Abstract: An assembly for both targeting a location in a living being at which an implantable medical device is to be inserted and defining a percutaneous path to the target location. The assembly includes a guidewire with electrodes that is inserted percutaneously into the living being. Electrodes on the guidewire source and sink current to facilitate the identification of the target location. A dilator encased in a reinforced sleeve is disposed over the guidewire. Steering wires in the sleeve facilitate the advancement of the sleeve and the guidewire. Once the dilator and sleeve are advanced to the target location, the dilator is removed from the sleeve. The lumen in sleeve functions as the lumen in the living being through which the implantable device is delivered to the target location.

Abstract: An assembly for implanting a medical device such as an electrode array. The assembly includes a sheath that is disposed over the medical device and a core that supports the device. The sheath and core are connected to, respectively, first and second slides in a handpiece. An single actuator first moves one slide, typically the slide to which the sheath is attached. Once the first slide at least partially displaced both slides are moved to simultaneously retract the sheath and core away from the implantable medical device. The assembly includes a steering assembly for steering the sheath and implantable medical device. Some of the components forming the steering assembly are disposed on at least one of the slides. Tensioners prevent the steering cables of the steering assembly from being exposed to excessive force.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode array can be disposed in an access cannula that has a diameter less than the width of the unfolded array.

Abstract: An electrode array and a delivery assembly. The array is wrapped around a flexible core part of the delivery assembly. A sheath, also part of the delivery assembly, is disposed over the array and core. Steering cables extend through the core. Once the delivery assembly-encased array is inserted in the body, the combination is advanced to the tissue over which the array is to be deployed. By pulling on the steering cables the array and assembly are steered into position. Once the array is in position, the sheath is retracted, the array deploys over the target tissue.

Abstract: An electrode array and a delivery assembly. The array is wrapped around a flexible core part of the delivery assembly. A sheath, also part of the delivery assembly, is disposed over the array and core. Steering cables extend through the core or sheath. Once the delivery assembly-encased array is inserted in the body, the combination is advanced to the tissue over which the array is to be deployed. By pulling on the steering cables the array and assembly are steered into position. Once the array is in position, the sheath is retracted, the array deploys over the target tissue.

Abstract: A sterile barrier assembly, mounting system, and method for kinematically coupling first and second surgical components together through the sterile barrier assembly so that positioning is repeatable and deterministic.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

Abstract: System and methods of controlling a robotic system for manipulating anatomy of a patient during a surgical procedure include applying a force to the anatomy to generate a response by the anatomy. The response of the anatomy is measured and a characteristic of the anatomy is calculated based on the response. An instrument is autonomously controlled in relation to the anatomy based on the calculated characteristic.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode array can be disposed in an access cannula that has a diameter less than the width of the unfolded array.

Abstract: An assembly for implanting a medical device such as an electrode array. The assembly includes a sheath that is disposed over the medical device and a core that supports the device. The sheath and core are connected to, respectively, first and second slides in a handpiece. An single actuator first moves one slide, typically the slide to which the sheath is attached. Once the first slide at least partially displaced both slides are moved to simultaneously retract the sheath and core away from the implantable medical device. The assembly includes a steering assembly for steering the sheath and implantable medical device. Some of the components forming the steering assembly are disposed on at least one of the slides. Tensioners prevent the steering cables of the steering assembly from being exposed to excessive force.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode carrying tabs extend beyond the bent beams.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

Abstract: An electrode array and a delivery assembly. The array is wrapped around a flexible core part of the delivery assembly. A sheath, also part of the delivery assembly, is disposed over the array and core. Steering cables extend through the core or sheath. Once the delivery assembly-encased array is inserted in the body, the combination is advanced to the tissue over which the array is to be deployed. By pulling on the steering cables the array and assembly are steered into position. Once the array is in position, the sheath is retracted, the array deploys over the target tissue.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode carrying tabs extend beyond the bent beams.

Abstract: An infusion assembly for delivering therapeutic fluid to plural body sites is provided. The assembly includes a positive displacement pump that discharges the therapeutic fluid. The assembly also includes a flow regulator valve including a valve housing that defines a pressure chamber, an inlet bore that opens into the pressure chamber, and first and second outlet passageways. The first and second outlet passageways extend, respectively, from separate first and second outlet openings to a first catheter and a second catheter through which the therapeutic fluid is directed to the body sites. A controller cyclically regulates the operation of the pump so that, in a first phase of each cycle, the pump is actuated so as to cause a fluid pulse to be presented through the inlet bore of the valve housing to the diaphragm and in a second phase of each cycle, the pump is not actuated.

Abstract: An implantable electrode array including a carrier on which plural electrodes are disposed. Also disposed on the carrier is an array antenna over which signals are wirelessly received. A tether is connected to the carrier. A tether antenna is attached to the tether. After the electrode array is implanted, during a trial period instructions and power are transmitted to the array antenna over the tether antenna. If the trial is successful, the tether is disconnected from the electrode array. If the trial is not successful and extraction of the array is necessary, extraction is accomplished by pulling on the tether. Electrode array removal may be facilitated by the pulling of the array into an extraction tube disposed over the tether.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system preferably used for denervation procedures of nerve tissue has a control unit and a pluggable electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has a preferably disposable cannula and a preservable supply electrode assembly. The cannula has a tubular body that projects axially from a preferably pointed distal end for piercing tissue to a proximal end engaged to a first coupling assembly of the cannula. The body carries a first contact exposed directly to the nerve tissue and connected electrically to a terminal of the first coupling assembly. The supply electrode assembly has a second coupling assembly and a supply electrode that projects axially and removably into a through-bore of the body when the tool is in an operating state. The second coupling assembly carries a terminal that abuts the first coupling assembly when the coupling assemblies are mated.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode assembly for a system for performing an electrosurgical procedure using electrical energy. The electrode assembly includes an electrode defining a blind aperture for receiving a thermocouple and formed from nitinol. The nitinol electrode is super-elastic, resistant to corrosion, and bio-compatible. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a thermocouple is disposed in the blind aperture.

Abstract: A neuro-muscular electrical stimulation system provides a series of electrical pulses to instigate muscle twitch to aid in preventing the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. The duration and duty cycle of the electrical pulses provided to a patient's muscle tissue is controlled to instigate muscle twitch without causing tetanic muscle contractions. The system preferably includes a single electrode that is placed upon each calve of a patient. The electrical stimulator device includes a unique housing and circuit board arrangement that facilitates easy assembly without requiring any soldering connections between the circuit board, a power source and electrical leads that are utilized to provide signals to the electrodes that are placed on the patient. The circuit board preferably is made from a slightly resilient plastic material that is flexed from a disconnected position into an electrically connected position upon assembly of the stimulator device.