Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080243210 | BIASED ACOUSTIC SWITCH FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Devices, systems, and methods for selectively activating medical devices are disclosed. A medical device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment includes an energy storage device, an acoustic transducer configured to convert an acoustic signal into an electrical signal, a signal detector configured to generate a trigger signal when the electrical signal exceeds a specific threshold established by a biasing element, a control circuit, and an activation/deactivation switch configured to switch the medical device between an inactive state and an active state in response to the trigger signal. | 10-02-2008 |
20080312720 | MULTI-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM - An acoustic energy delivery system for delivering acoustic energy to an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The system includes an IMD having a power source and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a controller and an array of ultrasonic elements electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver acoustic energy to the IMD. Methods of delivering acoustic energy to an IMD are also disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
20090189082 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RADIATION EFFECTS DETECTION - This document discusses, among other things, an implantable apparatus comprising a solid state electronic circuit and a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect an exposure of the solid state electronic circuit to ionizing radiation, and generate an indication of a non-single-event-upset (non-SEU) effect to the solid state electronic circuit from the exposure to ionizing radiation. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198307 | DIRECT INDUCTIVE/ACOUSTIC CONVERTER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Systems and methods for communicating with or powering implantable medical devices using a direct inductive/acoustic telemetry link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes an interrogator device located outside of the patient's body, an implantable medical device including an energy translator circuit adapted to convert inductive or RF signals received from the interrogator device into an acoustic signal for driving an acoustic transducer, and a remote device adapted to sense one or more parameters within the body. | 08-06-2009 |
20090222055 | LOW POWER DIGITAL DESIGN FOR DEEP SUBMICRON TECHNOLOGY - An apparatus comprises an implantable medical device that includes a storage circuit. The storage circuit includes a first stage circuit configured to receive an input signal and to invert and store information about a data bit received in the input signal, a second stage circuit coupled to the output of the first stage circuit to invert and store information about a data bit received from the first stage circuit, and an error circuit coupled to the output of the first stage circuit and an output of the second stage circuit. The error circuit generates an error indication when the storage circuit outputs match while the first stage circuit and the second stage circuit are in an inactive state. | 09-03-2009 |
20090247889 | DETERMINING A PATIENT'S POSTURE FROM MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF THE HEART - A system for determining a patient's posture by monitoring heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable medical device that includes a sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of heart sounds, a sensor interface circuit coupled to the sensor to produce a heart sound signal, and a controller circuit coupled to the sensor interface circuit. The heart sounds are associated with mechanical activity of a patient's heart and the controller circuit is operable to detect a posture of the patient from a heart sound signal. | 10-01-2009 |
20090312650 | IMPLANTABLE PRESSURE SENSOR WITH AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT AND STORAGE CAPABILITIES - Methods for activating implantable medical devices within a patient's body are disclosed. An illustrative method includes activating an implantable medical device from a low-power state to an awake state in response to a scheduled time event, sensing one or more pressure measurements within the body, computing an average pressure measurement based on the sensed pressure measurements, storing the average pressure measurement within a memory of the implantable medical device, and then returning the device to the low-power state. A triggering event such as the detection of patient activity or motion can also be used to activate the implantable medical device between the low-power state and an active state. | 12-17-2009 |
20100010559 | EVENT-BASED BATTERY MONITOR FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - A remaining charge capacity of a battery having an initial charge capacity is monitored. The battery powers a remote implantable medical device (IMD) that includes an active state, during which the remote IMD performs at least one function, and an inactive state, during which the remote IMD performs no functions. An active state charge consumption is computed based on stored parameters associated with an operational charge consumption for each function, and an inactive state charge consumption is computed based on a leakage current associated with the inactive state and a time the remote IMD is in the inactive state. The active state charge consumption and inactive state charge consumption are subtracted from the initial charge capacity to determine the remaining charge capacity. | 01-14-2010 |
