Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions

20080109042 - Cardiac lead with a retractable helix: A cardiac rhythm management system for securing a cardiac lead within a patient's heart is provided. According to the present invention, the cardiac rhythm management system includes a fixation helix for securing and stabilizing the lead at a target location in a patient's heart. The fixation helix is adapted to... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080109043 - Pre-excitation pacing for treatment of hypertension: Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating hypertension with electrical pre-excitation pacing therapy. Electrical pre-excitation of a hypertrophic region advances the timing of the regional contraction and reduces its contribution to the overall contraction. Such pre-excitation pacing therapy may be beneficial to hypertensive patients with an abnormal distribution of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080109046 - Rfid-based apparatus, system, and method for therapeutic treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Provided is an implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising an implant having a top and a bottom layer, the bottom layer serving as an attachment mechanism such that the bottom layer of the implant encompasses the hypoglossal nerve and attaches to the top layer of... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20080109049 - Device & method for relieving pain: A device and method for relieving pain including a waveform generator electrically interconnected with electrodes wherein methods of operation of the waveform generator include methods relying on patient feedback and conductivity measurements of tissue being subjected to a medical procedure.... Agent: Jackson, Demarco, Tidus & Packenpaugh

20080109048 - System and method for uniformly displacing a region of neural stimulation: A tissue stimulation system and computer software and method of operating the system is provided. An array of electrodes is placed contact with tissue of a patient (e.g., neural tissue), and electrical current is conveyed within the electrode array, thereby creating a stimulation region in the tissue. Electrical current is... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080109051 - System and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network: A system and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network is provided. Data exchange sessions are transacted with a wireless medical device over a plurality of interrogation points that each cover different zones of interrogation. State regarding interim data packets exchanged during each data exchange session is maintained... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20080109040 - Method of treating arrhythmias: Methods are provided for treating arrhythmias including tachycardias, such as idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and Torsade de Pointes (TdP) in a manner that minimizes undesirable side effects.... Agent: Cv Therapeutics, Inc.

20080109041 - Wavelet based feature extraction and dimension reduction for the classification of human cardiac electrogram depolarization waveforms: A depolarization waveform classifier based on the Modified lifting line wavelet Transform is described. Overcomes problems in existing rate-based event classifiers. A task for pacemaker/defibrillators is the accurate identification of rhythm categories so correct electrotherapy can be administered. Because some rhythms cause rapid dangerous drop in cardiac output, it's desirable... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080109044 - Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartment: An implantable medical electronic tissue stimulating device is formed of two hermetically sealed, fluid impervious housings, one containing an electronic pulse generator and the other a battery power supply. The two are adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled together through a coupler/connector whereby current from the battery in one... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080109045 - Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating conditions: Apparatus for treating a heart condition of a subject is provided, including an electrode device, which is adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a stimulating current, which is capable... Agent: Westman Champlin & Kelly, P.a.

20080109047 - Apnea treatment device: Treatment or control of sleep apnea by achieved using a device or method for stimulation of expiration muscles. Somatic or expiratory muscle stimulation instead of a mask during sleep may regularize breathing. An apnea belt around the thorax may detect respiration by monitoring stretch and provide electrical stimulation to muscles... Agent: Rmx, L.l.c.

20080109050 - Methods and systems for semi-automatic adjustment of medical monitoring and treatment: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient... Agent: John, Michael Sasha

20080109052 - Method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction employing heated medium: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080109053 - Melting meibomian gland obstructions: Consistent with certain embodiments, an apparatus provides regulated heat to at least one of a patient's eyelids, using a heater unit having a heating element that produces heat that is transferred to the patient's eyelid when an electrical signal is applied thereto. A temperature regulator applies an electrical signal to... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080109054 - Leadless cardiac stimulation systems: Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.c.

