Abstract: An Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) includes a surgically implantable housing, a battery, a first waveform generator, a second waveform generator, a modulator, and electrodes. The IPG produces a pulse envelope, a carrier waveform, and a modulated waveform. The pulse envelope is a low frequency waveform with specific pulse width, amplitude and shape to selectively stimulate a target nerve or body part. The carrier waveform is a high frequency waveform with properties such as amplitude, frequency and the like chosen so as to overcome tissue impedance and the stimulation threshold of the target nerve. The modulated waveform is the waveform obtained by modulating the carrier waveform by the pulse envelope.

Abstract: A medical patch system has a first medical patch including an outer locating ring securable to a surface and an inner patch, separable from the outer locating ring, disposed within the outer locating ring. The medical patch system includes a second medical patch adapted for insertion into the central area bounded by the outer locating ring after the inner patch is separated from the outer locating ring. The second medical patch includes a second outer locating ring securable to the surface, and a second inner patch section, separable from the second outer locating ring, disposed within a second central area bounded by the second outer locating ring. The first and second outer locating rings have adhesive layers for securing the outer locating rings to a surface. The adhesive layers on the respective outer locating rings have different sizes, shapes or patterns to minimize skin irritation.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing communication among a control device and an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device transmits to the control device identification information including a unique identification number associated with the implantable medical device and/or a current version of application software currently being utilized by the implantable medical device. Based on the extracted identification information, the control device correlates thereto a version of the application software from among the multiple versions of application software associated with the control device that is compatible with the recognized version of the application software currently being utilized by the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A selective nerve stimulation patch includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, integrated components overlying the top surface of the substrate and being electrically interconnected with one another for generating at least one nerve stimulating signal, electrodes integrated into the substrate and exposed at the bottom surface thereof for applying the at least one nerve stimulating signal to a target nerve, a waterproof, breathable cover overlying the substrate and the integrated components, and a support flange surrounding the substrate and coupling the cover and the substrate together. The support flange has a top surface that slopes downwardly toward an outer perimeter thereof, and at least a portion of the cover conforms to the sloping top surface of the support flange. In one embodiment, the patch generates a high frequency waveform with properties such as amplitude, frequency and the like chosen so as to overcome tissue impedance and the stimulation threshold of the target nerve.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of the flow rate of a valve in a fluidic delivery device in which a desired flow rate may be achieved by varying the duty cycle of the valve. The flow rate of fluid delivery from the valve over its lifetime is stabilized by minimizing the voltage OPENING time of the valve to account for valve and piezoelectric actuator drift. Also, the valve OPENING time of one or more fluidic parameters that impact on the flow rate delivery by the valve and differ among fluidic delivery devices is compensated to optimize the flow rate accuracy.

Abstract: An electrokinetic actuator for fluid flow titration including two chambers separated from one another by a porous dielectric disposed therebetween. A plurality of electrodes are disposed about a perimeter of the first and second chambers. Polar electrolyte disposed within the actuator is able to pass through the porous dielectric between the first and second chambers upon the application of an electric field or electric potential to the plural electrodes. A mechanical valve actuation mechanism connected to the second chamber allows for fine titration of fluid flow using electro-osmosis, including full-flow and/or complete cut-off. The polar electrolyte is isolated to prohibit intermixing with a fluid being titrated (such as cerebrospinal fluid).

Abstract: A universal external control device for use by multiple conditional access users with varying access to functionality of an implantable medical device in wireless communication therewith. Circuitry associated with the external control device is used to uniquely identify each of the conditional access users via an access device such as a key or card. Access to functionality of the implantable medical device is restricted by the universal external control device based on the conditional access user identified by the access device.

Abstract: A system for stimulating a nerve or nerves in a patient includes an electrode patch having an array of equally spaced concentric electrodes each having a central cathode and a concentrically surrounding anode. The electrode array patch is used to determine the location of the nerve or nerves to be stimulated by electrical pulses. Once the location of the nerve is determined, a concentric electrode patch having a central cathode and a concentrically surrounding anode is positioned at the optimal location on the patient's skin to effect neurostimulation. The concentric electrode patch may be removably affixed to the patient's skin by adhesive or magnets.