20100016840 | IMPLANT ASSIST APPARATUS FOR ACOUSTICALLY ENABLED IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Devices, systems and methods for delivering and positioning an implantable medical device and for evaluating an acoustic communication link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a catheter adapted to contain an implantable device with a biosensor and an acoustic transducer configured to transmit an acoustic signal, and an implant assist device in acoustic communication with the implantable device via an acoustic communication link. The implant assist device includes an acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the implantable medical device, and control/processing circuitry configured to evaluate a performance of the acoustic link. | 01-21-2010 |
20100023091 | ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION OF IMPLANTABLE DEVICE STATUS - An operational status of an implantable medical device is monitored. The implantable medical device includes a biosensor and an acoustic transducer adapted to transmit and receive acoustic signals. An acoustic link is established with the implantable medical device via a remote acoustic transducer adapted to receive acoustic signals from the implantable medical device and to transmit acoustic signals. Data related to the operational status of the implantable medical device is received from the implantable medical device via the acoustic link. | 01-28-2010 |
20100042177 | PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION OF AN ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION LINK - Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049269 | MULTI-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM - An acoustic energy delivery system for delivering acoustic energy to an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The system includes an IMD having a power source and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a controller and an array of ultrasonic elements electrically coupled to the controller and configured to deliver acoustic energy to the IMD. Methods of delivering acoustic energy to an IMD are also disclosed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100099959 | IN-HEADER PERIMETER RF ANTENNA - This document discusses, among other things, an implantable dielectric compartment including a channel in an outer surface of the implantable dielectric compartment, the channel configured to constrain a portion of an implantable antenna in a specific configuration along the length of the portion of the implantable antenna. In certain examples, the implantable antenna can be configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically at a specified operating frequency provided using the specific configuration of the portion of the implantable antenna. | 04-22-2010 |
20100099997 | METHOD FOR CORRECTION OF POSTURE DEPENDENCE ON HEART SOUNDS - A system to monitor heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable heart sound sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound, an implantable posture sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of a patient's posture, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is configured to determine a patient posture, measure at least one heart sound in correspondence with at least one corresponding patient posture, adjust the heart sound measurement by using the corresponding determined patient posture to reduce or remove variation in the heart sound measurement due to patient posture, detect a change in the adjusted heart sound measurement, and provide an indication of congestive heart failure to a user or an automated process in response to the detected change. | 04-22-2010 |
20100100157 | IMPEDANCE-CONTROLLED IMPLANTABLE TELEMETRY ANTENNA - A physical arrangement can be provided between at least a portion of a first segment of an implantable antenna with respect to a return conductor, and an input impedance of the implantable antenna can be controlled using the physical arrangement to provide a substantially conjugate match to an output impedance of an implantable telemetry circuit coupled to the implantable antenna. | 04-22-2010 |
20100106028 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECHARGING IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative method of recharging an implanted medical device includes delivering a charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device, activating a charging element coupled to the charging device and transmitting charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device, and charging the implanted medical device using the transmitted charging energy from the charging device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100204758 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTRA-BODY ULTRASOUND COMMUNICATION - An intra-body ultrasonic signal can be converted into a first electrical signal, a local oscillator signal can be generated in an implantable system. The first electrical signal and the local oscillator signal can be mixed in an implantable system, such as to generate a demodulated signal, processed, such as using a filter. The filtered, demodulated signal can be further processed, such as implantably determining a peak amplitude of the first portion of the demodulated signal received from the filter over a time interval, implantably generating a dynamic tracking threshold that starts at an amplitude proportional the first portion of the demodulated signal and exponentially decays over a time interval, and determining a noise floor in the absence of a received intra-body ultrasonic signal and implantably comparing the peak amplitude and the tracking threshold and generate the digital output based on the difference. | 08-12-2010 |