20080103529 - Apparatus and methods for performing cellular electro-manipulations: An intracellular electro-manipulation apparatus for delivery an electric field pulse to a target of one or more biological cells is provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator that generates an ultrashort electric field pulse, and a pulse delivery system that directs the ultrashort electric field pulse to the target. The... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080103534 - Implantable medical elongated member including fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103532 - Implantable neurostimulator with refractory stimulation: In some embodiments, a method comprises providing an electrical signal to a nerve to evoke an action potential. The nerve thereby enters a refractory period in which the nerve is in a refractory state. The method further comprises, during the refractory period, providing an electrical signal to the nerve thereby... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103530 - Methods and apparatus for manually suspending intrathoracic impedance fluid status measurements: The capability to suspend a patient alert relating to a monitored physiologic parameters addresses a need to selectively shut off a patient-alert signal or signals during the time a patient is being treated for an excursion in the parameter. Of course, in general a signal call attention to a patient's... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103533 - Patient management system for providing parameter data for an implantable medical device: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function providing parameter data for delivering a therapeutic signal. A first electrical signal comprising a first therapy parameter is applied to a portion of a patient's body for providing a therapy. At least one patient... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103531 - Universal external control device for use by multiple conditional access users with varying access to functionality of an implantable medical device: A universal external control device for use by multiple conditional access users with varying access to functionality of an implantable medical device in wireless communication therewith. Circuitry associated with the external control device is used to uniquely identify each of the conditional access users via an access device such as... Agent: Cheryl F. Cohen, LLC

20080103536 - Biological pacemaker compositions and systems incorporating interstitial cells of cajal: A biological pacemaker composition for implantation into cardiac tissue includes an effective amount of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) to produce or conduct pacing stimuli and thereby modulate cardiac contraction. The biological pacemaker may be included as part of a heart pacing system that includes an implantable electric pacemaker for... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103537 - Electronic and biological pacemaker systems: Heart pacing systems include at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a primary pacemaker, and at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a backup pacemaker. When implanted, the primary pacemaker(s) produce primary pacing stimuli that modulate cardiac function. The backup pacemaker(s) provide backup pacing stimuli when the electronic... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103538 - Method and system for responding to non-perfusing and non-shockable heart rhythms: A system and method are disclosed for prompting emergency medical personnel who are attending to a patient. When the patient presents a heart rhythm that is a non-perfusing and non-shockable rhythm or perfusing but unstable, the attending personnel are prompted to administer therapy, such as reestablishing perfusion by performing CPR.... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080103539 - Method, apparatus and system to identify optimal pacing parameters using sensor data: A method, apparatus, or system to identify optimal parameters for programming a cardiac stimulator by a matrix-based decision algorithm using sensor data representing cardiovascular function. The parameters include pacing intervals optimized concurrently to produce the maximum resulting cardiac function.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103540 - System and method for arrhythmia discrimination with atrial-ventricular dissociation: Ventricular arrhythmias are monitored and classified based upon various criteria. One criterion is PR dissociation which is determined by comparing the PR interval in a current RR cycle to a median PR value. If the current PR interval varies too far from the median, then dissociation is indicated. Often, there... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103543 - Implantable medical device with titanium alloy housing: An implantable medical device includes a housing comprising a titanium alloy selected from the group consisting of Ti-4.5Al-3V-2Fe-2Mo-0.15O, Ti-4Al-2.5V-1.5Fe-0.25O, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, Ti-3Al-2.5V, and combinations thereof... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080103544 - Method of treating female sexual dysfunction: A method for treating female sexual dysfunction by subcutaneous electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve innervating at least a portion of the vulva is disclosed. A lead is placed subcutaneously over a peripheral nerve that innervates at least a portion of the vulva and clitoris. The peripheral nerve is electrically... Agent: Curtis D. Kinghorn Sirius Strategic, LLC

20080103547 - Multiple lead method for deep brain stimulation: New methods for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery using two or more electrical leads are provided. The methods are useful for treating a wide variety of brain-associated disorders including movement-related disorders, psychiatric disorders, metabolic/eating disorders, memory disorders, and pain. Methods featuring stimulation of distinct target areas of a subject's brain,... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080103546 - Patient management system for treating epilepsy using an implantable medical device: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function for treating epilepsy using an implantable medical device. At least one patient parameter relating to an electrical signal provided by the implantable medical device for treating epilepsy is acquired. At least one therapy parameter... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103550 - Multiple electrode wound healing patch: In one example, the present invention is directed to a wound-healing patch including a flexible substrate, at least one wound electrode and at least one return electrode. In the invention, the wound electrode(s) is positioned on a portion of the flexible substrate designed to be placed over wounded tissue and... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103549 - Wound healing patch with guard electrodes: In one example, the present invention is directed to a wound-healing patch including a flexible substrate, at least one wound electrode, at least one guard electrode and at least one return electrode. The guard electrode is positioned between the wound and return electrodes in the electrical path of current traveling... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103552 - Controller for obtaining prescriptive analysis of functionality of implantable medical device leads, system and method therefore: Method, controller and system for an implantable medical device having a plurality of electrodes, the implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic stimulation to a patient, comprising a control module, a user interface operatively coupled to the control module, the user interface providing control of the control module by a... Agent: Iplm Group, P.A.

