According to an embodiment, a medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes an external unit and an implantable unit. The external unit includes an electronic unit operationally coupled to a transmitter coil that is configured transmit power and/or data signal over a wireless transcutaneous link, a coil unit comprising a loop structure with the transmitter coil being wound around and along at least a part of length of the loop structure, and a fixation unit configured to attach the loop structure to a user's body i) proximal to an implantable receiver coil that is configured to be implanted within a body part, and ii) around a body part of a user such that a part of the body part is positioned in a hollow section of the loop structure. The implantable unit includes the implantable receiver coil configured to receive the power and/or data signal over the wireless transcutaneous link, a processing unit configured to i) process the received data signal to control functionalities of at least one of the components of the implantable unit, and/or ii) utilize the received power for operation of at least one of the components of the implantable unit. The wireless transcutaneous link includes a coupling between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil, and when the loop structure is attached using the fixation unit, at least a substantial number of magnetic field lines generated in response to excitation of the transmitter coil passes through the implantable receiver coil.

Methods, devices and systems are described for gel-based modulation of neural tissue, including prevention of nerve regeneration and neuroma formation. The gel can be delivered to selected target locations including the myenteric plexus.

Disclosed are highly compliant bioelectronic neural interface devices with hydrogel adhesion. Example devices include adhesion-promoting functional groups that facilitate enhanced electrical contact with the nerve without the need for continuous application of pressure. A transfer process may be used to fabricate the device using a sacrificial material (e.g., polyacrylic acid (PAA)) that has tunable solubility in aqueous media, helping avoid the need for harsher release chemicals that may affect the properties of the hydrogel. The transfer process also helps achieve electrode contacts that are flush with a surface of the device and facilitate more intimate contact with the nerve. A gradual change in Young's modulus from a stiff contact pad region to a more compliant electrode contact region may be achieved via a varied amount of an epoxy-based material (such as SU-8 ) and with silicone-based material (such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) to encapsulate the device cable.

Delivery of implantable active agent delivery components includes implanting a distal lead end of a lead into tissue at an implantation site. A delivery stylet is then inserted through a lead lumen of the lead. The delivery stylet includes a stylet body having a distal stylet end and an active agent delivery component detachably coupled to the distal stylet end. The active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site by extending the distal stylet end of the delivery stylet from a distal lead end of the lead such that the active agent delivery component is inserted into the tissue at the implantation site. The active agent delivery component is then detached within the tissue at the implantation site and the delivery stylet may be retracted and removed from the lead lumen.

Methods of treating acute heart failure in a patient in need thereof. Methods include inserting a therapy delivery device into a pulmonary artery of the patient and applying a therapy signal to autonomic cardiopulmonary fibers surrounding the pulmonary artery. The therapy signal affects heart contractility more than heart rate. Specifically, the application of the therapy signal increases heart contractility and treats the acute heart failure in the patient. The therapy signal can include electrical or chemical modulation.

A distal electrode of an electrode assembly, for example, employed by an implantable medical electrical lead device, extends distally from a distal terminal end of a sleeve of the assembly; and the sleeve, which defines a longitudinal axis of the assembly, includes a plurality of channels that provide fluid communication between a steroid eluting component, which is seated in an external groove of the sleeve, and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve. Floors of some or all of the sleeve channels may angle toward the longitudinal axis of the assembly, being closer to the axis at the distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly may further include a proximal electrode secured to a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the proximal electrode may be mounted around an outer surface of the sleeve or coupled to the sleeve by means of a coupling component.

A method of forming an implantable electrode having electrode contacts on an electrode carrier having a coating includes providing a solution of silicone and dexamethasone dissolved in a solvent, applying the solution to the electrode carrier or to a substrate, and subjecting the solution to a two-step heat treatment process that includes a first heat treatment between about 50 and 90° C. for about 1 to 3 hours and a second heat treatment at an elevated temperature between 90° C. and 140° C. for about 2 hours in order to form the coating.

Methods of treating acute heart failure in a patient in need thereof. Methods include inserting a therapy delivery device into a pulmonary artery of the patient and applying a therapy signal to autonomic cardiopulmonary fibers surrounding the pulmonary artery. The therapy signal affects heart contractility more than heart rate. Specifically, the application of the therapy signal increases heart contractility and treats the acute heart failure in the patient. The therapy signal can include electrical or chemical modulation.

Systems and methods for pacing cardiac conductive tissue are described. A medical system includes an electrostimulation circuit to generate His-bundle pacing (HBP) pulses. A sensing circuit senses a physiologic signal, and detect a local His-bundle activation discrete from a pacing artifact of the HBP pulse. A control circuit verifies capture status in response to the HBP pulses. Based on the capture status, the control circuit determines one or more pacing thresholds including a selective HBP threshold representing a threshold strength to capture only the His bundle but not the local myocardium, and a non-selective HBP threshold representing a threshold strength to capture both the His bundle and the local myocardium. The electrostimulation circuit may deliver HBP pulses based on the selective and non-selective HBP thresholds.

A device for producing a trabecular fiber within a ventricle of a heart. The device includes a substrate and a first tissue anchor connected to the substrate. The substrate is formed of a non-rigid material.