Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a clinical parameter for a user. A first plurality of wellness-relevant parameters representing the user are monitored at a physiological sensing device over a defined period. A second plurality of wellness-relevant parameters representing the user are obtained via a portable computing device. A third plurality of wellness-relevant parameters representing the user are retrieved from an electronic health records (EHR) system. A set of aggregate parameters are generated from the sets of wellness-relevant parameters, with each of the set of aggregate parameters comprising a unique proper subset of the parameters in the sets of wellness-relevant parameters. A clinical parameter is assigned to the user via a predictive model according to a subset of the set of aggregate parameters. An intervention is provided to the user when the clinical parameter meets a threshold value specific to the patient.

Abstract: Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include exposing the patient to drug related cues and measuring the patient's craving levels or physiological levels during or after cue exposure to determine the patient's status or condition. Such a determination can indicate whether the patient is at risk of engaging in the addictive activity and can guide therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include exposing the patient to drug related cues and measuring the patient's craving levels or physiological levels during or after cue exposure to determine the patient's status or condition. Such a determination can indicate whether the patient is at risk of engaging in the addictive activity and can guide therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for targeting neuromodulation. A first image, representing a structure of the brain, is acquired from a first imaging system and a second image, representing a connectivity of the brain, is acquired from either the first imaging system or a second imaging system. A first utility value associated with directly modulating tissue within a region of interest is determined for each of a plurality of voxels within the region of interest from the first image. A second utility value associated with indirectly modulating tissue outside of the region of interest by modulating tissue within the region of interest is determined for each of the plurality of voxels from the second image. An overall utility value for each of the plurality of voxels is determined from the first utility value and the second utility value, and an optimal location is determined from the overall utility values.

Abstract: Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include exposing the patient to drug related cues and measuring the patient's craving levels or physiological levels during or after cue exposure to determine the patient's status or condition. Such a determination can indicate whether the patient is at risk of engaging in the addictive activity and can guide therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing focused ultrasound treatment. A patient is screened to determine if focused ultrasound treatment is appropriate for the patient to treat a disorder. The patient is monitored to measure a plurality of wellness-related parameters for the patient and detect or predict an onset of symptoms associated with the disorder from the wellness-related parameters if focused ultrasound treatment has been determined to be appropriate. A personalized location for focused ultrasound treatment is determined for the patient according to at least one of the wellness-related parameters. At least one parameter associated with the focused ultrasound treatment is selected according to at least one of the wellness-related parameters. Focused ultrasound treatment is provided to the patient at the selected location using the selected at least one parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating pain for a user. A first pain-relevant parameter representing the user is monitored at an in-vivo sensing device over a defined period to produce a time series for the first pain-relevant parameter. A value for a second pain-relevant parameter for the user is obtained at first and second times in the defined period from the user via a portable computing device to provide respective first and second values for the second pain-relevant parameter. A value is assigned to the user via a predictive model according to the time series for the first pain-relevant parameter, the first value for the second pain-relevant parameter, and the second value for the second pain-relevant parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a wellness of a user. A wellness-relevant parameter representing the user is monitored at a portable device over a defined period to produce a time series for the wellness-relevant parameter. A first set and a second set of either cognitive assessment data or psychosocial assessment data are obtained for the user at respective first and second times in the defined period. A value is assigned to the user via a predictive model according to the time series for the wellness-relevant parameter, the first set of either cognitive assessment data or psychosocial assessment data, and the second set of either cognitive assessment data or psychosocial assessment data.

Abstract: Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include using focused ultrasound, deep brain stimulation and/or transcranial magnetic stimulation and multi-dimensional monitoring of the patient to determine whether the focused ultrasound, deep brain stimulation, and/or transcranial magnetic stimulation improves the patient's addiction. Based on this determination, the focused ultrasound, deep brain stimulation, and/or transcranial magnetic stimulation can be adjusted to improve the patient's addiction.

