Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide notification to a user about pending neurostimulation or ongoing neurostimulation using a variety of notification signals and obtaining a user response to the notification using a variety of methods by which the user response is provided. Systems using implanted neurostimulation devices, external neurostimulators which provide transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or both provide responsive and scheduled therapy regimens that include ecosystem support for augmenting user compliance when treating symptoms, conditions, or disorders. The system is also to assist the user through assessment protocols for improved customization of stimulus regimen attributes such as stimulation protocol parameter values, electrode montages, user surveying, and compliance contingent operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide stimulation of peripheral targets such as targets in the lower limbs. Electrode arrays realized in circumferential or longitudinal embodiments have pads with horizontal and/or vertical offsets. Electrode array geometries are customizable and adaptable to individual users and treatment of different disorders. Novel systems of customization include software and hardware implemented solutions. A single device can provide treatment of two or more disorders or unwanted states using selected electrode geometries and stimulation protocols. Systems and methods for assessment of candidate stimulation sites and protocols use subjective or objective measures or both to determine which meet stimulation success criteria. Simulation is provided using transcutaneous, percutaneous, or implantable stimulators. A main advantage is the improved treatment of pelvic floor disorders, and especially overactive bladder (OAB).

Abstract: This application includes systems and techniques relating to wirelessly rechargeable medical apparatus, such as a wirelessly powered medical device including: a wireless energy harvesting module configured to receive at least one type of wireless power; a power management module configured to manage and monitor power harvested by the wireless energy harvesting module; a sensing or stimulation module configured to provide sensing data or a treatment operation; and a control module configured to communicate with the power management module and with the sensing or stimulation module; wherein the power management module and the control module are configured to communicate with each other to modify an interrelation of operations of the wireless energy harvesting module and the sensing or stimulation module, including to compensate for influences of wireless power harvesting on operation of the sensing module or on the treatment operation provided by the stimulation module.

Abstract: A drug delivery system provides for controlled mixing of drugs, using at least one mixing chamber. Flow controllers guide drugs into single or multiple catheters, enabling a single lumen catheter to dispense multiple drugs, diluting a concentrated drug to provide varying drug concentration. A buffer fluid can deliver precise drug amounts or can separate drugs within a catheter. A patient's bodily fluid can serve as a diluent or buffer fluid. A drug testing/filler apparatus may be used to facilitate filling of multiple reservoirs. Bolus or continuous delivery of drug to selected distal locations can occur at independent rates. New catheter systems, hub assemblies, and uses therefore are also described. New methods for promotion of healthy pregnancy and treatment of a developing fetus are disclosed.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents during payment card transactions especially for e-commerce and e-transactions. Fraud deterrents may be selected and configured by a client, bank, or other third-party and provided to a client in customized manners which may be configured on a client's authorized device Or otherwise as defined in an e-profile associated with a payment card. Fraud deterrent options may be contingent upon transaction features including a client's profile, transaction value, or other preferences. The deterrent features may be customized by the client and include use of conceptual passwords.

Abstract: A method to treat a patient having a pelvic floor dysfunction or overactive bladder disorder by establishing a neurostimulator having a processor and an electrical signal generator to generate a stimulation signal. The processor is set to one or more parameters effective in the treating of the patient's pelvic disorder or dysfunction including overactive bladder disorder when the stimulation signal is applied to a saphenous nerve of the patient. The neurostimulator is configured to provide the stimulation signal to a stimulator in accordance with a stimulation protocol. At least one stimulator is positioned next to a portion of the saphenous nerve of at least one lower limb of a patient. The processor is operationally activated to provide the stimulation signal to the stimulator for treatment of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a wireless power system which includes components which can be recharged by harvesting wireless power, wireless power transmitters for transmitting the power, and devices which are powered from the components. Features such as temperature monitoring, tiered network protocols including both data and power communication, and power management strategies related to both charging and non-charging operations, are used to improve performance of the wireless network. Rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged using wireless power have unique components specifically tailored for recharging operations rather than for providing power to a device. A wireless power supply for powering implanted devices benefits from an external patient controller which contains features for adjusting both power transmission and harvesting provided by other components of the wireless power network.

Abstract: A device for testing a wireless power network, where the network includes at least one power source, at least one load, and resonators configured to couple wireless power from the at least one power source to the at least one load. The device includes: a user interface for receiving input from a user and providing information to the user; a measurement module for measuring (directly or indirectly) at least one operational characteristic of the wireless power network and information about the geometric arrangement of the multiple resonators in the wireless power network; a memory for storing design specifications about the wireless power network; and an electronic processor configured to calculate information about a performance of the wireless power network based on the operational characteristic, the information about the geometric arrangement of the resonators, and the stored design specifications, and further configured to provide the performance information through the user interface.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: This application includes systems and techniques relating to wirelessly rechargeable medical apparatus, such as a wirelessly powered medical system including: a wireless power transmitter; and a medical apparatus including a wireless energy harvesting device configured to receive at least one type of wireless power from the wireless power transmitter and be mounted on an exterior surface of a human body, a medical device configured to be implanted in the human body, and one or more electrical conduits configured to couple the wireless energy harvesting device on the exterior surface of the human body with the medical device implanted in the human body, wherein the one or more electrical conduits provide harvested electric power from the wireless energy harvesting device to the medical device.

