Abstract: An illustrative stiffening member includes a body configured to integrate with a portion of an electrode lead so as to maintain the portion of the electrode lead in a substantially linear configuration in an absence of a flexure force. The stiffening member includes a plurality of slots distributed along the body and configured to bias the body, in a presence of the flexure force, to flex inwardly on a first side of the body that is closer to electrodes of the electrode lead than is a second side opposite the first side. The stiffening member also includes an orientation retainer coupled to the body and configured to interface with the electrode lead to maintain, while the body is integrated with the portion of the electrode lead, the first side of the body closer to the electrodes than the second side of the body.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for addressing a patient's sleep apnea. At least some embodiments include an electrode array and a controller. The electrode array can include one or more electrodes and can be configured to be implanted at least proximate to a target tissue of the patient in an orientation, with at least a vector component of the orientation aligned along an inferior-superior axis of the patient. The controller can be communicatively coupled to the electrode array and include one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of the controller, cause the controller to direct an electrical signal to be delivered by the electrode array to the target tissue.

Abstract: Provided is an intraesophageal electrostimulator configured so that other medical tools can also be easily inserted into an esophagus and misalignment in the esophagus can be reduced. An intraesophageal electrostimulator 100 includes a stimulator body 101, stimulating electrodes 111, 112, and power feed lines 113, 114. The stimulator body 101 is formed, in order to insert the stimulator body 101 into an esophagus S, in an elongated flat plate shape with flexibility in a longitudinal direction. The stimulator body 101 includes a first flat plate member 102, a second flat plate member 103, and an exterior body 104. On one plate surface of the first flat plate member 102, each of the stimulating electrodes 111, 112 is provided so as to protrude from the plate surface. The second flat plate member 103 overlaps with the other plate surface of the first flat plate member 102 such that the second flat plate member 103 and the first flat plate member 102 sandwich the power feed lines 113, 114.

Abstract: A method of using an electrode array to deliver tumor treating electric fields to a patient including the steps of: placing a plurality of electrode elements in optimized locations on the patient, each of the electrode elements being independently programmable, the optimized locations are optimized relative to a target area wherein at least one tumor is located; programming a control device with a frequency range, a firing configuration and a firing sequence for the plurality of electrode elements; and generating electrical signals in the frequency range, the electrical signals being directed to at least two of the plurality of electrode elements in a sequence determined by the firing sequence.

Abstract: An airway cardioverter-defibrillating system comprises a conductive Nano-balloon inserted to an airway tube. The airway cardioverter-defibrillating system functions either with unipolar or bipolar circuit configuration. The system is operatively arranged to supply safe continuous defibrillation pulses directly to the heart with simultaneous continuous external cardiac massage. The system also provides ventilation.

Abstract: An animated electrophysiology map is generated from a plurality of data points, each including measured electrophysiology information, location information, and timing information. The electrophysiology and location information can be used to generate the electrophysiology map, such as a local activation time, peak-to-peak voltage, or fractionation map. Animated timing markers can be superimposed upon the electrophysiology map using the electrophysiology, location, and timing information. For example a series of frames can be displayed sequentially, each including a static image of the electrophysiology map at a point in time and timing markers corresponding to the state or position of an activation wavefront at the point in time superimposed thereon. The visibility or opacity of the timing markers can be adjusted from frame to frame, dependent upon a distance between the timing marker and the activation wavefront, to give the illusion that the timing markers are moving along the electrophysiology map.

Abstract: The epicardial pacing system and related method includes an epicardial catheter configured to be disposed in the middle mediastinum of the thorax of a subject for use in electrical pacing of the heart at one or more locations on the epicardial surface. The epicardial pacing catheter may include at least one electrode whereby the electrode is insulated on at least one side to allow pacing of the heart without damage to adjacent anatomical structures.

Abstract: The device, such as an autonomous cardiac implant of the leadless capsule type, has a device body with a means for its anchoring to a patient's organ wall. The anchoring means includes a screw with a helix wire wound into a plurality of non-contiguous turns, the screw having a clamped end integral with the front face of the device body and a free end with a beveled end defined by at least one oblique surface. The normal to the oblique surface of the beveled end is directed away from the front face, in such a way that the oblique surface is directed towards the patient's organ wall. The normal to the oblique surface forms an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to the helix axis, and the screw is elastically deformable in axial compression, with a stiffness coefficient of at most 5 N/mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental instruments having video capabilities. Specifically, the present invention relates to a dental instrument having a video camera for viewing a user's or patient's mouth when utilizing the dental instrument. More specifically, the dental instrument provides video output to a wireless device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer or other like computer. Methods of using the same are further provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems can facilitate identifying effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters, as well as determining whether to use cathodic and anodic stimulation. Alternately, the methods and systems may identify effective electrodes and other stimulation parameters based on preferential stimulation of different types of neural elements. These methods and systems can further facilitate programming an electrical stimulation system for stimulating patient tissue.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD), for electrical stimulation of a tissue includes a light source, lodged in an encapsulation unit, for delivering optical energy pulses of optical power (Popt). A stimulation optical fibre for transferring optical energy from the light source of the encapsulation unit to the tissue coupling unit is also provided. The tissue coupling unit is configured for being coupled to a tissue to be electrically stimulated by electrodes (65) belonging to an electrical circuit. The PV-unit includes Us units arranged in series, each unit having Pp photovoltaic cells (PV-cells) arranged in parallel. Us and Pp, ?N, and Us×Pp=N=constant. The electrical circuit includes switches configured for varying the values of Us and alternatively or concomitantly, the light source is an addressable optical emitters array.

