Abstract: A wearable heart rate monitoring device includes an optical sensor configured to translate test light reflected from a wearer of the wearable heart rate monitoring device into a machine-readable heart rate signal. The wearable heart rate monitoring device also includes a motion sensor configured to translate motion of the wearable heart rate monitoring device into a machine-readable motion signal. The wearable heart rate monitoring device also includes a heart rate reporting machine, configured to determine a type of activity currently being performed by the wearer of the wearable heart rate monitoring device based at least in part on the machine-readable motion signal, and output an estimated heart rate based on at least the machine-readable heart rate signal and the type of activity.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. A brain stimulator, preferably a deep brain stimulator, stimulates the brain in response to neural recordings in a closed feedback loop. The device is advantageous in providing neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders such as chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, or similar disorders.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless exercise monitoring system for interactively monitoring an aspect of exercise, sports, or fitness utilizing a wearable device, such as a watch, eyewear, or smart apparel. The device is equipped with, or connected to, a digital camera. Sensors integrated with, or wirelessly connected to, the wearable internet device record physiological data during exercise and data measuring the amount of exercise performed. The data and visual images from the camera are transmitted to one or more internet servers, and may be shared with other mobile internet devices.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.

Abstract: A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.

Abstract: A surgical tool is disclosed. The surgical tool has a tool mounting portion having a tool mounting housing, a tool mounting plate, and a coupler to couple a shaft assembly having an articulation section to the tool mounting portion. An articulation mechanism is located within the tool mounting portion and is configured to receive a proximal end of the shaft assembly to articulate the articulation section of the shaft assembly. The articulation mechanism has a cam mechanism operative to articulate the articulation section of the shaft assembly. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the tool mounting portion to a manipulator.

Abstract: In electrically stimulating neural tissue it is important to prevent over stimulation and unbalanced stimulation which would cause damage to the neural tissue, the electrode, or both. It is critical that neural tissue in not subjected to any direct current or alternating current above a safe threshold. Further, it is important to identify defective electrodes as continued use may result in neural and further electrode damage. The present invention presents system and stimulator control mechanisms to prevent damage to neural tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors are disclosed having angled tissue-contacting surfaces. The end effectors may have a first jaw member that is movable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw member may have a first positively-angled tissue-contacting surface. The second jaw member may have a second positively-angled tissue-contacting surface. At least one of the jaw members may have at least one active electrode configured to deliver RF energy to tissue located between the first jaw member and the second jaw member when in the closed position.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example method may include a method for treating a patient having congestive heart failure. The method may include positioning an expandable balloon in a renal artery of the patient. The expandable balloon may include a plurality of electrode assemblies. At least some of the electrode assemblies each may include at least two bipolar electrode pairs. The two bipolar electrode pairs may be longitudinally and circumferentially offset from one another. The method may also include expanding the balloon in the renal artery such that at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs are electrically coupled to a wall of the renal artery and energizing at least some of the bipolar electrode pairs so as to therapeutically alter at least one nerve proximate the renal artery to treat the patient's congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A system is provided for driving an implantable neurostimulator lead, the lead having an associated plurality of electrodes disposed in at least one array on the lead. The system comprises an implantable pulse generator (IPG), the IPG including an electrode driver, a load system for determining load requirements, an IPG power coupler, and an IPG communication system. The system also includes an external unit, which includes an external variable power generator, an external power coupler, an external communication system, and a controller for varying the power level of the variable power generator.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating nasal airways are provided. Such devices and methods may improve airflow through an internal and/or external nasal valve, and comprise the use of mechanical re-shaping, energy application and other treatments to modify the shape, structure, and/or air flow characteristics of an internal nasal valve, an external nasal valve or other nasal airways.

