Abstract: A device and method for carrying out dialysis and stimulation of a patient at the same time, in which an inflatable/deflatable cuff applies the stimulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for stimulating neurons having a pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity, said apparatus comprising a non-invasive stimulation unit (11) for applying stimuli (22) that stimulate a patient's neurons, a measurement unit (12) for recording test signals (23) that represent a neural activity of the stimulated neurons, and a control and analysis unit (10) for controlling the stimulation unit (11) and analyzing the test signals (23).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for polarizing at least two spatially separated, at least partially electrically conductive implants. The device includes a coil having a first pole and a second pole, a first contact device associated with the first pole for electrically contacting a first implant, and a second contact device associated with the second pole for electrically contacting a second implant. The coil may be arranged directly or indirectly on or in the first implant and carried by the first implant. The second contact device may include a flexible electrical line which allows the second implant to be contacted in a manner such that the coil may be arranged in a spatially separated manner from the second implant.

Abstract: Selective sensing implantable medical leads include pulsing and sensing portions and pulsing and not sensing portion. Leads and electrodes may be used in defibrillation and as integrated bipolar defibrillation electrodes. An entire electrode can pass charge while a valve metal or valve metal oxide portion of the electrode prevents the entire electrode from sensing, effectively rejecting unwanted signals. Differential conduction pathways, due to the valve metal and/or oxides thereof, cause the portions of the electrodes to conduct differently when used anodically and cathodically. Complex intracardiac electrical gradient can be formed along with a number of virtual electrodes within the tissue. Reentrant loops can thereby be pinned following defibrillation shock.

Abstract: Medical lead bodies that are paired each include a braided conductive shield. The braided conductive shield of one lead body has a value for a physical parameter that differs from a value for the physical parameter of the second lead body. The difference in values of the physical parameter for the paired lead bodies results in a reduction in heating from exposure of the lead bodies to radiofrequency energy at electrodes associated with the lead bodies. The lead bodies may be paired by being implanted adjacently to one another. The lead bodies may be further paired by being coupled to a same distal body, such as a paddle containing the electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to various monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical scissor instruments. An electrosurgical scissor instrument includes at least one scissor blade that has an electrically conductive tapered edge, where the tapered edge is insufficiently sharp to shear or otherwise mechanically cut tissue. The scissors also include another scissor blade movably mounted to the first scissor blade. The second scissor blade includes a flat contact surface that is aligned with the tapered edge of the first scissor blade. The scissors further include a scissor body that transfers electrical energy from an energy source to at least one of the scissor blades to electrically cut interlaying tissue located between the blades. In a monopolar embodiment, only one blade is conductive; whereas, in a bipolar embodiment, both blades are conductive.

Abstract: When applying shielded ECG leads to a patient, during the presence of strong RF signals such as electrocautery, high currents may flow through the cable capacitance to the shield and from there back to the patient via another cable capacitance and electrode, thus causing skin burnings. Such high currents can be reduced dramatically when the shields of the lead cable are separated by means of connecting series resistances into the shield conductors. Implementing these resistors into a ECG trunk cable allows the usage of uniform lead cables for all applications.

Abstract: A rules engine acquires sensor data from sensors applied to the heart and determines whether an electrical waveform should be applied to the heart and, if so, the type of electrical waveform. A multiphase cardiac stimulus generator generates waveforms in response to the rules engine. The electrical waveform is applied to one or more electrodes implanted in or on the heart.

Abstract: An exemplary cochlear electrode array includes a flexible body having a pre-curved spiral shape so as to conform with the curvature of a human cochlea, a plurality of stimulation electrode contacts spaced apart along a first side of the flexible body, a bundle of wires embedded within the flexible body for electrically connecting the electrode contacts to at least one stimulation signal source, at least one inflatable portion extending along at least part of the length of the flexible body, the at least one inflatable portion being adapted to straighten the flexible body, starting from the pre-curved shape, prior to insertion into the cochlea upon being inflated by being filled with gas or liquid, and to allow the flexible body to gradually reassume its pre-curved shape during insertion of the flexible body into the cochlea upon gradual withdrawal of gas or liquid from the at least one inflatable portion.

Abstract: An implantable electrode is described for a cochlear implant patient with a cochlea having a single internal cavity defined by an outer cavity wall. The electrode includes an extra-cochlear electrode lead with signal wires for conducting electrical stimulation signals. An intra-cochlear electrode array is configured to be inserted into the cochlea through a single cochleostomy opening and is made of a resilient carrier material having an outer surface with one or more stimulation contacts for delivering the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An insertion line is attached to the outer surface of the electrode array at a distal end and is made of a line material different from the electrode carrier material. The insertion line is configured to have an extra-cochlear end extending outside the cochleostomy opening during surgical insertion of the electrode array into the cochlea.