20080103551 - Implantable medical device with variable data retransmission characteristics based upon data type: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) as described herein includes an adjustable data retransmission scheme, which controls the manner in which data is retransmitted by the IMD. The retransmission feature can be adjusted in a dynamic manner based upon the type, context, or meaning of the telemetry data transmitted by the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103557 - Extended shelf life storable implantable medical device assembly, shipping container and method: Storable implantable medical device assembly and container for an implantable device having a charging sub-assembly. The implantable medical device has therapeutic componentry and a rechargeable power source operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. The charging sub-assembly having an electro-chemical power source, such as a battery, and a charging circuit operatively... Agent: Iplm Group, P.A.

20080103558 - Focused electromagnetic-wave and ultrasonic-wave structures for tissue stimulation: The present invention is directed to small, low profile, antenna-transmitter systems that attach to exterior of the body and focus electromagnetic (EM) wave energy onto one or more precise regions inside the body. The antenna-transmitter system may also deliver energy to the surface of the body without focusing. The present... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103556 - Housing for implantable medical device: A housing for an implantable medical device includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material. The first material and the second material comprise titanium and the first material has a higher resistivity than the second material.... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080103559 - Method of maintaining intensity output while adjusting pulse width or amplitude: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters,... Agent: Michael J. Bolan VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080103560 - Ultraviolet indicator light therapy device: A phototherapy device includes a first light source configured to emit a wavelength of light within the visible to infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and a second light source configured to emit a wavelength of light within the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength of light of... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080103563 - Light therapy personal care device: A personal care device comprising a phototherapy component and a microdermabrasion component is disclosed. The phototherapy device component may comprise an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are configured to emit light over a range of wavelengths which are selected to treat a skin condition. The LED array may... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080103564 - Method for repairing intervertebral discs: A method of repairing a defect in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, without excising the entire nucleus pulposus of the disc. The method includes inserting an introducer needle through the annulus fibrosus by puncturing the annulus fibrosus with the introducer needle, injecting an in situ curable, bio-compatible polymerizable... Agent: O'keefe, Egan, Peterman & Enders, L.L.P.

20080103535 - Implantable medical devices including selectable notch filter circuits: Described are selectable notch filter circuits comprising at least two different notch filter capabilities, each of which is capable of filtering interference of a designated fundamental frequency and a second harmonic of the designated fundamental frequency from an electrical signal. Each of the notch filters of the circuit is specific... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080103541 - Method and apparatus for automatic determination of hemodynamically optimal cardiac pacing parameter values: For cardiac rhythm management, a combination of cardiac pacing and a noninvasive heart monitoring is proposed for the determination of a set of programmable pacing parameters hemodynamically beneficial to the patient. The apparatus incorporates a cardiac pacemaker and a thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) heart monitor. This combination allows the creation... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20080103542 - System and method for recovery from memory errors in a medical device: A system comprising an implantable medical device that comprises at least one electrical input to receive sensed electrical activity of a heart of a patient, a memory, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is coupled to the electrical input and memory and is operable to enter a memory scrubbing... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080103545 - Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080103548 - Methods for treating neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, and associated systems: Methods for treating neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, and associated systems are disclosed. One such method includes identifying one or more neural populations, including a cortical target neural population, associated with a neurological condition. The method can further include comparing a patient-specific measure of a characteristic parameter for... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080103553 - Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices: Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient's body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient's skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient's body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080103554 - Systems and methods for medical data interchange via remote command execution: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server, and receiving a command from the medical data... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080103555 - Systems and methods for wireless processing and medical device monitoring activation: One method according to the present invention includes activating a first device in response to an event, receiving data wirelessly from a medical device by the first device, transmitting the data to a second device by the first device, and transmitting the data from the second device to a medical... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080103561 - Apparatus and method for providing a multi-stage light treatment: Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to... Agent: Kevin D. Mccarthy Roach, Brown, Mccarthy & Gruber

