Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods to evaluate auditory efferent function by exposing a patient to short-duration acoustic click stimuli to generate a click-evoked otoacoustic emission (CEOAE) occurring in each ear of the patient, and in response to exposing the patient to click stimuli, concurrently sampling outer hair cell activity (OHC) and medial olivocochlear reflex (MOCR; efferents) in each ear of the patient, monitoring the middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR) in each ear of the patient, and measuring a change in cochlear activity in the patient based on the CEOAE, MOCR, and MEMR of each ear of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an arrhythmic event and storing physiological information associated with the detected arrhythmic event are described. A system may include a first detector to detect an arrhythmic event from a physiological signal sensed from a subject, and generate a confidence indicator indicating a confidence level of the detection of the arrhythmic event. If the confidence indicator indicates a relatively high confidence of arrhythmia detection, the system may provide the detected arrhythmic event to a first process for storing the detected arrhythmic event or generating an alert. If the confidence indicator indicates a relatively low confidence of arrhythmia detection, the system may provide the detected arrhythmic event to at least a second process including confirming or rejecting the detected arrhythmic event.

Abstract: Briefly, example methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented, in whole or in part, using one or more processing devices to facilitate and/or support one or more operations and/or techniques for authenticating an identity of a human subject. In particular, some embodiments are directed to techniques for authentication of an identity of a human subject as being an identity of a particular unique individual based, at least in part, on involuntary responses by the human subject to sensory stimuli.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating bio-information is provided. The apparatus for estimating bio-information may include: a pulse wave sensor configured to measure a pulse wave signal from an object; a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted by the object to the pulse wave sensor; and a processor configured to obtain a contact pressure based on the force and a reference contact area between the object and a contact surface, and estimate bio-information based on the contact pressure and the pulse wave signal.

Abstract: A system and method for depth-resolved imaging of fluorophore concentrations in tissue uses a pulsed light source stimulus wavelength to illuminate the tissue; and a time-gated electronic camera such as a single-photon avalanche detector camera to observe the tissue in multiple time windows after start of each light pulse. A filter-changer or tunable filter is between the tissue and the electronic camera with fluorescent imaging settings and a stimulus wavelength setting, and an image processor receives reflectance images and fluorescent emissions images from the time-gated camera and processes these images into depth and quantity resolved images of fluorophore concentrations in the tissue.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator that includes a current source/sink generator is disclosed herein. The current source/sink generator includes a current drive differential amplifier. The current driver differential amplifier is configured to selectively source current to, or sink current from a target tissue. The current drive differential amplifier includes an inverting input and a non-inverting input. One of the inputs of the current drive differential amplifier is connected to a virtual ground, and the other is connected to a current command. A stimulation controller can supply a voltage to the other of the inputs of the current drive differential amplifier to select either current sourcing or current sinking.

Abstract: An insulative body of a medical electrical lead electrode assembly includes a pre-formed channel having a section extending at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the body. An electrode portion of a conductive component has an electrode contact surface facing outward from a first side of the body and a coupling portion embedded in the body. A conductor, which is coupled to the coupling portion of the component, is disposed in the channel.

Abstract: A method for determining sub-diffuse scattering parameters of a material includes illuminating the material with structured light and imaging remission by the material of the structured light. The method further includes determining, from captured remission images, sub-diffuse scattering parameters of the material. A structured-light imaging system for determining sub-diffuse scattering parameters of a material includes a structured-light illuminator, for illuminating the material with structured light of periodic spatial structure, and a camera for capturing images of the remission of the structured light by the material. The structured-light imaging system further includes an analysis module for processing the images to quantitatively determine the sub-diffuse scattering parameters. A software product includes machine-readable instructions for analyzing images of remission of structured light by a material to determine sub-diffuse scattering parameters of the material.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied as methods and/or systems for non-contact measuring of an on-body and/or inside-body motion of an individual. A sensing signal is provided within a near-field coupling range of a motion to be measured. In this way, a measurement signal may be generated as the sensing signal modulated by the motion. The sensing signal may be an ID-modulated signal. In some embodiments, the sensing signal is a backscattered RFID link provided a wireless tag. A downlink signal may be provided to power the wireless tag. The sensing signal may be a harmonic of the downlink signal. The measurement signal is detected. The motion is measured based on the measurement signal. The measurement signal may be detected as far-field radiation after transmission through a source of the motion. The measurement signal may be detected as reflected from a source of the motion as antenna reflection.