20100298897 | INTEGRATED HIGH VOLTAGE OUTPUT CIRCUIT - An apparatus includes a cardioversion or defibrillation therapy energy source coupled to a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a first switch for connection to a first implantable electrode, a second switch for connection to a second implantable electrode, a third switch coupled for connection to the first implantable electrode, and a fourth switch coupled for connection to the second implantable electrode. The first and second switches are formed on a shared first IC, the third and fourth switches are formed on a shared second IC, and the second IC is stacked substantially superjacent to the first IC such that a cathode of the first switch is coupled to an anode of the third switch and a cathode of the second switch is coupled to an anode of the fourth switch. | 11-25-2010 |
20100317929 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES WITH PIEZOELECTRIC ANCHORING MEMBER - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a housing having an internal cavity and a flexible anchor assembly that is coupled to the housing. The flexible anchor assembly includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and a piezoelectric layer that is disposed between the first and second electrical conductors and that is configured to displace in response to a physiologic force applied to the flexible anchor assembly and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. The implantable medical device includes power circuitry that converts the voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components within the implantable medical device and/or for recharging a rechargeable power supply within the device. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317977 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH INTERNAL PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative power generation module disposable within the interior space of an implantable medical device includes a module body that defines an interior cavity as well as a flexible diaphragm that spans the interior cavity. The flexible diaphragm includes a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to the first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace within the interior cavity and generate a voltage differential between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317978 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE HOUSING MODIFIED FOR PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING - Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable sensor for sensing one or more physiologic parameters within a body lumen includes a housing having an exterior wall that has an inner surface and an outer surface and that defines an internal cavity. A portion of the housing includes an electrically conductive material that functions as a first electrical conductor. A flexible piezoelectric layer is disposed adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall and a second electrical conductor is disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace in response to periodic pressure pulses within the body lumen and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. | 12-16-2010 |
20110077707 | DUAL-USE SENSOR FOR RATE RESPONSIVE PACING AND HEART SOUND MONITORING - An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least one pacing parameter, such as the pacing interval, is dynamically adjusted based on the physical activity level. The implantable medical device also uses the heart sounds for pacing control purposes or transmits a heart sound signal to an external system for pacing control and/or diagnostic purposes. | 03-31-2011 |
20110082509 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing. | 04-07-2011 |
20110082523 | MULTI-BAND ANTENNA FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for wirelessly sending information electromagnetically at one of a first or a second specified operating frequency from within a biological medium, or receiving information electromagnetically at one of the first or second specified operating frequencies in the biological medium, using an implantable antenna including a switchback portion having multiple segments. The first specified operating frequency and the second specified operating frequency can be provided using the multiple segments. | 04-07-2011 |
20110134593 | MEDICAL DEVICE PROFILE MODELED USING FLUID DYNAMICS - The present subject matter, in an example, includes an apparatus for positioning in an implant site. In the example, the apparatus includes a hermetically sealed shell having an exterior shaped as a function of hydrodynamic drag at the implant site. | 06-09-2011 |
20110160565 | DETECTING PROXIMITY TO MRI SCANNER - A plurality of separate indications of a scanner field can be received using a corresponding plurality of scanner field sensors of an implantable medical device (IMD). In an example, the IMD can be switched from a first therapy mode to a second therapy mode using one or more of the plurality of scanner field sensors, and from the second therapy mode back to the first therapy mode using each of the plurality of scanner field sensors. In certain examples, shock therapy can be terminated or inhibited using a detected proximity of the IMD to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, or antitachycardia pacing (ATP) can be terminated or inhibited using a detected active scan of the MRI scanner. | 06-30-2011 |
