A blog about what is new (and old) in the world of active implantable medical devices

Monthly Archives: April 2025

Impulse Dynamics®’ INTEGRA-D Trial Completes Efficacy Phase for CCM-D System

Posted on by Posted in Bradycardia, Cardiac Contractility Modulation, Cardiac Pacing, Cardioversion/Defibrillation, Heart Failure (CHF), Impulse Dynamics, My Portfolio, Tachycardia
Impulse Dynamics OPTIMIZER Integra CCM-D IPG

Image credit: Impulse Dynamics Note: The OPTIMIZER Integra CCM-D System is an investigational device. It is not available for sale in the United States.

Yesterday, Dr. Niraj Varma, on behalf of the INTEGRA-D investigators, presented data for the efficacy phase of the clinical trial of the combined Cardiac Contractility Modulation/Defibrillator System (OPTIMIZER Integra CCM-D). The results were presented at a late-breaking clinical trial session at the 2025 Heart Rhythm conference in San Diego, CA.

This is a very important step for Impulse Dynamics – the company for which I serve as CTO and Executive VP – towards bringing to market a single device which combines our proprietary CCM therapy for the treatment of HF symptoms with implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy.

In the trial, the OPTIMIZER Integra CCM-D device successfully converted 100% of ventricular fibrillation (VF) induced in 100 consecutive patients, meeting the primary efficacy endpoint.  The Company’s press release is available here.

Note: The OPTIMIZER Integra CCM-D System is an investigational device. It is not available for sale in the United States.

The History of Pacing and EP: Meeting the Legendary Dr. James Ong at HRS 2025

Posted on by Posted in History, Museum

David Prutchi PhD and James Ong MD at HRS 2025 in San Diego

At HRS 2025, I had the great pleasure and honor of meeting a true legend in our field — Dr. James Ong, a fellow cardiac rhythm management (CRM) device history enthusiast and collector.

James brought along highlights from his extensive collection, carefully curated to showcase true milestones in our industry’s evolution. His passion for preserving the history of CRM was on full display through these rare and important artifacts.

In addition to sharing his collection, James and Dr. Igor Efimov organized a remarkable four-hour session titled “Neverending Conversation: A History of HRS and the Field of Electrophysiology.” This session brought together 16 pioneering experts who were on the ground floor when the foundations for modern electrophysiology was being laid.

Preserving and teaching the history of our field is critically important. Many of today’s cutting-edge innovations — such as leadless pacemakers and physiologic pacing — were first proposed and investigated decades ago. Only now do we have the technology to turn those early visions into practical reality. Likewise, many “modern” ideas that are being re-explored today were previously discredited, and a deeper understanding of the past could save precious time, effort, and funding for today’s physicians, engineers, and investors.

Pacemaker collection brought by James Ong MD to HRS 2025