Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200962 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AND STORING SIGNAL INFORMATION IN AN IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEVICE - In an implantable cardiac device data is processed and stored to conserve storage space and computational resources thereby saving energy expended on these operations. The data being processed may be associated with signals with known and/or predictable patterns. A set of key elements are identified for the signal that allow the signal to be reconstructed without saving a complete time series of data for the signal. | 08-21-2008 |
20090036788 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF VT AND VF FROM REMOTE SENSING ELECTRODES - Methods and systems are provided for performing ventricular arrhythmia monitoring using at least two sensing channels that are each associated with different sensing vectors, for example by different pairs of extracardiac remote sensing electrodes. Myopotential associated with each of the sensing channels in monitored, and a ventricular arrhythmia monitoring mode is selected based thereon (e.g., based on determined myopotential levels). Ventricular arrhythmia monitoring is then performed using the selected monitoring mode. | 02-05-2009 |
20090281399 | STANDALONE SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING DEVICE - Certain embodiments of the present invention are related to an implantable monitoring device to monitor a patient's arterial blood pressure, where the device is configured to be implanted subcutaneously. The device includes subcutaneous (SubQ) electrodes and a plethysmography sensor. Additionally, the device includes an arterial blood pressure monitor configured to determine at least one value indicative of the patient's arterial blood pressure based on at least one detected predetermined feature of a SubQ ECG and at least one detected predetermined feature of a plethysmography signal. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are directed to a non-implantable monitoring device to monitor a patient's arterial blood pressure based on features of a surface ECG and a plethysmography signal obtained from a non-implanted sensor. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281440 | INDUCING PREMATURE ATRIAL CONTRACTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF MONITORING AUTONOMIC TONE RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH AND ISCHEMIC EVENTS - Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are induced to thereby cause corresponding premature contractions in the ventricles. Short-term fluctuations in cardiac intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs. | 11-12-2009 |
20100036271 | FREQUENCY DOMAIN MONITORING OF MYOCARDIAL ELECTRICAL STABILITY - Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electrical stability. A patient's heart is paced for a period of time using a patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats, and an electrical signal is obtained that is representative of a plurality of consecutive beats of the patient's heart while it is being paced using the patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats. Myocardial electrical stability is then analyzed using frequency domain techniques that are tailored to the patterned pacing sequence used to pace the patient's heart. In other embodiments, the patient's heart need not be paced. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. | 02-11-2010 |
20100042173 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING AND OPTIMIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF PARTICULAR HEART CHAMBERS TO THE OVERALL EFFICACY OF CARDIAC PACING THERAPY - Techniques are provided for evaluating and optimizing the contribution of particular heart chambers to pacing efficacy. Briefly, a pacemaker temporarily alters the mode with which pacing therapy is delivered so as to selectively alter the heart chambers that are paced. The pacemaker detects any transient changes in pacing efficacy following the alteration in pacing mode. The pacemaker then assesses the contribution of particular heart chambers to pacing efficacy based on the alteration in the pacing mode and on any transient changes in the pacing efficacy. Additionally, techniques are provided herein for automatically adjusting pacing parameters to optimize the contribution of particular chambers to pacing efficacy. | 02-18-2010 |
20100057155 | IMPLANTABLE SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR USE THEREWITH FOR TRACKING CHANGES IN HEMODYNAMICS AND CARDIAC DISEASE - Embodiments of the present invention relate to monitoring a patient's atrial stretch, heart failure (HF) condition, and/or risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as methods for estimating a change in at least one of a patient's left atrial pressure (LAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and right pulmonary artery pressure (RPAP). Embodiments of the present invention also relate to selecting a pacing energy level. Such embodiments involve determining atrial evoked response metrics when a patient's atrium is paced, and monitoring changes in such metrics. | 03-04-2010 |
20100057158 | Neurostimulation Based On Glycemic Condition - A glycemic condition is indicated based on variance of a feature derived from cardiac electrogram data. Neurostimulation is then used to counteract a cardiac-related autonomic response to the glycemic condition. For example, stimulation of parasympathetic innervation may be used to counteract an autonomic sympathetic response that is associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. In addition, stimulation of sympathetic innervation may be used to counteract an autonomic parasympathetic response that is associated with hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. | 03-04-2010 |
