Abstract: An implantable cuff electrode having a flexible cuff in form of a tube having a longitudinal slot, wherein the longitudinal slot defines a first edge and a second edge on the cuff, wherein a first lip is arranged at the first edge of the longitudinal slot, and a second lip is arranged at the second edge of the longitudinal slot, and wherein the longitudinal slot can be sealed by the first lip and the second lip in that the first lip and the second lip extend at least partially on the cuff jacket of the cuff one lying on top of the other, and the second lip holds the first lip in position by means of a surface pressure onto the cuff jacket.

Abstract: A catheter has a distal assembly with at least one loop with ring electrodes. A single continuous puller wire for bidirectional deflection is pre-bent into two long portions and a U-shape bend therebetween. The U-shape bend is anchored at a distal end of a deflectable section which is reinforced by at least one washer having at least two holes, each hole axially aligned with a respective lumen in the deflectable section. Each hole is centered with a lumen so that each puller wire portion therethrough is straight and subjected to tensile force only. A proximal end of the support member is flattened and serrated to provide a better bonding to the distal end of the deflectable section.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device and, more particularly, to a physiological recording device that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to an encouragement ring which stabilizes and helps situate the physiological recording device on a subject's skin to help provide a better electrical signal, increase surface area, and reduce and minimize noise and artifacts during the process of recording or monitoring a physiological signal. The invention is still further directed to surface features on a surface of the physiological recording device with a size and shape that will not substantially bend or break, which limits the depth of application of the recording device, and/or anchors the recording device during normal application. The invention is even further directed to a method for manufacturing a physiological recording device, and minimizing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A method, including selecting a first maximum radiofrequency (RF) power to be delivered by an electrode within a range of 70 W-100 W, and selecting a second maximum RF power to be delivered by the electrode within a range of 20 W-60 W. The method also includes selecting an allowable force on the electrode within a range of 5g-50g, selecting a maximum allowable temperature, of tissue to be ablated, within a range of 55° C.-65° C., and selecting an irrigation rate for providing irrigation fluid to the electrode within a range of 8-45 ml/min. The method further includes performing an ablation of tissue using the selected values by initially using the first power, switching to the second power after a predefined time between 3 s and 6 s, and terminating the ablation after a total time for the ablation between 10 s and 20 s.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an encephalographic electrode assembly can include a wicking element that has a wick body, one or more long legs extending from the wick body and inserted into the one or more hollow contact probes, and one or more short legs, which are shorter than the long legs, extending from the wick body and inserted into the one or more short reservoir sleeves. The short legs are configured to prevent slide-out of the wicking element from the reservoir body.

Abstract: An emergency cardiac and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement device is disclosed herein. The emergency cardiac and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement device incorporates electrical conducting materials and elastic material into a pad that is applied to a chest wall of a patient, which places multiple electrodes in the appropriate anatomic locations on the patient to quickly obtain an ECG in a pre-hospital setting.

Abstract: The cryoapplicator for minimally invasive surgical cardiac ablation includes a fastening part, an insulation part and an effector tip. A pin is connected with the fastening part on one end, and with the effector tip on the second end. The effector tip is bent by 60° to 90° angle in the side view in relation to pin longitudinal axis, and by 5° to 60° angle in the top view. A thermal insulation cover is located on the pin with the possibility to slide along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrode carrier system includes one or more electrode assemblies having an electrode body. One or more tubular members extend from the electrode body and define a lumen terminating in a distal opening. The electrode assemblies carry a reservoir containing a conductive fluid or gel. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumens in the tubular members, and the electrode assemblies are typically supported on a backing which may optionally be configured as a headband. Systems are for tracking patient movement may be used in combination with the electrode carrier system.

Abstract: An auditory guidance system and method for medical systems and procedures are disclosed. A method for providing auditory guidance during a medical procedure includes selecting a song for playing during the medical procedure. At least a portion of the song is assigned to the medical procedure. Parameter information for at least one parameter associated with the medical procedure is obtained during the medical procedure. The obtained parameter information is compared against predetermined thresholds for each parameter. The portion of the song associated with the parameter information is modified in accordance with the comparison and the modified portion of the song is played to provide auditory guidance during the medical procedure.