20110166449 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RADIATION EFFECTS DETECTION - An implantable medical apparatus comprises a solid state electronic circuit, an ionizing radiation exposure sensor, an ionizing radiation dose rate sensor, and a controller circuit. The ionizing radiation exposure sensor is configured to detect an exposure of the solid state electronic circuit to ionizing radiation, and generate an indication of a non-single-event-upset (non-SEU) effect to the solid state electronic circuit from the exposure to ionizing radiation, wherein the sensor comprises an accumulated ionizing radiation exposure sensor. The controller circuit is configured to blank the indication from the accumulated ionizing radiation exposure sensor when the radiation dose rate sensor indicates that flux ionizing radiation exceeds a flux ionizing radiation threshold. | 07-07-2011 |
20110187360 | MRI SENSOR BASED ON THE HALL EFFECT FOR CRM IMD APPLICATIONS - A method and device can include a Hall effect sensor, which can be formed as a portion of an integrated circuit of an implantable device and which can produce a non-linear current path such as to permit detecting a magnetic field parallel with the orientation of the Hall effect sensor of the implantable device. | 08-04-2011 |
20110190669 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR A METALLIC CAVITY IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - Implantable medical devices including an ultrasonic transducer and methods of optimizing an ultrasonic transducer of an implantable medical device are disclosed. The implantable medical device can include a housing, an ultrasonic transducer disposed within an interior of the housing, and a limiting structure configured to constrain deformation of the ultrasonic transducer. The limiting structure can include a separate structure coupled to the housing, or can comprise a resonant portion of the housing itself. During operation, the ultrasonic transducer is configured to communicate at a frequency at or near a resonant frequency of the housing. | 08-04-2011 |
20110218594 | ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A piezoelectric element within an external ultrasonic transducer assembly can be used for wireless communication of data between an implantable device and the external ultrasonic transducer assembly such as using ultrasonic energy coupled to a flexible portion of a housing of the transducer assembly. The flexible portion can be configured to contact skin of a body containing the implantable device. The transducer assembly can be configured to respectively transmit or receive ultrasonic energy using at least partially overlapping respective ranges of resonant frequencies. | 09-08-2011 |
20110224747 | IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATION OUTPUT CIRCUIT - An implantable defibrillation circuit can include an output circuit. The output circuit can include a first switch configured to controllably connect a first supply node to a first output node, a second switch configured to controllably connect a second supply node to the first output node through a first rectifier, and the second switch can be configured to inhibit the first switch from connecting the first supply node to the first output node when the second supply node is connected to the first output node through the second switch. In an example, the first and second switches can include insulated gate bipolar transistors. | 09-15-2011 |
20110276103 | OUTPUT CIRCUIT FOR BOTH CARDIAC CONTRACTILE ELECTROSTIMULATION AND NON-CONTRACTILE NEURAL MODULATION - An apparatus comprises an electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a circuit path that provides pacing stimulation from the capacitor through the load, a constant current neural stimulation circuit that is switchable into the circuit path to provide neural stimulation through the load and switchable out of the circuit path to provide the pacing stimulation through the load, and a control circuit configured to selectively enable delivery of the pacing stimulation or the constant current neural stimulation. | 11-10-2011 |
20120095530 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NEUROSTIMULATION ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL STATE - A neurostimulation system senses a signal indicative of a patient's physical state such as posture and/or activity level. In various embodiments, a stored value for each of stimulation parameters controlling delivery of neurostimulation is selected according to the patient's physical state. In various embodiments, values of the stimulation parameters are approximately optimized for each of a number of different physical states, and are stored for later selection. | 04-19-2012 |
20120116474 | PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION OF AN ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATION LINK - Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116482 | LOW-POWER SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR NEUROMODULATION - An apparatus comprises an electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a circuit path communicatively coupled to the electrostimulation energy storage capacitor and configured to provide quasi-constant current neural stimulation through a load from the electrostimulation energy storage capacitor, a current measuring circuit communicatively coupled to the circuit path and configured to obtain a measure of quasi-constant current delivered to the load, and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the current measuring circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to initiate adjustment of the voltage level of the storage capacitor for a subsequent delivery of quasi-constant current according to a comparison of the measured load current to a specified load current value. | 05-10-2012 |