Abstract: A drug delivery system provides for controlled mixing of drugs, using flow controllers to guide drugs into single or multiple catheters, enabling a single lumen catheter to dispense multiple drugs, diluting a concentrated drug to provide varying drug concentration, using a buffer fluid to deliver precise amounts of drug or to separate drugs within a catheter, and using a patient's bodily fluid as a diluent or buffer fluid. A drug testing/filler apparatus may be used prior to system use to facilitate filling of multiple reservoirs and may also be used for refilling. The system can provide bolus or continuous delivery and enable the measured delivery of drug to selected distal locations at independent rates. New types of catheter systems, catheter hub assemblies, and uses therefore are also described. New methods for promotion of healthy pregnancy and treatment of a developing fetus are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for providing therapy related to urological disorders. Particular embodiments of this technology relate to stimulation of lumbar spinal targets either alone or in combination with a sacral target or targets. In embodiments spinal roots are stimulated by partially or fully implanted stimulators to treat symptoms by producing bladder inhibition relative to that which occurs prior to stimulation. Embodiments also disclose improving nerve stimulation, including lumbar nerve root stimulation, using methods termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS) since these enhance the inhibition or excitation of neural tissue.

Abstract: A method to treat a patient having a pelvic floor dysfunction or disorder by establishing a neurostimulator having a processor and an electrical signal generator to generate a stimulation signal. The processor is set to one or more parameters effective in the treating of the patient's pelvic disorder or dysfunction when the stimulation signal is applied to a saphenous nerve of the patient. The neurostimulator is configured to provide the stimulation signal to a stimulator in accordance with a stimulation protocol. The stimulator is positioned below or at the level of the patient's knee and next to a portion of the saphenous nerve. The processor is operationally activated to provide the stimulation signal to the stimulator for treatment of the patient.

Abstract: Nerve stimulation systems and methods are disclosed for providing modulation of nerve targets in the lower limbs typically at or below the knee. For example, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), percutaneous nerve stimulation, and implantable stimulation systems and methods are disclosed for providing stimulation to the saphenous nerve (SAFN). Additionally, systems and methods are provided for co-stimulating the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) and SAFN in combination with unique stimulation, and with control and display of OAB therapy protocols for multiple sites. Systems and methods of treatment can provide for management of usage and compliance monitoring, obtain and operating upon patient input responses to queries and management of payments and permissions related to provision of therapies for various disorders. Monitoring of usage and compliance can be managed both locally and remotely from a user. Stimulation provided in combination with a passive implantable component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for testing a wireless power network is disclosed. The network includes at least one power source, at least one load, and multiple resonators configured to couple wireless power from the at least one power source to the at least one load.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system, according to some implementations, includes: an antenna configured to transmit radio frequency signals for both data transmission and power transmission; and a wireless device coupled with the antenna, the wireless device configured to cause the antenna to transmit the radio frequency signals for the data transmission and the power transmission; wherein the wireless device includes a communication module configured to perform data transmission operations with respect to power transmission operations according to a temporal schedule; and wherein the temporal schedule specifies occurrence of the data transmission operations and the power transmission operations at different intervals.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter for nerve activity ablation and/or sensing includes one or more needles advanced through supported guide tubes (needle guiding elements) which expand to contact the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the needles to be advanced though the vessel wall into the extra-luminal tissue including the media, adventitia and periadvential space. The catheter also includes structures which provide radial and lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes open uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall. Electrodes near the distal ends of the needles allow sensing of nerve activity before and after attempted renal denervation. In a combination embodiment ablative energy or fluid is delivered from the needles in or near the adventitia to ablate nerves outside of the media while sparing nerves within the media.

Abstract: A method to treat a patient having a pelvic floor dysfunction or disorder by establishing a neurostimulator having a processor and an electrical signal generator to generate a stimulation signal. The processor is set to one or more parameters effective in the treating of the patient's pelvic disorder or dysfunction when the stimulation signal is applied to a saphenous nerve of the patient. The neurostimulator is configured to provide the stimulation signal to a stimulator in accordance with a stimulation protocol. The stimulator is positioned below or at the level of the patient's knee and next to a portion of the saphenous nerve. The processor is operationally activated to provide the stimulation signal to the stimulator for treatment of the patient.