Abstract: A catheter has a composite and segmented construction in a distal section that includes deflectable members and support member arranged in alternating sequence, with each support member carrying a ring electrode and the deflectable members being flexible to allow deflection of the distal section as a whole. Carried on an outer surface of the support member is a coil location sensor. The distal section is configured with a distal irrigation fluid path extending axially through the deflectable members and the support members to deliver irrigation fluid to the ring electrode and the tip electrode. A method of constructing a catheter includes building a section of the catheter from the inside out by mounting the support members on a tubing at predetermined locations and filling gaps in between with a more flexible material to form the deflectable members by extrusion segments or injection molding over assembled components internal to the catheter.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter provide an implantable medical device. In various embodiments, the device comprises a baroreflex stimulator and a controller. The baroreflex stimulator is adapted to generate a stimulation signal to stimulate a baroreflex. The controller is adapted to communicate with the baroreflex stimulator and implement a baroreflex stimulation protocol to vary an intensity of the baroreflex stimulation provided by the stimulation signal to abate baroreflex adaptation. According to various embodiments, the controller is adapted to implement the baroreflex stimulation protocol to periodically modulate the baroreflex stimulation to produce an effect that mimics an effect of pulsatile pressure. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating and managing addiction are disclosed where an apparatus for mitigating addictive behavior may generally comprise at least two electrodes for positioning in proximity to an ulnar nerve of a body of a subject and one or more sensors configured to detect physiologic parameters which correlate to one or more symptoms indicative of addictive behavior of the subject. A pulse generator may be programmed to receive a sensor output based on the detected physiologic parameters and to apply a treatment stimulation to the ulnar nerve through a skin surface of the subject such that the addictive behavior of the subject is reduced.

Abstract: A first collection of biometric data of a user on a mattress of the bed system is sensed via a sensor of the bed system. The user is instructed to perform an exercise activity. The user is instructed to return to and lay on the mattress after performing the exercise activity. A second collection of biometric data of the user on the mattress of the bed system is sensed via the sensor of the bed system again after the user has performed the exercise activity. A stress test output is generated based on the sensed first biometric data and the sensed second biometric data. The stress test output is displayed to the user.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system delivers a pacing pulse to a patient's heart and starts a first pacing interval corresponding to a pacing rate in response to the delivered pacing pulse. The system charges a holding capacitor to a pacing voltage amplitude during the first pacing interval. The system detects an increased intrinsic heart rate that is at least a threshold rate faster than the current pacing rate from a cardiac electrical signal received by a sensing circuit of the implantable medical device. The system starts a second pacing interval in response to an intrinsic cardiac event sensed from the cardiac electrical signal and withholds charging of the holding capacitor for at least a portion of the second pacing interval in response to detecting the increased intrinsic heart rate.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for monitoring a patient for the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias. A computing system obtains a cardiac electrogram (EGM) strip for a current patient. Additionally, the computing system may apply a first cardiac rhythm classifier (CRC) with a segment of the cardiac EGM strip as input. The first CRC is trained on training cardiac EGM strips from a first population. The first CRC generates first data regarding an aspect of a cardiac rhythm of the current patient. The computing system may also apply a second CRC with the segment of the cardiac EGM strip as input. The second CRC is trained on training cardiac EGM strips from a smaller, second population. The second CRC generates second data regarding the aspect of the cardiac rhythm of the current patient. The computing system may generate output data based on the first and/or second data.

Abstract: Vagal nerve stimulation devices and methods are provided for treating medical conditions, such as conditions associated with insufficient dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in the brain. A device includes one or more electrodes having a contact surface for contacting an outer skin surface of a patient and an energy source coupled to the electrodes. The energy source generates one or more electrical impulses and transmits the electrical impulses to the electrodes and transcutaneously through the outer skin surface of the patient at or near a vagus nerve. The one or more electrical impulses is sufficient to modulate the vagus nerve and release dopamine and/or endogenous opioids in a brain of the patient.

Abstract: Devices and methods for non-invasive stimulation of nerves, such as the vagus nerve, include a housing and an electrode spaced from the housing. The electrode is configured to be positioned adjacent to, or in contact with, an outer skin surface of a patient. A source of energy is positioned within the housing and operably coupled to the electrode, either wirelessly or via a lead or other wired connection. The source of energy emits an electrical impulse to the electrode such that the electrical impulse passes through the outer skin surface of the patient to a nerve at a target region in the patient sufficient to modulate the nerve. The electrical impulse comprises bursts each with a frequency from about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz, wherein each of the bursts comprises 2 pulses to 20 pulses.

Abstract: A ventricular pacemaker is configured to determine a ventricular rate interval by determining at least one ventricular event interval between two consecutive ventricular events and determine a rate smoothing ventricular pacing interval based on the ventricular rate interval. The pacemaker is further configured to detect an atrial event from a sensor signal and deliver a ventricular pacing pulse in response to detecting the atrial event from the sensor signal. The pacemaker may start the rate smoothing ventricular pacing interval to schedule a next pacing pulse to be delivered upon expiration of the rate smoothing ventricular pacing interval.

Abstract: A swallowing medical device includes: an attachment unit configured to be attached to a target portion of a human body for a medical operation; a control unit configured to control the medical operation; and a storage configured to store use information regarding a use state over time of the attachment unit. The control unit executes a control for restricting use of the attachment unit on the basis of a fact that the use information does not satisfy a set condition for ensuring a characteristic of the attachment unit.

Abstract: A sensor on an earpiece is used to attempt to detect a signal corresponding to a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, it can be determined that the earpiece is being worn by a user. The sensor may be an acoustic transducer on a surface of the earpiece that is located within the wearer's ear canal, while the earpiece is being worn normally.