Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for improving pacing settings of a pace maker, comprising: receiving a set of pacing settings for the pace maker; receiving measurements or fluid mechanics data relating to the heart of a subject for all or part of the pacing settings of the set; estimating hemodynamic forces parameters by elaborating such measurements or inputting hemodynamic forces parameters as received; estimating hemodynamic forces parameters in the heart of the subject by elaborating such hemodynamic forces; selecting an optimal pacing setting of the set, or calculating further pace settings, based on the hemodynamic forces parameters as estimated A corresponding device and computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrocardiogram waveform measurement system is configured to be suitable for measuring an electrocardiogram waveform with high precision using multiple electrodes provided to an article of clothing. A measurement unit performs measurement in a state in which multiple fabric electrodes are grouped into multiple channels. A signal measured by the electrodes for each channel is evaluated in a two-dimensional manner based on the number of times an R wave is detected by an R wave processing unit in a predetermined period of time and a degree of data concentration in a dynamic range acquired by a degree-of-concentration calculation unit. A channel selection unit selects the optimum channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a smart pad for detecting a physiological state and movement, together or individually, of a user. The smart pad comprises: a sensing portion, having a plurality of sub-sensing portions, wherein the plurality of sub-sensing portions are respectively separated from each other by a plurality of partitions; a channel portion, communicating with one opening of each of the plurality of sub-sensing portions; and a collection portion, communicating with the plurality of sub-sensing portions through the channel region. The physiological state and movement, together or individually, is determined according to a fluid status change in the plurality of sub-sensing portions delivered to the collection portion through the channel portion. The interior of the plurality of partitions is separated from the interiors of the sensing portion, channel region, and collection portion.

Abstract: A full depth ophthalmic surgical system includes a femtosecond laser source and an optical coherence tomographer. The system is capable of performing surgical procedures along the entire length of the eye from the cornea to the retina. The optical system of the ophthalmic surgical system is optimized to focus the laser beam and imaging light in the vitreous humor of the eye. In some embodiments, the illumination light source and the scanning mirrors are imaged by the system's objective lens and the patient interface lens to locations near the pupil, to increase the volume of the vitreous humor reachable by the illumination light and laser beam. For procedures performed posterior to the lens, a method for calibrating the full depth ophthalmic surgical system is also provided. The system can be used to perform treatment in the vitreous humor, including treating floaters and liquification of the vitreous humor.

Abstract: Shielded sheaths are placed over implantable medical leads and/or implantable medical lead extensions to provide shielding from electromagnetic energy and to prevent heating at the electrodes. The shielded sheaths include insulative bodies with shield layers such as conductive braided wire or conductive foil tubular structures. The shielded sheath may be implanted at the time of implanting the lead and/or lead extension. The shielded sheath may also be implanted at a later time after the lead and/or lead extension has previously been implanted. The shielded sheath may be anchored onto the lead or lead extension.

Abstract: Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, can modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating inflammatory disorders. The invention provides improved ways of treating inflammatory disorders which minimize off-target effects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a laser-assisted posterior capsulotomy and for performing laser eye surgery on an eye having a penetrated cornea are provided. A method for performing a posterior capsulotomy includes injecting fluid between the lens posterior capsule and the anterior hyaloids membrane to separate the lens posterior capsule and the anterior hyaloids membrane. With the lens posterior capsule separated from the anterior hyaloids membrane, a posterior capsulotomy is performed on the lens posterior capsule by using a laser to incise the lens posterior capsule.

Abstract: A heart rate (HR) monitor for use in a medical device configurable to measure a patient's ECG such as, for example, a WCD system. Embodiments can include an ECG sensor and a processor configured with classification criteria to classify a received ECG signal into one of a plurality of ECG rhythm types each with a corresponding algorithm to determine the patient's heart rate. The processor uses the classification criteria to identify the ECG signal's type and determine a heart rate of the patient using the corresponding algorithm. The HR monitor is configurable to avoid overcounting of erroneous measurements of R-R intervals that can result from large T-waves and/or bigeminy by comparing the mean of even R-R intervals with the mean of odd R-R intervals. If the means are significantly different double counting or bigeminy is indicated and the HR calculation is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A catheter pump having a pump head for insertion into the arterial vasculature. The pump head comprises a conveying element, which can be moved from a folded-up insertion position, in which the pump head can be inserted into the arterial vasculature, into a folded-out operating position, and a cage surrounding the conveying element. The cage comprises a distal and a proximal sleeve as well as filaments extending between the sleeves, a support part coupled to the respective sleeve in the axial direction is provided in the region of the distal and/or the proximal sleeve, the support part comprises a peripheral groove, in which a ring element is held in the axial direction, and the sleeve comprises at least one recess, in which the sleeve is welded to the ring element.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a sheath disposed on an external surface of the instrument shaft. The sheath has a first section made of ePTFE and a second section made of a second material, wherein the second section provides a friction seal with the shaft, and wherein the ePTFE is gas-permeable.

