Abstract: A flat interface nerve electrode provides a plurality of electrical contacts embedded in a non-conductive cuff structure, which acts to gently and non-evasively redefine the geometry of a nerve through the application of a force acting on the nerve without causing damage to the nerve. The cuff is open at one side and has a connection to a lead at the other side. During implantation the open sides of the cuff are closed so as to capture the nerve in the cuff in a single motion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying gastrointestinal stimulation include implanting a stimulation device including a body with at least one expandable portion and a bridging portion and at least one stimulation member in the gastrointestinal tract. The at least one stimulation member includes one or more energy delivery members, one or more sensors, or a combination of both. The body maintains the device within the gastrointestinal space, and preferentially within the pyloric portion of the patient's stomach, and prevents passage of the device from the gastrointestinal space, but is not rigidly anchored or affixed to the gastrointestinal wall tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing stimulation interference between two stimulation modules positioned on a user's body, which may be used in stimulation systems without a central treatment controller. Systems and methods are also provided for stimulation treatment using multiple independent stimulators wirelessly managed by a remote management device.

Abstract: Electrical energy delivery tissue site validation systems and methods can determine an indication of a tissue type at a tissue site. This information can be used to enable or inhibit electrical energy delivery to the tissue site. The tissue type at the tissue site can be determined such as by delivering a test electrical energy and sensing a responsive electrical energy. An electrical connectivity to the tissue site can also be determined, such as by using a sensed intrinsic electrical signal at the tissue site. Tissue type information may be communicated externally, such as to allow user confirmation or override of the determined indication of tissue type at the tissue site, such as by a physician, user, or other operator.

Abstract: A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices.

Abstract: A personal monitoring device has a sensor assembly configured to sense physiological signals upon contact with a user's skin. The sensor assembly produces electrical signals representing the sensed physiological signals. A converter assembly, integrated with, and electrically connected to the sensor assembly, converts the electrical signals generated by the sensor assembly to a frequency modulated physiological audio signal having a carrier frequency in the range of from about 6 kHz to about 20 kHz.

Abstract: A method, device and system employs particles, such as nanoparticles, and an electric or electro-magnetic field, to cause cell death in target cells by non-thermal means. The method of causing targeted cell death comprises the steps of: introducing a particle to the interior of a target cell and exposing the target cell to a transient electromagnetic field for a sufficient time interval in order to cause cell death. The invention overcomes problems associated with similar methods as a result of the fact that a smaller electric field is applied because the particle enhances the effect of the electric field in its immediate vicinity, so reducing the field strength needed to achieve cell lysis and thereby reducing the risk of damage to healthy cells that may be in its vicinity. Apparatus for performing the method; as well as techniques of delivering particles and for producing particles are also described.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for treating chronic or refractory rhinitis in a subject. One step of the method includes implanting a therapy delivery system in the subject so that at least one therapy delivery component of the system is positioned substantially adjacent a target location where modulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is effective to treat chronic or refractory rhinitis. The therapy delivery component includes at least one electrode configured to deliver electric current to the target location. Next, electric current is delivered to the at least one electrode to effect a change in the ANS.

Abstract: A procedure and apparatus to determine the overall fitness of a test subject. For this purpose the qualitative and temporal progression of the heart rate under constant physical stress of the subject is prescribed with at least one parameter dependent on the subject. The heart rate of the subject is measured under constant physical stress during a period of time. The parameter(s) are determined from the measured values, and the maximum heart rate and/or the initial heart rate and/or the increase characteristic of the heart rate are determined from the function and the measured values by numerical procedures. The apparatus can measure the heart rate of the subject, record a temporal progression of the heart rate under physical stress, and determines numerically from the temporal progression of the heart rate, the maximum heart rate and/or the initial heart rate without physical stress and/or the increase characteristic of the heart rate.

Abstract: A manipulator adapted to grasp and draw tissue comprises first and second arms having proximal ends and distal ends separated by a distance. First and second grasping surfaces each connected to and extending from respective distal ends of the first and second arms are biased toward each other by a respective spring force. When the first and second arms are actuated to reduce the distance, the manipulator is configured such that tissue arranged between the first and second grasping surfaces resist actuation of the first and second arms. The first and second arms are further actuatable to overcome the spring force of the first and second grasping surfaces so that the first and second grasping surfaces pivot at respective pivot points such that the distance between the distal ends of the first and second arms is reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and techniques associated with a planar transformer for an apparatus. The planar transformers include a substrate carrying electronic components, an upper core bonded on a first exterior surface of the substrate, and a lower core bonded on a second exterior surface opposed to the first side of the substrate. The electronic components include primary windings and secondary windings associated with the transformer. In some embodiments, the transformer includes encapsulant material that is dispensed over and between the components of the transformer to seal air gaps.

