Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders that include an implantable microstimulator and an external charger/controller wherein the microstimulator is configured to operate using closed-loop feedback. The feedback for the microstimulator can be electrical activity of the vagus nerve and/or heart sensed by the microstimulator. The feedback can be used to modulate the stimulation duration, intensity, frequency, on-time and off-time.

Abstract: A biomedical apparatus for pumping blood of a human or an animal patient through a secondary blood circuit is provided, including a blood pump, an inlet duct and an outlet duct for guiding blood of the patient to the blood pump and back to the patient. The apparatus further includes a measuring device with at least one pressure sensor for measuring pressure values in the patient's circulatory system. A controller is provided that includes at least two different preset control algorithms for regulating the operating point of the blood pump based on the measured pressure values. The controller is configured to select one of these preset control algorithms for being applied in dependence on the position of the at least one pressure sensor in the patient's circulatory system.

Abstract: A cryoablation catheter assembly includes a catheter that defines at least one coolant outtake region and receives a rotatable guide tube and a coolant transfer tube. The coolant transfer tube receives and transfers coolant from a coolant source to a distal end of the coolant transfer tube. An expansion element is coupled to a distal portion of the catheter and defines an inner expansion-element space. The inner expansion-element space is in fluid communication with the at least one coolant outtake region and the distal end of the coolant transfer tube. A distal end of the expansion element couples to the guide tube. A rotation system is coupleable to, or coupled to, a proximal end of the guide tube and rotates the distal end of the expansion element relative to the proximal end of the expansion element by rotating the guide tube relative to the catheter.

Abstract: A device for electrical stimulation of a user is disclosed. The device includes an electrode for applying an electrical stimulation and a gel or liquid dispensing system. The electrode is attached to a first side of a garment such that a surface of the electrode is placed in contact with a portion of a user's skin when the garment is worn by the user. The gel or liquid dispensing system is attached to the garment and configured to be actuatable to dispense a gel or liquid onto the surface of the electrode, the dispensing system having a reservoir configured to hold the gel or liquid and a fluid passageway extending from the reservoir to the surface of the electrode. The electrode may be a carbon or carbon equivalent electrode.

Abstract: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting a visual prosthesis electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. By recording electrically evoked responses to a predetermined input stimulus, one can alter that input stimulus to the needs of an individual patient. A minimum input stimulus is applied to a patient, followed by recording an electrically evoked response to the input stimulus. By gradually increasing stimulus levels, one can determine the minimum input that creates a neural response, thereby identifying the threshold stimulation level. One can further determine a maximum level by increasing stimulus until a predetermined maximum neural response is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical dephosphorylation technique for treating Alzheimer's disease and a use thereof. It comprises a gold electrode provided with a negative potential of ?0.2 V to ?0.6 V on a surface thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that uses an eye tracker for diagnosing and facilitating rehabilitation therapy of a patient suffering from disability. The system creates a human machine interface (HMI) that integrates various low cost biosensors and artificial sensors for conducting rehabilitation therapy. The system combines spinal and supra-spinal feedback of the patient with the operant conditioning to facilitate visuomotor balance therapy (VBT), thereby reducing fall risk in disability survivors. The operant conditioning setup for shaping of visuomotor learning to bring about new behavior or to modify a certain aspect of an existing behavior is used for rehabilitation therapy that includes a behaviour response apparatus, a reward delivery module, a stimulus delivery system, and a behaviour control system. The system can also be extended to the patient's home for providing telerehabilitation therapy.

Abstract: Phototherapy devices for the treatment of truncal acne and scars include, for example, a body portion having a bottom surface and a top surface that is configured to hang on a person's shoulders and cover the upper back and/or chest. The body portion further having left and right shoulder portions extending forwardly from the body portion and curled downwardly to hook over a person's shoulders. The shoulder portions further define a space for a person's neck therebetween. A phototherapy lighting component is configured to emit a light from the bottom surface of the body portion and forwardly extending shoulder portions. In use, the person places the shoulder portions on their shoulders with the body portion hanging downwardly against the person's back or chest, for example, wearing the body portion like a cape or bib. Using the lighting component, a therapeutic amount of light is administered to the person.

Abstract: An extravascular or intravascular neural interface is disclosed and can include three C-ring portions, with at least two including an electrode, an electrode pair or an electrode array. The portions are formed of a flexible material that is configured to enable the portions to self-size to fit around or against a surface of a target vessel when the neural interface is released at a position along the target vessel. A spinal portion configured to house electrical conductors for the electrodes is connected to one or more portions. The portions may be spaced sufficient apart to permit radial expansion and contraction of a target vessel around or within which the neural interface is placed, to reduce nerve compression, open trench low-pressure unrestricted blood-flow, and to enhance fluid exchange with the target vessel. The portions may be arranged in a low helix angle forming at least two full turns.

