Abstract: An external device for use with an implantable medical device includes circuitry that is configured to drive a coil to produce a static electromagnetic field to change a status of the implantable medical device. The static electromagnetic field may replace a physical magnet, which may not be commonly carried by a patient, to induce an emergency shutdown of the implantable medical device. The external device may be a charger or controller that is used to charge or communicate with the implantable medical device, and the coil may primarily be used for those charging and telemetry functions in such devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for setting a therapeutic dose of a neuromodulator implanted into a patient. The therapeutic dose typically includes a therapeutic dose duration including a ramp-up time to reach a peak modulation voltage and a sustained peak modulation time during which the voltage is sustained at the peak modulation voltage. The methods and apparatuses may use a testing ramp to identify a peak modulation voltage that is patient-specific and provides a maximized therapeutic effect while remaining comfortably tolerable by the patient during the application of energy by the neuromodulator.

Abstract: Apparatus for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in a user, the apparatus comprising: a stimulator for electrically stimulating at least one nerve, a stimulator housing, a monitor for monitoring transient motion of the stimulator housing, an analyzer for analyzing transient motion monitored by the monitor for determining whether transient motion of the stimulator housing has occurred, and a controller for automatically transitioning at least one of the stimulator, the monitor, and the analyzer between a standby mode and a power save mode, wherein the power save mode supports a subset of the functionality of the stimulator and the monitor which is available in the standby mode so as to conserve battery power in the power save mode.

Abstract: A low-profile intercranial device adapted for housing a functional neurosurgical implant in manner providing for convenient and reliable grounding to ensure proper impedance measurements includes a static cranial implant including a base cranial implant member including an outer first surface, an inner second surface, and a recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving a functional neurosurgical implant. The low-profile intercranial device includes a plurality of fluid passageways extending between the inner second surface and the recess allowing for the flow of bodily fluid between an external environment of the base cranial implant member and a cavity defined by the recess.

Abstract: A method includes receiving multiple electrophysiological (EP) signals acquired by multiple electrodes of a multi-electrode catheter that are in contact with tissue in a region of a cardiac chamber, and respective tissue locations at which the electrodes acquired the EP signals. The region is divided into two sections. Using the EP signals acquired by the electrodes, local activation times (LAT) are calculated for the respective tissue locations, and found are: a first section of the two sections having a smaller average LAT value, and a second section of the two sections having a higher average value. Determined are a first representative location in the first section, and a second representative location in the second section. A propagation vector is calculated between the first and second representative locations, that is indicative of propagation of an EP wave that has generated the EP signals. The propagation vector is presented to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a medical device include an implantable lead comprising a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end. The implantable lead has electrodes positioned at the distal end and has a lead connector positioned at the proximal end. The lead connector includes lead contacts that are communicatively coupled to the electrodes positioned at the distal end. The lead body has a body outer envelope configured to fit within a lumen of an introducer sheath and the lead connector has a connector outer envelope configured to fit within the lumen of the introducer sheath. A pulse generator has a connector cavity. The lead adaptor is configured to interconnect the implantable lead and the pulse generator. The lead adaptor has an insertable connector that includes mating contacts and an adaptor cavity that includes cavity contacts. The cavity contacts are positioned to engage the lead contacts of the lead connector when the lead connector is inserted into the adaptor cavity.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation of neural activity in the neural innervation of the spleen provides a useful way to treat acute medical conditions. The disclosed systems and methods stimulate the neural activity of a nerve supplying a spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, such that the electrical signal produces an improvement in a physiological parameter indicative of treatment of an acute medical condition.

Abstract: A cranial prosthetic comprises a perforated plate, wherein the perforations comprise a plurality of holes substantially equidistant from a central point. One such cranial prosthetic comprises a curved perforated plate, wherein the perforations comprise four holes substantially equidistant from a central point. In an example, the perforated plate also comprises an additional hole at the central point, detachable screw/suture fixing tabs for attaching the cranial prosthetic to the cranium via screws/sutures, detachable securing means consisting of flaps that secure the electrode when closed, and indentations in the form of channels suitable for recessing extension leads with at least one exit point, which connect individual electrodes to the main lead. Removable protective caps may be placed over the detachable securing means when closed.

Abstract: The systems and methods can automatically determine a patient-specific set of stimulation parameters using optimization for exploring and/or programming a neurostimulation device, e.g., deep brain stimulation (DBS). In one implementation, the method may include receiving patient data and set of stimulation parameters associated stimulation delivered to a patient by a neurostimulation device. The method may include determining one or more objective metrics using the patient data for each set of stimulation parameters. The one or more objective metrics may be a quantitative value that represents a rating or score of tremor severity and/or side effect severity. The method may further include generating a patient specific response model using the one or more objective metrics and the associated set of stimulation parameters. The method may also include applying an optimization algorithm to the generated response model to determine a candidate set of one or more stimulation parameters.