20080103562 - Method for regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury using phototherapy: A method of treating spinal cord injury (SCI) includes transcutaneously irradiating at least a portion of a spinal environment of the patient with light having a power density of at least about 0.01 mW/cm2 at the portion of the spinal environment.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080103565 - Method and apparatus for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080103566 - Installation for delivering heat to all or part of human or animal cell tissue: An installation for delivering calories to all or part of human or animal cell tissue via a liquid comprises: a heating unit heating the liquid; an injection unit injecting the liquid into the heating unit; a dispenser for dispensing the heated liquid; and a transporter for transporting the liquid from... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti PC

20080103567 - Heating blanket: Embodiments of the present invention provide a heating blanket that can be secured to the head and at least one arm of a patient while leaving the patient's chest and abdomen remain substantially exposed. The head and arms tend to be excellent heat exchange surfaces. These surfaces can also be... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080103568 - Thermal wrap arrangement for applying heat/cold to the mandibular region of the head: A thermal wrap having identical side portions, each having a pocket formed therein for receiving thermal material such as gel packs. The side portions are connected at the top by at least two independently attached straps, and at the bottom by a singe, relatively wide chin strap to ensure that... Agent: Alfred F. Hoyte, Esq.

20080103569 - Implantable medical elongated member including fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103570 - Implantable medical elongated member including intermediate fixation: An implantable medical elongated member extends between a proximal end configured to be coupled to a medical device and a distal end. The implantable elongated member includes one or more fixation elements coupled to at least a middle portion and/or a proximal portion of the elongated member in order to... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103573 - Implantable medical elongated member including wire-like fixation elements: An implantable medical elongated member, such as a lead or catheter, includes an integrated fixation mechanism that expands upon implantation of the elongated member to fix the elongated member relative to a target tissue site, such as tissue within the epidural region proximate the spine or the sacral foramen or... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103574 - Implantable medical lead including a directional electrode and fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103572 - Implantable medical lead with threaded fixation: The disclosure is directed to securing electrodes of a medical lead adjacent to a target tissue site. The medical lead may include one or more threaded fixation structures disposed circumferentially about the outer surface of the lead body, or elongated member, that resembles a “screw” or “auger.” During implantation, a... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103571 - Medical lead delivery device: The medical lead delivery device combines features of a guidewire and a stylet in order to more easily and quickly deliver a lead to the left ventricle of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103575 - Implantable medical elongated member including balloon fixation element: An implantable elongated member configured to deliver a therapy from a medical device to a target therapy delivery site includes an inflatable balloon fixation element composed at least in part of a biocompatible degradable material. A biocompatible fluid may be delivered to the balloon fixation element via an inflation lumen... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103576 - Implantable medical elongated member including expandable fixation member: An implantable medical elongated member includes at least one expandable fixation member disposed within a recess defined by the elongated member. Upon implantation in a patient, the expandable fixation member expands from a first state to a second state and protrudes past an outer surface of the elongated member, thereby... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103577 - Implantable medical elongated member including a tissue receiving fixation cavity: This disclosure describes techniques for securing an elongated member, such as a medical lead, within a tissue of a patient. In particular, suction is applied from a vacuum to a vacuum cavity located proximate to a distal end of the lead to draw in tissue from the target therapy delivery... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103579 - Implantable medical elongated member with adhesive elements: The disclosure is directed to securing electrodes of a medical lead adjacent to a target tissue site. The medical lead may include at least one adhesive element disposed along a longitudinal outer surface of the lead body to adhere the adjacent tissue to the lead. Adhesive elements may be disposed... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103580 - Implantable medical elongated member with dual purpose conduit: An implanted elongated member, e.g., a medical lead or catheter, includes one or more conduits that are configured to accept a stylet to guide the elongated member during implantation and deliver a solidifying substance to an outer surface of the distal portion of the elongated member via one or more... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103578 - Implantable medical elongated member with in situ formed fixation element: An implanted elongated member, e.g., a medical lead or catheter, includes one or more conduits that deliver a solidifying substance to an outer surface of the distal portion of the elongated member via one or more exit ports. The solidifying substance is cured in situ from moisture in the surrounding... