A61N1/3756

Autonomous cardiac implant of the leadless capsule type, comprising an interface for external communication during transportation and storage
11691020 · 2023-07-04 · ·

The implant comprises a tubular body housing an energy harvesting module adapted to convert external stresses applied to the implant into electrical energy, and a rechargeable battery adapted to be charged by the energy harvesting module. During the storage, an external source physically separated from the implant is coupled to the implant rechargeable battery to maintain a minimum battery charge level. An interface circuit of the implant couples surface electrodes to the battery, with switching between: i) a transport and storage configuration where the electrodes are connected to the external source to receive from the latter a battery charging energy and/or to exchange communication signals with the outside through the wire link of the coupling; and ii) a functional configuration in which the surface electrodes are decoupled from the external source after the implant has been implanted. The implant further comprises a data transmitter circuit adapted, in the transport and storage configuration, to send communication signals, via the surface electrodes, on the link coupling to the external source, and/or a data receiver circuit adapted, in the transport and storage configuration, to receive, via the surface electrodes, communication signals transmitted on the link coupling to the external source.

Using implantable medical devices to augment noninvasive cardiac mapping

An example method includes establishing a communications link between an electrophysiology (EP) monitoring system and an implantable medical device (IMD). IMD electrical data is received at the monitoring system via the communications link. The IMD electrical data may be synchronized with EP measurement data to provide synchronized electrical data based on timing of a synchronization signal sensed by an IMD electrode and/or EP electrodes. The method also includes computing reconstructed electrical signals for locations on a surface of interest within the patient's body based on the synchronized electrical data and geometry data. The geometry data represents locations of the EP electrodes, a location of the IMD electrode within the patient's body and the surface of interest.

Delivery devices and methods for leadless cardiac devices

Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example delivery device may include an intermediate tubular member and an inner tubular member slidably disposed within a lumen of the intermediate tubular member. A distal holding section may extend distally of a distal end of the intermediate tubular member and define a cavity therein for receiving an implantable leadless pacing device. The device may be configured to enable fluid flushing of the delivery device prior to use, to remove any air from within the device as well as providing the option of fluid flow during use of the delivery device.

Detachable seal for medical implants
11541244 · 2023-01-03 · ·

A medical implant includes a first component having a surface and a plurality of electrical contacts and a second component having a surface and a plurality of electrical contacts. Each contact of the first component contacts an assigned contact of the second component in an electrically conducting manner. A seal is disposed between the two surfaces for sealing the contacts. The seal and the two surfaces are formed of a thermoplastic material. The seal is fused to the two surfaces for sealing the contacts and the seal is meltable so as to separate the two components from one another. A method for producing a medical implant is also provided.

Biostimulator having coaxial fixation elements

A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including coaxial fixation elements to engage or electrically stimulate tissue, is described. The coaxial fixation elements include an outer fixation element extending along a longitudinal axis and an inner fixation element radially inward from the outer fixation element. One or more of the fixation elements are helical fixation elements that can be screwed into tissue. The outer fixation element has a distal tip that is distal to a distal tip of the inner fixation element, and an axial stiffness of the outer fixation element is lower than an axial stiffness of the inner fixation element. The relative stiffnesses are based on one or more of material or geometric characteristics of the respective fixation elements. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Electrode configuration for a medical device
11541232 · 2023-01-03 · ·

An example device includes an elongated housing, a first and second electrode, and signal generation circuitry. The housing can be implanted within a single first chamber of the heart. The first electrode extends distally from the distal end of the elongated housing. A distal end of the first electrode can penetrate into wall tissue of a second chamber of the heart. The second electrode, extending from the distal end of the elongated housing, is configured to flexibly maintain contact with the wall tissue of the first chamber without penetration of the wall tissue of the first chamber by the second electrode. Signal generation circuitry can be within the elongated housing and coupled to the first and second electrode. The signal generation circuitry can deliver cardiac pacing to the second chamber via the first electrode and the first chamber via the second electrode.

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING CRANIOFACIAL PAIN
20220409900 · 2022-12-29 ·

Some implementations provide a method for treating craniofacial pain in a patient, the method including: placing a wirelessly powered passive device through an opening into a target site in a head or neck region of the patient's body, the wirelessly powered passive device configured to receive an input signal non-inductively from an external antenna; positioning the wirelessly powered passive device adjacent to or near a nerve at the target site; and causing neural modulation to the nerve through one or more electrodes on the wirelessly powered passive device.

CHANGE IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER IN RESPONSE TO EXERTION EVENT
20220409064 · 2022-12-29 ·

A method for monitoring health of a subject based on a physiological response to physical exertion, by processing circuitry of a medical device system, is described that includes detecting a plurality of exertion events of the subject based on a first sensed signal that varies as a function of movement of the subject. The method further includes determining a response of a physiological parameter of the subject to the exertion event for each of the detected exertion events based on second sensed signal that varies as a function of the physiological parameter. The method further includes determining that a change in the responses over time crosses threshold and generating an alert to a user based on the determination that the change crosses the threshold.

BIOSTIMULATOR DELIVERY SYSTEM HAVING TETHER CABLE

A biostimulator delivery system having a tether cable, is described. A connector can be mounted on the tether cable to connect to a biostimulator. The connector can be a protuberance that lodges within the biostimulator, or a threaded connector that screws into the biostimulator. The tether cable has a stranded cable configuration, including several strands extending about a core strand in a helical direction. The stranded cable structure resists breaking under bending stresses typically seen during a tether mode used during delivery of the biostimulator. The tether cable reliably secures the biostimulator to the delivery system in the tether mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

HIBERNATION OF ELECTRONICS IN AN IMPLANTABLE STIMULATOR

An example medical device includes a battery configured to provide power to the medical device and stimulation circuitry configured to generate an electrical stimulation signal. The medical device includes hibernation control circuitry configured to cause the medical device to enter a hibernation mode in response to a hibernation trigger and exit the hibernation mode in response to a wake-up trigger. The medical device includes a switch configured to open in response to the hibernation control circuitry causing the medical device to enter a hibernation mode and close in response to the hibernation control circuitry causing the medical device to exit the hibernation mode and isolation interface circuitry configured to prevent power leakage from the hibernation control circuitry to the stimulation circuitry when the medical device is in hibernation mode. The stimulation circuitry is not powered by the battery when the medical device is in the hibernation mode.