Abstract: A nerve stimulation device includes a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating nerves within a dermatome, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a first carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue of a mammal, and a third waveform generator adapted to generate a second carrier waveform having a third frequency different than the second frequency and being capable of passing through the tissue of the mammal. The device includes a modulator electrically coupled to the first, second and third waveform generators and adapted to modulate the first waveform, the first carrier waveform, and the second carrier waveform to generate a modulated signal package capable of stimulating the nerves at different depths within the dermatome. The device also has an electrode electrically coupled to the modulator for applying the modulated waveform to the dermatomic region.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for transdermally stimulating selected body parts of a mammal. The device includes a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a first frequency capable of stimulating a first predetermined body part, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a second frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal, and a third waveform generator adapted to generate a third waveform having a third frequency different from and out of phase with that of the first waveform, and capable of stimulating a second predetermined body part.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of the flow rate of a valve in a fluidic delivery device in which a desired flow rate may be achieved by varying the duty cycle of the valve. The flow rate of fluid delivery from the valve over its lifetime is stabilized by minimizing the voltage OPENING time of the valve to account for valve and piezoelectric actuator drift. Also, the valve OPENING time of one or more fluidic parameters that impact on the flow rate delivery by the valve and differ among fluidic delivery devices is compensated to optimize the flow rate accuracy.

Abstract: An electrode including a non-conductive substrate having a top surface and at least one channel extending therethrough, an electrically conductive trace material positioned adjacent a portion of the top surface of the non-conductive substrate and extending through the channel, and adapted for electrically coupling to a power source, and second and third electrically conductive materials that are inert or more corrosion resistant than the trace material. The second material is positioned adjacent to and entirely covering a top surface of the trace material, and the third material is positioned adjacent to and entirely covering a top surface of the second electrically conductive material, and covers a portion of a top surface of the non-conductive substrate surrounding the second electrically conductive material. The electrode further includes a conductive hydrogel positioned adjacent to a portion of a top surface of the third electrically conductive material, but laterally offset from the trace material.

Abstract: A comparative sizing method in which at least one well-fitting source item is received having at least one source item property associated therewith and a target item having at least one associated target item property for which a resultant comparative sizing recommendation is being requested based on the at least one source item as specified by its at least one source item property associated therewith. Each source item and the target item is correlated with each database item having associated database item properties in a database based on source-database item matches and target database item matches. The resultant comparative sizing recommendation is determined based on the correlated source-database item matches and target-database item matches.

Abstract: A system for controlling an implantable medical device (e.g., a drug delivery device) susceptible to malfunctioning during exposure to a magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field (e.g., during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure) and a method for operating the same. Exposure of the implantable device to the magnetic field and/or the Radio Frequency field is detected using the sensing device. When the detected magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold level, an input signal is generated at the microcontroller.

Abstract: Separating a multi-phase mixture influent even during excessive flows of specific phases. The dynamic phase separator includes a chamber divided into two regions by an inner wall disposed radially inward relative to an outer wall. A gross separation region is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall, while a fine separation region lies inside an area defined by the inner wall and top of the chamber. Influent to be separated is fed through an inlet into the gross separation region. A plurality of porous disks are mounted to a rotatable shaft and disposed in the fine separation region. The outer and inner walls are separated by a predetermined distance sufficient to allow for adequate rotational velocity of incoming tangential flow of the influent and dwell time sufficient for natural separation of lighter phases from heavier phases within the gross separation region.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating a nerve, wherein the system includes a first waveform generator adapted to generate a first waveform having a frequency capable of stimulating a predetermined nerve of the mammal, a second waveform generator adapted to generate a carrier waveform having a frequency capable of passing through tissue of the mammal, a modulation device electrically coupled to the first and second waveform generators and adapted to modulate the first and carrier waveforms to create a modulated waveform, and an electrode electrically coupled to the modulation device and positioned substantially adjacent to skin of the mammal, and adapted to apply the modulated waveform thereto.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing stimulation therapy of an external stimulating device. The stimulating signal for stimulation of a target nerve is produced using the external stimulating device. A magnetic field is induced in an implanted transmitting coil disposed proximate the target nerve when the action potential is fired along an axon of the target nerve. In turn, a feedback signal is generated in a receiving coil associated with the external stimulating device based on whether the target nerve fires an action potential. Stimulating signal parameters of the stimulating signal are adjusted based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: Automatic resetting of a group of multiple processors in an electronic device wherein the processors are arranged in either a cascade chain or master-slave configuration. Upon the receipt of an originating reset signal by any one of the multiple processors the remaining processors are reset upon receipt of a forced reset signal generated by one of the processors in the group. The system states prior to the originating reset of each processor is refreshed to ensure compatible synchronization of system states and thus proper communication among the processors.

Abstract: A self-corrective wrist positioning practice device including a planar elongated member having a two curved terminating ends with a pair of slots defined proximate each terminating end. Two adjustably securable straps are received within the pair of slots at the respective terminating ends. When oriented on the back of the wearer's arm the device permits while simultaneously mechanically signaling improper backward wrist bending without using electronic components. The device is also repositionable from the back to the side of the arm so as to signal improper bending of the wrist sideways.