20120130206 | MODULAR ANTENNA FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Subject matter such as a method or apparatus can include an implantable antenna assembly, comprising a dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions, a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell. The dielectric shell and spiral conductor can be configured to be mechanically attached to a dielectric compartment, such as configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device. In an example, the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna, such as included as a portion of an implantable medical device. | 05-24-2012 |
20120130450 | FOLDED ANTENNAS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - In an example, an apparatus can include an implantable medical device comprising a housing, an implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing, a dielectric compartment mechanically coupled to the housing, the dielectric compartment including first and second substantially parallel face portions and a third face portion extending between the first and second face portions, and an implantable telemetry antenna, located at least partially within the dielectric compartment. The implantable telemetry circuit can be electrically coupled to the implantable telemetry antenna and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna. In an example the implantable telemetry antenna comprises a spiral conductor portion extending along the first, second, and third face portions. In an example the spiral conductor includes a cross section having a lateral width that can be greater than a sidewall height of the cross section | 05-24-2012 |
20120130451 | FOLDED ANTENNAS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Subject matter such as a method or apparatus can include an implantable medical device comprising a housing, an implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing, and a dielectric compartment, mechanically coupled to the housing an implantable telemetry antenna, such as located at least partially within the dielectric compartment. The implantable telemetry circuit can be electrically coupled to the implantable telemetry antenna and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna. The implantable telemetry antenna can include a spiral conductor portion extending along a face portion of the dielectric compartment, and a loading portion configured to adjust an input impedance of the implantable telemetry antenna, to provide a specified input impedance range within a specified range of operating frequencies to be used for wireless information transfer. | 05-24-2012 |
20120143271 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing. | 06-07-2012 |
20120191155 | POSTURE SENSOR AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION - A system and method automatically calibrate a posture sensor, such as by detecting a walking state or a posture change. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect a patient's activity or posture. This information can be used to automatically calibrate subsequent posture or acceleration data. | 07-26-2012 |
20130009838 | MULTI-BAND LOADED ANTENNA - A planar antenna for wireless information transfer can include a planar loading portion electrically coupled to a driven node of a wireless communication circuit, and a folded conductive strip portion coupled to the planar loading portion, the folded conductive strip portion comprising at least two segments laterally offset from each other and at least partially laterally overlapping with each other. The planar loading portion can be configured to establish a specified bandwidth of a second operating frequency range, leaving a first specified operating frequency range substantially unchanged. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009839 | MULTI-BAND MULTI-POLARIZATION STUB-TUNED ANTENNA - Apparatus and techniques can include a planar antenna that can include a folded conductive strip portion coupled to a driven node of a wireless communication circuit, the folded conductive strip portion comprising at least two segments laterally offset from each other and at least partially laterally overlapping with each other, and a first region oriented along a first axis in a plane of the planar antenna and a second region oriented along a second axis in the plane of the planar antenna, the two axes and the two regions specified to provide polarization diversity of radiation from the planar antenna. The planar antenna can include a stub coupled to the folded conductive strip portion, the stub configured to provide a first specified operating frequency range at or near resonance using a mode corresponding to a total physical path length along the folded conductive strip portion. | 01-10-2013 |
20130033966 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTRA-BODY ULTRASOUND COMMUNICATION - An intra-body ultrasonic signal can be converted into a first electrical signal, a local oscillator signal can be generated in an implantable system. The first electrical signal and the local oscillator signal can be mixed in an implantable system, such as to generate a demodulated signal, processed, such as using a filter. The filtered, demodulated signal can be further processed, such as implantably determining a peak amplitude of the first portion of the demodulated signal received from the filter over a time interval, implantably generating a dynamic tracking threshold that starts at an amplitude proportional the first portion of the demodulated signal and exponentially decays over a time interval, and determining a noise floor in the absence of a received intra-body ultrasonic signal and implantably comparing the peak amplitude and the tracking threshold and generate the digital output based on the difference. | 02-07-2013 |
20130073004 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing. | 03-21-2013 |
