Semi-autonomous vehicle apparatus which is controlled by a plurality of control sources includes a vehicle which may function autonomously and apparatus for control of the vehicle by either an onboard driver or a driver not situated onboard. The vehicle may also be controlled by an off-vehicle computational device. Hierarchy setting apparatus determines which one or combination of the possible control entities take priority. Persons using the apparatus are identified by either a password or, preferably by providing identification based on a biologic feature. Management of impaired vehicle operators is provided for.

A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing, a clip attached to a top side of the housing, an electrode, a prong, and a sensor in the prong. The clip is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or first tissue. The electrode is configured to contact an organ, a nerve, the first tissue, and/or second tissue. The prong is configured to contact the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue. The electrode is positioned on the distal end of the prong. The sensor is operable to sense a physiological parameter and includes a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the sensor and the electrode and is configured to sense electrical signals, deliver electrical stimulation, and/or to deliver a signal to a drug pump.

An external defibrillator system is configured with at least two different algorithms for determining the duration of a shock administered to a patient being treated and selects the algorithm based on one or more patient parameters such as, for example, the patient's TTI. The patient's TTI can be measured prior to or while the shock is being administered to the patient. The shock can be, for example, a multiphasic defibrillation or a multiphasic cardioversion shock. The charge voltage of the system's energy storage device can additionally be varied depending on the one or more patient parameters. For example, the system may charge the energy storage device so that the charge voltage is higher or lower than a nominal charge voltage responsive to the patient's TTI is higher or lower compared to an average TTI, respectively.

In an aspect, a system for treating a patient in cardiac arrest is described and includes memory, one or more electronic ports for receiving signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the patient, one or more sensors for obtaining a transthoracic impedance of the patient, and a patient treatment module executable on one or more processing devices that is configured to generate, from the ECG, transform values that represent magnitudes of two or more frequency components of the ECG, and modify, based on at least one transform value, at least one shock delivery parameter.

A novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform and method are provided. The novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform may be used in a defibrillator, or in another medical device that delivers therapeutic electrical stimulation pulses to a patient.

Provided are a defibrillation catheter system, a defibrillation power supply device, and a method for controlling the device during observation of intracardiac potential and defibrillation. A defibrillation catheter system 1 includes a catheter 20; a power supply part 6 connected to the catheter 20; an electrocardiograph 40 measuring an intracardiac potential; a first electrode 21 and a second electrode 22 provided on the catheter; and a changeover part 7 connected to the power supply part 6, the changeover part 7 switching between a first mode for measuring the intracardiac potential and a second mode for applying the voltage while the intracardiac potential is measured, wherein the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are connected to the power supply part 6 through the changeover part 7, and the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are connected to the electrocardiograph 40.

A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.

A wearable therapeutic device includes a garment configured to be worn on a torso of a patient. The garment has an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The garment is configured to house at least one defibrillator component, a first therapy electrode disposed in the anterior portion of the garment, a second therapy electrode disposed in the posterior portion of the garment, and an alarm module configured to alert the patient of an impending defibrillation shock from the at least one defibrillator component to be delivered by at least one of the first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode. The first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode are configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one defibrillator component. At least one of the first therapy electrode and the second therapy electrode is at least one of woven into the garment and comprises a textile material.

Methods and apparatus for a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy that treats atrial arrhythmias within pain tolerance thresholds of a patient. An implantable therapy generator adapted to generate and selectively deliver a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy and at least two leads, each having at least one electrode adapted to be positioned proximate the atrium of the patient. The device is programmed for delivering a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy via both a far-field configuration and a near-field configuration of the electrodes upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia. The three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy includes a first stage for unpinning of one or more singularities associated with an atrial arrhythmia, a second stage for anti-repinning of the one or more singularities, both of which are delivered via the far-field configuration of the electrodes, and a third stage for extinguishing of the one or more singularities delivered via the near-field configuration of the electrodes.

A method and apparatus for treating a cardiac condition in a human or animal patient comprises contacting an area of skin spanning the chest area of the patient with at least two patches or electrode paddles that apply low voltages and currents in a rotational manner to pre-stimulate that area, followed by applying a high voltage shock in rapid succession through the patient's heart through at least two electrode pad patches or paddles, wherein an amplifier-based external defibrillation cardioversion system is used. Also, an external pacing system is employed using ascending ramp or any arbitrary ascending or level waveform for transcutaneous pacing which employ a constant current delivery mode. Treatable conditions include atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial tachycardia (AT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and ventricular tachycardia (VT).