Abstract: A method for subcutaneously treating pain in a patient includes first providing a neurostimulator with an IPG body and at least a primary integral lead with electrodes disposed thereon. A primary incision is opened to expose the subcutaneous region below the dermis in a selected portion of the body. A pocket is then opened for the IPG through the primary incision and the primary integral lead is inserted through the primary incision and routed subcutaneously to a first desired nerve region along a first desired path. The IPG is disposed in the pocket through the primary incision. The primary incision is then closed and the IPG and the electrodes activated to provide localized stimulation to the desired nerve region and at least one of the nerves associated therewith to achieve a desired pain reduction response from the patient.

Abstract: A diagnostic instrument comprises a monochromatic light source, transmission means to transmit light from the light source to a test site, collection means to transmit scattered light from the test site, and spectral analysis apparatus to receive light from the collection means, the spectral analysis apparatus comprising a diffraction grating having a first grating element and a second grating element, wherein the first grating element diffracts light within a first wavelength range and the second grating element diffracts light within a second wavelength range, the spectral analysis apparatus further comprising a light-sensing apparatus, the first grating element arranged to diffract light onto a first area of the light-sensing apparatus and the second grating element arranged to diffract light onto a second area of the light-sensing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A system including an ambulatory medical treatment device is provided. The ambulatory medical treatment device includes a memory, a treatment component configured to treat a patient, at least one processor coupled to the memory and the treatment component, a user interface component, and a system interface component. The user interface component is configured to receive an update session request and to generate the update session identifier responsive to receiving the request. The system interface component is configured to receive an encoded request including an identifier of an update session and device update information, to decode the encoded request to generate a decoded request including the device update information and the identifier of the update session, to validate the decoded request by determining that the update session identifier matches the identifier of the update session, and to apply the device update information to the ambulatory medical treatment device.

Abstract: The intracardiac pumping device has a pump (11) connected at its distal end (13) to a canula (15). At the distal end, the canula (15) has a suction head (16) for drawing blood. The suction head is extended by a non-sucking projection (20). The projection stabilizes the position of the pumping device in the heart. It extends the canula (15) mechanically without degrading the hydraulic conditions. It also serves as a spacer to prevent the suction head (16) from adhering to a wall of the heart.

Abstract: An external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device and charging techniques are disclosed. Simulation data is used to model the power dissipation of the charging circuitry in the implant at varying levels of implant power. A power dissipation limit constrains the charging circuitry from producing an inordinate amount of heat to the tissue surrounding the implant, and duty cycles of a charging field are determined so as not to exceed that limit. A maximum simulated average battery current determines the optimal (i.e., quickest) battery charging current, and at least an optimal value for a parameter indicative of that current is determined and stored in the external charger. During charging, the actual value for that parameter is determined, and the intensity and/or duty cycle of the charging field are adjusted to ensure that charging is as fast as possible, while still not exceeding the power dissipation limit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of assessing a stress condition of a subject (106) includes receiving (302), as input, a heartbeat record (200) of the subject. The heartbeat record comprises a sequence of heartbeat data samples obtained over a time span which includes a pre-sleep period (208), a sleep period (209) having a sleep onset time (224) and a sleep conclusion time (226), and a post-sleep period (210). At least the sleep onset time and the sleep conclusion time are identified (304) within the heartbeat record. A knowledge base (124) is then accessed (306), which comprises data obtained via expert evaluation of a training set of subjects and which embodies a computational model of a relationship between stress condition and heart rate characteristics. Using information in the knowledge base, the computational model is applied (308) to compute at least one metric associated with the stress condition of the subject, and to generate an indication of stress condition based upon the metric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pulse wave velocity measurement method and system as well as an imaging device available for everyday use by general users at low cost with measurement accuracy less affected by posture or the like. The present invention simultaneously images different parts of a human body in a non-contact state by a single visible light camera and acquires continuous time series image data. Then, the present invention detects each pulse wave from the image data in the different parts of the human body based on a temporal change in pixel value of the different parts of the human body, and then calculates a pulse wave velocity of the human body based on a time difference between the pulse waves in the different parts of the human body.