Abstract: Slurry electrodes can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of blocking a nerve or neuron by applying an electrical stimulation to the nerve or neuron, wherein the electrical stimulation is of an intensity below the excitation threshold of the nerve or neuron for a length of time sufficient to produce a block of nerve conduction or neuron excitation.

Abstract: Energy stimulated acupuncture, directed to a novel set of acupoints, is implemented to treat hypertension. Methods and systems apply electrical stimulation, or other forms of energy, to specific acupuncture points, using devices such as transcutaneous electrical stimulation electroacupuncture devices, laser acupuncture devices or ultrasound acupuncture devices, to treat hypertension, particularly in middle-aged women.

Abstract: A cardiac monitoring and treatment system includes a controller, a first wearable portion, and a second wearable portion separate from the first wearable portion. The first wearable portion includes an elongated strap configured to encircle a thoracic region of a patient, a plurality of ECG sensing electrodes disposed about the elongated strap, one or more receiving ports configured to receive one or more additional components including a treatment electrode and/or an additional sensor, and a plurality of conductive wires configured to couple the plurality of ECG sensing electrodes and the one or more receiving ports with the controller. The second wearable portion is configured to be worn over at least one shoulder of the patient and includes a wearable substrate, one or more treatment electrodes disposed on the wearable substrate, and at least one conductive wire configured to releasably connect the one or more treatment electrodes to the controller.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting a cardiac signal from a spinal signal include measuring a spinal signal at one or more electrodes that are connected to a neurostimulator and implanted within a patient's spinal canal and processing the spinal signal to extract the cardiac signal, which includes features that are representative of the patient's cardiac activity. Processing the spinal signal to extract the cardiac signal can include filtering the spinal signal, or use of model reduction schemes such as independent component analysis. The extracted cardiac signal can include a number of features that correspond to an electrocardiogram and can be used to determine the patient's heart rate and/or to detect a cardiac anomaly. Cardiac features that are determined from the cardiac signal can additionally be used to adjust parameters of the stimulation that is provided by the neurostimulator.

Abstract: A triboelectric energy generator includes a substrate, a first triboelectric member disposed on the substrate in a first partial region of a top face of the substrate, a second triboelectric member disposed on the substrate in a second partial region of the top of the substrate, a third triboelectric member disposed above and spaced from the first triboelectric member and the second triboelectric member. The first triboelectric member, the second triboelectric member, and the third triboelectric member are made of different materials. When an ultrasonic wave is applied to a top face of the third triboelectric member, the third triboelectric member is constructed to alternately contact and non-contact both the first triboelectric member and the second triboelectric member, thereby to generate triboelectricity.

Abstract: An implantable apparatus for providing tumor treating fields to a target site is disclosed. The implantable apparatus includes an inflatable body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of stimulation zones coupled to the inflatable body. The stimulation zones are configured to produce an electric field. Inflation of the body causes elongation of the body along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Contraction stimulation therapy can treat myriad diseases, including lymphedema using a skin patch or implantable stimulator that includes a multiplicity of electrodes, a processor, a stimulation circuit, one or more sensors and programming for a patient interface unit, wherein the processor is programmed to control selection of a subset of the multiplicity of electrodes and of operation of the stimulation circuit responsive to an indication of an adverse physiologic response. The indication of patient discomfort may be determined by monitoring a physiologic parameter of the subject using the one or more sensors, by direct input from the subject via the patient interface unit programming, or a combination thereof. The devices, systems and methods also provide for automatically optimizing the stimulation parameters applied by the stimulation circuit responsive to feedback from the one or more sensors and/or by using direct input from the subject.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an interface control subsystem may be used between an electrode terminal and a recording terminal of a neurostimulation and neurorecording system. The interface control subsystem may operate in three modes. In a disable mode, a first transistor and a second transistor disposed between the electrode terminal and the recording terminal may operate in a cutoff region and generate a high impedance. In an active mode, the first transistor and the second transistor may operate in a saturation region and generate a low impedance. In a stimulation mode, the first transistor and the second transistor operate in a triode region and generate an impedance between the high impedance of the disable mode and the low impedance of the active mode. The interface control subsystem may further limit voltage at the recording terminal in response to a detected overvoltage condition.

Abstract: A stimulation apparatus for a patient may include an external system configured to transmit transmission signals and an implantable system configured to receive the transmission signals from the external system. The implantable system may include at least one implantable lead, a first implantable device for connecting to the implantable lead during a first time period, and a second implantable device for subsequently connecting to the implantable lead for a second time period.

Abstract: A method of blocking a nerve or neuron by applying an electrical stimulation to the nerve or neuron, wherein the electrical stimulation is of an intensity below the excitation threshold of the nerve or neuron for a length of time sufficient to produce a block of nerve conduction or neuron excitation.

