Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions 01/08

20080027487 - Patient management system for treating depression using an implantable medical device: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function for treating depression using an implantable medical device. At least one patient parameter relating to an electrical signal provided by the implantable medical device for treating depression is acquired. At least one therapy parameter... Agent: Timothy L. Scott

20080027491 - Pacing mode event classification with increased ventricular sensing: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027490 - Pacing mode event classification with rate smoothing and increased ventricular sensing: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027488 - Predicting chronic optimal a-v intervals for biventricular pacing via observed inter-atrial delay: Herein provided are methods for optimizing the atrio-ventricular (A-V) delay for efficacious delivery of cardiac resynchronization therapy. The A-V delay is set such that pacing-induced left ventricular contraction occurs following completion of left atrial (LA) contraction. This maximizes left ventricular filling (preload) which theoretically results in optimal LV contraction via... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027492 - Rate smoothing pacing modality with increased ventricular sensing: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027494 - System and method for determining phsyiologic events during pacing mode operation: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027493 - System and method for improving ventricular sensing: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027489 - System and method for providing improved atrial pacing based on physiological need: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027496 - System and method for altering pacing modality: An implantable medical device operates according to a ventricular pacing protocol (VPP) that precludes ventricular pacing in any cardiac cycle where a sensed ventricular event has occurred in the preceding cycle. Improved ventricular sensing, detection and classification is provided.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027498 - Cardiac pacemaker: Pacemaker (10) comprises a control unit being adapted to automatically carry out a search for a capture threshold level of cardiac tissue. Available pulse strength values are tested in an iterative search wherein a next pulse strength value to be tested is determined based on Fibonacci indices.... Agent: Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.c.

20080027499 - Integrated health care home communication and monitoring system: This document discusses, among other things, systems and method for integrated health care home communication and monitoring. A method comprising: communicating, from a remote server to an external interface device that communicates with a medical device in use by a patient, a patient communication to be received by the patient;... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080027500 - Charger with orthogonal pcb for implantable medical device: An external charger for an implantable medical device, comprises a housing, an alternating current (AC) coil and substrate contained within the housing, and one or more electronic components mounted to the substrate. The AC coil is configured for wirelessly transmitting magnetic charging energy to the implantable medical device. The AC... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080027501 - Variable implantable medical device power characteristics based upon data or device type: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) as described herein includes adjustable power characteristics such as variable transmitter output power and variable receiver front end gain. These power characteristics can be adjusted in a dynamic manner based upon various operating aspects of the intended or actual IMD telemetry environment. These operating aspects... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027502 - Dynamic sampling: Dynamic sampling of physiological parameters based on the next anticipated occurrence of a relatively periodic physiological event. Embodiments of the invention may be used to increase the battery life or effective data storage capacity of implantable medical devices while retaining or improving measurement resolution.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027504 - Lead and methods for brain monitoring and modulation: An apparatus, a system and methods for modulating and monitoring tissue have an elongate member with proximal and distal ends and a plurality of annular stimulating electrodes axially arranged along the elongate member. The stimulating electrodes are disposed near the distal end and are adapted to pass current into tissue.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080027503 - Vagus nerve stimulation by electrical signals for controlling cerebellar tremor: The present invention provides a neurostimulator system for alleviating cerebellar tremor, in particular, associated with multiple sclerosis, comprising a programmable electrical pulse generator; and at least one electrode connected with the programmable electrical pulse generator; and wherein the programmable electrical pulse generator is programmed to generate electrical signals with the... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080027505 - System and method for treatment of headaches: A method and apparatus for treatment of cervicogenic headaches by transvascular application of stimulation energy to nerves in the neck and head. A catheter equipped with electrodes is inserted into a vertebral or occipital vein in proximity to peripheral nerves that conduct pain signals. An external to the body or... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080027508 - Bipolar stimulation/recording device with widely spaced electrodes: A bipolar stimulator probe suitable for application of intramuscular stimulation provides an active stimulator electrode and a reference electrode as part of a single tool. The separation between the electrodes is significantly greater than the electrode separation of known bipolar stimulator probes and bipolar bar electrode configurations. The probe tool... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20080027507 - Nerve and/or muscle stimulation electrodes: A nerve or muscle stimulation apparatus including a nerve stimulation array electrode including a substrate for application to the skin of a user bearing an array of electrodes arranged to be brought into electrical contact with the skin of a user when the substrate is positioned on the skin; one... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP

20080027509 - Apparatus and methods for facilitating wound healing and treating skin: Electrode systems and methods are provided for applying electrical stimulation to a wound or skin. The electrode systems may include a feedback sensor configured to detect at least one wound healing factor or other treatment factors and may adjust the electrical stimulation based on feedback sensor measurements. The electrode systems... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP Patent Docketing 39/361

20080027516 - Light modulation system for medical treatment and health care: A light modulating system for medical treatment and health care (MTHC) is applied to sense at least one of the physiology conditions of at least one user, and accordingly modulate at least one MTHC light beam. The system comprises a physiology condition parameter sensing unit, a light output parameter calculation... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080027519 - Method of treatment of ocular compartment syndromes: A method of treatment of ocular compartment syndromes is provided. Known ocular compartment syndromes include central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAION), and papilledema. One or more lasers known to have photoablative, photodisruptive, or photocoagulative effects are used to decompress the... Agent: Darby & Darby (formerly Sacco & Associates)

20080027495 - Intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effect: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20080027497 - Atrial pacing therapy for treating mitral regurgitation: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating mitral regurgitation with electrical stimulation. By providing pacing stimulation to the left atrium during ventricular systole, a beneficial effect is obtained which can prevent or reduce the extent of mitral regurgitation.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20080027506 - Apparatus and method for pain control through nerve stimulation by an intra-oral source: A method of pain control via the nervous system of a mammal includes contacting an oral tissue of a mammal with an energy source and imparting energy to the oral tissue to reduce perception of a pain response from the central or peripheral nervous system of the mammal.... Agent: Dillon & Yudell LLP

20080027510 - Visual prosthesis: A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for providing artificial vision are disclosed in the present disclosure. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and a retinal stimulation system configured stimulate neural... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080027512 - Bionet for bilateral cochlear implant systems: A system for allowing bilateral cochlear implant systems to be networked together. An adapter module that forms part of the system allows two standalone BTE units to be synchronized both temporally and tonotopically in order to maximize a patients listening experience. The system further allows a peer-to-peer network and protocol... Agent: Advanced Bionics Corporation

20080027511 - Method for establishing a network in bilateral cochlear implant systems: A method for establishing a network to allow communications between plural BTE units of a bilateral cochlear implant system. The bilateral cochlear network includes four main components: (a) a communications interposer adapted to be inserted between the BTE battery and the BTE housing or modified BTE devices; (b) a communication... Agent: Advanced Bionics Corporation

20080027514 - Guided programming with feedback: Techniques that involve generating test stimulation programs based upon specific patient feedback to guide the programming process for stimulation therapy are described. The patient describes positive effects and adverse effects of the test stimulation by listing and/or rating specific types of effects, both positive and adverse, and the location of... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080027513 - Systems and methods for using a butterfly coil to communicate with or transfer power to an implantable medical device: Systems for communicating with or transferring power to an implantable medical device include a primary coil configured to emit a magnetic field and a secondary coil in the implantable medical device configured to receive the magnetic field. The primary coil includes at least one butterfly coil. Methods of communicating with... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080027515 - Minimally invasive monitoring systems: The present invention provides systems and methods for ambulatory, long term monitoring of a physiological signal from a patient. At least a portion of the systems of the present invention may be implanted within the patient in a minimally invasive manner. In preferred embodiments, brain activity signals are sampled from... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20080027517 - Light generating device for intravascular use: Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20080027518 - Self-contained, eye-safe hair-regrowth-inhibition apparatus and method: A dermatologic hair-regrowth-inhibiting apparatus is disclosed which is cordless and sufficiently compact as to be hand-held. A self-contained housing is configured for gripping by a person's hand for cordless manipulation in a hair-regrowth-inhibiting procedure. A light source and electrical circuit are contained within the housing. The circuit includes one or... Agent: James E. Eakin

20080027520 - Laser treatment of tissue: Laser treatment of tissue, particularly the tissues in or around the nasal and oral cavities, are described herein. One method for reducing the size of the tissue being treated is to apply laser energy to the underlying tissue. One instrument may be used to deliver laser energy and to optionally... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080027521 - Perioperative warming device: A perioperative warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with stacked sections. One section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide comfort warming by convection. Another section of the convective apparatus is adapted to provide therapeutic warming by convection.... Agent: Terrance A. Meador Incaplaw

20080027522 - Perioperative warming method: A method for warming a person perioperatively using a warming device including a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with stacked, separately-inflatable sections includes inflating one of the stacked sections of the convective apparatus to provide comfort warming by convection or inflating another of the stacked... Agent: Terrance A. Meador Incaplaw

