Abstract: An apparatus for relieving pain in a region of the body of a user by contacting electrodes to a surface of the body of the user at the region and providing a series of electrical impulses to the region, the apparatus including: (a) at least two electrodes adapted to contact a surface of a body of the user; (b) a control unit; and (c) a signal generator, associated with the control unit and responsive thereto, the signal generator and the control unit adapted to operative connect to a power supply, the signal generator adapted, in an operative mode, to provide a series of electrical impulses to the surface of the body, via the electrodes, the series including a plurality of cycles, each of the cycles having a positive voltage pulse and a negative voltage pulse, wherein a frequency of the plurality of cycles is optionally within a range of 60-150 cycles per second, wherein a time-averaged voltage amplitude (Vap) of the positive voltage pulse, over an entire duration (Tppositive) thereof, is 20-90 Volts, and whe

Abstract: The present application relates to an optical system (1) comprising a plurality of optical components, a pulse generating arrangement (3) configured to generate a treatment pulse along a treatment pulse optical path through said optical components, said pulse generating arrangement also being configured to generate a probe pulse along a probe pulse optical path extending through said optical components, a sensor (8) configured to generate information indicative of an optical characteristic of said probe pulse that has passed along said probe pulse optical path through said optical components, and a controller (5) configured to control said pulse generating apparatus (3) to selectively emit said treatment pulse along said treatment pulse optical path (2), in dependence on the information generated by the sensor (8).

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system and a method for assessing a risk of ventricular arrhythmias for a patient. For example, the method may comprise receiving ECG data obtained from the patient; analyzing the ECG data to detect abnormal QRS peaks; determining the risk of ventricular arrhythmias for the patient based on the detected abnormal QRS peaks; and providing an indication of the risk of ventricular arrhythmias for the patient. The system may be configured to perform this method.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a catheter (20) configured to be placed inside a blood vessel of a subject. A first impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, and a second impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first impeller. A support structure (160) is disposed upon the catheter such that a longitudinal center of the support structure is disposed between the first and second impellers, the support structure being configured to support an inner wall of the blood vessel in an open configuration in a region between the first and second impellers. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of controlling an appliance is provided that includes (1) employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user; (2) communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user; (3) determining if the biometric parameter information indicates that a value of the biometric parameter has crossed a predetermined threshold; and (4) if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold, employing the mobile telephone to direct an appliance to change between a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen.

Abstract: A method for automatically discriminating between a supraventricular tachycardia event and a ventricular tachycardia event is provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat epileptic seizures by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.

Abstract: Spinal cord modulation for inducing paresthetic and anesthetic effects, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes creating a therapeutic effect and a sensation in a patient by delivering to the patient first pulses having a first set of first signal delivery parameters and second pulses having a second set of second signal delivery parameters, wherein a first value of at least one first parameter of the first set is different than a second value of a corresponding second parameter of the second set, and wherein the first pulses, the second pulses or both the first and second pulses are delivered to the patient's spinal cord.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to determine one or more sensing zones on a body surface for electrocardiographic mapping of a region of interest associated with the heart. The sensing zone can be utilized to facilitate acquisition, processing and mapping of electrical activity for the corresponding region of interest. In other examples, an application-specific arrangement of electrodes can also be provided based on the sensing zone that is determined for the region of interest.

Abstract: A patient treatment unit for delivering non-invasive pulsed energy to living tissue with a probe stimulus generator circuit configured to output, as a treatment signal, a sequence of DC electrical pulses at a controlled pulse frequency of about 20 kHz and having a pulse voltage defined by a variable supply voltage of the probe stimulus generator circuit. The unit includes primary and secondary probes for contacting a body, an intensity adjustment circuit configured to control the variable supply voltage, and an electronic timer display configured to display an elapsed time in decimal numbers in minute and second format. An electrical current of the pulses is in a range of 0.1-2 mA while the probes are contacting the body. An operating output voltage across the probes while conducting the treatment signal does not exceed a maximum operating output voltage of 165 VDC while the probes are contacting the body.

