In at least one example, a medical device is provided. The medical device includes at least one therapy electrode, at least one acoustic sensor, and at least one processor coupled with the at least one therapy electrode and the at least one acoustic sensor. The at least one processor is configured to deliver at least one pacing pulse via the at least one therapy electrode and to analyze processed acoustic data to determine whether the at least one pacing pulse resulted in capture.

An electrode for long term wear includes a conductive mesh configured to disperse a therapeutic current across a surface area of the electrode, and a conductive adhesive material configured to conduct the therapeutic current from the conductive mesh in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface area of the electrode. The conductive adhesive material is configured to be semi-conductive in a direction substantially lateral to the surface area of the electrode. The conductive adhesive material includes at least one of microscopic or nano-scale conductive particles or fibers of materials.

A wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment device includes a garment, a plurality of ECG electrodes, a plurality of therapy electrodes, a therapy delivery circuit, and one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more physiological signals of the patient. The device also includes a controller configured to detect an arrhythmia condition, cause the therapy delivery circuit to deliver one or more therapeutic pulses to the patient on detecting the arrhythmia condition, detect that the garment is no longer worn about the torso of the patient prior to expiration of at least a prescribed duration of wear by detecting a loss of signal for at least a threshold period of time from one or more of the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and/or one or more of the one or more sensors, and issue a notification that the garment is no longer worn about the torso of the patient.

A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.

Methods and systems of evaluating cardiac pacing in candidate patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy patients are disclosed. The methods and systems disclosed allow treatments to be personalized to patients by measuring the extent of tissue capture from cardiac pacing under various therapy parameter conditions. Systems and methods of optimizing right ventricle only cardiac pacing are also disclosed.

In embodiments, a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system includes a support structure for the patient to wear, and components that the support structure maintains on the patient's body. The components include a defibrillator, associated electrodes, and so on. The defibrillator can operate in a WCD mode while the patient wears the support structure. The defibrillator can further operate in a different, AED mode, during which time the patient need not wear a portion of the support structure, or even the entire support structure. Sometimes the AED mode is a type of a fully automatic AED mode. Other times the AED mode is a type of a semi-automated AED mode, where an attendant is present to administer the shock; at such times, the patient may not even need to have electrodes attached. This way the patient is more comfortable for a longer time.

A wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment device includes a garment, a plurality of ECG electrodes and a plurality of therapy electrodes supported by the garment. A fastener is configured to secure the garment about a torso of the patient for a prescribed duration. A disengagement sensor to provides an indication of disengagement of the fastener prior to expiration of the prescribed duration in which the garment is no longer secured about the torso of the patient. The device includes a therapy delivery circuit coupled to the plurality of therapy electrodes and configured to deliver one or more therapeutic pulses. A controller coupled to therapy delivery circuit is configured to analyze an ECG signal monitored by the plurality of ECG electrodes and, upon detecting one or more treatable arrhythmias, cause the therapy delivery circuit to deliver the one or more therapeutic pulses to the patient.

A disposable pacemaker comprises a housing including a stylet port, a pulse generator printed circuit board assembly situated in the housing, and a pacing lead secured to the housing. The pacing lead includes a lumen aligned with the stylet port, such that the stylet port and the lumen of the pacing lead are configured to receive a stylet.

A serviceable wearable cardiac treatment device for continuous extended use by an ambulatory patient includes a garment, a device controller, and an ingress-protective housing. The garment is configured to dispose therein a plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes to monitor for and treat a cardiac arrhythmia in the patient. The device controller is configured to be in separable electrical communication with the plurality of ECG sensing and therapy electrodes and includes an impact-resistant energy core, and first and second circuit boards affixed to opposing sides of the impact-resistant energy core. The impact-resistant energy core includes a frame and at least one capacitor permanently bonded to the frame to form a unitary mass. The ingress-protective housing is configured to enable removal of the impact-resistant energy core and the first and second circuit boards during servicing.

Systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders in a patient are provided. A device comprises a stimulator comprising an electrode and an energy source. The energy source is configured to generate an electrical impulse and transmit the electrical impulse to the electrode through an outer skin surface to a vagus nerve of the patient. The device further comprises a sensor for detecting a physiological parameter of a patient's heart and a controller coupled to the stimulator and the sensor and configured to activate the stimulator based on the physiological parameter to cause the stimulator to generate the electrical impulse. In some aspects, the electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve to treat a cardiac arrhythmia of the patient.