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080097529 - Multi-electrode implantable stimulator device with a single current path decoupling capacitor: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080097531 - Implantable cardiac device with a shock lead: An implantable cardiac device includes a housing (2), pulse generator (7) therein to generate physiologically effective electrical pulses, a shock lead (3), externally of the housing (2), connectable to the pulse generator (7) and implantable into a patient's body to apply physiologically effective electrical pulses to the patient's body, a... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080097532 - Method and apparatus for preventing excessive power drain from an implantable device: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling interrogation of an implantable device such as a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter, or a defibrillator utilizing an external device in a home environment. The method controls how frequently a patient can retrieve status information from the implantable device based on a time... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080097533 - External defibrillator with multiple language prompting: A multilingual defibrillator is capable of concurrently providing audible prompts for the operation of the defibrillator in multiple languages. The defibrillator includes a memory for storing data files representative of audible prompts in a plurality of languages. A controller is coupled to the memory and configured to select data files... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080097534 - Resuscitation system: A resuscitation system includes a chest compression device to repeatedly compress the chest of a patient and thereafter cause or allow the chest to expand. The resuscitation system also includes a defibrillator to apply electric impulses to the heart, a measuring device for measuring at least one characteristics of the... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080097535 - Method and system for reducing cardiac low pressure states: Methods, systems and computer program products for reducing a risk of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) include detecting a first post-defibrillation blood flow of a subject and detecting a second post-defibrillation blood flow of the subject after the first post-defibrillation blood flow. If the first post-defibrillation blood flow of the subject... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080097539 - Method and apparatus for detecting fibrillation using cardiac local impedance: A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system detects tachyarrhythmia using cardiac local impedance indicative of cardiac local wall motion. A cardiac local impedance signal indicative of an impedance of a cardiac region is sensed by using a pair of bipolar electrodes placed in that cardiac region. Tachyarrhythmia such as VF is... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097544 - Dynamic battery management in an implantable device: One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for dynamic battery management in implantable medical devices. An embodiment of the system includes two or more devices for measuring battery capacity for an implantable medical device battery. The embodiment also includes a controller connected to the measuring devices. The controller... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097545 - Method and apparatus for preventing excessive power drain from an implantable device: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling interrogation of an implantable device such as a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter, or a defibrillator utilizing an external device in a home environment. The method controls how frequently a patient can retrieve status information from the implantable device based on a time... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080097554 - Orientation-independent implantable pulse generator: An improved structure for an implantable medical device, such as an implantable pulse generator, is disclosed. The improved device includes a charging coil for wirelessly receiving energy via induction from an external charger. The charging coil in the device is located substantially equidistantly from the two planar sides of the... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080097557 - Method and apparatus for carrying out the controlled heating of tissue in the region of dermis: Implant apparatus and method for effecting a controlled heating of tissue within the region of dermis of skin. The heater implants are configured with a thermally insulative generally flat support functioning as a thermal barrier. One surface of this thermal barrier carries one or more electrodes within a radiofrequency excitable... Agent: Mueller And Smith, Lpa Mueller-smith Building

20080097530 - System for tissue stimulation and regeneration: A system for stimulating tissue to relieve pain and repair and/or regenerate tissue comprising a garment that has an electrode, a programmable electrical stimulation device, a time varying electromagnetic field generator, and a source that provides an electrical current. Also provided is a method wherein the electrode provides the user... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20080097536 - Method and apparatus for adjustment of sequential biventricular pacing parameters: A method and system are disclosed for setting the pacing parameters utilized by an implantable cardiac device in delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy. The system may, in different embodiments, be implemented in programming of the implantable device and an external programmer in communication therewith or in the programming of the implantable... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097537 - Method and system for cardiac signal decomposition: A method and system decomposes a cardiac signal, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, into components. The components are then usable to assist in the detection of an abnormal heart condition. More particularly, a single lead sensor is used to generate a single lead cardiac signal. The cardiac signal is... Agent: William J. Kolegraff

