially expanded configuration and a second, radially constricted configuration. In the radially constricted configuration, the adjustable contacts are configured to pierce through a layer of an elongate medical device that is disposed in the hemostasis valve. The elongate medical device has a distal electrode and a conductor extending along a portion of the elongate medical device. The adjustable contacts pierce through a make contact with the conductor, providing an electrical pathway to the distal electrode. Also provided are vascular access systems including a hemostasis valve and a guide catheter, guide wire torquers with adjustable contacts and methods of temporarily pacing a patient's heart. | 07-04-2013 |
20130178786 | REMOTE CLOSED-LOOP TITRATION OF DECONGESTIVE THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED HEART FAILURE - An apparatus comprises one or more physiological sensing circuits that generate a sensed physiological signal and at least one of the physiological sensing circuits is implantable, a measurement circuit configured to recurrently measure one or more physiological parameters that indicate a status of heart failure of the subject, a comparison circuit configured to compare the one or more physiological parameter measurements to one or more physiological parameter target values, a therapy circuit configured to control delivery of one or more drugs to treat heart failure, and a control circuit in electrical communication with the comparison circuit and the therapy circuit and configured to recurrently adjust delivery of drug therapy according to the comparison of the measured physiological parameters to the physiological parameter targets. | 07-11-2013 |
20130178909 | PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION OF AN ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION LINK - Systems and methods for adapting the performance of a wireless communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating a wireless link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the wireless link, determining whether the initial performance of the wireless link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the wireless link in the event the initial performance of the wireless link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the wireless link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the wireless link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter. | 07-11-2013 |
20130184598 | INNER AND OUTER TELESCOPING CATHETER DELIVERY SYSTEM - A catheter assembly employs an outer catheter with a pre-formed distal end and an open lumen. An inner catheter having an open lumen and a pre-formed distal end is movably disposed within the outer catheter. Relative rotation and extension of the inner and outer catheters provides the distal end of the catheter assembly with an adjustable range of two- and three-dimensional shapes. The inner catheter can include sections of varying stiffness, such that extension of the inner catheter within the outer catheter modifies the shape of the outer catheter's pre-formed distal end. One or both of the outer and inner catheters includes an occlusion balloon attached to the distal end thereof. The adjustable shaping of the catheter assembly's distal tip provides an improved system for locating and cannulating cardiac venous structures, particularly the coronary sinus via the right atrium. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184776 | RATE ADAPTIVE CARDIAC PACING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention relates to cardiac rhythm management systems, and more particularly, to rate adaptive cardiac pacing systems and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a cardiac rhythm management device. The device can include a pulse generator for generating electrical pulses to be delivered to a heart at a pacing rate, a processor in communication with the pulse generator, and one or more sensors for sensing pulmonary function and cardiac function. The processor can be configured to increase the pacing rate if the pulmonary function is increasing with time and the cardiac function is not decreasing with time, maintain the pacing rate if the pulmonary function is increasing with time and the cardiac function is decreasing with time, and decrease the pacing rate if the respiratory function is decreasing with time. | 07-18-2013 |
20130190850 | RF REJECTING LEAD - A conductor assembly for an implantable medical device includes a first conductive coil and a second conductive coil co-radial with and electrically isolated from the first conductive coil. The first and second conductive coils each including a plurality of turns. Two or more adjacently wound consecutive turns of the first conductive coil alternate with two or more adjacently wound consecutive turns of the second conductive coil. | 07-25-2013 |
20130204328 | CONTROL OF NEURAL MODULATION THERAPY USING CERVICAL IMPEDANCE - An implantable apparatus can comprise an electrical test energy delivery circuit configured to provide an electrical test signal to a cervical location in a patient body. A detector circuit can use the electrical test signal to detect cervical impedance and generate a cervical impedance signal representing fluctuations in the detected cervical impedance. The implantable apparatus can comprise a therapy delivery circuit, such as configured to provide electrical neural modulation therapy using a neural modulation timing parameter, and a processor circuit that can be coupled to the electrical test energy delivery circuit, the detector circuit, and the therapy delivery circuit. The processor circuit can be configured to determine a pulsatile signal or pulse pressure signal, such as using the cervical impedance signal, identify a characteristic of the pulsatile signal or pulse pressure signal, and control a neural modulation therapy using the timing parameter and the identified pulse pressure signal characteristic. | 08-08-2013 |