Abstract: A high efficiency blood pump includes a pump housing, wherein the pump housing provides an inlet and outlet. The pump includes a motor housing, wherein the motor housing contains a motor. An impeller is housed in the pump housing, wherein the impeller is radially supported by a hydrodynamic bearing providing at least one row of pattern grooves. A diaphragm provided by the pump housing separates the impeller chamber from the motor chamber. A magnetic coupling is provided between the motor and the impeller, wherein the magnetic coupling causes the impeller to rotate when the motor rotates and provides axial restraint of the impeller.

Abstract: An auditory stimulation signal processing device includes a plurality of signal inputs adapted to receive a plurality of frequency bin signals; a signal selector adapted to select a selected frequency bin signal from the plurality of frequency bin signals; a parameter modifier adapted to vary at least one stimulation signal generation parameter used for generating an electrode stimulation signal and affecting a shape of a basic stimulation pulse; and an electrode stimulation signal generator adapted to generate the electrode stimulation signal for application to an electrode of a neural auditory prosthesis, the electrode corresponding to a frequency of the selected frequency bin signal. A corresponding method and a computer readable digital storage medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: An auditory stimulation signal processing has a plurality of signal inputs adapted to receive a plurality of frequency bin signals, a selection probability value assigner, a random selector, and an electrode stimulation signal generator. The selection probability assigner is adapted to assign a selection probability value to at least one frequency bin signal of the plurality of frequency bin signals. The random selector is adapted to select one frequency bin signal from the plurality of frequency bin signals by means of a random process taking into account the selection probability value assigned to the at least on frequency bin signal. The electrode stimulation generator is adapted to generate an electrode stimulation signal for application to an electrode of a neural auditory prosthesis, the electrode corresponding to a frequency of the selected frequency bin signal. A corresponding method and a computer readable digital storage medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A paddle lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation of patient tissue includes a paddle body; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body; a plurality of lead bodies coupled to the paddle body; an array of terminals disposed on each of the plurality of lead bodies; and a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples one of the electrodes to at least one terminal of at least one of the terminal arrays. The paddle lead assembly further includes an implantation aid configured and arranged to fit over a portion of at least one of the lead bodies to provide additional stiffness proximal to the paddle body for aiding in implantation of the paddle body into a patient.

Abstract: In a system and method of determining regularity associated with a rhythm disorder of a heart, a derivative of a first cardiac signal at a plurality of first time points is processed against a derivative of a second cardiac signal at a plurality of second time points to define a plurality of coordinate pairs of the first cardiac signal against the second cardiac signal. Thereafter, an index of regularity that exceeds a threshold is determined. The index of regularity indicates an approximate congruence of the plurality of coordinate pairs among the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 kHz to about 50 kHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. Particular embodiments include applying a paresthesia-inducing signal with a frequency of less than 1.2 kHz.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining cellular electrical potentials using a state estimator. The state estimator is generated using at least an electrical source model and an electrical conduction model. One or more parameters or states of the state estimator are adjusted based on a measured electrocardiographic and/or a measured body-surface-potential signal. The electrical potential of one or more cells is determined based on the one or more adjusted parameters or states. In one aspect of the present technique, one or more representations of an organ comprising the one or more cells is generated such that the electrical potential or its deriving characteristic of the one or more cells is visually indicated.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system configured to stimulate a vestibular system of a user while the user is in a sleeping position. The system comprises a housing; a power supply; an electrode assembly; a controller that controls stimulation of the vestibular system through delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly; an input element configured to control operation of the system; an auditory output device that provides auditory output to the user, wherein the auditory output is synchronized with the stimulation of the vestibular system to enhance an effect of the stimulation; a mounting assembly for mounting the housing on the user; and a sensor adapted to generate an output signal related to a physiological parameter of the user, wherein the controller controls the electrode assembly to cease delivery of the energy responsive to the output signal indicating that the user is leaving the sleeping position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes, for each of a plurality of patients, receiving a target location from which to deliver a modulation signal to the patient's spinal cord. The method further includes implanting a signal delivery device within a vertebral foramen of each patient, and positioning an electrical contact carried by the signal delivery device to be within ±5 mm. of the target location, without the use of fluoroscopy. The method can still further include, for each of the plurality of patients, activating the electrical contact to modulate neural activity at the spinal cord. In further particular embodiments, RF signals, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and/or other techniques are used to locate the signal delivery device.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 100 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. Particular embodiments include applying a paresthesia-inducing signal with a frequency of less than 1.2 kHz.