Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element to engage tissue and one or more backstop elements to resist back-out from the tissue, is described. The fixation element can be mounted on a housing of the biostimulator such that a helix of the fixation element extends distally to a leading point. The leading point can be located on a distal face of the helix at a position that is proximal from a center of the distal face. The backstop elements can include non-metallic filaments, such as sutures, or can include a pinch point of the biostimulator. The backstop features can grip the tissue to prevent unscrewing of the fixation element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and the converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

Abstract: A helical nerve cuff and an implantable device comprising the helical nerve cuff and a body comprising a wireless communication system are described herein. The implantable device can include a body having a wireless communication system; electrodes that can detect an electrophysiological signal transmitted by a nerve or emit an electrical pulse to the nerve; and a helical nerve cuff. Also described are methods of implanting the helical nerve cuff and the implantable device, as well as methods of making the helical nerve cuff and the implantable device.

Abstract: Neuromodulation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the present technology relate to devices, systems, and methods for delivering electrical energy to a hypoglossal nerve of a patient. According to some embodiments, the present technology includes an implantable neuromodulation device comprising an electronics package, a branched lead body, and an extension portion between the electronics package and lead body. The lead body can comprise a first arm with first conductive elements and a second arm with second conductive elements. The lead body can be configured to be positioned between a patient's genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles such that the first arm and first conductive elements are positioned proximate one of the patient's hypoglossal nerves and the second arm and second conductive elements are positioned proximate a contralateral one of the patient's hypoglossal nerves.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element to engage tissue and one or more backstop elements to resist back-out from the tissue, is described. The fixation element can be mounted on a housing of the biostimulator such that a helix of the fixation element extends distally to a leading point. The leading point can be located on a distal face of the helix at a position that is proximal from a center of the distal face. The backstop elements can include non-metallic filaments, such as sutures, or can include a pinch point of the biostimulator. The backstop features can grip the tissue to prevent unscrewing of the fixation element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for placing implantable electrodes to treat sleep apnea, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes percutaneously implanting one or more signal delivery devices, each at or near a respective target signal delivery location in a patient. Each signal delivery device can include one or more electrodes, and individual ones of the electrodes can be positioned to produce a net positive protrusive motor response of the patient’s tongue. The representative method further includes providing power to one or more of the electrodes from a wearable power source to cause the electrode(s) to deliver an electrical signal to the respective target signal delivery location(s) to produce the net positive protrusive motor response.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator has a housing including an electronics compartment, an electronics assembly mounted in the electronics compartment, a proximal electrode that disposed on and/or integrated into the housing, and an electrical feedthrough assembly. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a distal electrode and a flange. The flange is mounted on the housing. The distal electrode is electrically isolated from the flange by an insulator and configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A mount is mounted on the flange and thereby mounted on the electrical feedthrough assembly. A fixation element is mounted on the mount and configured to facilitate fixation of the leadless biostimulator to tissue of a patient.

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly, which is configured to be mounted on a housing of a leadless biostimulator, comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: Techniques for placing implantable electrodes to treat sleep apnea, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes percutaneously implanting one or more signal delivery devices, each at or near a respective target signal delivery location in a patient. Each signal delivery device can include one or more electrodes, and individual ones of the electrodes can be positioned to produce a net positive protrusive motor response of the patient's tongue. The representative method further includes providing power to one or more of the electrodes from a wearable power source to cause the electrode(s) to deliver an electrical signal to the respective target signal delivery location(s) to produce the net positive protrusive motor response.

Abstract: A leadless biostimulator, and an electrical feedthrough assembly for use therewith, are described herein. The leadless biostimulator comprises an electrode body including a cup having an electrode wall extending distally from an electrode base around an electrode cavity, an electrode tip mounted on a distal end of the electrode body, and a filler in the electrode cavity between the electrode base and the electrode tip, wherein the filler includes a therapeutic agent. The electrode tip is configured to be placed in contact with target tissue to which a pacing impulse is to be transmitted by the leadless biostimulator. A pin extends proximally from the electrode base, wherein the pin is configured to be into contact with an electrical connector of an electronics assembly within a housing of the leadless biostimulator, and wherein the electrical feedthrough assembly is configured to be mounted on the housing of the leadless biostimulator.