20080097538 - Apparatus and method for spatially and temporally distributing cardiac electrical stimulation: A cardiac electro-stimulatory device and method for operating same in which stimulation pulses are distributed among a plurality of electrodes fixed at different sites of the myocardium in order to reduce myocardial hypertrophy brought about by repeated pacing at a single site and/or increase myocardial contractility. In order to spatially... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097540 - Ecg input to implantable pulse generator using carotid sinus leads: A monitoring device is provided to monitor a patient. The monitoring device includes at least one lead having an electrode. The lead is positioned proximate a location within the patient's body, and the lead is adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity. The monitoring device also includes a control system coupled... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080097541 - Apparatus and method for spatially and temporally distributing cardiac electrical stimulation: A cardiac electro-stimulatory device and method for operating same in which stimulation pulses are distributed among a plurality of electrodes fixed at different sites of the myocardium in order to reduce myocardial hypertrophy brought about by repeated pacing at a single site and/or increase myocardial contractility. In order to spatially... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097542 - Method and apparatus for predicting acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: A method and apparatus for predicting acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is disclosed. The method can comprise measuring a first interval during an intrinsic systolic cycle and measuring a second interval during a stimulated systolic cycle. The acute response can be predicted by comparing the percent change in duration... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097543 - Cardiac rhythm management system and method: A system and method for cardiac rhythm management, which includes an electrode system having at least one electrode and control circuitry coupled to the electrode system from which a first cardiac signal is sensed. The control circuitry includes a pulse circuit to produce electrical pulses at a first value to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080097546 - Electrode and enclosure for cardiac monitoring and treatment: A defibrillator electrode and enclosure are described in which the electrodes are sealed to the inside of a rigid enclosure. The enclosure is hinged to open and expose the electrodes for deployment. The electrode gel is sealed against moisture loss between the moisture impervious electrode backing and the inner surface... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080097547 - Apparatus and method for visual stimulation indication: Methods and devices for verifying that proper visual stimulation is applied to the visual prostheses are described. In one of the methods, a retinal stimulation system implanted on a subject is simulated externally. An external testing device is also discussed.... Agent: Tomas Lendvai, Ph.d. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080097548 - Visual prosthesis: A visual prosthesis apparatus and a method for limiting power consumption in a visual prosthesis apparatus. The visual prosthesis apparatus comprises a camera for capturing a video image, a video processing unit associated with the camera, the video processing unit configured to convert the video image to stimulation patterns, and... Agent: Tomas Lendvai Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080097549 - Electrode assembly and method of using same: An electrode assembly for delivering electrical stimulation to a vestibular system of a user or monitoring a physiological parameter of the user. The apparatus includes a body member comprising an electrode support portion and a curved portion extending from the electrode support portion, and an electrode coupled to the electrode... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20080097550 - Systems and methods for remote patient monitoring and command execution: A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition, and transmitting a command. Commands can be used for the authentication, configuration, and... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080097553 - Methods and systems for semi-automatic adjustment of medical monitoring and treatment: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient... Agent: John, Michael Sasha

20080097552 - Systems and methods for medical data interchange using mobile computing devices: A method according to the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device by a mobile computing device, where the wired connection includes an adapter that communicates with the mobile computing device using a first communication format and the medical device using a second communication... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080097551 - Systems and methods for storage and forwarding of medical data: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, storing the data, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, and formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server. This method can be... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080097555 - Inductive repeater coil for an implantable device: The present invention is a power and data transmission system for an implantable device. In particular, it is an inductive system with a passive repeater coil pair to improve efficiency of the device.... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080097556 - Sensory system: A device for sensing and communicating nerve cell endings and neural signals, the device comprising: at least one neural bridge device; at least one neural bridge switch, wherein each neural bridge switch is an implanted integrated circuit and is connected to at least one neural bridge device; at least one... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, PLLC

20080097558 - Method and apparatus for carrying out the controlled heating of dermis and vascular tissue: Method, system and apparatus for carrying out a controlled heating of tissue in the region of skin dermis. A quasi-bipolar arrangement of wands or implants carrying multi-segmented active electrodes, temperature sensing and wand location LEDs as combined with a return electrode and heat sink function. Radiofrequency energization of the active... Agent: Mueller And Smith, Lpa Mueller-smith Building

