A controller implantable within the body of a patient as part of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system and a method therefore are provided. According to one aspect, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to receive inputs from at least one of: at least one internal component of the LVAD system, at least one external component of the LVAD system, and at least one clinician's device, and determine a charging rate for charging a battery of the LVAD system internal to the patient based on at least one of the received inputs.

An implantable device for implantation in a human body or animal body. The device includes an energy source, an energy storage device, and an electronics unit. Further, an actuator is coupled with the energy storage device and it is configured to emit electromagnetic waves by discharging the energy storage device.

An RF catheter for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes: a body part constituting a catheter body made of a flexible and soft material; and an intraseptal insertion part provided at a distal part of the body part and having one or more electrodes, a tapered tip gradually becoming thinner toward an end thereof, and a guidewire lumen therein, into which a guidewire is inserted, so that during hypertrophic cardiomyopathy treatment, the intraseptal insertion part is inserted into the interventricular septum along the guidewire. A method of treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by using an RF ablation catheter includes: i) positioning the guidewire to a hypertrophied septum through a coronary sinus and a septal vein; ii) transferring the RF ablation catheter to the hypertrophied septum; and iii) performing RF ablation by applying RF energy to the electrodes provided at an end part of the RF ablation catheter by using an RF generator.

An implantable pacemaker has a first housing and a second housing tethered to the first housing by an elongated electrical conductor. The elongated electrical conductor has a proximal end coupled to the first housing and a distal end coupled to the second housing and includes a signal line configured to carry an electrical signal between the first housing and the second housing.

Implantable medical devices (IMDs), and methods for use therewith, use a same coil for receiving communication and power signals. An IMD, which is configured to operate in a charge or power mode and in a communication mode, includes a coil, power circuitry and communication circuitry. The coil includes first and second terminals and an intermediate tap therebetween. The power circuitry is coupled, during the charge or power mode, to a first portion of the coil extending between the first and second terminals of the coil. The communication circuitry is coupled to a second portion of the coil extending between the first terminal and the intermediate tap of the coil. A third portion of the coil, extending between the intermediate tap and the second terminal of the coil, is decoupled from the power circuitry during the communication mode, which prevents current from flowing through the third portion of the coil.

Methods and devices treating an autonomic nervous system associated disease condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the invention include inducing one or more physiological response selected from the group consisting of sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability and enhanced quantitative sensory test responsiveness in a manner sufficient to modify the autonomic nervous system so as to treat the subject for the disease condition. The methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in the treatment of subjects suffering from conditions arising from disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Described is a low voltage, pulsed electrical stimulation device for controlling expression of, for example, follistatin, a muscle formation promotion protein, by tissues. Epicardial stimulation is especially useful for heart treatment. Follistatin controlled release is also useful for treating other ailments, such as erectile dysfunction, aortic aneurysm, and failing heart valves.

New methods for implanting a cardiac therapy system include implanting a lead of the system substernally anterior of the heart without attaching to the myocardium or pericardium. An illustration includes placement of an anchor beneath the sternum in the vicinity of one of the sternal angle, a location superior of the ventricles, the area bounded by the 2nd or 3rd ribs, and level with the aortic arch. A tension element or tether is attached to the anchor and a lead is introduced over the tension element or tether and secured in a desired position relative to the anchor. Other examples also include implantation, sub sternally, of a lead without the use of a pre-tunneling tool or sheath over the lead itself, for example by using an advancing tool for pushing the lead into position.

This invention is a system to assist human cardiovascular functioning which integrates the operation of an implanted cardiac device and a wearable device with an arcuate array of biometric sensors. Analysis of data from the biometric sensors on the wearable device is used to automatically adjust and optimize the operation of the implanted cardiac device. This system can work as a closed loop system for assisting and improving human cardiovascular functioning.

Methods for synchronizing the actions of a pulsatile cardiac assist device with a dysfunctional heart using a cardiac pacemaker. Aspects include receiving a signal from the pacemaker and actuating the pulsatile cardiac assist device in response to the signal from the pacemaker to either help push blood out of the heart during systole or to help suck blood from the atria during diastole.