Representative embodiments of the present invention provide for novel, minimally invasive implantable devices and methods for targeted tissue drug delivery of cardiovascular drugs.

Representative embodiments of the present invention provide for novel, minimally invasive implantable devices and methods for targeted tissue drug delivery of cardiovascular drugs.

The invention relates to an electromedical implantable or extracorporeally applicable device for treating and monitoring organs as well as a method for therapeutic organ treatment. The aim of the invention is to create an electromedical implantable or externally applicable device which allows healing processes to be excited in diseased organs. Said aim is achieved by an electromedical implantable or extracorporeally applicable device for treating and monitoring organs, comprising a programmable generator and receiver unit which generates and receives electrical microcurrents and electromagnetic power and is connected in a conducting manner to electrodes, a telemetry unit that is integrated into the generator and receiver unit and is provided with a transmitter and a receiver for exchanging data with extracorporeal devices, and a power supply unit.

Systems and methods for epicardial pacing are provided. For example, this document provides epicardial pacing using a percutaneously delivered bifurcated pacing lead that has multiple electrodes that are directionally insulated to prevent extracardiac stimulation, including prevention of phrenic stimulation. In addition, the devices, systems, and methods provided can be used for ablation, defibrillation, and/or defibrillation in combination with pacing.

A direct-implantable electrocardiographic (ECG) probe device includes a biocompatible housing, a battery disposed within the housing, one or more electrodes including an ECG electrode configured to sense an electrical signal in tissue of an atrium of a heart, circuitry disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to generate an ECG signal and wirelessly transmit the ECG signal through a chest wall, and an attachment structure configured to facilitate the attachment of the ECG probe device to a surface of the atrium.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for epicardial pacing are provided. For example, this document provides epicardial pacing using a percutaneously delivered bifurcated pacing lead that has multiple electrodes that are directionally insulated to prevent extracardiac stimulation, including prevention of phrenic stimulation. In addition, the devices, systems, and methods provided can be used for ablation, defibrillation, and/or defibrillation in combination with pacing.

Representative embodiments of the present invention provide for novel, minimally invasive implantable devices and methods for targeted tissue drug delivery of cardiovascular drugs.

New methods and devices for treating heart failure and other cardiac disease conditions. Devices include a cardiac jacket adapted to fit generally around at least a portion of the heart. The jacket in some embodiments includes an electroactive polymer to squeeze the exterior of the heart to assist contraction of one or more pumping chambers, preferably the left ventricle. The jacket may also include stem cells on an inner surface of the jacket. The stem cells differentiate into cardiac tissue and help treatment of heart failure. Some embodiments also involve delivering an electric field or an electric current to electrically conductive material in the jacket to establish an electromagnetic field at the surface of the heart effective to promote growth and differentiation of stem cells into cardiac tissue.