20080097559 - Method and apparatus for carrying out the controlled heating of dermis and vascular tissue: Method for effecting a controlled heating of tissue within the region of dermis which employs heater implants which are configured with a thermally insulative generally flat support functioning as a thermal barrier. From the surface of this thermal barrier are supported one or more electrodes within a radiofrequency excitable circuit... Agent: Mueller And Smith, Lpa Mueller-smith Building

20080097560 - Adjustable thermal cap: A thermal cap that can fit a variety of head sizes is disclosed. The cap can include a shell having a fluid inlet and outlet, a sealing mechanism and removable sizing layers disposed within the shell. Depending upon the size of a patient's head, sizing layers can either be added... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080097561 - Dual cycle thermal system and method of use: Various types of body heating or cooling devices are described in the present disclosure. Such devices, and associated methods, can utilize two separated thermal transfer fluids to promote heating or cooling of a body part. For example, a cooling cap can include a rigid shell and a flexible seal that... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080097563 - Device for circulating heated fluid: A system for ablating tissue includes a reusable control unit including a processor monitoring and controlling ablation and a control interface receiving input to and output from the processor in combination with a disposable procedure set releasably connectable to the control unit to couple to the control interface for communication... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080097562 - System for chemohyperthermia treatment: The present invention provides a system for chemohyperthermia treatment. The chemohyperthermia treatment system comprises a reservoir for storing fluid; a heating/cooling system coupled to the reservoir so that the fluid can be transferred from the reservoir to the heating system, wherein the heating/cooling system comprises a heating/cooling exchange module having... Agent: Lawrence Y.d. Ho & Associates Pte Ltd

20080097564 - Electrotherapeutic device: This invention relates to an electrotherapeutic device useful for treating a variety of aspects associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The device is a TENS-like unit that is miniaturized, comfortable and unobtrusive, thereby allowing for unencumbered performance of daily activities. The device houses an electronic circuit comprising optimally placed electrodes and... Agent: Catalyst Law Group, Apc

20080097565 - Neural bridge gateway and calibrator: A device for communicating data between at least one of nerve cell endings, transducers and attachments the device comprising: at least one programmable neural bridge device; at least one programmable neural bridge switch, wherein each programmable neural bridge switch is an implanted integrated circuit and is connected to at least... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, PLLC

20080097566 - Focused segmented electrode: The present invention provides significantly improved electrode structures, including segmented electrode structures, which are able to deliver highly focused energy to tissue when implanted into a patient. Embodiments of the invention include focused segmented electrodes. Also provided are leads that include the focused segmented electrodes, implantable pulse generators that include... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (proteus Biomedical, Inc)

20080097567 - Cardiac lead having self-expanding fixation features: A cardiac lead for placement in the vicinity of a patient's heart is described. The lead includes a self-expanding fixation mechanism, which in a retracted position, is contained within a cavity disposed at a distal end of the lead. In an expanded position, the fixation mechanism extends axially from the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080091238 - Electrochemical compensation oscillator for the biological protection of living organism: P

20080091239 - Cardiac assist device and method using epicardially placed microphone: In a cardiac assist device and method, a microphone is placed in contact with the epicardium of the heart of a patient, and heart and lung sounds are simultaneously detected at the placement location of the microphone. The heart and lung sounds are automatically analyzed to set an appropriate cardiac... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080091243 - Electrical energy delivery tissue site validation: Electrical energy delivery tissue site validation systems and methods can determine an indication of a tissue type at a tissue site. This information can be used to enable or inhibit electrical energy delivery to the tissue site. The tissue type at the tissue site can be determined such as by... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080091244 - Pacemaker: A system for pacing a heart includes an implantable pulse generator configured to generate electrical impulses for stimulating contraction of cardiac tissue; first, second, third, and fourth leads configured to deliver the electrical impulses to activation sites within the cardiac tissue and to detect electrical activity of the activation sites;... Agent: Trego, Hines & Ladenheim, PLLC