20080027523 - Cover for cooling a patient and cooling device comprising such a cover: A cooling cover for cooling at least a part of the body of a patient includes at least one cooling element containing a cooling fluid and is intended for placement on the body or body part. The cooling element is cooled to below the freezing point prior to its application.... Agent: Lerner Greenberg Stemer LLP

20080027524 - Multi-electrode assembly for an implantable medical device: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrodes for use with an implantable medical device for conducting an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and a target tissue. The electrode assembly includes a helical member and first and second electrodes formed... Agent: Timothy L. Scott

20080027525 - Electrode structure: A method is provided for producing electrode structures which have a supply line and a contact surface connected thereto, wherein a planar electrode material is roll bonded onto a planar carrier material and the thickness of the electrode material and carrier material is reduced by rolling. The electrode material is... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20080027526 - Lead comprising a drug region shared by more than one electrode: One or more multi-electrode lead couplable with a medical device, such as an implantable medical device. Each lead includes a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion. The proximal end portion includes a connector assembly for connection to the medical device. An... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080027527 - Cochlear implant electrode and method of making same: A cochlear stimulation lead and method of making a curved electrode array are provided. In one embodiment of the lead, while the curved section of the lead is curled further beyond its originally molded curvature and held in this position, a filling channel is filled with a filling material that... Agent: Advanced Bionics Corporation

20080021504 - Closed loop neural stimulation synchronized to cardiac cycles: Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a method. According to various method embodiments, cardiac activity is detected, and neural stimulation is synchronized with a reference event in the detected cardiac activity. Neural stimulation is titrated based on a detected response to the neural stimulation. Other aspects and... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080021505 - Electrical stimulation of body tissue using interconnected electrode assemblies: Some embodiments of a cardiac stimulation system may include a plurality of electrode assemblies that are interconnected by one or more wires while at least one of the electrode assemblies (e.g., a control electrode) wirelessly receives energy through inductive coupling with a power communication unit external to the heart (e.g.,... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080021509 - Ultrasonic transducer for a metallic cavity implated medical device: An implantable medical device comprising a housing and an ultrasonic transducer having a communication frequency coupled to a portion of the housing. The housing resonates at the communication frequency, and a casing is coupled to the housing and disposed over the ultrasonic transducer. The casing is adapted to amplify the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080021514 - Treatment and warning of recurring therapy and other events using an implantable device: An implantable neurostimulator system is capable of responsively treating epileptiform activity with electrical stimulation and other therapies and is further configured to detect periods of increased susceptibility to clinical seizures. The event densities of therapy applications (or detections or other events) in time are observed and calculated, and if high... Agent: Neuropace, Inc.

20080021517 - Audiological transmission system: The invention relates to an audiological transmission system (1) which is designed to be worn on, in or behind the human ear and has a housing (2), an electrical amplifier (3), a loudspeaker (4) and an output channel (5) for acoustic signals for the ear. In order to advantageously enhance... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20080021520 - System for the transcutaneous stimulation of a nerve in the human body: The invention relates to a system (1) for the transcutaneous stimulation of a nerve in the human body which comprises an apparatus (2) which has at least one stimulation electrode (3) and at least one, reference electrode (4) for transcutaneous nerve stimulation, where the at least one stimulation electrode (3)... Agent: Lucas & Mercanti, LLP

20080021521 - Implantable medical device communication system: A medical communication system for providing remote communications with an active implantable medical device. In one embodiment, a medical communication system includes an active implantable medical device (AIMD) that is configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal from within a human body, and a non-implantable programmer that includes a... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.L.C.

20080021529 - Personal cooling element, in particular for patients: A personal cooling element for patients comprises at least one cooling zone (2) that can be pre-tensioned against the body surface (10) of a person wearing the personal cooling element. The cooling zone (2) is three-layered with an internal layer (4) that faces towards the body, an external layer (6)... Agent: Edward M. Weisz Cohen, Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane

20080021502 - Systems and methods for automatic symmetry identification and for quantification of asymmetry for analytic, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes: Methods and related computational techniques are presented for analyzing images from various scan modalities, such as computerized tomography (“CT”). The methods convert image values to relative differences, to highlight side-to-side asymmetry. The conversion may be performed by comparing a small region of the scan to the corresponding region in the... Agent: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080021503 - Neurostimulation and coronary artery disease treatment: A method for treating a patient may include treating coronary artery disease in combination with angina pectoris and/or the control of angina pain by delivering chemical and/or electrical stimulation pulses to the cardiac and/or nervous tissue of the patient in a coordinated manner. A system for treating a patient suffering... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080021506 - Method and device for the electrical treatment of sleep apnea and snoring: A device and method for the treatment of sleep apnea and/or snoring in a human patient includes at least one electrode stimulator for providing direct electrical stimulation to a throat and/or laryngeal muscles of the patient. The stimulator is constructed and arranged to be positioned at the throat and/or laryngeal... Agent: Nixon Peabody, LLP