Abstract: A device includes a syringe having a barrel and a syringe tip; an aerator having (i) a generally cylindrical exterior body; (ii) an inlet end; (iii) an outlet end; (iv) a tapered outlet port at its outlet end; and (v) an interior cavity comprising (A) an input port section, (B) a converging section, (C) a throat section, (D) a diverging section, (E) an outlet section, (F) a first vent that fluidly couples at least one of the throat section or the diverging section to an area outside and adjacent to the exterior body, and (G) a second vent that fluidly couples the outlet section to the area; and a housing that (x) circumferentially surrounds an end of the barrel and the aerator, (z) has an interior surface, (aa) forms a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body, and (bb) has a housing discharge tip.

Abstract: A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

Abstract: A device includes a syringe having a barrel and a syringe tip; an aerator having (i) a generally cylindrical exterior body; (ii) an inlet end; (iii) an outlet end; (iv) a tapered outlet port at its outlet end; and (v) an interior cavity comprising (A) an input port section, (B) a converging section, (C) a throat section, (D) a diverging section, (E) an outlet section, (F) a first vent that fluidly couples at least one of the throat section or the diverging section to an area outside and adjacent to the exterior body, and (G) a second vent that fluidly couples the outlet section to the area; and a housing that (x) circumferentially surrounds an end of the barrel and the aerator, (z) has an interior surface, (aa) forms a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body, and (bb) has a housing discharge tip.

Abstract: A device includes a syringe having a barrel and a syringe tip; an aerator having (i) a generally cylindrical exterior body; (ii) an inlet end; (iii) an outlet end; (iv) a tapered outlet port at its outlet end; and (v) an interior cavity comprising (A) an input port section, (B) a converging section, (C) a throat section, (D) a diverging section, (E) an outlet section, (F) a first vent that fluidly couples at least one of the throat section or the diverging section to an area outside and adjacent to the exterior body, and (G) a second vent that fluidly couples the outlet section to the area; and a housing that (x) circumferentially surrounds an end of the barrel and the aerator, (z) has an interior surface, (aa) forms a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body, and (bb) has a housing discharge tip.

Abstract: In some implementations, an intravascular gas exchange catheter includes (a) a catheter wall extending from a proximal end to a distal end; (b) a first internal lumen coupled to a first lumen port at the proximal end and adjacent at least a portion of the catheter wall, and a second internal lumen coupled to a second lumen port at the proximal end; and (c) an interior space enclosed by the catheter wall and disposed at the distal end, wherein the first internal lumen and second interior lumen are fluidly isolated from each other along a length of catheter wall but fluidly coupled to each other at the interior space. The catheter wall may include a porous material that facilitates diffusion of a target gas through the catheter wall, from or to a space exterior to the catheter wall, to or from the first lumen.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including an electrical feedthrough assembly mounted on a housing, is described. An electronics compartment of the housing can contain an electronics assembly to generate a pacing impulse, and the electrical feedthrough assembly can include an electrode tip to deliver the pacing impulse to a target tissue. A monolithically formed electrode body can have a pin integrated with a cup. The pin can be electrically connected to the electronics assembly, and the cup can be electrically connected to the electrode tip. Accordingly, the biostimulator can transmit the pacing impulse through the monolithic pin and cup to the target tissue. The cup can hold a filler having a therapeutic agent for delivery to the target tissue and may include retention elements for maintaining the filler at a predetermined location within the cup.

Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods for deploying expandable implants into elongate tubular organs. The delivery devices may be configured to advance implants such as self-expanding springs within the tubular organ and release the springs at a target location where they expand and apply force to the wall of the tubular organ to lengthen the tubular organ. Delivery of the expandable implants for the treatment of small bowel syndrome is also described.

Abstract: A system for intravascular oxygenation may include a catheter shaft, a vibratory member, and an oxygen source. The catheter shaft may have a wall that extends from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis to form a lumen. The distal end may terminate in an atraumatic tip that seals off an interior space of the lumen from an adjacent exterior space. The distal end may include a coiled spring whose coils are tightly disposed against adjacent coils. The vibratory member may be configured to produce and transmit via the wall, to the coiled spring, mechanical vibration or high-frequency acoustic energy. The oxygen source may be configured to be coupled to the proximal end and to deliver a flow of oxygen to an interior space for communication to the exterior space, through gaps that exist or are created between adjacent coils of the coiled spring.

Abstract: A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element to engage tissue and one or more backstop elements to resist back-out from the tissue, is described. The fixation element can be mounted on a housing of the biostimulator such that a helix of the fixation element extends distally to a leading point. The leading point can be located on a distal face of the helix at a position that is proximal from a center of the distal face. The backstop elements can include non-metallic filaments, such as sutures, or can include a pinch point of the biostimulator. The backstop features can grip the tissue to prevent unscrewing of the fixation element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.