Abstract: A method comprises operably coupling a surgical instrument to a first connector port of a plurality of connector ports of a flux supply unit. The method further comprises, in response to operably coupling the surgical instrument, altering an appearance of a first graphical user interface section of a plurality of graphical user interface sections presented on a display, each of the plurality of graphical user interface sections being aligned with a differing connector port of the plurality of connector ports.

Abstract: A muscle-stimulating waist trainer is an apparatus that strengthens and tones abdominal muscles. The apparatus includes a piece of athletic wear, a plurality of muscle-stimulation pads, a pair of conductive snaps, and a controller unit. The piece of athletic wear covers and compresses the body of a user. The piece of athletic wear positioned the plurality of muscle-stimulation pads against a desired muscle group. The piece of athletic wear may be, but is not limited to, a pair of athletic pants, a waistband, and an arm sleeve. The plurality of muscle-stimulation pads stimulates the desired muscle group, promoting increased tension for the desired muscle group and a toned physique after prolonged use. The pair of conductive snaps mounts the controller unit onto the piece of athletic wear and transmits the current from the controller unit through the athletic wear, and to the plurality of muscle-stimulation pads.

Abstract: The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.

Abstract: Examples of implantable medical leads or implantable medical systems with implantable medical leads to be anchored to a sacrum are disclosed. The implantable medical leads include a lead body having a distal portion. A fixation mechanism is coupled to the distal portion. An electrode array is mechanically coupled to the fixation mechanism. In one example, the electrode array is directly coupled to the fixation mechanism. The electrode array is electrically coupled to the lead body and configured to generate a stimulation field. The fixation mechanism is configured to anchor the implantable medical lead to a sacrum and effect the stimulation field in a foramen of the sacrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A titration process is used to gradually increase the stimulation intensity to a desired therapeutic level. This titration process can minimize the amount of time required to complete titration so as to begin delivery of the stimulation at therapeutically desirable levels.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing biological signals. In one implementation, a method includes receiving a cardiac biological signal that includes information describing events, determining a merit of each event based on one or more of a severity of a cardiac condition associated with the event and a quality of the event, and handling a subset of the events that meet a merit criterion. The subset can be handled for medical purposes.

Abstract: A method of using a medical device to take multiple electrocardiograms (ECG) and, if needed, to be converted into an automated external defibrillator (AED). The medical device is configured to take the ECG without deploying any AED electrode pad and, if convenient, to be held by a person so that the person can simply put fingers from both hands on two contacts to take the ECG. Alternatively, the two contacts may be placed on the person's bare skin. The medical device is configured to separate into two components: An AED body and a cartridge. A computer for viewing the ECG may be built into the medical device or may be connected to the medical device. Conversion of the medical device to an AED occurs by removing a first AED electrode pad and a second AED electrode pad from a flattened and stacked arrangement within the cartridge.

Abstract: Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices may include a high voltage capacitor (HV Cap) configured to store energy required to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient; batteries configured to charge the HV Cap; a DC/DC converter circuit including a high voltage transformer, a FET switch with associated driver, and a rectifying diode; an H-bridge circuit configured to transform energy released from the HV Cap into a bi-phasic pulse; and a memory and microprocessor configured to operate the AED device. In particular, the HV Cap, the DC/DC converter circuit, the H-bridge circuit, the one or more batteries, and the memory and the microprocessor may contained in a pocket-sized housing, the AED device may be configured to continuously monitor and adjust the rate at which the batteries charge the HV Cap, and the AED device may include a variable frequency relaxation oscillator circuit configured to acquire a patients Z-body measurement.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element and an electrode mounted on a resilient scaffold, is described. The fixation element and the resilient scaffold are coupled to a housing of the biostimulator. The resilient scaffold can support the electrode against a target tissue at a location that is radially offset from a location where the fixation element anchors the housing to the target tissue. A flexibility of the resilient scaffold allows the electrode to conform to a shape and movement of the target tissue when the housing is rigidly fixed to the target tissue by the fixation element. The resiliently supported electrode that is radially offset from the anchor point can reliably pace the target tissue without piercing the target tissue. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.