20080021507 - Sensing with compensation for neural stimulator: An aspect relates to an implantable medical system. An embodiment of the system comprises a baroreflex stimulator, a cardiac event detector, and communication circuitry. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to apply baroreflex stimulation therapy. The detector includes a sensor to detect electrical signals indicative of cardiac events, and a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080021508 - Method and apparatus for detecting oscillations in cardiac rhythm with electrogram signals: A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to detect oscillations in cardiac rhythm by comparing electrogram signals during successive heart beats. Upon detection of electrical alternans, the device may adjust its operating behavior to compensate for the deleterious effects of the condition.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080021511 - Implantable medical device with a nonhermetic battery: An implantable medical device (IMD) including a nonhermetic battery is described. The IMD includes components and a power source module that includes the nonhermetic battery. The IMD also includes a barrier to substantially impede movement of substances from the nonhermetic battery to the components. The barrier may include a hermetic... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080021510 - Resonant structures for implantable devices: An implantable medical device comprising a housing and a limiting structure defining a resonant region in the housing. An acoustic transducer is connected to the limiting structure and extends into the resonant region so that the resonant region mechanically amplifies the deformation of the acoustic transducer at a resonant frequency.... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080021512 - Nerve stimulation and blocking for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one... Agent: Merchant & Gould P.C.

20080021513 - System and method of rapid, comfortable parameter switching in spinal cord stimulation: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080021515 - Apparatus and method for electrical stimulation of human retina: An apparatus and method for retinal stimulation are shown. The method comprises varied parameters, including frequency, pulse width, and pattern of pulse trains to determine a stimulation pattern and visual perception threshold.... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080021516 - Video processing methods for improving visual acuity and/or perceived image resolution: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080021518 - Moving coil actuator for middle ear implants: A hearing enhancement includes an audio processor that generates an electrical audio signal and transmits the signal to a coil. The coil is implanted into a patient in a position that results in transmission of mechanical stimulation to the inner ear when the coil is spatially displaced. A permanent magnet... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080021519 - Communication unit for a person's skin: Electric communication unit to be placed on a person's skin, comprising a support element (3), a series of body contacts (7), a pulse generator (6) provided for generating a series of pulses and for transmitting the series of pulses to said series of body contacts (7), said series of body... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20080021524 - External data processing device to interface with an ambulatory repeater and method thereof: An external data processing device to interface with an ambulatory repeater and method thereof is presented. An external data processing device is interfaced in far field telemetric communication with an ambulatory repeater. The external data processing device receives sensitive information preencrypted prior to implant under a cryptographic key uniquely assigned... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20080021523 - Method and apparatus for indication-based programming of cardiac rhythm management devices: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a programming device that determines parameters for programming an implantable medical device based on patient-specific information including indications for use of the implantable medical device. By executing an indication-based programming algorithm, the programming device substantially automates the process between the diagnosis of a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20080021522 - Telemetry antennas for implantable medical devices: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention generally includes a housing, a connector header block coupled to the housing, and a telemetry antenna located within the header block. The header block is formed from a dielectric material, which encapsulates the antenna. The... Agent: Ingrassia Fisher & Lorenz, P.C.

20080021525 - In vivo implantable coil assembly: An in-vivo implantable coil assembly includes a planar coil having at least one coil layer formed from conductive traces disposed in or on a polymer matrix. A ferrite platelet is bonded to a surface of the polymer matrix. Methods of making and using the in-vivo implantable coil assembly are also... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20080021526 - Electromagnetic treatment of mammals: A system for the electromagnetic treatment of mammals has a signal generator for generating an electromagnetic signal, an organic filter for supplying a desired spectrum of electromagnetic signals, and a radiating antenna for radiating the desired spectrum. In a method of treating a mammal, an electromagnetic signal is generated, the... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20080021527 - Endovenous laser treatment generating reduced blood coagulation: This invention is an improved method and device for treating varicose veins 200 or the greater saphenous vein 202. The method comprises the use of infrared laser radiation in the region of 1.2 to 2.2 um in a manner from inside the vessel 200 or 202 such that the endothelial... Agent: Ray K. Shahani, Esq., Attorney At Law

20080021528 - Hair restoration device and methods of using and manufacturing the same: The present invention provides for a hair restoration device and methods of manufacturing and using the same. In one embodiment, the hair restoration device is comprised of a hairbrush body housing a plurality of wide-pattern laser LEDs configured to cooperate to project a precision laser light pattern at a focal... Agent: Donald J. Ersler, S.c.

