Abstract: An example of a method embodiment may deliver intermittent neural stimulation (INS) therapy to an autonomic neural target of a patient. The INS therapy includes neural stimulation (NS) ON times alternating with NS OFF times, and includes at least one NS burst of NS pulses during each of the NS ON times. For a given NS OFF time and subsequent NS ON time, delivering INS therapy may include monitoring a plurality of cardiac cycles during the NS OFF time, using the monitored plurality of cardiac cycles to predict cardiac event timing during the subsequent NS ON time, and controlling delivery of the INS therapy using the predicted cardiac event timing to time NS burst delivery of at least one NS burst for the subsequent NS ON time based on the predicted cardiac event timing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for pulsed electric field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach, e.g., to effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, changes in cytokine upregulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the ITEV PEF system comprises an intravascular catheter having one or more electrodes configured for intra-to-extravascular placement across a wall of patient's vessel into proximity with target neural fibers. With the electrode(s) passing from an intravascular position to an extravascular position prior to delivery of the PEF, a magnitude of applied voltage or energy delivered via the electrode(s) and necessary to achieve desired neuromodulation may be reduced relative to an intravascular PEF system having one or more electrodes positioned solely intravascularly.

Abstract: A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices efficiently identify cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing parameter set(s) that provide improved hemodynamic response relative to an initial CRT pacing parameter set, wherein each CRT pacing parameter set includes at least two CRT pacing parameters. User input(s) are accepted that specify a maximum amount of time and/or parameter sets that can be used to perform testing, and specify relative importance of parameters within the sets. Based on the accepted user input(s), there is a determination of how many different variations of each of the CRT pacing parameters can be tested, and based on this determination different CRT pacing parameter sets are selected and tested to obtain a hemodynamic response measure corresponding to each of the different sets tested. Additionally, one or more of the tested CRT pacing parameter sets, if any, that provide improved hemodynamic response relative to the initial CRT pacing parameter set is/are identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.

Abstract: A method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for (or the physiological state of) a patient. The method comprises transforming one or more time domain measurements from the patient into frequency domain data representative of the frequency content of the time domain measurements; processing the frequency domain data to form a plurality of spectral bands, the content of a spectral band representing the frequency content of the measurements within a frequency band; forming a weighted sum of the content of the spectral bands, with different weighting coefficients applied to at least some of the spectral bands; determining the type of treatment (or physiological state) based on the weighted sum.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting seizure symptoms in an individual 102. A sensor module 202 receives physiological data for an individual 102 from one or more sensors 110, 112, such as a heart activity sensor. A feature detection module 204 detects a predefined feature 500, 520, 530, 540 in the physiological data. The predefined feature 500, 520, 530, 540 is associated with a seizure or another medical condition. An alert module 206 broadcasts an alert in response to the feature detection module 204 detecting the predefined feature 500, 520, 530, 540.

Abstract: The invention relates to headphones and a method for listening to music or some other audio signal, which headphones comprise at least one sound source such as a an earphone to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source, such as a music player or similar, to the sound source. In accordance with the invention at least one sound source is equipped with means for measuring heart rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly.

Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.

Abstract: An implant device for stimulating osteogenesis and osseointegration comprises a hollow annular housing member, a pulsed current modulator, and a coil connected to the current modulator. The current modulator and at least a portion of the coil are mounted within the housing member. A frequency of the pulsed current is selected to generate an electromagnetic field of a predetermined flux density that penetrates, and propagates radially outwardly from, the housing member for a sufficiently large propagation distance to stimulate osteogenesis and osseointegration, by means of the generated electromagnetic field, of a bone region in which the implant device is implanted and which is disposed radially outwardly from the housing member.

Abstract: A fully automated computer controlled system is provided for adjustment of neurostimulation implants used in pain therapy and in treating neurological dysfunction which includes a patient interactive computer, and a universal transmitter interface integrally embedded in the patient interactive computer or built into the antenna which is capable of stimulating any type of implanted neurostimulation devices by imitating programming codes. The patient interacts with the system through the patient interactive computer. The universal transmitter interface includes a direct digital synthesizer, a transistor circuitry driving the antenna in ON-OFF fashion and a gating unit for driving the transistor circuitry under control of the processing means in the patient-interactive computer. Alternatively, the universal transmitting interface includes a balanced modulator for modulation of the carrier signal generated at the direct digital synthesizer.

