Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, a sensing array and a fluid detection circuit. The sensing array is positioned within the shaft. The fluid detection circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing array, and is configured to determine when a fluid originating from an environment external to the shaft is present within the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided to predict or diagnose an ischemic event, such as a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A machine-learning model such as a neural network is generated that allows for recognition of an ECG consistent with an ischemic event. A system is trained and used to process a recording of ECG data from a patient to generate a prediction indicating a likelihood that the patient will experience a stroke. In other examples, a system is trained and used to process a recording of ECG data from a patient and detect an ischemic event for the patient who did not appear to have such an ischemic event.

Abstract: A visual implant (2) comprises an array of micro-electrodes (4) including at least two stimulation micro-electrodes each comprising: a core (106) of conducting material; insulating material (108) surrounding the core; and a layer (112) of metal or metal oxide nano-structures deposited on tips of the micro-electrodes at a front end for interfacing with a target site for visual stimulation; and an integrated circuit (6) to control a pattern of stimulation current driven through the array of micro-electrodes.

Abstract: We report a method of automatically titrating an electrical therapy administered to a patient by an implanted medical device to a target dosage, comprising programming the medical device with a programmed electrical therapy comprising a first target value for a first therapy parameter; programming at least one titration parameter for automatically adjusting the first therapy parameter from a first value to the first target value over a titration time period initiating the electrical therapy, wherein the first therapy parameter comprises said first value; and automatically titrating the electrical therapy by making a plurality of adjustments to the value of the first therapy parameter, whereby the first electrical therapy parameter is changed from the first value to the first target value according to a titration function. We also report a medical device system configured to implement the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring patients with a chronic disease such as heart failure are disclosed. The system may include a physiological sensor circuit to sense physiological signals and generate signal metrics from the physiological signals. The system may include a health status analyzer circuit to use the signal metrics to generate one or more stability indicators of patient health status, such as stability of heart failure status. The system may additionally generate one or more health status indicators indicating patient health status such as heart failure progression. A patient disposition decision may be generated using the health status indicators and the stability indicators to provide an indication of readiness for patient discharge from or a risk of admission to a hospital.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The implantable medical device is placeable on cardiac tissue in the region of the distal end. An anchoring device is fixedly attached to the housing in the region of the distal end. The anchoring device includes at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is disposed on the housing. The at least one anchoring member longitudinally extends between the first end and the second end along an axis of extension and is formed by a flat strip which is twisted by a twist angle about the axis of extension between the first end and the second end. A method for manufacturing an implantable medical device is also provided.

Abstract: An example of a medical device management system is described that includes a central server configured to remotely manage protocol updates according to medical device servicing groupings and a protocol database and that includes a plurality of medical devices comprising rescue scene devices and one or more of defibrillators and defibrillator/monitors. The rescue scene devices include at least one of a ventilation unit including an airflow sensor and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device configured to identify a vertical displacement of a patient's chest caused by CPR compressions. The plurality of medical devices is associated with a respective medical device servicing group and is configured to communicatively couple with the central server, download a new or updated protocol associated with the respective medical device servicing group from the protocol database, and modify a medical device configuration according to the downloaded new or updated protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating a user, the system comprising: a set of pads configured at head regions of the user; a band having a first end coupled to a first pad of the set of pads and a second end coupled to a second pad of the set of pads; a bridge coupled the band and to an electrode during use; and a set of links, each link coupled at a first region to an interior portion of its corresponding pad, and coupled at a second region to the bridge, having an elastic modulus above a threshold modulus such that: in a first mode, displacement of the set of pads produces displacement of the electrode away from the head region of the user, and in a second mode, release of the set of pads orients protrusions of the electrode approximately normal to the head region.

Abstract: Embodiments of a wearable device are provided. The wearable device comprises a reusable component and a disposable component. The disposable component comprises a patient engagement substrate comprising adhesive on a bottom side, an electrode on the bottom side, a disposable component electrical connector, and a disposable component mechanical connector. The reusable component comprises a plurality of sealed housings mechanically coupled to each other and movable with respect to each other, each of the plurality of housings containing one or more of a capacitor and a controller, a reusable component mechanical connector adapted to removably connect to the disposable component mechanical connector, and a reusable component electrical connector adapted to removably connect to the disposable component electrical connector. The device can comprise a cardiopulmonary physiologic monitor or an automatic external defibrillator, among other types of devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in a user, the apparatus comprising: a stimulation unit for electrically stimulating at least one nerve using electrical pulses; an electrode assembly connectable to the stimulation unit, the electrode assembly comprising a sensing unit, a storage unit, and a communications unit; and a control unit connected to the stimulation unit and the communications unit, the control unit being configured for controlling operation of the stimulation unit based on information from the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A connector block that permits simultaneous and continuous interconnection of the three leads of the epicardial pacing wires, the pacemaker, and the ECG monitor on clear separately labeled connectors is provided. Circuitry is provided that allows the display of epicardial signals on the telemetry unit, while still preserving the ability to pace the heart from the pacemaker. When pacing the connector block prevents excessive loading of the pacer signals by the ECG monitor and/or damage to the monitor by the high-voltage pacer signals. The connector block may be used universally on all monitors without the need for sophisticated understanding of the electrical characteristics of the ECG monitor or concern for damage or improper signal loading.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method of conveying a visual image to a blind subject fitted with a visual prosthesis. The computer-implemented method includes: mapping a representation of a visual image onto a two-dimensional array of points having a resolution greater than or equal to an electrode resolution of the visual prosthesis; identifying one or more continuous paths along the mapped representation; and controlling the visual prosthesis to sequentially actuate electrodes along the one or more paths. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a visual prosthesis comprising multiple electrodes; and an imaging processing device in communication with the visual prosthesis. The imaging processing device can be programmed to receive an image and perform any of the methods described herein.