20100160805 | MONITORING SHORT TERM FLUCTUATIONS IN PR INTERVALS FOLLOWING PREMATURE VENTRICULAR CONTRACTIONS - Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Short-term fluctuations in PR intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in PR intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160993 | IMPLANTABLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING BNP LEVELS, HF AND MI - Methods for monitoring a patient's level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and implantable cardiac systems capable of performing such methods, are provided. A ventricle is paced for a period of time to provoke a ventricular evoked response, and a ventricular intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) indicative of the ventricular evoked response is obtained. Based on the ventricular IEGM, there is a determination of at least one ventricular evoked response metric (e.g., ventricular evoked response peak-to-peak amplitude, ventricular evoked response area and/or ventricular evoked response maximum slope), and the patient's level of BNP is monitored based on determined ventricular evoked response metric(s). Based on the monitored level's of BNP, the patients heart failure (HF) condition and/or risks and/or occurrences of certain events (e.g., an acute HF exacerbation and/or an acute myocardial infarction) can be monitored. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161006 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DIASTOLIC FUNCTION USING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Diastolic function is monitored within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. In one example, the implantable device uses morphological parameters derived from the T-wave evoked response waveform as proxies for ventricular relaxation rate and ventricular compliance. In particular, the magnitude of the peak of the T-wave evoked response is employed as a proxy for ventricular compliance. The maximum slew rate of the T-wave evoked response following its peak is employed as a proxy for ventricular relaxation. A metric is derived from these proxy values to represent diastolic function. The metric is tracked over time to evaluate changes in diastolic function. In other examples, specific values for ventricular compliance and ventricular relaxation are derived for the patient based on the T-wave evoked response parameters. | 06-24-2010 |
20100179610 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MONITORING MYOCARDIAL MECHANICAL STABILITY - Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial mechanical stability based on a signal that is indicative of mechanical functioning of a patient's heart for a plurality of consecutive beats. Certain embodiments use time domain techniques, while other embodiments use frequency domain techniques, to monitor myocardial mechanical stability. In certain embodiments the patient's heart is paced using a patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats. In other embodiments, the patient's heart need not be paced. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. | 07-15-2010 |
20100210960 | PACING SCHEMES FOR REVEALING T-WAVE ALTERNANS (TWA) AT LOW TO MODERATE HEART RATES - Implantable systems that can monitor myocardial electrical stability, and methods for use therewith, are provided. Also provided are novel pacing sequences that are used in such monitoring. Such pacing sequences are designed to reveal alternans at low to moderate heart rates. | 08-19-2010 |
20100228136 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING DP, IVRT, DiFT, DIASTOLIC FUNCTION AND/OR HF - Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring a patient's diastolic function and/or heart failure (HF) condition. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume and a signal indicative of electrical activity of the patient's heart are obtained. Beginnings of diastolic periods can be detected based on a feature of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Ends of the diastolic periods can be detected based on a feature of the signal indicative of electrical activity of the patient's heart, or on the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Diastolic periods (DPs), isovolumic relaxation times (IVRTs) and/or diastolic filling times (DiFTs) can be estimated based on the detected beginnings of the diastolic periods and detected ends of the diastolic periods. The patient's diastolic function and/or HF condition (and/or changes therein) can be monitored based on the estimates of DP, IVRT and/or DiFT. | 09-09-2010 |
20100274219 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and corgestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280348 | METHOD AND IMPLANTABLE SYSTEM FOR BLOOD-GLUCOSE CONCENTRATION MONITORING USING PARALLEL METHODOLOGIES - In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis. | 11-04-2010 |
20100312128 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING BLOOD PARTITIONING AND ORGAN FUNCTION - Methods and systems for monitoring an organ of interest within a patient use one or more sensors to obtain one or more signals indicative of one or more of blood being provided to the organ of interest, blood being received from the organ of interest, and blood present in the organ of interest. Changes in an amount of blood being provided to the organ of interest, an amount of blood being received from the organ of interest, and/or an amount of blood present in the organ of interest are monitored based on changes in the obtained signal(s). Such methods and systems can be used to detect dysfunction of the organ of interest or tumor growth in the organ of interest, but are not limited thereto. | 12-09-2010 |