Abstract: Systems and method for powering an implanted blood pump are disclosed herein. The system can be a mechanical circulatory support system. The mechanical circulatory support system can include an implantable blood pump. The implantable blood pump includes a DC powered pump control unit that can control the blood pump according to one or several stored instructions. The implantable blood pump includes a rectifier electrically connected to the pump control unit. The implantable rectifier can convert the AC to DC for powering the pump control unit. The system can include an external controller electrically connected to the rectifier. The external controller can provide AC electrical power to the implantable blood pump.

Abstract: A method for creating brain-machine interface based on received and filtered brain signals from a subject, classifying the filtered signals to classes of brain states, detecting one brain state from the classified brain states and executing by a machine a command that corresponds to the detected state.

Abstract: An ambulatory medical device is provided. The device includes battery lock circuitry configured to transmit a lock signal at a beginning of a battery lock period of the ambulatory medical device and transmit an unlock signal upon detecting an unlock triggering event indicating an end of the battery lock period of the ambulatory medical device. The device also includes a battery being configured to be securely disposed within a chamber of the ambulatory medical device in a first locked manner and provide power to the ambulatory medical device and a battery lock configured to mechanically engage the battery in a second locked manner upon receiving the lock signal indicating the beginning of the battery lock period of the ambulatory medical device and mechanically disengage the battery from the second locked manner upon receiving the unlock signal signaling the end of the battery lock period.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods of using verteporfin-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) to increase the biomechanical strength of the cornea. More particularly, described herein are compositions and methods for cross-linking collagen in corneal tissue which are useful in the treatment of corneal ectatic disorders.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes implanting a first electrode at a first site in a brain of a subject suffering from hydrocephalus, and a second electrode at a second site in the subject. The hydrocephalus is treated by electroosmotically driving fluid out of the first site, by applying a treatment voltage between the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: A photoplethysmography (PPG) circuit or non-contact camera obtains PPG signals at a plurality of wavelengths. A signal processing module obtains at least a first spectral response around a first wavelength and a second spectral response around a second wavelength. The signal processing device generates PPG input data using the PPG signals, wherein the PPG input data includes one or more parameters obtained from each of the first spectral response and the second spectral response. A neural network processing device generates an input vector including the PPG input data and determines an output vector including health data, wherein the health data includes for example, an oxygen saturation level, a glucose level or a blood alcohol level.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically producing and monitoring a cryotherapy session within a chamber includes a plumbing system coupled to the chamber for cooling the chamber. A central controller may be coupled to the plumbing system. The central controller may be operable for: initiating the cryotherapy session within the chamber with a cryogenic gas flowing through the plumbing system for cooling the chamber to a first temperature; determining if the first temperature has been reached within the chamber; determining if a check-in command has been received for the cryotherapy session; and stopping the cryotherapy session after a predetermined period of time. The central controller may initiate a pre-cooling session for cooling the chamber to a second temperature which is different than the first temperature; and determine if the second temperature has been reached in the chamber. The pre-cooling session generally occurs prior to the cryotherapy session for removing ambient heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesh electrode for cardiac resynchronization therapy, and a manufacturing method therefor. More specifically, the present invention relates to: a mesh electrode for cardiac resynchronization therapy, formed from a wire composed of a first biocompatible rubber layer in which silver nanowires are dispersed, and a second biocompatible rubber layer famed so as to be adjacent to the first biocompatible rubber layer; and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: Implants are provided, comprising the implant and a plurality of sensors. Briefly stated, implants (also sometimes referred to as ‘devices’ or medical devices’) are provided comprising an implant along with one or more sensors to monitor the integrity, position and efficaciousness of the implant. The sensors may be positioned on the inside of the implant, within the body of the implant, or on the outer surface (or surfaces) of the implant, and/or between the implant and any device that might be utilized to deliver the implant (e.g., another implant, catheter, tunneling catheter, endoscope, balloon implant, or other medical device).

Abstract: A method for at-home skin condition analyses includes coupling an adapter to a port of a wearable lamp platform. placing the wearable lamp platform on a portion of a user's body, coupling a data acquisition device to the adapter and activating the data acquisition device to acquire data pertaining to the user's body through the optical lens, analyzing the data pertaining to the user's body, determining a light treatment regimen for the user's body, and applying light treatment to the user's body according to the determined light treatment regimen. The port has disposed therein an optical lens and having a plurality of image image-acquisition lamps disposed thereabout. The image-acquisition lamps are energized by a power source electrically coupled to the wearable lamp platform, and the wearable lamp platform comprises a plurality of treatment lamps arranged and configured to irradiate a portion of a wearer's body.

Abstract: A kit comprising a wearable lamp platform a frame for holding the wearable lamp platform in a fixed orientation spaced from the user's body, an adapter arranged and configured to couple a data acquisition device to the optical lens of the at least one port; and a power source controller electrically coupled to the wearable lamp platform provides a simple and elegant solution to providing economic, at-home skin condition analyses. The wearable lamp platform includes a plurality of treatment lamps arranged and configured to irradiate a portion of a wearer's body, and at least one port extending through the lamp platform from the outer surface to the inner surface. The at least one port has disposed therein an optical lens and a plurality of image-acquisition lamps disposed thereabout.