Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for applying anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) using subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (SICDs). An SICD implantable in a subject includes a case including a controller, and at least one conductive lead extending from the case. The at least one conductive lead includes a plurality of coil electrodes, wherein the SICD is configured, via the controller, to apply anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) to the subject using the at least one conductive lead.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating one or more symptoms of central nervous system disorders in a patient, such as anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and others. A method includes positioning a contact surface of a device in contact with an outer skin surface of patient and applying an electrical impulse transcutaneously from the device through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient for about 90 seconds to about 3 minutes. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms of the central nervous system disorder are reduced. For chronic treatment of such disorders, a stimulation protocol is provided that includes two or more doses administered per day for a period of time sufficient to relieve the symptoms.

Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker is provided which can include any number of features. In one embodiment, the pacemaker can include a tip electrode, pacing electronics disposed on a p-type substrate in an electronics housing, the pacing electronics being electrically connected to the tip electrode, an energy source disposed in a cell housing, the energy source comprising a negative terminal electrically connected to the cell housing and a positive terminal electrically connected to the pacing electronics, wherein the pacing electronics are configured to drive the tip electrode negative with respect to the cell housing during a stimulation pulse. The pacemaker advantageously allows p-type pacing electronics to drive a tip electrode negative with respect to the can electrode when the can electrode is directly connected to a negative terminal of the cell. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.

Abstract: A method of forming a stimulation lead includes forming an implantable lead body, including helically winding at least one cable about a mandrel to form a coiled cable assembly in a first, restrained state. Helically winding the at least one cable includes applying a tensile force to the at least one cable as the at least one cable is wound about the mandrel. Forming the lead body also includes releasing the tensile force from the at least one cable to allow the coiled cable assembly to release stored mechanical energy and transition from the restrained state to a second, relaxed state in which the coiled cable assembly is substantially free of stored mechanical energy. The method further includes subjecting the lead body to a reflow process by applying heat to the lead body, where the tensile force is released prior to the lead body being subjected to the reflow process.

Abstract: A system for providing exercise incentives and/or providing massage is disclosed herein. The system includes a pair of shoes to be worn by a user during exercise; a software application downloadable to an electronic device and configured to wirelessly communicate with the pair of shoes; and a server in communication with the software application. In some embodiments, the pair of shoes includes massage pads and cooling/warming elements. The system is primarily useful for providing a monetary incentive to exercise and secondarily useful for providing relief to a user's feet via massage.

Abstract: An ECG processing system for identifying noisy ECG data segments is provided. The ECG processing system includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface is configured to receive a first collection of ECG data segments from wearable medical devices associated with a plurality of patients, each wearable medical device of the wearable medical devices being configured to be continuously worn by a patient for an extended period of time. The processor is configured to produce a second collection of ECG data segments from the first collection of ECG data segments that excludes noisy ECG data segments.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for treating macular degeneration including an optical filter configured to be mated with the ophthalmic lens, the filter having a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface comprises non-transmissive material that may distribute power from a light beam creating a plurality of light beams. A method of treating macular degeneration using the optical filter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lead assembly and a method of making a lead are provided. The method of making a multi-contact lead assembly comprises placing monofilament placed in the void spaces not occupied by the plurality of conductor wires and, in one embodiment, thermally fusing the monofilament to the like material spacer by applying heat just below the melting temperature of the monofilament and spacer material. Alternatively, the monofilament and spacer may be of different materials and heat is applied to cause at least one material to thermally reflow or melt. The conductive contacts may be located at either the distal end and/or proximal end of the lead. Oversized spacers may be used in order to provide extra material to fill voids during the thermal fusion/reflow process.

Abstract: Methods and devices to deliver a tactile speech analog to a person's skin providing a silent, invisible, hands-free, eyes-free, and ears-free way to receive and directly comprehend electronic communications. Embodiments include an alternative to hearing aids that will enable people with hearing loss to better understand speech. A device, worn like watch or bracelet, supplements a person's remaining hearing to help identify and disambiguate those sounds he or she can not hear properly. Embodiments for hearing aids and hearing prosthetics are also described.

Abstract: An implantable electrode includes an outer tube, which has a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the implantable electrode is connectable in the region of the proximal end to an active device. At least one electrode line is arranged in the outer tube. At least one electrode pole, which is electrically connected to the at least one electrode line, for electrically contacting tissue surrounding the electrode in the implanted state of the electrode is arranged in the region of the distal end. A stub line for extending the electrical length of the at least one electrode line is connected to the at least one electrode line in the region of the distal end or the proximal end.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating one or more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a patient. A method includes positioning a contact surface of a device in contact with an outer skin surface of patient and applying an electrical impulse transcutaneously from the device through the outer skin surface of the patient to a vagus nerve in the patient for about 90 seconds to about 3 minutes. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modify the vagus nerve such that the symptoms of PTSD are reduced. For chronic treatment of PTSD, a stimulation protocol is provided that includes two or more doses administered per day for a period of time sufficient to relieve the symptoms.