20100331908 | SUBCARDIAC THRESHOLD VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION - In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart. | 12-30-2010 |
20110009712 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS THAT MONITOR FOR AN IMPENDING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring for an impending myocardial infarction. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume is obtained. Such a signal can be a photoplethysmography signal or an impedance plethysmography signal. For each of a plurality of periods of time, a metric indicative of the areas under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal is determined. An impending myocardial infarction is monitored for based on changes in the metric indicative of the area under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal, and an alert and/or therapy is triggered in response to an impending myocardial infarction being predicted. | 01-13-2011 |
20110009754 | ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING CARDIOGENIC IMPEDANCE SIGNAL - Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's arterial blood pressure. Electrode(s) implanting within and/or on the patient's heart are used to obtain a cardiogenic impedance (CI) signal indicative of cardiac contractile activity. Additionally, a signal (e.g., PPG or IPG signal) indicative of changes in arterial blood volume remote from the patient's heart is obtained using a sensor or electrodes that are implanted remote from the patient's heart. One or more metrics indicative of pulse arrival time (PAT) are determined, where each metric can be determined by determining a time from one of the detected features of the CI signal to one of the detected features of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Based on at least one of the metric(s) indicative of PAT, arterial blood pressure is estimated, which can include determining values indicative of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and/or mean arterial blood pressure, and/or changes in such values. | 01-13-2011 |
20110009755 | ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE WHILE PACING - Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's arterial blood pressure while a patient's heart is being paced. A signal (e.g., PPG or IPG signal) indicative of changes in arterial blood volume remote from the patient's heart is obtained using a sensor or electrodes that are implanted remote from the patient's heart. One or more metrics indicative of pulse arrival time (PAT) are determined, where each metric can be determined by determining a time from a paced cardiac event to one or more predetermined features of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume. Based on at the metric(s) indicative of PAT, arterial blood pressure is estimated, which can include determining values indicative of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and/or mean arterial blood pressure, and/or changes in such values. | 01-13-2011 |
20110015690 | Neurostimulation and Neurosensing Techniques to Optimize Atrial Anti-Tachycardia Pacing for Prevention of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias - Implantable systems and method for use therewith are provided that take advantage of various neuromodulation and neurosensing techniques for either preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) or terminating AF. Specific embodiments are for use with an implantable device that includes one or more atrial electrode for sensing atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or delivering AATP and one or more electrode for monitoring and/or stimulating atrial vagal fat pads. | 01-20-2011 |
20110040345 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DELAY (EMD) MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's electromechanical delay (EMD). Paced cardiac events are caused by delivering sufficient pacing stimulation to cause capture to the patient's heart. A cardiogenic impedance (CI) signal, indicative of cardiac contractile activity in response to the pacing stimulation being delivered, is obtained. One or more predetermined features of the CI signal are detected, and a value indicative of the patient's EMD is determined by determining a time between a delivered pacing stimulation and at least one of the detected one or more features of the CI signal. | 02-17-2011 |
20110046508 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 02-24-2011 |
20110098546 | ASSESSING MEDICAL CONDITIONS BASED ON VENOUS OXYGEN SATURATION AND HEMATOCRIT INFORMATION - Methods for assessing, diagnosing and treating medical conditions using SvO | 04-28-2011 |
20110125208 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO MONITOR CARDIAC CONTRACTILITY - An implanted sensor produces a signal that is indicative of changes in arterial blood volume, such as a photoplethysmography signal or an impedance plethysmography signal. A metric is determined from the signal for each of the plurality of periods. Changes in cardiac contractility are monitored based on changes in the determined metric. | 05-26-2011 |
20110196254 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 08-11-2011 |
20110202105 | BIOELECTRIC BATTERY FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE APPLICATIONS - A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive. | 08-18-2011 |
20110270105 | TIME DOMAIN MONITORING OF MYOCARDIAL ELECTRICAL STABILITY - Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electrical stability. A patient's heart is paced for a period of time using a patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats, and an electrical signal is obtained that is representative of a plurality of consecutive beats of the patient's heart while it is being paced using the patterned pacing sequence that repeats every N beats. Myocardial electrical stability is then analyzed using time domain techniques that are tailored to the patterned pacing sequence used to pace the patient's heart. In other embodiments, the patient's heart need not be paced. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. | 11-03-2011 |