Abstract: Assessing a likelihood of a person experiencing a fatigue event when the person tasked with monitoring a vehicle operating in an autonomous driving mode may include receiving a set of response times for a psychomotor vigilance test administered to the person. The test may include a plurality of trials which involve a person lifting a finger from a user input device. Whether the person passed or failed each trial of the set of trials may be determined. A model trained using data from prior psychomotor vigilance tests administered to the person may be identified for the person. Results of the determinations of whether the person passed or failed each trial of the set of trials may be input into the model in order to determine a value representative of a likelihood of a fatigue event. An intervention response may be initiated based on the value.

Abstract: A device is presented herein that is configured to be located underneath an eyelid and worn by a user for treating dry eye. The device includes a first surface configured to face a portion of a sclera of the eye, and a second surface configured to face an eyelid and to be completely covered by the eyelid. In some embodiments, the device further includes a plurality of stimulation electrodes proximal to the first surface, wherein the plurality of stimulation electrodes is configured to stimulate the sclera. The device further includes an energy storage element coupled to the plurality of stimulation electrodes. The energy storage element is configured to supply power to the plurality of stimulation electrodes. The device further includes a processor configured to control a supply of energy from the energy storage element to the plurality of stimulation electrodes to stimulate the sclera.

Abstract: A bed system including an acquisition unit and a display, in which the acquisition unit acquires user interface device information from a plurality of user interface devices and the display displays a plurality of images corresponding respectively to the plurality of user interface devices on a single screen based on the user interface device information. One set of the plurality of user interface device information includes state information including at least one of bed state information relating to the state of one bed among a plurality of beds and user state information relating to the state of a user of the one bed among the plurality of beds. One image among the plurality of images includes a state display corresponding to the state information. When the state information is abnormal, the first display displays a warning display on the one image among the plurality of images.

Abstract: A method programs an implantable medical device to configure the implantable medical device for stimulating neural tissue by at least one electrode. The method includes: performing, by the implantable medical device, an evoked compound action potential (eCAP) threshold search by stimulating the neural tissue with test stimulation pulses; determining, based on the eCAP threshold search, an eCAP threshold amplitude and a coupling factor that is indicative of a coupling between the at least one electrode and the neural tissue; and generating a first set of stimulation parameters containing at least a stimulation amplitude that is determined in dependence on the eCAP threshold amplitude and the coupling factor.

Abstract: An implanted neural micro interface device comprises microfilaments of various materials and forms embedded within a body. The microfilaments form interaction sites with surrounding neural tissue at their exit points from the implantable body. The body and filaments are configurable in a multitude of positions to provide increased engagement of a given neural tissue section as well as interaction and closed loop feedback between the microfilament sites. Such configurations allow for a range of recording, stimulating, and treatment modalities for the device within research and clinical settings.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a lead. The system includes an active guidewire having proximal and distal ends. The distal end includes a guidewire anchor that is configured to be attached to a target SOL. The active guidewire is configured to be utilized to electrically map the target SOI by at least one of delivering stimulation energy through the active guide wire to the target SOI or sensing an evoked response at the target SOI from the guidewire. The system also includes a lead having a lead body with proximal and distal ends and with a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the lead body is configured to receive the proximal end of the active guidewire. The lumen is configured to permit the lead body to be advanced over the active guidewire.

Abstract: A transcutaneous neurostimulation therapy system can include an electrostimulation electronics unit, including first and second neurostimulation output which can be respectively coupled to first and second neurostimulation skin electrodes, and the electrostimulation electronics unit can include or be coupled to a rechargeable battery. The transcutaneous neurostimulation therapy system can also include battery charging circuitry configured for being coupled via the first and second neurostimulation output terminals to the electrostimulation electronics unit for charging the battery of the electrostimulation electronics unit through the first and second neurostimulation skin electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting if a stimulation lead implanted in a patient's brain has moved. Lead movement occurring between a first time and a second time may be determined by comparing features extracted from evoked potentials recorded at the two times. The disclosed methods and systems are particularly useful for determining if a stimulation lead has moved between the time it was implanted in the patient's brain and the time that stimulation parameters are being optimized. Lead movement during implantation, during parameter optimization, and during or between other lead optimization processes may be determined as well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable stimulator to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and at least one electrode associated with the stimulator. The apparatus includes a therapy device arranged to be implanted within a head/neck region of a patient. The therapy device includes a microstimulator including a housing to encapsulate at least stimulation circuitry, a rechargeable power element, and a control portion including a therapy manager to control the stimulation circuitry.