Abstract: Wireless treatment of arrhythmias. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: charging a capacitor of a first microchip device abutting heart tissue, the charging by harvesting ambient energy; charging a capacitor of a second microchip device abutting the heart tissue, the charging of the capacitor of the second microchip device by harvesting ambient energy; sending a command wirelessly from a communication device outside the rib cage to the microchip devices; applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the first microchip device responsive to the command, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the first microchip device; and applying electrical energy to the heart tissue by the second microchip device responsive to the command to the second microchip device, the electrical energy applied from the capacitor of the second microchip device.

Abstract: A wearable for providing light therapy to a wearer includes at least one fabric panel having an inner surface that when the wearable is worn is configured to face a wearer's skin and at least one side-emitting optical fiber affixed to the inner surface. The side-emitting optical fiber is optically connectable with an optical fiber light source and configured to project light having a therapeutic wavelength toward a wearer of the wearable. When affixed to the fabric panel, the side-emitting optical fiber can have a length in meters based on the optical power launched into the side-emitting optical fiber and the average attenuation of the side-emitting optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for spinal cord stimulation treatment includes positioning eight implantable electrodes to a dura matter in an epidural space proximate to a subject's spinal cord so that (i) a first circuit is created between a first and second electrode on a first channel, (ii) a second circuit is created between a third and fourth electrode on a second channel, (iii) a third circuit is created between a fifth and sixth electrode on a third channel, and (iv) a fourth circuit is created between a seventh and eighth electrode on a fourth channel, transmitting signals through the first and second circuits that interfere to produce a first beat signal, transmitting signals through the third and fourth circuits that interfere to produce a second beat signal, and interaction of the first and second beat signals results in a combined beat signal proximate to the subject's spinal cord.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are configured for analyzing evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) signals to assess the effect of a delivered electrical stimulation signal. In one example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to receive ECAP information representative of an ECAP signal sensed by sensing circuitry, and determine, based on the ECAP information, that the ECAP signal includes at least one of an N2 peak, P3 peak, or N3 peak. The processing circuitry may then control delivery of electrical stimulation based on at least one of the N2 peak, P3 peak, or N3 peak.

Abstract: A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve includes an energy source, a balloon, an energy guide, and an electrical analyzer assembly. The energy source generates energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the treatment site. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The energy guide is configured to receive energy from the energy source and guide the energy into the balloon interior. The electrical analyzer assembly is configured to monitor a balloon condition during use of the catheter system. The electrical analyzer assembly can include a first electrode, a second electrode, and an impedance detector that is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. The impedance detector is configured to detect impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; and a controller for receiving control inputs from the input device and for providing haptic feedback at the input device, the controller configured to apply a staged transition from a first haptic feedback profile at the input device to a second haptic feedback profile at the input device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing automatic cardiac diagnosis. The apparatuses described herein may be handheld devices which enables self-recording of cardiac signals by the patient, including entering relevant data by patients regarding their cardiac history, including cardiac disease risk factors, and/or current conditions and symptoms. Based on recorded cardiac signals, cardiac risk factors and the current symptoms, the apparatus may calculates a cardiac risk score and may provide simplified diagnostic information and actionable instructions to the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating infranodal pacing is applied to a patient. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data representing the pacing is obtained from a set of electrodes as an ECG lead. A predictor value representing a frequency content a portion of the ECG lead is extracted. A fitness parameter is determined for the pacing from at least the predictor value. The fitness parameter represents a likelihood that the applied infranodal pacing will induce left ventricular dysfunction in the patient. The fitness parameter is displayed to a user at an associated display.

Abstract: A device for therapeutic neuromodulation in a nasal region can include, for example, a shaft and a therapeutic element at a distal portion of the shaft. The shaft can locate the distal portion intraluminally at a target site inferior to a patient's sphenopalatine foramen. The therapeutic element can include an energy delivery element configured to therapeutically modulate postganglionic parasympathetic nerves at microforamina of a palatine bone of the human patient for the treatment of rhinitis or other indications. In other embodiments, the therapeutic element can be configured to therapeutically modulate nerves that innervate the frontal, ethmoidal, sphenoidal, and maxillary sinuses for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.

Abstract: A medical lead with at least a distal portion thereof implantable in the brain of a patient is described, together with methods and systems for using the lead. The lead is provided with at least two sensing modalities (e.g., two or more sensing modalities for measurements of field potential measurements, neuronal single unit activity, neuronal multi unit activity, optical blood volume, optical blood oxygenation, voltammetry and rheoencephalography). Acquisition of measurements and the lead components and other components for accomplishing a measurement in each modality are also described as are various applications for the multimodal brain sensing lead.

Abstract: Optoelectronic modules operable to measure proximity independent of object surface reflectivity and, in some implementations, operable to measure characteristics (such as surface reflectivity or absorptivity) of stationary or moving objects are disclosed. The optoelectronic modules are operable to determine, for example, pulse rate, peripheral blood circulation, and/or blood oxygen levels of moving objects, such as the appendage of a user, in some instances. The optoelectronic modules can be used to measure peripheral blood circulation, for example, when a user of the optoelectronic module is engaged in physical activity, such as walking, running or cycling.