20120010677 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 01-12-2012 |
20120184867 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREASED SPECIFICITY IN DIAGNOSTICS - Specific embodiments provided herein relate to diagnosing, with improved specificity, occurrences of episodes relating to disorders that are known to affect T-wave morphology. One or more propensity metric is obtained, each of which is indicative of a patient's propensity for a specific disorder that is known to affect T-wave morphology. T-wave variability is monitored. Additionally, there is monitoring for a specific change in T-wave morphology that is known to be indicative of episodes relating to a disorder. When the specific change in T-wave morphology is detected, a diagnosis is determined for detecting the specific change in T-wave morphology, taking into account the propensity metric(s) and the T-wave variability. | 07-19-2012 |
20120271367 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING A TACHYCARDIA AND/OR SELECTING TREATMENT FOR A TACHYCARDIA USING RESULTS OF A DOMINANT FREQUENCY ANALYSIS - Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for characterizing a tachycardia and/or selecting treatment for a tachycardia using results of a dominant frequency analysis. One or more electrogram (EGM) signal(s) indicative of cardiac electrical activity are obtained. For at least one of the EGM signal(s) a dominant frequency (DF) analysis is performed, and the results of the DF analysis are used to characterize a tachycardia and/or to select treatment for a tachycardia. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271368 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING A TACHYCARDIA AND/OR SELECTING TREATMENT FOR A TACHYCARDIA USING RESULTS OF A FRACTIONATION ANALYSIS - Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for characterizing a tachycardia and/or selecting treatment for a tachycardia using results of a fractionation analysis. One or more electrogram (EGM) signal(s) indicative of cardiac electrical activity are obtained. At least one of the EGM signal(s) is analyzed to determine whether the EGM signal is fractionated, and the results of the analyzing are used to characterize a tachycardia and/or to select treatment for a tachycardia. | 10-25-2012 |
20120330371 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DIASTOLIC FUNCTION USING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Diastolic function is monitored within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. In one example, the implantable device uses morphological parameters derived from the T-wave evoked response waveform as proxies for ventricular relaxation rate and ventricular compliance. In particular, the magnitude of the peak of the T-wave evoked response is employed as a proxy for ventricular compliance. The maximum slew rate of the T-wave evoked response following its peak is employed as a proxy for ventricular relaxation. A metric is derived from these proxy values to represent diastolic function. The metric is tracked over time to evaluate changes in diastolic function. In other examples, specific values for ventricular compliance and ventricular relaxation are derived for the patient based on the T-wave evoked response parameters. | 12-27-2012 |
20130060296 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 03-07-2013 |
20130190645 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 07-25-2013 |
20130296960 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DELAY (EMD) MONITORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, enable the monitoring of a patient's electromechanical delay (EMD) and arterial blood pressure. Paced cardiac events are caused by delivering sufficient pacing stimulation to cause capture. A cardiogenic impedance (CI) signal, indicative of cardiac contractile activity in response to the pacing stimulation being delivered, is obtained. One or more predetermined features of the CI signal are detected, and a value indicative of the patient's EMD is determined by determining a time between a delivered pacing stimulation and at least one of the detected one or more features of the CI signal. The value indicative of EMD can be used to more accurately determine metrics indicative of pulse arrival time (PAT), which can be used to estimate arterial blood pressure. | 11-07-2013 |
20130325083 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING NEUROSTIMULATION BASED ON REGIONAL CARDIAC PERFORMANCE FOR USE BY IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - Techniques are provided for controlling neurostimulation such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) using a cardiac rhythm management device (CRMD). In various examples described herein, neurostimulation is delivered to a patient while regional cardiac performance of the heart of the patient is assessed by the CRMD. The delivery of further neurostimulation is adjusted or controlled based, at least in part, on the regional cardiac performance, preferably to enhance positive effects on the heart due to the neurostimulation or to mitigate any negative effects. Regional cardiac performance is assessed based on parameters derived from cardiogenic impedance signals detected along various vectors through the heart. | 12-05-2013 |
20140039238 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING NEUROSTIMULATION OF ACUPUNCTURE SITES USING AN IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT DEVICE - Techniques are provided for use with an implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRMD) system equipped to deliver neurostimulation to acupuncture sites within anterior regions of the neck, thorax or abdomen of the patient. Parameters associated with the health of the patient are detected, such as parameters indicative of arrhythmia, heart failure and hypertension. | 02-06-2014 |