Abstract: Catheter and implantable leadless pacing devices, systems, and methods utilizing catheters and implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example catheter system may include a holding structure extending distally from a tubular member. An implantable device, such a leadless pacing device, may be located within a cavity of the holding structure and an electrical barrier may be located within the holding structure at a location between a proximal electrode and a distal electrode of the implantable device. The electrical barrier may inhibit electrical signals of the implantable device from traveling within the holding structure between the proximal electrode and the distal electrode of the implantable device. The holding structure may include one or more electrical ports adjacent the proximal end of the holding structure and adjacent or proximal of the proximal electrode of the implantable device.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly attachable to an AIMD includes an insulator hermetically sealing a ferrule opening of an electrically conductive ferrule with a gold braze. A co-fired and electrically conductive sintered paste is disposed within and hermetically seals at least one via hole extending in the insulator. At least one capacitor is disposed on the device side. An active electrical connection electrically connects a capacitor active metallization and the sintered paste. A ground electrical connection electrically connects the gold braze to a capacitor ground metallization, wherein at least a portion of the ground electrical connection physically contacts the gold braze. The dielectric of the capacitor may be less than 1000 k. The ferrule may include an integrally formed peninsula portion extending into the ferrule opening spatially aligned with a ground passageway and metallization of an internally grounded feedthrough capacitor.

Abstract: An intragastric weight-loss device is disclosed. The device includes a proximal occlusion member comprising a spiral structure, a bridging member, and a distal occlusion member. The spiral structure can be configured to spiral into a bulbous shape when the proximal occlusion member is delivered into the stomach. The bridging member can extend from the proximal occlusion member. The distal occlusion member can be coupled to a distal end of the bridging member. The proximal occlusion member can be configured to intermittently obstruct a pyloric valve of a patient such that passage of food through the pyloric valve is slowed.

Abstract: A patient treatment unit for delivering non-invasive pulsed energy to living tissue with a probe stimulus generator circuit configured to output, as a treatment signal, a sequence of DC electrical pulses at a controlled pulse frequency of about 20 kHz and having a pulse voltage defined by a variable supply voltage of the probe stimulus generator circuit. The unit includes primary and secondary probes for contacting a body, an intensity adjustment circuit configured to control the variable supply voltage, and an electronic timer display configured to display an elapsed time in decimal numbers in minute and second format. An electrical current of the pulses is in a range of 0.1-2 mA while the probes are contacting the body. An operating output voltage across the probes while conducting the treatment signal does not exceed a maximum operating output voltage of 165 VDC while the probes are contacting the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for continuous physiological monitoring as well as systems and methods for interpreting data from such a device. The device may support intelligent selection from among two or more different modes for heart rate detection. In addition, the acquisition of continuous physiological data facilitates automated recommendations concerning changes to sleep, recovery time, exercise routines and the like.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system includes a processor(s) obtaining a signal from an implanted device within a given vicinity of the one or more processors. The processor(s) identifies a device that when active, has a pre-defined probability of impacting regular functionality of the implanted device. The processor(s) determines coordinates of a perimeter around the device, where the pre-defined probability of the device impacting the regular functionality of the implanted device is realized inside the perimeter. The processor(s) generate a geofence boundary around the device. The processor(s) initiate an action to decrease the pre-defined probability of the device impacting the regular functionality of the implanted device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a uniform total body cryotherapy method and apparatus operative to allow an individual in a cryotherapy chamber to be subjected to the same cold temperatures on their entire body at the same time. In use, the apparatus allows active dissemination of cold air in a confined space without the undesired consequence of wind shear commonly caused by forced movement of cold air.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system includes a processor(s) obtaining a signal from an implanted device within a given vicinity of the one or more processors. The processor(s) identifies a device that when active, has a pre-defined probability of impacting regular functionality of the implanted device. The processor(s) determines coordinates of a perimeter around the device, where the pre-defined probability of the device impacting the regular functionality of the implanted device is realized inside the perimeter. The processor(s) generate a geofence boundary around the device. The processor(s) initiate an action to decrease the pre-defined probability of the device impacting the regular functionality of the implanted device.

Abstract: A surgical laser system comprises a laser source configured to generate laser energy; a laser fiber optically coupled to the laser source and configured to discharge the laser energy generated by the laser source; a rocker arm configured to control an orientation of the discharged laser energy; and a controller configured to control a movement of the rocker arm in response to feedback of the discharged laser energy or to pre-defined settings of the laser source.