Abstract: An emergency cardiac and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement device is disclosed herein. The emergency cardiac and electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode placement device incorporates electrical conducting materials and elastic material into a pad that is applied to a chest wall of a patient, which places multiple electrodes in the appropriate anatomic locations on the patient to quickly obtain an ECG in a pre-hospital setting.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of using an EEG net to obtain electroencephalographic measurements from a patient in an emergent or urgent care setting. The net is comprised of a headpiece with a plurality of straps and recording ports formed therein. A recording head of an electrode is associated with each recording port and is pre-incorporated into the net. Transmitting wires are associated with each electrode head and have common terminated points. The terminus of each wire is hard wired into a connecting device that can be directly mated to a receiving console or remotely transmit wirelessly the electrode signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, the apparatus including a housing; stimulation means for electrically stimulating a human sural nerve; a biosensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting a sural nerve response evoked by the stimulation means; acquisition means electrically connected to the biosensor for electrically acquiring the sural nerve response detected by the biosensor; processing means electrically connected to the acquisition means for digitizing, processing and storing the acquired sural nerve response; calculation means electrically connected to the processing means for calculating the conduction velocity and amplitude of the processed sural nerve response; and display means for displaying the sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude; wherein the stimulation means and the biosensor are designed to be placed on a patient's anatomy, in the vicinity of a sural nerve.

Abstract: A microwave radiometric sensor probe module configured to fit within at least an external portion of an auditory or ear canal of a patient encloses a microwave integrated circuit and associated waveguide printed probe. The probe is configured to receive microwave radiation from a dielectric rod antenna of the module oriented into the auditory canal towards a tympanic membrane. Radiation from the tympanic membrane is coupled into the rod antenna, projected towards the printed probe, and received at the integrated circuit. A communications interface connects the integrated circuit to a temperature monitor and control unit for receiving the sensor output and for deriving at least a measure of patient brain temperature from the sensor output. The temperature monitor and control unit may be connected to a targeted temperature management system for controlling the temperature of a patient on the basis of the derived brain temperature.

Abstract: A method of creating a lesion in cardiac tissue where the method includes deploying a distal treatment section of an ablation catheter into a heart chamber and manipulating the distal treatment section against the cardiac tissue and into a curved shape that encloses a plurality of vessel entries in the heart chamber. The method further includes commencing a first application of ablation energy from the distal treatment section to the cardiac tissue and halting the first application of ablation energy to the cardiac tissue. The first application of ablation energy causes formation of a first continuous lesion in the cardiac tissue that encloses the plurality of vessel entries.

Abstract: Bioinformation of a seated person is more accurately measured. A heartbeat measurement device for measuring heartbeat of a person seated on a vehicle seat has heartbeat sensors and a circuit substrate: the heartbeat sensors have leading wires which output electric signals corresponding to a heartbeat and constitute a transmission path for the electric signals; and the circuit substrate has input terminals which receives the electric signals output from the heartbeat sensors, and a differential amplifier which amplifies the electric signals input to the input terminals. The heartbeat sensors and the circuit substrate are disposed in positions adjacent to each other in the vehicle seat, and terminal portions of the leading wires come out from portions adjacent to the circuit board of the heartbeat sensors are connected to the input terminals in a state abutting the input terminals.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element.

Abstract: A device for neural prosthetics is disclosed. The device comprises arrays of micro-wires and a control unit. The control unit connects to and communicates with the micro-wires. The ends of the micro-wires serve as microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are in contact with neural tissue. The micro-wires are covered in sheaths made of conformal material. The ends of the micro-wires protrude beyond the ends of the sheaths. This allows the electrodes to be individually positioned on the neural tissue.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, a distal assembly distal the elongated body, the distal assembly having a tapered helical form comprising a larger, electrode-carrying proximal loop and a smaller, softer distal loop, and a shape-memory support member extending through at least the proximal loop. For example, the helical loop subtends at least about 720 radial degrees, with the proximal loop subtending about 360 radial degrees, and the distal loop subtending about 360 radial degrees. The softer distal loop with a straight distal end atraumatically guides the distal assembly into a tubular region so that the larger proximal loop can sit on the ostium of the tubular region with improved electrode and tissue contact.

Abstract: An electrode configured to provide electrical contact with the skin of a user and configured to be positioned on or near a mastoid region of the user is provided. The electrode comprises an electrically conductive contact configured to receive electrical signals from the skin of the user, and a skin coupler that couples the contact with the skin of the user. The skin coupler comprises an adhesive layer that adhesively engages the skin. The skin coupler also comprises a base region that surrounds the contact, and at least two extension regions that extend away from the base region.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with improved position and/or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system.