20140135645 | ACQUIRING NERVE ACTIVITY FROM CAROTID BODY AND/OR SINUS - An exemplary includes acquiring an electroneurogram of the right carotid sinus nerve or the left carotid sinus nerve, analyzing the electroneurogram for at least one of chemosensory information and barosensory information and calling for one or more therapeutic actions based at least in part on the analyzing. Therapeutic actions may aim to treat conditions such as sleep apnea, an increase in metabolic demand, hypoglycemia, hypertension, renal failure, and congestive heart failure. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. | 05-15-2014 |
20140155707 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS THAT MONITOR FOR AN IMPENDING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for monitoring for an impending myocardial infarction. A signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume is obtained. Such a signal can be a photoplethysmography signal or an impedance plethysmography signal. For each of a plurality of periods of time, a metric indicative of the areas under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal is determined. An impending myocardial infarction is monitored for based on changes in the metric indicative of the area under the curve of the signal or number of inflections in the signal, and an alert and/or therapy is triggered in response to an impending myocardial infarction being predicted. | 06-05-2014 |
20140200644 | BIOELECTRIC BATTERY FOR IMPLANTABLE DEVICE APPLICATIONS - A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive. | 07-17-2014 |
20140221771 | Method and Implantable System for Blood-Glucose Concentration Monitoring Using Parallel Methodologies - In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis. | 08-07-2014 |
20140288551 | ERYTHROPOEITIN PRODUCTION BY ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for treating human anemia. The methods, devices, and systems generally include monitoring a patients hemoglobin level and at least one of autonomic balance and inflammatory state to determine the etiology of the anemic state, modulating at least one of a sympathetic or parasympathetic nerve based on the cause of the anemia, monitoring for changes in the patients cardiac activity and state of inflammation, and hemoglobin level. An external neurostimulation system is describes, and well as a chronic implantable system. A method for treating a patient for anemia in conjunction with a renal denervation ablation catheter is also disclosed. | 09-25-2014 |
20140316480 | IMPLANTABLE DEVICE WITH RESPONSIVE VASCULAR AND CARDIAC CONTROLLERS - Exemplary methods are described for providing responsive vascular control with or without cardiac pacing. An implantable device with responsive vascular and cardiac controllers interprets physiological conditions and responds with an appropriate degree of vascular therapy applied as electrical pulses to a sympathetic nerve. In one implementation, an implantable device is programmed to deliver the vascular therapy in response to low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension. The device may stimulate the greater splanchnic nerve, to effect therapeutic vasoconstriction. The vascular therapy is dynamically adjusted as the condition improves. In one implementation to benefit impaired physical mobility, vascular therapy comprises vasoconstriction and is timed to coincide with a recurring segment of the cardiac cycle. The vasoconstriction assists circulation and venous return in the lower limbs of inactive and bedridden individuals. In various implementations, cardiac pacing therapy that is synergistic with the vascular therapy may be added to augment treatment. | 10-23-2014 |
20150088017 | Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Arrythmogenic Effects of Medications Using an Implantable Device - An implantable device and method for monitoring changes in the risk of arrhythmia induced by medications. The implantable device monitors risk of arrhythmia by analyzing an aspect of T-wave morphology to generate a metric of transmural dispersion of repolarization (“TDR”) as a proxy for the risk of arrhythmia. The implantable device generates an index of change in the risk of arrhythmia by comparing values of the metric of TDR obtained for different time periods. The implantable device generates a warning if the change in risk of arrhythmia is outside acceptable limits. The implantable device can also communicate with other devices to correlate changes in risk of arrhythmia with medications taken by the patient. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088217 | IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC STIMULATION DEVICE AND METHOD THAT STABILIZES VENTRICULAR RATE DURING EPISODES OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides electrical stimulation therapy to stabilize the ventricular rate of a heart during episodes of atrial fibrillation. The stimulation therapy may be a plurality of sub-threshold stimulation pulses delivered to capture AV node vagal innervations following the detection of atrial fibrillation. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088218 | METHOD TO STABILIZE VENTRICULAR RATE DURING EPISODES OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - A method to provide electrical stimulation therapy to stabilize ventricular rate of a heart during episodes of atrial fibrillation. The stimulation therapy may be a plurality of stimulation pulses delivered to the AV node during the AV node refractory period following the sensing of an atrial event. | 03-26-2015 |