Medtronic announced today the FDA approval of its new Viva® portfolio of cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation (CRT-D) devices, and the Evera® portfolio of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). According to the press release: “The Viva CRT-D significantly improves response rate to the therapy for many indicated heart failure patients, with a demonstrated 21 percent reduction in overall
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Medtronic’s Fully Implantable Percutaneous Nerve Stimulation (PNS) System for Treatment of Lower Back Pain
In May 2011 Medtronic received the CE Mark for the first 16-electrode, fully implantable system for the percutaneous delivery of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) in the management of chronic back pain. PNS involves an implant of electrical leads just under the skin of the lower back. These leads are connected to a stimulator which delivers
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Medtronic Introduces First Neuromodulation Systems Compatible with Full-Body MRI
Medtronic has introduced in Europe the first and only implantable neurostimulation systems indicated for use in the treatment of chronic back and/or leg pain that are designed for full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans under specific conditions. Medtronic SureScan neurostimulation systems include enhancements to existing devices as well as specially designed leads to reduce or
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Functional Neuromodulation Ltd. Starts Study using DBS of the Fornix (DBS-f) for Mild Alzheimer’s
Toronto-based Functional Neuromodulation announced that it implanted the first U.S. Alzheimer’s patient in the “ADvance Study” with a deep brain stimulation (DBS) system meant to improve cognitive performance. ADvance will evaluate the safety and potential clinical benefit of DBS of the fornix (DBS-f), a major inflow and output pathway in the brain’s memory circuit, for
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Medtronic Receives CE Mark for CapSure Sense MRI™ SureScan® Pacing Leads
Medtronic today announced the receipt of CE Mark and launch of the CapSure Sense MRI™ SureScan® pacing leads, which are approved for use during MRI procedures. The newly approved leads are the smallest MR–Conditional leads available in the world with a 5.3 French isodiametric lead body. The new leads are passive-fixation leads. Previously approved Medtronic MR–Conditional leads
DF-4 Connectors for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Enter Use in the US
The DF-4 Connector was recently introduced by a joint group of CRM companies, physicians, and regulatory agencies as a way of easing the implant of ICDs by reducing defibrillation connections from three to one and by minimizing the number of set screws. Prior to the development of the DF-4, traditional high-voltage connector systems required up to three connections.
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Medtronic’s Chronicle Implantable Hemodynamic Monitor for Heart Failure Monitoring
Image Credit: Medtronic The Medtronic Chronicle implantable hemodynamic monitor used a specialized RV lead/sensor. The device was able to monitor and telemeter: Systolic and diastolic pressure Estimated pulmonary artery diastolic pressure RV dp/dt (positive & negative) Heart rate & activity Core body temperature Continuous remote monitoring
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NDI Medical’s Miniature MicroPulse Neurostimulator
Image Credit: SPR Therapeutics NDI Medical was founded in 2002 by Geoffrey B. Thrope to develop and commercialize neurodevice products. NDI Medical developed the MicroPulse neurostimulator, a thumb-sized, rechargeable pulse generator, that has been used for the treatment of incontinence and pain, as well as an implantable device for the restoration of function of paralyzed limbs. According to a 2006
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Medtronic’s Leadless Pacemakers
Medtronic announced at TEDMED 2010 that it is working on leadless pacemakers. Dr. Stephen Osterle, senior vice president of medicine and technology and member of Medtronic’s Executive Management Team, unveiled the device. Osterle said that physicians will be able to control the device with a smart phone.
Nanostim’s Leadless Pacemaker
Nanostim is an early-stage AIMD company in Milpitas, CA that is developing a pacemaker that can be implanted inside the heart through a catheter. The tiny device is attached directly to the heart, eliminating the need for leads. In May 2011 Nanostim announced that St. Jude Medical had made a substantial investment in the company. The company is operating in
Medtronic’s Atomic Pacemaker (early 1970′s)
In the late 1960s Medtronic – today the largest manufacturer of implantable medical devices in the world – teamed up with Alcatel, a French company, to design a nuclear-powered pacemaker. The first human implant of the device took place in Paris in 1970. The nuclear battery in the Medtronic device used a tiny 2.5 Ci
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Transneuronix Transcend IPG for Obesity Treatment
Transneuronix, Inc. was founded in 1995 and was based in Mount Arlington, New Jersey. It was acquired by Medtronic in 2005. Before its acqusition by Medtronic, Transneuronix developed the Transcend, an implantable gastric stimulator device for the treatment of obesity by electrical stimulation of the stomach. Later, Medtronic developed the Transcend II IPG.
Development and Test of MRI-Safe Implantable Devices
The November issue of Evaluation Engineering carried an article by Tom Lecklider on the amount of work invested by Medtronic to develop and test the Revo MRI pacemaker system. The article is available on-line at Evaluation Engineering (Click here for direct link to the November 2011 issue).
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