20080021530 - Hypothermia treatment sack: A hypothermia treatment sack comprising a top sheet and a bottom sheet releasably connecting along their perimeters to form a patient receiving cavity between the top and bottom sheets while allowing for patient access from any location around the perimeter. The top and bottom sheets include a weatherproof exterior side... Agent: Mcnair Law Firm, P.A.

20080021531 - Methods and apparatus for increasing blood circulation: A method and apparatus for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), lower extremity edema, and other associated medical conditions by adjusting the temperature of the muscles of a foot or a leg, and/or applying vacuum or negative pressure to increase blood flow. A human extremity such... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, L.L.P.

20080021532 - Delivery of cardiac stimulation devices: Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080015640 - Method for histogenesis and enhancement of tissue: A method for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and other medical disorders and ailments that would benefit from increased and enhanced tissue response due to increases in blood flow on macro-vascular, micro-vascular and a collateral level including increased cellular stimulation and response. The method works by surrounding said... Agent: Daniel Kaiser

20080015641 - Implantable medical device charge balance assessment: A method is provided including delivering at least one electrical signal to tissue of a patient through an electrode. The method further includes assessing whether a net charge remains on the electrode a predetermined period of time after the delivery of the electrical signal. Systems for delivering such a signal,... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080015642 - Method for stimulation of the vagus nerve: The present disclosure relates to EBS methods for stimulation of the vagus or vagal nerve for weight loss and the like. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method of weight loss includes the steps of percutaneously placing at least one EBS needle at a predetermined location of... Agent: Covidien

20080015643 - Implantable electrode device: An implantable electrode device, in particular an ICD electrode device, comprises an electrode main body and at least one electrode situated thereon, the electrode including a wire material forming undercuts and/or intermediate spaces between its wires, such as a wire braid or an open wire coil. A medication depot filling... Agent: Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.c.

20080015644 - End of life battery testing in an implantable medical device: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) having a battery, the ICD being configured to perform a battery test sequence wherein the battery, via charging circuitry, charges the ICD power capacitor for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time is expired, the voltage on the ICD power capacitor is... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080015651 - Baroreflex sensitivity monitoring and trending for tachyarrhythmia detection and therapy: A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) that includes a tachyarrhythmia detector, a baroreflex detector to obtain baroreflex information, and a processor in communication with the tachyarrhythmia detector and the baroreflex detector. The processor adjusts at least one of a tachyarrhythmia detection parameter of the IMD or a tachyarrhythmia... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015655 - Implantable medical device telemetry with adaptive frequency hopping: A far-field radio-frequency (RF) telemetry system transmits data between an implantable medical device and an external system using an active channel selected from a plurality of channels each representing a frequency band within a predetermined frequency range. One or more preferred channels are identified from the plurality of channels based... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015656 - Implantable medical device telemetry with periodic frequency hopping: A far-field radio-frequency (RF) telemetry system for data transmission between an implantable medical device and an external system includes a plurality of channels each representing a frequency band within a predetermined frequency range. The data transmission is performed using at least one active channel at any instant. Channel hopping is... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015658 - Sound sensed electric stimulation control device: A sound sensed electric stimulation control device comprises a body. The body further comprises a signal analysis unit for receiving sound signals and converting the signals into output signals; and an electronic stimulation output portion for generating corresponding output energy according to the output signals. The output emerge is controlled... Agent: Chao-man Tseng