Abstract: Methods of improving addiction in a patient in need thereof are provided. Methods include exposing the patient to drug related cues and measuring the patient's craving levels or physiological levels during or after cue exposure to determine the patient's status or condition. Such a determination can indicate whether the patient is at risk of engaging in the addictive activity and can guide therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A self-sealing device includes an elastic sheet that is sized and dimensioned to cover a connector that joins a lead and a lead extension. The sheet has a first memory corresponding to an unfurled configuration and a second memory corresponding to a furled configuration. The sheet, when placed about the connector in the unfurled configuration, automatically obtains the furled configuration and covers the connector so that a fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween.

Abstract: A percutaneous, multi-pronged lead includes a lead body having a multi-pronged distal end portion. At least one of the prongs has an electrode connected thereto. Each of the prongs is configured to transition from a stored configuration into a deployed configuration such that the prongs at least partially wrap around a target tissue.

Abstract: A method for guiding a therapy delivery device to a target tissue in a subject can include a step of providing a needle (12) having a main body that defines an inner lumen. An opening (26) can be located on a distal end portion of the main body. The opening can be in communication with the inner lumen. A ramp (32) can be positioned within the inner lumen and adjacent the opening. The ramp can be axially spaced apart from a distal end portion of the main body. The needle can be percutaneously inserted into the subject. The needle can be advanced to the target tissue. A camera (68) can be advanced through the inner lumen. The camera can be operated to visualize the target tissue. A therapy delivery device (70) can be advanced through the inner lumen. The therapy delivery device, under direct visualization, can be placed into communication with the target tissue.

Abstract: A system for treating medical conditions by neuromodulation of one or more target sites in the nervous system. In certain embodiments, at least one of the target sites is the medial thalamic region, including the intralaminar nucleus and the adjacent white and grey matter. In certain embodiments, where there is more than one target site, the other target sites is elsewhere in the nervous system, including the globus pallidus interna, subthalamic nucleus, corpus callosum, cerebellum, cerebral cortex (including the premotor cortex, motor cortex, and sensory cortex), ventral striatum, lateral thalamus, substantia nigra, and pedunculopontine nuclei. The medical conditions include movement disorders or improvement of movement function, stroke, neuropsychiatric or neuropsychologic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and pain. Methods for treating medical conditions by neuromodulation of the intralaminar nuclei either alone or in combination with another target site(s) is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for neuromodulation to treat stroke. One step of the method includes recording an input waveform from a first site in the nervous system in a source subject. The first site is healthy or at least partially functioning. Next, an output waveform is applied to a second site in the nervous system of a target subject suffering from the stoke. The second site is diseased due to the stroke.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a gastrointestinal condition by transvascular neuromodulation of a target site of the autonomic nervous system and preferably a target site in communication with a sympathetic nerve chain. A method for treating a gastrointestinal condition via transvascular neuromodulation incorporating a closed-loop feedback system is also provided.

Abstract: A method of affecting a sleep disorder in a subject having the sleep disorder and a method of affecting a normal awakeness-sleep cycle in a subject having an abnormal awakeness-sleep cycle, said methods comprising: a) identifying at least one nucleus in a brain of the subject, said nucleus being a nucleus of the sleep circuitry of the brain; and b) stimulating the at least one identified nucleus so as to modulate the nucleus, thereby affecting the sleep disorder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for treating respiratory or pulmonary medical conditions by neuromodulation of a target site of the sympathetic nervous system and preferably a target site in communication with a sympathetic nerve chain. A system for treating a respiratory or pulmonary medical condition incorporating a closed-loop feedback system is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of improving neuropsychological function in a patient having a neurocognitive disorder by chemical or electrically modulating a target site(s) in the ventral striatum/ventral capsule region. Methods also include modulating the treatment based on a closed-loop feedback system that measures bodily activities associated with the neuropsychological function (i.e. that help to determine whether a neuropsychological function is or can be improved.

Abstract: A saponin or a sapogenin, or a saponin or sapogenin derivative, from a plant of the capsicum genus for use in the treatment of a disease other than eczema and dermatitis. A process for preparing a plant of the capsicum genus, extracts, or seeds thereof for use as a medicament suitable for the treatment of diseases other than skin conditions which process comprises storing the plant, extracts or seeds thereof at a temperature of 20° C. or below.