Abstract: An aspect of the present subject matter relates to a system for providing baroreflex stimulation. An embodiment of the system comprises an adverse event detector to sense an adverse event and provide a signal indicative of the adverse event, and a baroreflex stimulator. The stimulator includes a pulse generator to provide a baroreflex stimulation signal adapted to provide a baroreflex therapy, and a modulator to receive the signal indicative of the adverse event and modulate the baroreflex stimulation signal based on the signal indicative of the adverse event to change the baroreflex therapy from a first baroreflex therapy to a second baroreflex therapy. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: A surface NMES stimulation device the device has a control processor, a voltage regulator connected to a high voltage supply, a bridge of control switches, and electrodes or electrode terminals connected in the bridge to receive drive signals via the control switches. The processor directs a drive scheme for the bridge control switches in which charge build-up on a user's skin is allowed to dissipate to ground in an inter-pulse interval. An isolation capacitor isolates the high voltage supply from the electrodes, and charging of the capacitor only occurs if a switch allows it. Sensors senses supply voltage and bridge current and the processor monitors there to determine further stimulation and faults.

Abstract: An exemplary stapedius reflex measurement safety system includes a stimulation management facility configured to direct a cochlear implant system to apply an electrical stimulus to an auditory pathway of a patient and a detection facility configured to determine that a change in acoustic immittance that occurs as the electrical stimulus is being applied by the cochlear implant system is likely representative of a rise time phase associated with an occurrence of a stapedius reflex within the patient. The stimulation management facility is further configured to direct, in response to the determination, the cochlear implant system to cease applying the electrical stimulus.

Abstract: An implantable lead for sensing mechanical activity of a human heart has an insulating polymeric tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the lead, an electrical conductor provided in the lumen of the polymeric tube, and a sensor connected to the conductor at the distal end thereof. The polymeric tube is provided with a conductive surface layer along the inner face between the polymeric tube and the electrical conductor, the conductive surface layer being in electrical contact with this conductor. Accumulation of electrical charges between the electric conductor and the polymeric tube is thereby prevented.

Abstract: A medical system for delivering treatment or therapy to a patient has a kill switch for interrupting the delivery. The kill switch, which can disrupt the delivery directly or can cause an error message to be generated that disrupts the delivery, can be activated by the operator or remotely. In an ablation catheter system, a kill switch mechanism immediately and abruptly terminates delivery of ablation treatment or therapy.

Abstract: An implanted electrical signal generator delivers a novel exogenous electrical signal to a vagus nerve of a patient. The vagus nerve conducts action potentials originating in the heart and lungs to various structures of the brain, thereby eliciting a vagal evoked potential in those structures. The exogenous electrical signal simulates and/or augments the endogenous afferent activity originating from the heart and/or lungs of the patient, thereby enhancing the vagal evoked potential in the various structures of the brain. The exogenous electrical signal includes a series of electrical pulses organized or patterned into a series of microbursts including 2 to 20 pulses each. No pulses are sent between the microbursts. Each of the microbursts may be synchronized with the QRS wave portion of an ECG. The enhanced vagal evoked potential in the various structures of the brain may be used to treat various medical conditions including epilepsy and depression.

Abstract: Among other things, enhancing spectral contrast for a cochlear implant listener includes detecting a time domain signal. A first transformation is applied to the detected time domain signal to convert the time domain signal to a frequency domain signal. A second transformation is applied to the frequency domain signal to express the frequency domain signal as a sum of two or more components. A sensitivity of the cochlear implant listener to detect modulation of each component is obtained.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for providing non-invasive neuromodulation to a patient. The mouthpiece includes an elongated housing having a center of gravity located within a posterior region, a positioning pad attached to the top surface of the elongated housing for minimizing contact between a patient's upper teeth and the exterior top surface of the elongated housing, and a printed circuit board mounted to a bottom portion of the elongated housing, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes for delivering subcutaneous local electrical stimulation to the patient's tongue. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes at least one locator disposed along the anterior region of the elongated housing for contacting a patient's teeth to securely position the mouthpiece within the patient's mouth.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems for energy delivery to targeted tissue comprise a catheter with an ablation member, a radiometer configured to detect temperature data from the targeted tissue, a processor configured to determine a calculated temperature (e.g., an extreme temperature, such as a peak or trough temperature) within the tissue by applying at least one factor to the temperature data detected by the radiometer, the processor configured to compare the calculated temperature to a setpoint and an energy source configured to energize the ablation member and to regulate delivery of ablative energy to the targeted tissue of the subject based at least in part on the comparison. In some embodiments, the factor depends on at least one characteristic of the targeted tissue. Information regarding a tissue characteristic can be provided using information from an imaging set (e.g., intracardiac echo) or an electrical signal of the subject (e.g., electrocardiogram).