Abstract: This invention addresses the need for efficient dry skin electrodes. Robust, flexible Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductor (MIEC) electrodes were prepared by an aqueous solution route resulting in electrically conductive networks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and ionically conductive elastic matrix. The flexible electrode was characterized in terms of conductivity, ionic charge transfer resistance, and water uptake. The flexible electrode maintained low resistance even after multiple cycles of 50% extension and contraction.

Abstract: A controller is provided to determine a ventricular filling phase slope as an indicator of high pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and/or cardiac index. Flow rate values describing a blood flow rate through a ventricular assist device are received. A ventricular filling phase segment is identified from a portion of the received flow rate values. A slope of the received flow rate values during the identified ventricular filling phase segment is determined. The determined slope is compared to a predetermined threshold value. When the determined slope exceeds the predetermined threshold value based on the comparison, a warning is triggered regarding an elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or a low cardiac index value.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and device for providing dual chamber sensing with a single chamber leadless implantable medical device (LIMD) are provided. The method is under control of one or more processors in the LIMD configured with specific executable instructions. The method obtains a far field (FF) cardiac activity (CA) signals for activity in a remote chamber of a heart and compares the far field CA signals to a P-wave template to identify an event of interest associated with the remote chamber. The method sets an atrial-ventricular (AV) delay based on the P-wave identified and delivers pacing pulses at a pacing site of interest to a local chamber based on the AV delay.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. A computer-assisted teleoperated surgery system includes a teleoperated instrument actuation pod. The surgical instrument actuation pod includes a plurality of linear actuators arranged around a surgical instrument. The linear actuators engage with actuator engagement members on the instrument and so drive movable parts on the instrument. The actuation pod is mounted on a teleoperated manipulator. Instrument pod mass is close to the teleoperated manipulator to minimize the pod's inertia, momentum, and gravity effects on the manipulator.

Abstract: The capsule includes a tubular body and a front-end unit including an anchoring member for the anchoring of the capsule to a wall of a patient's organ. The front-end unit is mobile in relative axial rotation with respect to the tubular body, and a disengageable coupling member is adapted to allow this relative rotation when the tubular body receives an external rotational stress, the anchoring member then exerting a reaction torque higher than a predetermined threshold torque, and to prevent the relative rotation in the absence of external rotational stress applied to the tubular body. The coupling member may in particular include, between the front-end unit and the tubular body, a friction interface, with an elastically deformable element applying an axial compression between a bearing face of the tubular body and a support ring integral with the anchoring member.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the fetal size of an expectant mother comprises an acoustic sensor for positioning over the belly of the expectant mother, the acoustic sensor configured to receive an acoustic signal generated by the fetal heartbeat and to generate a sensor output signal. A fetal size is determined from a sensor output signal strength. This system is based on the realization that certain acoustic signals generated by the fetal heart beat are strongly correlated with the fetus size.

Abstract: A system for holding and controlling medical instruments during procedures includes an end effector configured to hold a medical instrument and a rotational and translational (RT) mechanism configured to rotate and translate the medical instrument along an insertion axis. The system further includes a platform coupled to the RT mechanism and a pair of parallel five-bar planar linkages configured to translate, pitch, and yaw the platform with respect to a principal axis that is parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: A connector system is provided to connect a carriage that includes a rotatable drive member to a surgical instrument that includes a driven member, comprising a mechanical interface that includes a drive transmission member configured to receive a rotational drive force provided by the drive member at the internal surface region and to provide a corresponding rotational drive force to the driven member at the external surface region; and a support to mount an end portion of an optical fiber to the mechanical interface with a center axis of the first end portion aligned with an axis of rotation of the drive transmission member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrocardiographic (ECG) waveform timing detector includes an ECG waveform receiving circuit, a threshold value determining circuit, and a comparator. The threshold value determining circuit includes a heart rate calculating circuit, a threshold value setting circuit, and a comparing/determining circuit. The heart rate calculating circuit calculates the heart rate based on ECG waveform received by the ECG waveform receiving circuit. The threshold value setting circuit sets a threshold value. The comparing/determining circuit compares the heart rate with the number of R wave detection triggers detected using the threshold value to determine a threshold value for R wave detection trigger. The comparator compares the ECG waveform output from the ECG waveform receiving circuit with the threshold value for R wave detection trigger to output an R wave detection trigger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transdermally providing electrical current to a region of a user's head at high impedance conditions, while maintaining low voltage levels.