Abstract: Stimulation lead includes an elongated lead body having distal and proximal ends and wire conductors extending therebetween. The stimulation lead also includes a lead paddle having a multi-dimensional array of electrodes positioned along a contact side of the lead paddle. The electrodes are electrically coupled to the wire conductors. The lead paddle includes a paddle body and a conductor organizer disposed within the paddle body. The conductor organizer has multiple channels extending along the lead paddle. The channels receive the wire conductors and retain the wire conductors in a designated arrangement with respect to the lead paddle. The conductor organizer has openings to the channels. The wire conductors extend through the openings and are terminated to the respective electrodes.

Abstract: A method of assembling a robotic surgical tool includes providing a handle having first and second ends, a lead screw, and a spline extendable between the first and second ends. The lead screw is rotated in a first direction to translate an elevator layer of a carriage proximally along a longitudinal axis of the handle, the elevator layer being movably mounted to the lead screw at a carriage nut. One or more additional layers of the carriage are removably coupled to the elevator layer and an elongate shaft extends distally from the additional layers, and an end effector is arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The elevator layer is penetrated by the end effector and the shaft upon coupling the additional layers to the elevator layer, and the lead screw is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction to translate the carriage distally.

Abstract: A method of stimulating muscle in a person having neurological damage, by applying electric current to nerves at an area above an area of neurological damage, bypassing or bridging an area of neurological damage, and moving the muscle in a natural manner. A method of moving muscles of a paraplegic or a person who suffers from other movement-related disorders of the body by applying electric current to nerves at an area above an area of neurological damage, bypassing or bridging an area of neurological damage, and moving normally non-functioning muscles and moving normally non-functioning limbs.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for selectively providing laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) of absorptive targets in biological media. For example, LIOB may be used as part of tissue therapy, such as cosmetic therapy associated with tattoo removal. In some implementation, a system for selectively providing LIOB includes a field generator configured to generate a field and to apply the field through a portion of a biological medium. The system also includes a light source configured to deliver laser light to the portion of the biological medium during application of the field. Application of the field to the biological medium induces movement of free electrons within the portion of the biological medium which may reduce or slow the formation of vacuoles in the biological medium responsive to the laser light.

Abstract: A method of targeting magnetic neurostimulation to a patient suffering a mood disorder is initially obtained by creating a brain network model through evaluation of data sensed from the brain of the patient. A determination is made of a brain target location of a first brain region which is based at least partly on a functional connection of the first brain region to a second brain region reflected in the brain network model. A magnetic stimulation signal is transmitted to the brain target location for treatment of the mood disorder of the patient where the magnetic stimulation signal is provided by a transcranial magnetic stimulator.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying focal sources is presented. The method can comprise detecting, via sensors, electro-cardiogram (ECG) signals over time, each ECG signal detected via one of the sensors having a location in a heart and indicating electrical activity of the heart, each signal comprising at least an R wave and an S wave; creating an R-S map comprising an R-to-S ratio for each of the ECG signals, the R-to-S ratio comprising a ratio of absolute magnitude of the R wave to absolute magnitude of the S wave; identifying, for each of the ECG signals, local activation times (LATs); and correlating the R-to-S ratios for the ECG signals on the R-S map and the identified LATs and using the correlation to identify the focal sources.

Abstract: A first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode and a fourth electrode are placed on a head of the patient. The electrodes are electrically connected to a master unit or sub-control unit that generates a first stimulation signal, during a first time period, to the first and second electrodes to stimulate the brain inside the head. The third and fourth electrodes receive a first brain signal, during a second time period, and forwards the first brain signal to the master unit or sub-control unit which analyzes the first brain signal and adapting a second stimulation signal based on information in the first brain signal.

Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker is provided which can include any number of features. In one embodiment, the pacemaker can include a tip electrode, pacing electronics disposed on a p-type substrate in an electronics housing, the pacing electronics being electrically connected to the tip electrode, an energy source disposed in a cell housing, the energy source comprising a negative terminal electrically connected to the cell housing and a positive terminal electrically connected to the pacing electronics, wherein the pacing electronics are configured to drive the tip electrode negative with respect to the cell housing during a stimulation pulse. The pacemaker advantageously allows p-type pacing electronics to drive a tip electrode negative with respect to the can electrode when the can electrode is directly connected to a negative terminal of the cell. Methods of use are also provided.