Abstract: Communication of parent physiological data to an infant may include a first interface device which includes a sensor to record physiological data associated with a heartbeat of a parent, a processor to receive the physiological data from the sensor, and a transceiver; a server which receives the physiological data from the transceiver, accesses an instance of the physiological data from a replay storage location during a loss of communication, assigns a unique identifier, processes the physiological data, modifies the physiological data to be within an allowable threshold or accesses physiological data within the allowable threshold when the physiological data is outside an allowable threshold, filters the physiological data to apply an effect, and transmits the physiological data based on the unique identifier; and a second interface device which includes a transceiver to receive the physiological data and a communication element to communicate the physiological data to the infant.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.

Abstract: A device and method are described for transmitting tissue conductance communication (TCC) signals. A device may be is configured to establish a transmission window by transmitting a TCC test signal at multiple time points over a transmission test period to a receiving device and detect at least one response to the transmitted TCC test signals performed by the receiving device. The IMD is configured to establish the transmission window based on the at least one detected response so that the transmission window is correlated to a time of relative increased transimpedance between a transmitting electrode vector and receiving electrode vector during the transmission test period.

Abstract: Methods and system for guiding a rescuer in placement of a defibrillation electrode may include initializing one or more cameras disposed on the defibrillation electrode, and capturing image information via the one or more cameras. Each image in a series of images may be acquired by the cameras after a set time interval. The method may include determining a separation distance between the defibrillation electrode and the chest of the patient and comparing the separation distance to a threshold distance. The method may further include determining whether the separation distance is below the threshold distance and, once the separation distance is below the threshold distance, determining a current location of the defibrillation electrode based on the series of images, and providing positioning feedback via at least one output device, wherein the positioning feedback includes instructions to move the defibrillation electrode toward a preferred location on the patient.

Abstract: There is provided a therapeutic method and system for utilizing full spectrum of natural solar radiations with an optimum balance of ultra-violet (UV), visible and infrared (IR) radiations. The disclosed therapeutic method comprising collecting and concentrating the natural solar radiations using a natural solar radiations concentrator; transporting the concentrated natural solar radiations using a transporting medium to an indoor device; optimizing a spot size, an intensity and an ultra-violet range of the natural solar radiations; and directing the optimized natural solar radiations to a desired body part using the indoor device; wherein the full spectrum of natural solar radiations has an optimum balance of ultra-violet, visible and infrared radiations.

Abstract: System and method for providing remotely guided physical treatment are disclosed. A computing device is communicably coupled to a therapeutic robot and a remote guidance device. The computing device receives full-body images of a treatment subject. The computing device generates a plurality of key physical points for the treatment subject by identifying a three-dimensional human body template that corresponds to the shape and posture parameters of the treatment subject and fitting the identified first three-dimensional human body template to the full-body images of the treatment subject. The fitting causes adjustments to locations of the corresponding set of key physical points of the first three-dimensional human body template. The adjusted locations of the corresponding set of key physical points of the first three-dimensional human body template are provided to the guidance device as basis for a treatment procedure that is specified by the treatment guidance provider during the physical treatment session.

Abstract: A method and medical device for adjusting a blanking period that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a plurality of sensing vectors, determining whether to adjust a blanking period during a first operating state, advancing from the first operating state to a second operating state in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining, while in the second operating state, whether the blanking period was adjusted while in the first operating state, and adjusting the blanking period while in the second operating state in response to the blanking period being adjusted while in the first operating state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter body, a light emitter disposed at a distal end of the catheter body, and a fluid conduit coupleable to a source of fluid. The fluid conduit configured to discharge fluid from the source via the conduit and out a distal end of the catheter body. A spacing member is disposed at the distal end of the catheter body and can be moved between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the spacing member is disposed about the light emitter. The spacing member is at least partially transmissive and/or transflective of light emitted from the light emitter. The apparatus configured to be inserted at least partially into a body lumen, to discharge fluid into the body lumen, and to emit light from the light emitter to illuminate an interior wall of the body lumen.