20080015657 - Variable voltage compliance for current output generator: A system for providing stimulation current in implantable medical devices is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus including a power supply terminal adapted to be connected to a power supply. The apparatus embodiment also includes circuitry connected to the power supply terminal and adapted to detect... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015660 - Method and apparatus for photo-chemical oculoplasty/keratoplasty: Method and apparatus for performing oculoplasty including applying a photosensitizer solution to a human eye surface includes defining a treatment region within the human eye surface. The treatment region is associated with a predetermined spatial pattern. The method further includes irradiating the treatment region with controlled photoactivating radiation. In relation... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080015645 - External defibrillator and methods for operating the external defibrillator: Methods and apparatus are provided for minimizing the inherent time delays within external defibrillators. The methods and apparatuses utilize timing schemes for initiation and completion of charging of an energy storage device of an external defibrillator, measuring one or physical parameters of the patient and conducting a physiology analysis of... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080015646 - Implantable cardiac defibrillation system with defibrillation electrode entrapment prevention and method: An implantable cardiac defibrillation device diminishes fibrosis of a defibrillation electrode. The device includes an implantable lead having a defibrillation electrode adapted for implant in one of the superior vena cava and right ventricle of a heart, a pulse generator adapted to be coupled to the defibrillation electrode that provides... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080015647 - Method and devices for performing cardiac waveform appraisal: Implementations of various technologies described herein are directed toward a sensing architecture for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The sensing architecture may provide a method and means for certifying detected events by the cardiac rhythm management device. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced capability to accurately identifying only those sensed... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080015648 - Combined remodeling control therapy and anti-remodeling therapy by implantable cardiac device: A method and device for delivering ventricular resynchronization pacing therapy in conjunction with electrical stimulation of nerves which alter the activity of the autonomic nervous system is disclosed. Such therapies may be delivered by an implantable device and are useful in preventing the deleterious ventricular remodeling which occurs as a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015650 - Capture verification for cardiac resynchronization pacing optimization: A system and method for automatically selecting among a plurality of pacing modes based upon capture detection. Patients suffering from heart failure may be optimally treated with different resynchronization pacing modes or configurations. By detecting whether capture is being achieved by a particular configuration or mode, a device is able... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015649 - Fully inhibited dual chamber pacing mode: A pacing mode is provided, in one embodiment, that permits missed or skipped ventricular beats. The mode monitors a full cardiac cycle (A-A interval) for the presence of intrinsic ventricular activity. If ventricular activity is present, a flag is set that is valid for the next cardiac cycle. At the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080015654 - Automatically configurable minute ventilation sensor: A minute ventilation sensing device in which transthoracic impedance is measured with voltage sense electrodes during injection of current by excitation current electrodes. The device is capable of operating with different configurations of voltage sense and excitation current electrodes. By computing a signal and/or noise level for a number of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015652 - Dual-use sensor for rate responsive pacing and heart sound monitoring: An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015653 - Method and apparatus for phonocardiographic image acquisition and presentation: A cardiac rhythm management system provides a phonocardiographic image indicative of a heart's mechanical events related to hemodynamic performance. The phonocardiographic image includes a stack of acoustic sensor signal segments representing multiple cardiac cycles. Each acoustic sensor signal segment includes heart sounds indicative of the heart's mechanical events and representations... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20080015659 - Neurostimulation systems and methods for cardiac conditions: Various embodiments provide an implantable medical device comprising a detector, a neural stimulator, and a controller. The detector is configured to detect a pathological condition indicated for an acute neural stimulation therapy. The neural stimulator is capable of delivering a chronic neural stimulation therapy and the acute neural stimulation therapy.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080015661 - Phototherapy device and system: Physically flexible radiation-emitting probes and associated illumination methods and systems for delivering radiation or light to the interior of a lumen or cavity. Light-emitting devices are immersed in a flowing liquid coolant within a probe to provide high light output power, and convoluted electrical power buss structures provide physical flexibility... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080015662 - Apparatus and method for laser treatment of a biological material: Apparatus and method for laser treatment of a biological material An apparatus for laser processing of a material, in particular the eye cornea, emits on to the material a train (18′) of laser radiation pulses having a pulse duration in the femtosecond range. The pulse train comprises a multiplicity of... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080015663 - Pediatric adapter for transillumination: A transillumination device can use an adapter to make it more appropriate for neonatal and pediatric application. The adapter attaches to the bottom of the transillumination device and covers the illumination source. An aperture in the adapter allows part of the light generated by the illumination source through the adapter... Agent: Hoffman, Wasson & Gitler, P.C.

