Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of semiconductors, and provides a light-emitting diode epitaxial wafer, a growth method therefor, and a light-emitting diode chip. The growth method comprises: placing a sapphire substrate into a reaction chamber; introducing a reaction gas into the reaction chamber, and forming a plurality of GaN crystal nuclei containing In atoms on the surface of the sapphire substrate; growing at least one composite layer on the GaN crystal nuclei, the GaN crystal nuclei growing to form a buffer layer, and each composite layer comprising an InGaN sublayer and a GaN sublayer that is grown on the InGaN sublayer; and successively growing an N-type GaN layer, an active layer and a P-type GaN layer on the buffer layer to form an epitaxial wafer, the active layer comprising alternately stacked InGaN quantum wells and GaN quantum barriers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thin-film lead assemblies and neural interfaces with stent-assisted deployment, and methods of microfabricating thin-film lead assemblies and neural interfaces. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a medical device having a thin-film neural interface, a stent, and a cable. The thin-film neural interface includes a first supporting structure, electrodes formed on the first supporting structure, and an encapsulation material encasing a portion of the first supporting structure. The cable includes a second supporting structure, conducive traces formed on the second supporting structure and electrically connected with the electrodes, and the encapsulation material encasing at least a portion of the second supporting structure. The stent is at least partially embedded in the encapsulation material encasing the portion of the first supporting structure, and the thin-film neural interface is helically wrapped around at least a portion of the stent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monolithic thin-film lead assembly and methods of microfabricating a monolithic thin-film lead assembly. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a monolithic thin-film lead assembly that includes a cable having a proximal end, a distal end, a supporting structure that extends from the proximal end to the distal end, and conductive traces formed on a portion of the supporting structure. The supporting structure includes one or more layers of dielectric material. The monolithic thin-film lead assembly further includes an interface formed on the supporting structure at the distal end of the cable. The interface includes electrodes and/or sensors in electrical connection with the conductive traces, and the supporting structure has at least one curved portion disposed between a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes, and/or between a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for active charge-balancing for high frequency neural stimulation are disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is described. The implantable medical device includes an enclosure for receiving and hermitically sealing active components. A header is connected to the enclosure and encloses other components of the device. A communications antenna is encapsulated in a bio-compatible material and connected to an exterior surface of the enclosure. The communications antenna is electrically connected to the active components via an access window of the header. The access window is backfilled after the connections are made.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring the temperature of a device used to charge a rechargeable power source are disclosed. Implantable medical devices may include a rechargeable power source that can be transcutaneously charged. The temperature of an external charging device and/or an implantable medical device may be monitored to control the temperature exposure to patient tissue. In one example, a temperature sensor may sense a temperature of a portion of a device, wherein the portion is non-thermally coupled to the temperature sensor. A processor may then control charging of the rechargeable power source based on the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly charging an implantable device is described. The system may include an estimation device or component that estimates a field strength at a receiving coil of the implantable device based on available electrical signals within the implantable device. The system may also include a control system for varying a strength of a charging field produced by a charger. The system may also be used to align a wireless charger with the implantable device for charging a battery of the implantable device. Methods and devices for implementing the charging system are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vibration-based communication disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a motion sensor configured to detect vibrations from a remote device; a processor coupled to the motion sensor and configured to: receive signals from the motion sensor; and activate a network connection based on signals from the motion sensor.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator is provided that includes a power source, a wireless communication component configured to facilitate wireless communication with a non-implanted device and pulse-generating circuitry connected to the power source. The pulse-generating circuitry can be configured to identify, based on wireless communication with the non-implanted device, temporal and amplitude characteristics for electrical pulse stimuli and to trigger electrical output stimuli having the temporal and amplitude characteristics. The implantable pulse generation can further include one or more lead connections—each being shaped to engage a lead and electrically connected to the pulse-generating circuitry to enable the lead to deliver at least part of the electrical output stimuli triggered by the pulse-generating circuitry. The implantable pulse generator can further include one or more suture-engagement components, each including one or more holes each having a diameter that is at least 0.1 mm and less than 5 mm.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals during stimulation therapy by preventing stimulation waveform artifacts from being passed through to the amplification of the sensed physiological signal. Thus, the amplifiers are not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals between stimulation waveform pulses. A blanking switch may be used to blank the stimulation waveform artifacts where the blanking switch is operated in a manner synchronized with the stimulation waveform so that conduction in the sensing path is blocked during the stimulation pulse as well as during other troublesome artifacts such as a peak of a recharge pulse. A limiter may be used to limit the amplitude of the sensed signal, and hence the stimulation artifacts, that are passed to the amplifier without any synchronization of the limiter to the stimulation waveform.

Abstract: Devices and methods provide for the sensing of physiological signals during stimulation therapy by preventing stimulation waveform artifacts from being passed through to the amplification of the sensed physiological signal. Thus, the amplifiers are not adversely affected by the stimulation waveform and can provide for successful sensing of physiological signals between stimulation waveform pulses. A blanking switch may be used to blank the stimulation waveform artifacts where the blanking switch is operated in a manner synchronized with the stimulation waveform so that conduction in the sensing path is blocked during the stimulation pulse as well as during other troublesome artifacts such as a peak of a recharge pulse. A limiter may be used to limit the amplitude of the sensed signal, and hence the stimulation artifacts, that are passed to the amplifier without any synchronization of the limiter to the stimulation waveform.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator is provided that includes a power source, a wireless communication component configured to facilitate wireless communication with a non-implanted device and pulse-generating circuitry connected to the power source. The pulse-generating circuitry can be configured to identify, based on wireless communication with the non-implanted device, temporal and amplitude characteristics for electrical pulse stimuli and to trigger electrical output stimuli having the temporal and amplitude characteristics. The implantable pulse generation can further include one or more lead connections—each being shaped to engage a lead and electrically connected to the pulse-generating circuitry to enable the lead to deliver at least part of the electrical output stimuli triggered by the pulse-generating circuitry. The implantable pulse generator can further include one or more suture-engagement components, each including one or more holes each having a diameter that is at least 0.1 mm and less than 5 mm.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring the temperature of a device used to charge a rechargeable power source are disclosed. Implantable medical devices may include a rechargeable power source that can be transcutaneously charged. The temperature of an external charging device and/or an implantable medical device may be monitored to control the temperature exposure to patient tissue. In one example, a temperature sensor may sense a temperature of a portion of a device, wherein the portion is non-thermally coupled to the temperature sensor. A processor may then control charging of the rechargeable power source based on the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A reader device includes an array of antenna coils configured to electromagnetically couple with devices implanted beneath or within skin of a human body. An implanted device can include a loop antenna or other means configured to couple with at least one antenna coil of the reader device to receive radio frequency energy from and transmit radio frequency transmissions to the reader device. The antenna coil array is configured to mount to the skin surface to improve the coupling between the implanted device and coils of the array. Further, the reader device is configured to select one or more antenna coils of the array and to operate the selected antenna coil to communicate, via radio frequency transmissions, with and/or provide radio frequency power to the implanted device. An antenna coil of the array can be selected based on a detected amount of coupling with the implanted device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for neuro stimulation. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes a stimulator introduced into tissue at a target location and a central controller that communicates wirelessly with the stimulator. The stimulator includes a power system that receives wireless energy transmission, and an electrode system that transmits an electrical pulse for stimulating the target location. The central controller includes a power system that wirelessly delivers power to the stimulator, a communication system that wirelessly communicates with the stimulator, and a processing system that controls the power system and the communication system. The central controller may instruct the stimulator to transmit one or more electrical pulses to the target location to affect an endocrine function (e.g., affect the glucose level of a patient).