20130110192 | MULT-ELEMENT ACOUSTIC RECHARGING SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130138170 | MANAGING CROSS THERAPY SENSING IN A MULTIPLE THERAPY IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - An apparatus comprises a cardiac signal sensing circuit configured to sense an electrical cardiac signal from at least one of an atrium or ventricle of a heart of a subject, a therapy circuit configured to provide electrical pacing therapy and electrical autonomic neural modulation therapy to the subject, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to initiate delivery of the autonomic modulation neural therapy, and the control circuit includes a signal detection circuit configured to detect delivery of the autonomic neural modulation therapy in the sensed cardiac signal. The control circuit is configured to change, in response to detecting the delivery, a sensitivity of the cardiac signal sensing circuit during delivery of the autonomic neural modulation therapy. | 05-30-2013 |
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 |
20130208383 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit for an implantable medical device can include a substrate, a first capacitor, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The first capacitor can include an electrically conductive lower polysilicon terminal and an electrically conductive upper polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the lower polysilicon terminal by a first capacitor dielectric material. The ESD protection circuit can include an ESD shunt transistor and a second capacitor. The ESD shunt transistor can be configured to be normally off, but can be configured to turn on and conduct between first and second power supply rails in response to an ESD event exceeding a specified ESD event threshold value. The second capacitor can includes a first substrate terminal and an electrically conductive second polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the first substrate terminal by a second capacitor dielectric material. | 08-15-2013 |
20130226264 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NEUROSTIMULATION ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL STATE - A neurostimulation system senses a signal indicative of a patient's physical state such as posture and/or activity level. In various embodiments, a stored value for each of stimulation parameters controlling delivery of neurostimulation is selected according to the patient's physical state. In various embodiments, values of the stimulation parameters are approximately optimized for each of a number of different physical states, and are stored for later selection. | 08-29-2013 |
20130298636 | POSTURE SENSOR AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION - A system and method automatically calibrate a posture sensor, such as by detecting a walking state or a posture change. For example, a three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect a patient's activity or posture. This information can be used to automatically calibrate subsequent posture or acceleration data. | 11-14-2013 |
20130316195 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - An example includes apparatus including a non-thin-film battery, that can include an implantable housing, electronics disposed in the implantable housing, and a battery disposed in the implantable housing, the battery comprising: a plurality of cells electrically connected to one another, with at least one cell including a stack including at least one substantially planar anode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer and at least one substantially planar cathode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer, and a cell housing enclosing the stack of substantially planar anodes and cathodes and displacing less than approximately 0.024 cubic centimeters, wherein the plurality of cells are interconnected in at least one of series and parallel, and terminals interconnecting the battery and the electronics. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317374 | CARDIOVASCULAR PRESSURE ANNOTATIONS AND LOGBOOK - A system comprises an external medical device configured to communicate with a first implantable medical device (IMD). The external medical device includes a communication circuit and a display. The communication circuit is configured to receive information associated with cardiovascular pressure from the IMD. The external medical device is configured to annotate a waveform on the display to indicate one or more events associated with cardiovascular pressure. | 11-28-2013 |
20140022678 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device can include an integrated circuit comprising an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit can include an active circuit, a first passive circuit, and a second passive circuit. For example, at least one of the first or second passive circuits can include an array of capacitors in a series configuration, a parallel configuration, or a combination of series and parallel configurations. The first and second passive circuits can be configured to establish a specified time constant, and, in response to an applied ESD, the first and second passive circuits can provide a control signal to active circuit to switch the active circuit from a substantially non-conductive mode to a substantially conductive mode. | 01-23-2014 |