20080015664 - Systems and methods for thermally profiling radiofrequency electrodes: Systems and methods for providing radiofrequency (“RF”) energy to a target surgical site are provided. The systems include the use of at least one overlay which is super-imposed over an image of the target surgical site to assist the operator in evaluating parameters for performing the surgical procedure. The disclosure... Agent: Covidien

20080015665 - Heat wick for skin cooling: Steady-state cooling of the skin is achieved by a support surface without requiring external power or circulation of air. Heat is transferred from via a thermally conductive layer or layers of material(s) that are soft, pliable, and comfortable to sit or lie on. The layer is connected to conductive materials... Agent: B. Craig Killough

20080015666 - Air circulation and bed-cover suspension unit for a bed: An air circulation unit for introducing air into the space under the bed cover (C) from the foot-end of the bed. The air circulation unit also comprises an assembly for suspending the bed cover (C) so that the occupant or occupants of the bed (B) are partially relieved of the... Agent: Rodman Rodman

20080015667 - Peltier unidirectional and selective nerve stimulation: Apparatus is provided including an assembly (22) and a control unit (36). The assembly (22) includes a housing (34) configured to be applied to a nerve (20) of a subject, and at least one cathode (30) and at least one Peltier cooler (32), which are fixed to the housing (34).... Agent: Abelman, Frayne & Schwab

20080015668 - Test connector for implantable leads: Testing connectors for use with implantable leads are disclosed. The testing connectors are suitable for attachment to an implantable medical lead connector to facilitate electrical testing of the implantable lead. In some cases, a distal end of the lead can be repositioned within a body while the lead is electrically... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080015669 - Bi-planar electrode with shunting gates: A neural stimulator includes an electrically non-conductive carrier and at least two electrically conductive electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the carrier. The electrodes on the opposite sides of the carrier are not electrically connected together. Instead, a signal source is connected to one of the electrodes on one side... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080015670 - Methods and devices for cardiac ablation: A method of performing cardiac ablation. A first catheter is navigated into the ventricular endocardium. A second catheter is navigated to place one or more electrodes of the second catheter in the heart vasculature substantially opposite one or more electrodes of the first catheter. Ablation current is delivered between the... Agent: Edward Renner

20080009905 - Electrode system with shunt electrode: The invention is directed to electrode systems that may be used with implantable medical devices such as a pacemaker. The electrode systems, in addition to one or more conventional electrodes, include a shunt electrode. Under ordinary conditions, the shunt electrode has very little effect upon the operation of the electrode... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080009908 - Electrode package attached to exterior of defibrillator: A combination of a defibrillator and an electrode package, the combination comprising a defibrillator comprising electrical output wires for delivering a defibrillation pulse to defibrillation electrodes, processing circuitry and associated software for controlling the delivery of the defibrillation pulse, an electrical energy storage element for storing the energy delivered in... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080009907 - Memory device associated with defibrillation electrodes: An electrode package for use with a defibrillator, the electrode package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, one or more defibrillation electrodes positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, each of the defibrillation electrodes... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080009910 - Cardiac pacemaker: Cardiac pacemaker, having at least one stimulation pulse generator to selectively generate stimulation pulses for delivery to an atrium or to an atrium and a ventricle of a heart in DDD mode, at least one sensing stage adapted to process electrical signals sensed by an atrial and ventricular sensing electrode... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080009909 - Local and non-local sensing for cardiac pacing: Systems and methods for determining pacing timing intervals based on the temporal relationship between the timing of local and non-local cardiac signal features are described. A device includes a plurality of implantable electrodes electrically coupled to the heart and configured to sense local and non-local cardiac signals. Sense circuitry coupled... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20080009911 - Condition sensor for medical device package: A package in which a medical device is stored, the package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, a medical device positioned in the interior space inside the outer shell, the medical device including a liquid-containing element... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080009913 - Methods and apparatus for the treatment of eating disorders using electrical impulse intervention: Devices and methods for treating patients suffering from an eating disorder, such as obesity and/or pathologies resulting in obesity, by regulating sensations affecting food consumption. The devices and methods may facilitate appropriate caloric intake, thereby inducing weight loss, by simulating, stimulating, amplifying, blocking and/or modulating signals in the gastrointestinal (GI)... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20080009914 - Systems and methods for implanting tissue stimulation electrodes in the pelvic region: Implantable medical devices to relieve problems associated with incontinence and related pelvic disorders and methods of implanting same are disclosed. Stimulation leads for placement in the pelvic floor have fixation mechanisms for stabilization of the stimulation electrodes to inhibit dislodgement from a selected stimulation site. In certain embodiments, the fixation... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080009922 - Photodynamic therapy for treating age-related macular degeneration: A system for treating age-related macular degeneration includes an agent for marking a region of diseased tissue. Additionally, the system includes a femtosecond laser source for generating a laser beam. Further, an optical assembly focuses the laser beam to a plurality of focal points in the region of diseased tissue,... Agent: Nydegger & Associates

