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 system includes an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents during e-commerce, e-transactions, and digital rights management and access. One or more fraud deterrents may be automatically selected by a client, seller, bank, or other third-party and may be implemented or presented to the client as a potential fraud deterrent option that may be chosen. Fraud deterrent options may be provided which are associated with particular aspects of the transaction including a client's profile, the value of an item, or the preferences of the seller. The fraud deterrent features can be provided as part of a digital shopping cart and may be highly customized by the client including allowing the client to customize conceptual passwords which are presented during subsequent transactions.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.

Abstract: A device for detecting cardiac ischemia is disclosed. The device includes a processor that is configured to distinguish between two different heart beats types such as ventricularly paced beats and supraventricular beats. The processor collects separate reference data for a first one of the beat types indicative of the normal values of a cardiac feature. The processor performs an ischemia test to beats of the first type by first checking whether valid reference data exists for that beat type. If so, the ischemia test is based on this reference data. If no valid reference data exists for the firs beat type, the processor applies an ischemia test that is not based on reference data for the first beat type.

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: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.

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: 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: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving nerve stimulation are disclosed and are termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS). One embodiment can be used for enhancing the excitation properties of neural tissue. In one embodiment, systems and methods are provided to enable the selective modulation of specific (targeted) neural substrate, while minimizing the activation of adjacent (non-targeted) nervous tissue, or differentially providing different modulation signals to tissue targeted by different implants. In one embodiment, the system consists of an implant that is used to modify the extracellular potential (i.e. activating function) generated by an independent electrical stimulus generator. Certain aspects of this technology can be applied to any part of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Particular embodiments of this technology provide for therapy related to urological disorders.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted device.

Abstract: A rechargeable medical system comprised of an implanted device, rechargeable power storage operatively connected to the implantable device, a charging module operatively connected to the rechargeable storage, and external devices including a patient programmer and external charging means. The charging module can harvest at least one of thermal, photovoltaic, movement, RF, and magnetic energy to generate electrical power. The system has components for charging the storage from the generated power, and for measuring power generation, usage and reserve levels. The system provides for physically initiating and disrupting charging operations, for generating and communicating signals relevant to power harvesting, for monitoring, providing, and displaying data related to energy generation and energy generation criteria, and for tracking historical harvesting and energy consumption. The system may also have long-range and short-range wireless power harvesting capability.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient alert messages when selected operations are to occur, and using a patient's response to the alert message that is provided within a selected time limit in order to contingently adjust therapy. Methods are also described for resolving conflicts which may occur when time information and sensed data information each indicate different patient states are occurring. Although treatment of neural and cardiac disorders is emphasized, the techniques can be applied to the monitoring and treatment of any medical disorder with an implanted 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: Stimulation treatments for medical disorders comprise providing stimulation parameters that create partial stimulation signals which combine into vector signals. The individual partial signals may have frequency or temporal content that is unique rather than all being identical. Vector signals may thus be designed with certain advantageous characteristics such as to influence target tissue in an intended manner while partial signals may be designed with other advantageous characteristics such as to avoid producing side effects in adjacent tissue. Roving of stimulation parameters can be designed to influence partial signals, vectors signals, or both. Partial and vector signals may be designed to match or avoid internal/endogenous activity patterns and rhythms of a patient. Methods for choosing, creating and using partial signals are disclosed. Tissue modulation may be accomplished with electrical and/or magnetic stimulation.

Abstract: A device for detecting cardiac ischemia is disclosed. The device includes a processor that is configured to distinguish between two different heart beats types such as ventricularly paced beats and supraventricular beats. The processor collects separate reference data for a first one of the beat types indicative of the normal values of a cardiac feature. The processor performs an ischemia test to beats of the first type by first checking whether valid reference data exists for that beat type. If so, the ischemia test is based on this reference data. If no valid reference data exists for the first beat type, the processor applies an ischemia test that is not based on reference data for the first beat type.

Abstract: Stimulation treatments for various medical disorders, such as neurological disorders, comprise novel systems, strategies, and methods for providing TMS, electrical, magnetic, optical and other stimulation. Some stimulation methods comprise varying the stimulation parameters to improve the therapeutic efficacy of stimulation, and decrease risk of habituation and side-effects such as interference with normal brain, sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. The creation, and subsequent variation, of stimulation parameters can use sensed data in order to match, adjust, or avoid matching characteristics of the stimulation therapy relative to certain endogenous brain activities. Novel methods are described for choosing, creating and subsequently stimulating with partial signals which summate to produce therapeutic vector fields having unique temporal patterns and low- or high-frequency spectral content.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.