An implantable system for stimulating a heart contains a processor, a memory, a stimulator, and a first detection unit for detecting a cardiac rhythm disturbance of a cardiac region. The memory includes a computer-readable program, which prompts the processor to carry out the following steps: a) detecting via the first detection unit whether a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present in a cardiac region of a heart of a patient; b) when a cardiac rhythm disturbance is present, selecting a stimulation strategy based on a selection criterion; c) stimulating the cardiac region in which the cardiac rhythm disturbance was detected by way of the stimulator, using the selected stimulation strategy; d) detecting a success and/or an efficiency of the conducted stimulation; e) comparing the success and/or the efficiency to a predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion; and f) if the predefinable success and/or efficiency criterion was not achieved, optimizing the stimulation strategy.

Systems and methods for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated at a consistent rate to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.

An implantable pacemaker is configured to provide electrical pacing pulses to the heart of a patient. The pacemaker has a pulse generator configured to generate the electrical pacing pulses, at least one pacing electrode to apply the electrical pacing pulses to the heart, a sensing unit configured to sense events of electrical activity of a ventricle of the heart, a sensor configured to measure a signal relating to the patient, and a memory configured to store values of a parameter. The pacemaker is configured to be operated in a first mode to generate a reference curve and to select a target range of values of the parameter corresponding to a desired range of atrioventricular delays. The pacemaker is further configured to be operated in a second mode for approaching the target range.

To provide a control apparatus for treating myocardial infarction that can suitably perform treatment of myocardial infarction, and a control method for treating myocardial infarction.

To provide: a stimulation control unit that outputs a stimulation signal for reducing a myocardial workload to an electrode for stimulation inserted in a blood vessel running in the vicinity of the vagus nerve of a patient in order to stimulate the vagus nerve; a detecting unit that detects first biological information and second biological information of the patient; a setting unit that sets threshold information for determining a normal range of the first biological information and second biological information; and a determining unit that determines whether or not values of the detected first biological information and second biological information are within the normal range determined in the threshold information; where the stimulation control unit adjusts the intensity of the stimulation signal such that the values of the first biological information and second biological information are within the normal range, and the value of the second biological information is reduced by a predetermined ratio or more as compared to a value before the stimulation.

Devices and methods can be used for artificial cardiac pacing and/or resynchronization. For example, this document provides improved electrodes for stimulating and sensing electrical activity of the heart, and provides pacing and resynchronization systems incorporating such electrodes. While the devices and methods provided herein are described primarily in the context of pacing, it should be understood that resynchronization can additionally or alternatively be performed in an analogous manner, and that the scope of this disclosure includes such subject matter.

A method for monitoring a cardiovascular pressure in a patient includes measuring, by pressure sensing circuitry of an implantable pressure sensing device, the cardiovascular pressure of the patient. The method further includes transmitting, via wireless communication circuitry of the implantable pressure sensing device, the measured cardiovascular pressure to another device. The method further includes determining, by processing circuitry of the other device, whether a posture of the patient at a time of the measured cardiovascular pressure was a target posture for cardiovascular pressure measurements. The method further includes determining, by the processing circuitry of the other device, whether to store or discard the transmitted cardiovascular pressure based on determining whether the posture was the target posture.

This document relates to methods and materials for providing stimulation or ablation to the stellate ganglion. For example, this document relates to methods and devices for providing stimulation or ablation to the stellate ganglion to modify blood pressure.

An implantable medical device (IMD) is configured with a pressure sensor. The IMD includes a housing, a pressure sensor and a fluid filled cavity. The housing has a diaphragm that is exposed to the environment outside of the housing. The pressure sensor has a pressure sensor diaphragm that is responsive to a pressure applied to the pressure sensor diaphragm and provides a pressure sensor output signal that is representative of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor diaphragm. The fluid filled cavity is in fluid communication with both the diaphragm of the housing and the pressure sensor diaphragm of the pressure sensor. The fluid filled cavity is configured to communicate a measure related to the pressure applied by the environment to the diaphragm of the housing to the pressure sensor diaphragm of the pressure sensor.

Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.

A surgical method of treating a patient is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: cutting the patient's skin and abdominal wall; dissecting an area of the patient's intestine; and dissecting a portion of the dissected intestinal area such that intestinal mesentery connected thereto is opened in such a way that supply of blood through the mesentery to the dissected intestinal area is maintained as much as possible on both sides of the dissected portion. The method further comprises the steps of dividing the patient's intestine in the dissected portion so as to create an upstream part of the intestine with a first intestinal opening and a downstream part of the intestine with a second intestinal opening with the mesentery still maintaining a tissue connection between the upstream and downstream intestine parts.