Abstract: A base cardiac electrogram signal at a base electrode is recorded for a predetermined amount of time. A plurality of cardiac electrogram signals at a plurality of electrodes other than the base electrode are recorded for the predetermined amount of time. The base cardiac electrogram signal is compared with each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals. The similarities between the base cardiac electrogram signal and each of the plurality of cardiac electrogram signals is determined. A specific area of cardiac tissue where the base electrode is positioned is mapped based at least in part on the determined similarities.

Abstract: A stimulation or recording electrode with varying impedances includes a plurality of layers that are compressed together with varying compressions forces, with at least a first compression force used at the perimeter of the electrode and a second compression force used towards the center of the electrode, with the first force being lesser than the second force, thereby creating a greater measured impedance at the perimeter of the electrode than at the center of the electrode.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an electrical ablation device, including a first elongate body having an insert and a second elongate body having an electrically insulative sheath that defines a bore. A mating element mates the elongate bodies when at least a portion of the insert is received within the bore. The second elongate body is configured to receive electrical energy from the first elongate body and transmit the electrical energy to an electrode. In certain embodiments, the electrical ablation device may include first and second elongate bodies. The first includes an electrically conductive insert configured to electrically couple to an energy source and apply the electrical energy to tissue, and the second includes an electrically insulative sheath defining a bore configured to receive the insert therethrough and move proximally or distally relative to the insert.

Abstract: A trocar sleeve that isolates the surgical device or movement thereof to inhibit or prevent an established non-jet streaming condition from becoming a jet streaming condition and a method of inhibiting or preventing a jet streaming condition from occurring due to instrument obstruction.

Abstract: A method and system for determining activation times for electric potentials from complex electrograms to identify the location of arrhythmic sources or drivers. The method includes counting a number deflections in a recorded cardiac electrogram signal from at least one electrode for a predetermined amount of time. A deflection time is identified for each of the counted number of deflections. A most negative slope is identified between each of the identified deflections times. Each of the identified most negative slopes is correlated to a possible activation time. Each possible activation time is associated with a corresponding electrode from the at least one electrode. A spatial voltage gradient at each corresponding electrode is calculated for each possible activation time. The greatest spatial voltage gradient is identified. The greatest spatial voltage gradient is correlated to an activation time.

Abstract: An implantable electrical medical device includes (i) electronics configured to generate or receive an electrical signal and containing a plurality of channels through which the electrical signal may be transmitted; (ii) a first lead receptacle having a first defined number of internal contacts, wherein each of the internal contacts are independently operably coupled to a discrete channel of the electronics; and (iii) a second lead receptacle having a second defined number of internal contacts, wherein the second defined number is less than the first defined number, and wherein each of the internal contacts of the second receptacle are independently operably coupled to a discrete channel of the electronics. At least one of the internal contacts of the first lead receptacle and at least one of the internal contacts of the second lead receptacle are operably coupled to the same channel of the electronics.

Abstract: An elevated feedthrough is attachable to a top or a side of an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough includes a conductive ferrule and a dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate is defined as comprising a body fluid side and a device side disposed within the conductive ferrule. The dielectric substrate includes a body fluid side elevated portion generally raised above the conductive ferrule. At least one via hole is disposed through the dielectric substrate from the body fluid side to the device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the at least one via hole forming a hermetic seal and electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A leadwire connection feature is on the body fluid side electrically coupled to the conductive fill and disposed adjacent to the elevated portion of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: Thin-film multi-electrode arrays (MEA) having one or more electrically conductive beams conformally encapsulated in a seamless block of electrically insulating material, and methods of fabricating such MEAs using reproducible, microfabrication processes. One or more electrically conductive traces are formed on scaffold material that is subsequently removed to suspend the traces over a substrate by support portions of the trace beam in contact with the substrate. By encapsulating the suspended traces, either individually or together, with a single continuous layer of an electrically insulating material, a seamless block of electrically insulating material is formed that conforms to the shape of the trace beam structure, including any trace backings which provide suspension support. Electrical contacts, electrodes, or leads of the traces are exposed from the encapsulated trace beam structure by removing the substrate.

Abstract: An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler, a terminal pin and a conductive member rotatably secured to both the coupler and the terminal pin. The conductive member may be a fine-wire, multiple-filar coil. The conductive member may be welded to the coupler and/or the terminal pin by welding through banded portions formed within the distal and proximal ends, respectively, of the conductive member.