20140052207 | THERAPY DELIVERY ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device (IMD) may include multiple power supply circuits and an electrostimulation therapy output circuit configured to, in response to a control signal specifying an electrostimulation therapy, controllably connect any one or more of the first or second power supply circuits to any one or more of a first electrostimulation output node or a second electrostimulation output node to deliver an electrostimulation. In an embodiment, the IMD may include an electrostimulation therapy return circuit configured to establish a return path for the electrostimulation delivered via one or more of the first electrostimulation output node or the second electrostimulation output node. | 02-20-2014 |
20140073972 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR RECHARGING AN IMPLANTED DEVICE BY DELIVERING A SECTION OF A CHARGING DEVICE ADJACENT THE IMPLANTED DEVICE WITHIN A BODY - Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative rechargeable system includes a charging device that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section is configured to be delivered to a location within the body adjacent to the implanted medical device. The charging device includes a charging element configured to transmit charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device. | 03-13-2014 |
20140147708 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - An example includes apparatus including a non-thin-film battery, that can include an implantable housing, electronics disposed in the implantable housing, and a battery disposed in the implantable housing, the battery comprising: a plurality of cells electrically connected to one another, with at least one cell including a stack including at least one substantially planar anode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer and at least one substantially planar cathode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer, and a cell housing enclosing the stack of substantially planar anodes and cathodes and displacing less than approximately 0.024 cubic centimeters, wherein the plurality of cells are interconnected in at least one of series and parallel, and terminals interconnecting the battery and the electronics. | 05-29-2014 |
20140243930 | FOLDED ANTENNAS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - In an example, an apparatus can include an implantable medical device comprising a housing, an implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing, a dielectric compartment mechanically coupled to the housing, the dielectric compartment including first and second substantially parallel face portions and a third face portion extending between the first and second face portions, and an implantable telemetry antenna, located at least partially within the dielectric compartment. The implantable telemetry circuit can be electrically coupled to the implantable telemetry antenna and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna. In an example the implantable telemetry antenna comprises a spiral conductor portion extending along the first, second, and third face portions. In an example the spiral conductor includes a cross section having a lateral width that can be greater than a sidewall height of the cross section. | 08-28-2014 |
20140364714 | ANTENNAS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - In general, techniques are described for wirelessly transferring information using an implantable antenna. In one example, an apparatus includes an implantable medical device that includes a housing including an implantable telemetry circuit. The apparatus includes a dielectric compartment, mechanically coupled to the housing and including first and second substantially parallel face portions, and a third face portion extending between the first and second face portions, and an antenna assembly configured to be mechanically attached to the dielectric compartment and configured to be electrically coupled to the implantable telemetry circuit, the antenna assembly includes a spiral conductor comprising first, second, and third spiral conductor portions that extend adjacent the first, second, and third face portions, respectively, of the dielectric compartment, where the first, second, and third spiral conductor portions define an interior region, and where at least a portion of the third spiral conductor portion extends inwardly into the interior region. | 12-11-2014 |
20150051610 | LEADLESS CARDIAC PACEMAKER AND RETRIEVAL DEVICE - A retrieval device and an associated implantable cardiac pacing device. The retrieval device includes a grasping mechanism configured to capture a docking member of the implantable cardiac pacing device to draw the implantable cardiac pacing device into the lumen of a retrieval catheter. The grasping mechanism is expandable from a first position to a second position and is biased toward the first position in an equilibrium condition. The grasping mechanism is configured to surround and pass over a head portion of the docking member in the second position, and be contracted toward the first position to capture the docking member with the grasping mechanism. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051611 | LEADLESS CARDIAC PACEMAKER WITH DELIVERY AND/OR RETRIEVAL FEATURES - An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated delivery and retrieval devices. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device configured to engage with the delivery and/or retrieval device to facilitate delivery and/or retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051613 | DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LEADLESS CARDIAC DEVICES - Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering an implantable leadless pacing device having an outer peripheral surface are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximal section including a distal end, and a distal holding section extending distally of a distal end of the proximal section. The distal holding section defines a cavity therein for receiving the implantable leadless pacing device, and may be configured to apply a holding force to the implantable leadless pacing device. In some cases, the distal holding section may be configured to apply a compressive force to the outer peripheral surface of the leadless pacing device when the leadless pacing device is disposed in the cavity. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051615 | DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LEADLESS CARDIAC DEVICES - Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximal section including a deflection mechanism for deflecting the proximal section, and a distal holding section extending distally of a distal end of the proximal section and defining a cavity therein for receiving an implantable leadless pacing device. The delivery device may include more than one deflection mechanism for deflecting the proximal section at multiple deflection regions. The delivery device may include more than one tubular member that are translatable relative to one another, and the one or more tubular members may include fixed curve portions. The delivery device may include an atraumatic or bumper tip at the distal end of the holding section. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051616 | LEADLESS CARDIAC PACING DEVICES - Implantable leadless pacing devices and medical device systems including an implantable leadless pacing device are disclosed. An example implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. One or more anchoring members may be coupled to the distal region. The anchoring members may each include a region with a compound curve. | 02-19-2015 |
20150051682 | LEADLESS CARDIAC PACEMAKER WITH DELIVERY AND/OR RETRIEVAL FEATURES - An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated delivery and retrieval devices. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device configured to engage with the delivery and/or retrieval device to facilitate delivery and/or retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device. | 02-19-2015 |
20150057520 | FIXATION MECHANISM ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - Fixation mechanism assemblies and methods are disclosed. A fixation mechanism assembly can include a first fixation member and a second fixation member moveably engaged with the first fixation member. The first fixation member can include a housing having a tissue facing surface and an opposing non-tissue facing surface, one or more guide apertures extending between the tissue facing surface and the non-tissue facing surface, and one or more first fixation elements. The first fixation member includes a longitudinal body and a proximal end attached to, or integrated with, the tissue facing surface of the housing. The second fixation member can include one or more second fixation elements. The second fixation element can correspond to a guide aperture and includes a longitudinal body, a proximal end attached to, or integrated with, the second fixation member, and a distal end movable through the corresponding guide aperture. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057558 | LEADLESS PACEMAKER WITH TRIPOLAR ELECTRODE - A leadless implantable medical device comprises a first electrode configured to deliver electrical pacing energy, a second electrode configured to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity, and a third electrode configurable to both deliver electrical pacing energy and sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. The first and third electrodes are used for delivering electrical pacing energy and the second and third electrodes are used to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. None of the first, second and third electrodes are incorporated into a lead. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057721 | LEADLESS PACEMAKER WITH IMPROVED CONDUCTED COMMUNICATION - A leadless implantable medical device can include a hermetically scaled housing including a cylindrical body, a first surface at a first capped end of the cylindrical body, and a second surface at a second capped end of the cylindrical body. A first electrode can be located at the first capped end and a second electrode can be located on the second surface. The first and second electrodes include conductive portions configured for contacting one or both of tissue and fluid, and wherein the cylindrical body includes a length and the conductive portions of the first and second electrodes are separated substantially by the length of the cylindrical body. The device example also includes a therapy circuit configured to deliver electrical cardiac stimulating energy using the first and second electrodes, and a telemetry circuit configured to communicate with a second separate device. | 02-26-2015 |
20150088155 | MECHANICAL CONFIGURATIONS FOR A MULTI-SITE LEADLESS PACEMAKER - Devices or methods such as for stimulating excitable tissue or sensing physiologic response or other signals are described. An implantable apparatus can comprise an electrostimulation electrode assembly that can include an electrostimulation unit, at least first and second electrodes, and a fixation guide. The electrostimulation unit can generate electrostimulation for stimulating excitable tissue to achieve desired diagnostic or therapeutic effects. The first and second electrodes, coupled to the electrostimulation unit, can deliver the electrostimulation to two or more stimulation sites such as inside two or more heart chambers or on the surface of the heart. The fixation guide can engage and retain a maneuvering device used for steerably positioning and securing the first and second electrostimulation electrodes at respective stimulation site. | 03-26-2015 |