Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body passageways. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods to facilitate entry of a guidewire or other endoscopic accessory tool into and/or through patient-specific anatomies. For example, the devices, systems and methods of the present disclosure may rotate a proximal end of a guidewire to transmit mechanical motion to the distal end of the guidewire to facilitate atraumatic access to tortuous or otherwise restricted anatomies.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body passageways. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods to facilitate entry of a guidewire or other endoscopic accessory tool into and/or through patient-specific anatomies. For example, the devices, systems and methods of the present disclosure may rotate a proximal end of a guidewire to transmit mechanical motion to the distal end of the guidewire to facilitate atraumatic access to tortuous or otherwise restricted anatomies.

Abstract: A tinnitus treatment device may include a sound generation unit configured to generate an electrical stimulus, and an open earphone operably coupled to the sound generation unit to produce acoustic vibrations based on the electrical stimulus. The open earphone may include an auditory passage and the open earphone may be insertable into an ear canal of a person such that the auditory passage enables sound to pass substantially unobstructed by the device into the ear canal of the person. The sound generation unit may be configured to be adjustable to tune the electrical stimulus based on a characteristic of tinnitus symptoms experienced by the person.

Abstract: A surface treatment formulation configured to inhibit scaling or climbing of a surface is provided. The surface treatment formulation may include a base binding material configured to adhere to the surface and a filler material embedded in the base binding material. The filler material may include a dry lubricant having a layered lamellar structure or low inter filler interaction. Furthermore, the surface treatment formulation may be configured to be activated in order to expose the filler material thereby causing formation of a slippery surface to inhibit the scaling or climbing of the surface.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A tinnitus treatment device may include a sound generation unit configured to generate an electrical stimulus, and an open earphone operably coupled to the sound generation unit to produce acoustic vibrations based on the electrical stimulus. The open earphone may include an auditory passage and the open earphone may be insertable into an ear canal of a person such that the auditory passage enables sound to pass substantially unobstructed by the device into the ear canal of the person. The sound generation unit may be configured to be adjustable to tune the electrical stimulus based on a characteristic of tinnitus symptoms experienced by the person.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body passageways. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods to facilitate entry of a guidewire or other endoscopic accessory tool into and/or through patient-specific anatomies. For example, the devices, systems and methods of the present disclosure may rotate a proximal end of a guidewire to transmit mechanical motion to the distal end of the guidewire to facilitate atraumatic access to tortuous or otherwise restricted anatomies.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.

Abstract: A middle ear implant includes a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft that connects the first and second interface portions, a carrier plate removably mounted in one of the first or second interface portions, and a removable sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The removable sensor is configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures, and provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant. The removable sensor is disposed at a portion of the carrier plate.

Abstract: Piezoelectric fibers include a polypeptide wherein molecules of the polypeptide have electric dipole moments that are aligned such that the piezoelectric fiber provides a piezoelectric effect at an operating temperature. A piezoelectric component provides a plurality of piezoelectric fibers, each comprising an organic polymer. A method of producing piezoelectric fibers includes electrospinning a polymer solution to form a fiber and winding the fiber onto a rotating target in which the rotating target is electrically grounded. An acoustic sensor includes a plurality acoustic transducers, wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers are structured and arranged to detect a corresponding plurality of vector components of an acoustic signal, and at least one of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises a piezoelectric fiber.

Abstract: A middle ear implant may include a first interface portion configured to interface with a first structure of a middle ear of a patient, a second interface portion configured to interface with a second structure of the middle ear of the patient, a shaft configured to connect the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a sensor disposed at one end of the shaft, between the shaft and one of the first interface portion or the second interface portion. The sensor may be configured to provide a DC signal output indicative of static pressure on the sensor based on placement of the sensor between the first and second structures. The sensor may also be configured to provide an AC signal output indicative of a frequency response of the implant in response to the sensor being coupled to an output device.