Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for determining spatial relationships between electrodes implanted within a patient. In one example, a medical device delivers, via a first electrode, an electrical stimulus and senses, for each other electrode, a respective electrical signal indicative of the electrical stimulus. The medical device determines, for each other electrode, a respective value for each respective electrical signal. The medical device determines, based on the respective values for each respective electrical signal and values of tissue conductivity of tissues of the patient interposed between the first electrode and the other electrodes, spatial relationships between the first electrode and each other electrode of the plurality of electrodes.

Systems and methods for ruggedized neural probes are provided. Such probes may be adapted for penetrating tissue. An exemplary ruggedized penetrating electrode array system includes an elongate shank having one or more electrodes disposed on at least one exterior surface thereof and a backend structure. A proximal end of the elongate shank is secured to the backend structure. The exemplary array system further includes an elongate carrier secured to the backend structure and extending away from the backend structure toward the distal end of the elongate shank, the elongate carrier being more rigid than the elongate shank. Methods for fabricating such an array system are also provided.

A cardiac pacing system that includes an implantable pulse generator and electrical leads that include a lead body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, a connector configured to electrically connect the proximal end of the lead body to the pulse generator, and at least one electrode disposed at the distal end of the lead body for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient's heart, wherein the distal end of the lead body is configured to terminate within the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity of the patient, proximate to the heart.

Systems, methods, and devices to facilitate insertion of certain leads with electrode(s) into patients are described. Leads can be implanted to work in conjunction with a cardiac pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator. A lead for cardiac therapy may be inserted into an intercostal space associated with the cardiac notch of a patient. Devices for delivery may include, for example, a delivery system coupled with an electrical lead and having a handle, a component advancer and insertion tips. The handle is configured to be actuated by an operator and the component advancer is configured to advance an electrical lead into the patient. The insertion tips can be configured to close around the electrical lead within the component advancer, to push through biological tissue, and to open to enable the lead to advance into the patient. The electrical lead can also be maintained in a particular orientation during the advancement into the patient.

Disclosed is a delivery system for a component, for example, a splitting lead. A splitting lead can have a proximal portion to engage a controller and a distal portion to split apart into sub-portions that travel in multiple directions during implantation into a patient. The delivery system can include a handle and a component advancer to advance and removably engage a portion of the component. The component advancer can be coupled to the handle and advance the component into the patient by applying a force to the portion in response to actuation of the handle by the operator. Also, the delivery system can include an insertion tip with first and second ramps to facilitate advancement of first and second sub-portions into the patient in first and second directions. The leads may have various electrode configurations including, for example, wrapped or embedded electrodes, helical or elliptical coils, thin metallic plates, etc.

Disclosed herein are methods to restore myocardial conduction via the injection of conductive nanoparticles into the myocardium via an endovascular injection catheter.

An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.

Provided are methods of making a long-term implantable electronic device, and related implantable devices, including by providing a substrate having a first encapsulation layer that covers at least a portion of the substrate, the first encapsulation layer having a receiving surface; providing one or more electronic devices on the first encapsulation layer receiving surface; and removing at least a portion of the substrate from the first encapsulation layer; thereby making the long-term implantable electronic device. Further desirable properties, including device lifetime increases during use in environments that are challenging for sensitive electronic device components, are achieved through the use of additional layers such as longevity-extending layers and/or ion-barrier layers in combination with an encapsulation layer.

The present biological electrode includes a conductive fabric (2) formed of base fibers which are filled with a conductor and/or to which the conductor is adhered, a thin metallic wire (3) formed into a spiral shape and connected with the conductive fabric (2) at a distal end of the thin metallic wire, and a filling material (5) with which a gap between the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3) is filled and which supports the conductive fabric (2) and the thin metallic wire (3), the conductive fabric (2) is supported in a roll shape, and the conductor is electrically connected with the thin metallic wire (3).

A stimulation system includes an energy source, an electronics unit with a controller, and an actuator that is coupled with the electronics unit and/or the energy source. The actuator emits electromagnetic waves for stimulation of genetically manipulated tissue. The electronics unit is disposed in a housing. The stimulation system is configured for at least temporary implantation in a human or animal body. The controller controls the stimulation of tissue in the body by way of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the actuator. A selector of the stimulation system selects the area of the said tissue for stimulation. The selector includes a masking device for masking certain areas of the tissue, so that an intensity of the stimulation for the masked areas is reduced or equal to zero.