20080091246 - Implantable pulse generator with a stacked capacitor, battery, and electronics: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an implantable medical device which includes a first power source comprising a first plurality of substantially planar electrodes, the first power source including at least a first power source face, an electronics module including a first substantially planar electronics face, and a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080091248 - Percutaneous neurostimulator for modulating cardiovascular function: A neurostimulation device includes an external neurostimulator worn by a patient using a bracing element that braces a portion of the patient's body. The external neurostimulator delivers neurostimulation to modulate a cardiovascular function of the patient. In one embodiment, the external stimulator delivers neurostimulation percutaneously to a stimulation target in... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080091249 - Photobiomodulation apparatus with enhanced performance and safety features: A photobiomodulation apparatus providing precise light intensity, light dosage, and tissue temperature control so as to enhance the safety of the photobiomodulation treatment process and improve the comfort level of the patient.... Agent: Bwt Property, Inc.

20080091240 - Parasympathetic stimulation for treating ventricular arrhythmia: Apparatus is provided including an implantable sensor, adapted to sense an electrical parameter of a heart of a subject, and a first control unit, adapted to apply pulses to the heart responsively to the sensed parameter, the pulses selected from the list consisting of: pacing pulses and anti-arrhythmic energy. The... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080091241 - Vagal stimulation for cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: Apparatus (20) for treating a subject (30) suffering from spontaneous atrial fibrillation includes an electrode device (22), adapted to be coupled to a site of the subject (30) selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve (24) of the subject (30), an epicardial fat pad of the subject (30),... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080091242 - Subcutaneous cardiac sensing and stimulation system employing blood sensor: Cardiac systems and methods using ECG and blood information for arrhythmia detection and discrimination. Detection circuitry is configured to produce an ECG. An implantable blood sensor configured to produce a blood sensor signal is coupled to a processor. The processor is coupled to the detection and energy delivery circuitry, and... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20080091245 - Combined parasympathetic stimulation and cardiac pacing: Apparatus for treating a subject suffering from spontaneous atrial fibrillation includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply an electrical current to the vagus nerve, and to configure the current to... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080091247 - System, apparatus, and method for facilitating interface with laryngeal structures: A system and method of positioning an interface element for interfacing with laryngeal structures in a subject such as for diagnosis or treatment of a laryngeal impairment is presented. Illustratively, a curved hollow needle system is inserted into a subperichondral space beneath posterior cricoarytenoid muscle from the larynx. The curved... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080091250 - Light therapy desk lamp: A light emitting diode (LED) light therapy desk lamp device is disclosed. The light therapy desk lamp device may be used in the treatment of various conditions. The light therapy device may include multi-color LEDs for emitting a broad-spectrum non-therapeutic light and at least one narrow-spectrum therapeutic light. The light... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080091251 - Methods and apparatus for providing a skin treatment device on a pay-per-use basis: Methods and apparatus for providing a skin treatment device on a pay-per-use basis are disclosed. Generally, a wholesaler supplies an LED skin treatment device to a retailer. The retailer pays the wholesaler on a per use basis, which is regulated by a digital key, such as a smart card attached... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

20080091252 - Method for treating intervertebral disc: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080091253 - Catheter system with on-board temperature probe: A catheter system for controlling the body temperature of a patient by modifying the temperature of blood flowing within a blood vessel of the patient. The catheter system comprises a catheter body having a heat exchange region in contact with the blood; and a temperature probe having a distal end... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080091254 - Healthcare device: Apparatus and method for addressing and alleviating health problems by applying pulse stimulation via electrode attached to the hand at specific point located along the second metacarpal bone of the hand linking with the index finger. The method includes an apparatus, a system and a scheme to identify the treatment... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.A.

20080091255 - Implantable neurostimulator for modulating cardiovascular function: An implantable medical device includes an implantable capsule housing a circuit that delivers neurostimulation to modulate one or more cardiovascular functions. To limit displacement after implantation, a fixation device is coupled to the implantable capsule to fix the miniature implantable medical device to a position in the body of a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080091256 - Transcutaneous neurostimulator for modulating cardiovascular function: A neurostimulation device includes an external neurostimulator worn by a patient using a bracing element that braces a portion of the patient's body. The external neurostimulator delivers neurostimulation to modulate a cardiovascular function of the patient. In one embodiment, the external stimulator delivers the neurostimulation transcutaneously to a stimulation target... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.