20080009906 - Method and apparatus for anti-tachycardia pacing and defibrillation: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) includes an Anti-Tachycardia Pacing Before Charge (ATP-BC) mode according to which one or more high-voltage capacitors for storing defibrillation energy are charged in preparation of delivering a defibrillation shock only if a ventricular tachycardia (VT) sustains after an ATP delivery. Fast ATP delivery and effect verification... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080009912 - Interconnect for implantable medical device header: A modular header and method of fabricating same for making electrical connection between an array of feed-through pins extending through a wall of a hermetically sealed enclosure of an implantable medical device and lead connect or receptacles within the header in which the header is fabricated using a pre-formed molded... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080009915 - Respiration stimulation: An automated respiration stimulation apparatus comprising a detector configured to measure a respiratory cycle of a user and a stimulator configured to automatically apply a stimulation to the user's acoustic nerve to interrupt a disturbance in the respiratory cycle of the user in response to the detection of the disturbance... Agent: Dave R. Hofman Attorney For Applicants

20080009916 - Applications of heart rate variability analysis in electrotherapy affecting autonomic nervous system response: A method of operating a baroreflex therapy system includes providing an implantable baroreflex activation device, providing a sensing arrangement, and providing a controller in operable communication with the baroreflex activation device and the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement is used to measure cardiac electrical activity of a patient to generate... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080009917 - Applications of heart rate variability analysis in electrotherapy affecting autonomic nervous system response: A method of operating a baroreflex therapy system includes providing an implantable baroreflex activation device, providing a sensing arrangement, and providing a controller in operable communication with the baroreflex activation device and the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement is used to measure a physical parameter of a patient to generate... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080009918 - Cochlear implant power system and methodology: A cochlear implant system has an implantable portion that includes a stimulator module for producing for the auditory system of a user an electrical stimulation signal representative of an acoustic signal. The implantable portion further includes a battery for supplying power to the stimulator module, a receiver module for receiving... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080009920 - Implant magnet system: A magnetic alignment system that can form part of a cochlear implant system. The magnetic alignment system prevents substantial movement of a magnet of an implanted component during an MRI procedure or allows for easy removal of the magnet to facilitate the MRI procedure.... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080009919 - Password protection for cochlear implant: An implant system includes an external portion adapted for placement external to a user, and an implantable portion adapted for placement internal the user. One of the internal portion and the external portion includes a first password for transmitting to the other one of the internal portion and the external... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080009921 - Wireless communication with implantable medical device: Embodiments are directed to apparatus and methods of minimizing current drain of an implantable medical device during wireless communication with the device, thereby reducing battery depletion of the device. In one embodiment, the implantable medical device comprises a wireless receiver configured to communicate wirelessly with an external transmitter of an... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080009923 - Treatment of skin by spatial modulation of thermal heating: Treating skin can include delivering a beam of radiation to a target region of the skin to cause a zone of thermal injury including a lateral pattern of varying depths of thermal injury distributed along the target region. The lateral pattern includes at least one first sub-zone of a first... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080009924 - Locally heating objects: The invention pertains to a method for locally heating an object with electromagnetic radiation and substantially simultaneously cooling the immediate vicinity of the object region to be heated by a flowing fluid. The inventive method is characterized in that the flowing fluid and the electromagnetic radiation emitted in the toward... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080009925 - Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, having a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system comprises a PID (Proportional Integral... Agent: Christopher & Weisberg, P.A.

20080009926 - Site-specific pad with notch: A temperature therapy pad for use with a person including a thermal unit for making the pad either hot or cold and a therapeutic slot extending from one side of the pad which substantially divides the pad into sections. An elastic member may extend across the slot. The therapy pad... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20080009927 - Combination electrical stimulating and infusion medical device and method: A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080009928 - Device for affixing an electrode in a pacemaker bed: A device (1) for fastening an electrode (2) in the pacemaker bed before the entry (6) of the electrode (2) into a vein (4) is provided, and includes a sheath (9) having two parts (7) and (8), with a hose (10) extending through their interior. The two parts (7) and... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080009929 - Percutaneous flat lead introducer: In general, the invention is directed to a technique for percutaneously introducing a stimulation lead into a target stimulation site via the epidural region proximate the spine of a patient. The process of introducing the stimulation lead may include the use of a hollow stimulation lead introducer, which comprises an... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080009930 - Breakaway electrical connections for defibrillation electrode package: An electrode package for use with a defibrillator, the electrode package comprising an outer shell providing a vapor barrier between an interior space inside the outer shell and an exterior environment, a breakaway connection element positioned at the perimeter of the outer shell, one or more defibrillation electrodes positioned in... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC