Abstract: A method includes initiating a blood fluid removal session for a patient in need thereof; monitoring a cardiovascular parameter of the patient; determining whether the indicator of the cardiovascular state crosses a predetermined threshold; and altering a parameter of the blood fluid removal session if the indicator is determined have crossed the threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for boundary layer suction on the outer skin of an aircraft, on which outer skin a surface where drawing off by suction can take place comprising openings is connected to a suction source by way of at least one suction line, wherein the surface where drawing off by suction can take place is formed by at least one panel-shaped composite component that comprises an extruded profile, made of light metal, as a base body, which extruded profile comprises several suction channels that are open towards the outer skin, onto which base body, for the purpose of forming the outer skin, a micro-perforated metal cover sheet has been applied in the region of the surface where drawing off by suction can take place. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for producing such a panel-shaped composite component.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided that includes an upper panel, a lower panel, a plurality of side panels, and a plurality of guide rails each having at least two insert slots formed therein that extend along a longitudinal axis of the guide rail. Each of the insert slots is configured to receive and fixedly hold an edge of the side panels. The upper panel and lower panel are each fixedly mounted to an opposite edge face of the guide rails thereby securing the side panels and guide rail between the upper panel and lower panel.

Abstract: A power distribution system is provided that includes an upper panel, a lower panel, a plurality of side panels, and a plurality of guide rails each having at least two insert slots formed therein that extend along a longitudinal axis of the guide rail. Each of the insert slots is configured to receive and fixedly hold an edge of the side panels. The upper panel and lower panel are each fixedly mounted to an opposite edge face of the guide rails thereby securing the side panels and guide rail between the upper panel and lower panel.

Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.

Abstract: A charging cabinet for hand held devices comprising a cavity defined by a rear wall, top and bottom parallel walls, and opposing side walls, and a front wall hingeably secured to one of the side walls to form a closure door, there being positioned within the cavity of the cabinet, a plurality of shelves for support of a hand held devices, the cabinet having a plurality of 110 volt or 220 volt outlets secured thereto, each of the 110 volt or 220 volt charging outlets having an on/off switch associated therewith to activate and deactivate a particular outlet, there also being a plurality of securing means associated with each shelf for securing excess wire associated with each charger in a compact manner, the charging cabinet being wall mounted or recessed in a wall and connected to a power source.

Abstract: Assembly and method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a biological matrix. The assembly includes an implantable optical-sensing element that comprises a body, and a membrane mounted on the body in a manner such that the membrane and the body define a cavity. The membrane is permeable to the analyte, but is impermeable to background species in the biological matrix. A refractive element is positioned in the cavity. A light source transmits light of a first intensity onto the refractive element, and a light detector receives light of a second intensity that is reflected from the cavity. A controller device optically coupled to the detector compares the first and second light intensities, and relates the intensities to analyte concentration.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an implantable stimulation system that guides programming with a therapeutic tree. All possible stimulation parameters are arranged on the therapeutic tree, with each level of the therapeutic tree containing a different stimulation parameter type. Each level includes nodes that are connected to nodes of adjacent levels. A program path is created by moving through nodes of lower levels. The stimulation parameter types are arranged so that coarse adjustments occur at higher levels of the tree and fine adjustments occur at lower levels of the tree. The nodes of the program path define the stimulation parameters of the delivered stimulation therapy. Performance feedback may be used by the system to evaluate nodes of the therapeutic tree and define the program path. The performance feedback may include beneficial effects, adverse effects, and system performance related to the stimulation therapy. Additionally, one or more sensors may provide the performance feedback.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an implantable stimulation system that guides programming with a therapeutic tree. All possible stimulation parameters are arranged on the therapeutic tree, with each level of the therapeutic tree containing a different stimulation parameter type. Each level includes nodes that are connected to nodes of adjacent levels. A program path is created by moving through nodes of lower levels. The stimulation parameter types are arranged so that coarse adjustments occur at higher levels of the tree and fine adjustments occur at lower levels of the tree. The nodes of the program path define the stimulation parameters of the delivered stimulation therapy. The user may provide information such as efficacy input and/or medication dosage information to the system for identifying the most efficacious program path in treating pain of the patient. Additionally or alternatively, efficacy feedback may be received from physiological parameter sensors.

Abstract: The invention includes a implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one electrode; a lead body; and at least one modifiable portion, wherein the at least one modifiable portion has a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first configuration exists when axial tension is exerted on the at least one modifiable portion, and wherein the second configuration exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the first configuration. Kits, and systems and methods of using the lead are also included.

Abstract: The invention includes an implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one modifiable portion that exhibits a first configuration when exposed to a first temperature and a second configuration when exposed to a second temperature, wherein the second configuration of the modifiable portion exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the first configuration, and the second temperature is higher than the first temperature; and at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation of body tissue, wherein the lead has a proximal end and a distal end. Systems including leads of the invention and methods of implanting leads of the invention are also included.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an absorbent pad worn by a patient that measures one or more urinary voiding parameters. One or more sensors that measure voiding parameters are integrally formed with the pad, e.g., interwoven with the absorbent pad material or positioned to form one or more sensor layers between layers of absorbent material. The sensors store measured parameters as information in a memory, e.g., as a log, locally or in a separate device. In some embodiments, the pad includes an electrical stimulator that provides stimulation therapy for urinary incontinence based on measured parameters.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an implantable stimulation system that learns to identify a voiding signature of a bladder and log the voiding events. The system may adjust stimulation therapy according to the voiding signature. The system includes an implantable neurostimulator and a sensor that senses a physiological event indicative of a voiding event. The sensor may sense neurological activity, bladder dimensions, bladder characterizes, external wetness, or other activities related to patient voiding. The neurostimulation correlates the sensed event to an input by a user to learn what sensed data is indicative of a voiding event. In addition, the system may use a secondary sensor to negate a voiding signature detection when the patient may not be having a voiding event.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and system for delivering a drug to a genitofemoral nerve or a genital branch of a genitofemoral nerve of a patient. The system includes drug delivery devices that deliver one or more drugs for alleviation of pelvic pain. The system may deliver drug therapy for pelvic pain in men or women. Drug therapy may be delivered at various locations along a single or both genitofemoral nerves and the genital branch of a single or both genitofemoral nerves of a patient via a fluid transfer device. When implanted proximate to a genital nerve branch, the fluid transfer device may be implanted proximate to the genital nerve branch. In a male patient stimulation may be delivered proximate to the spermatic cord, which contains a portion of the genital nerve branch. In some embodiments, electrical stimulation may be applied in combination with drug therapy to a genitofemoral nerve or a genital nerve branch of the genitofemoral nerve of a patient.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an implantable stimulation system that guides programming with a therapeutic tree. All possible stimulation parameters are arranged on the therapeutic tree, with each level of the therapeutic tree containing a different stimulation parameter type. Each level includes nodes that are connected to nodes of adjacent levels. A user, such as a clinician or a patient, creates a program path by moving through nodes of lower levels. The stimulation parameter types are arranged so that coarse adjustments occur at higher levels of the tree and fine adjustments occur at lower levels of the tree. The nodes of the program path define the stimulation parameters of the delivered stimulation therapy. In addition, a sensor may detect a physiological function to allow the system to automatically identify therapy efficacy and create the most efficacious program path for the patient.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for providing a patient-individualized efficacy rating. Different stimulation parameters impact efficacy. For example, efficacy may be a function of parameters such as electrode combination, stimulation amplitude, pulse width, and pulse rate. Efficacy may vary from patient-to-patient. For example, efficacy may vary according to age, gender, physiology, disease state, activity level, or activity profile. Comparable stimulation programs may provide different efficacy levels for different patients, according to patient characteristics or desires. Patients may rank efficacy parameters differently. The efficacy parameters may include desirable therapeutic effects and undesirable side effects. For one patient, optimization of a particular efficacy parameter may be the paramount concern. Other patients may be willing to compromise the outcome of the same parameter in favor of better outcomes with other efficacy parameters.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and system for applying electrical stimulation to an ilioinguinal nerve of a patient. The system includes electrical stimulators that apply electrical stimulation for alleviation of pelvic pain. The system may apply electrical stimulation for pelvic pain in men or women. The electrical stimulators may comprise various types of electrodes such as cuff electrodes, electrode leads, and microstimulators implanted at various locations proximate to a single or both ilioinguinal nerves of a patient. In particular, the electrode may be implanted proximate or adjacent to a region of the ilioinguinal nerve above or below the inguinal canal.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one modifiable portion that exhibits a permanent configuration and a temporary configuration, wherein the temporary configuration exists only when the surrounding magnetic field is increased, wherein the permanent configuration of the modifiable portion exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the temporary configuration; and at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation of body tissue, wherein the lead has a proximal end and a distal end. Systems, and methods of implanting the leads are also included in the invention.

Abstract: An implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes at least one shape memory polymer portion that has a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is obtained upon exposure of the shape memory polymer portion to a transition stimulus, and wherein the second configuration of the modifiable portion exhibits a greater resistance to movement of the lead within the body tissue than does the first configuration; and at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation of body tissue, wherein the lead has a proximal end and a distal end. Systems and kits as well as methods of utilizing the leads of the invention are also included.