Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a ventricular assist device that includes an impeller configured to be placed inside a subject's left ventricle. A frame is disposed around the impeller, the frame defining generally-cylindrical central portion, and a proximal conical portion that widens from a proximal end of the frame to a proximal end of the generally-cylindrical central portion. A motor drives the impeller to pump blood from the left ventricle to the subject's aorta, by rotation of the impeller. The impeller is configured to be disposed at least partially within the proximal conical portion of the frame during at least some of a time during which the impeller rotates. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A leadless pacing device may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, and one or more electrodes supported by the housing. The housing may include a body portion and a header. A distal extension may extend distally from the header of the housing, the distal extension including one or more electrodes. The header may include a guide wire port and a guide wire lumen may extend from the guide wire port through the header of the housing and through the distal extension. A fixation member may extend from the header of the housing. The header may be formed from an over mold process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a carrying case for a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is described. The carrying case includes a container with a front wall, a rear wall, and a gusset coupling the front wall and the rear wall. The carrying case also includes each of the front wall and rear wall including multiple fabric layers. The carrying case also includes two connection points inset from an edge of the rear wall. The carrying case also includes an adjustable strap removably coupled to the connection points, the adjustable strap configured to be worn in various configurations on a body of a patient.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various modular medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a patient by generating a first series of pulses having a frequency in a range from about 1 Hz to about 5 kHz, a voltage range from 0 (zero) volts to 100 (one hundred) volts, and a duty cycle of 1% to 90%; generating a second series of pulses having a frequency in a range from 5 kHz to 50 kHz, a voltage range from 0 (zero) volts to 100 (one hundred) volts, and a duty cycle of 1% to 90%; modulating the first series of pulses and the second series of pulses into a combined waveform of pulses; and delivering the combined waveform of pulses to the skin of the patient via an electrical circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating or preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. In particular, systems and methods are provided for a phototherapy treatment or prevention system that delivers light radiation to a patient's body to photodissociate carbon monoxide from hemoglobin.

Abstract: A safety system for laser treatment, comprising a robotic controller configured to monitor a distance between a treatment device and a treatment area, the robotic controller configured to detect a manual movement of the treatment device and to generate a counterbalancing force in response to the manual movement and wherein the robotic controller is configured to increase the counterbalancing force if the distance between the treatment device and the treatment area is less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: In certain embodiments a light therapy system (e.g., phototherapy device), such as for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, depression, dementia, short-term memory, or for improved learning, improved athletic performance or improved cognitive performance, is provided where the light system comprises a blue light source that operates at a frequency in the range from 20 to 50 Hz (preferably around 40 Hz), whereby the system enables retinal ganglion cells of a human to be exposed in order to stimulate brain waves (gamma oscillations in the human's brain).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an impeller, and a motor configured to drive the impeller to pump blood by rotating the impeller. The impeller is configured to undergo axial motion, in response to changes in a pressure against which the impeller is pumping. A sensor detects the axial motion of the impeller, and generates a sensor signal in response thereto. A computer processor receives the sensor signal and generates an output in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes an axial shaft, an impeller disposed on the axial shaft, a frame disposed around the impeller, and a motor disposed outside a subject's body, and configured to drive the impeller to pump blood from a distal end of the impeller to a proximal end of the impeller. A drive cable extends from outside the subject's body to the axial shaft, and is configured to impart rotational motion from the motor to the impeller by rotating. The drive cable is held in a preloaded state with respect to the frame, such that initiation of pumping of blood by rotation of the impeller does not cause the drive cable to axially elongate. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A human body support has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location.

Abstract: A surgical tool with cable-based steering assembly and lock assembly. An outer tube is coupled to a handle, and an inner member includes a tissue working member. The inner member may be an inner tube rotatably disposed in the outer tube and including a flexible neck aligned with links coupled to the outer tube. A steering unit is configured to be actuated to simultaneously tension and slacken steering cables to cause relative pivoting of the links so as to provide a bend or curve. The lock assembly is configured to be actuated to place simultaneous tension on the steering cables to compress the links against each other and inhibit further pivoting of the links against side loading from the tissue. The links may be shaped to have a frame that is tube-shaped with the frames of the links have the same inner and outer diameters as the outer tube.

Abstract: A contact lens (318,400,500,600) may include a contact lens body (402), an exterior contact surface (322,404), and an annular bifocal surface (326,408). The contact lens (318,400,500,600) may be configured for use in a contact lens assembly (300) for laser-based ophthalmological surgical treatments. The exterior contact surface (322,404) may be on a first end of the contact lens body (402). The exterior contact surface (322,404) may be configured for direct physical contact with a cornea (102) of an eye (100) of a patient. The annular bifocal surface (326,408) may be on a second end of the contact lens body (402). The second end may be opposite the exterior contact surface (322,404). The annular bifocal surface (326,408) may include a central portion (347,412,502,602). The central portion (347,412,502,602) may include a first focal distance. The annular bifocal surface (326,408) may include an outer portion (349,414,504,604) that surrounds at least a portion of the central portion (347,412,502,602).

Abstract: An implantable system includes a first leadless pacemaker (LP1) implanted in or on a first chamber of a heart and a second leadless pacemaker (LP2) implanted in or on a second chamber of the heart. The LP1 is configured to time delivery of one or more pacing pulses delivered to the first chamber of the heart based on timing of cardiac activity associated with the second chamber of the heart detected by the LP1 itself. The LP1 is also configured to transmit implant-to-implant (i2i) messages to the LP2. The LP2 is configured to time delivery of one or more pacing pulses delivered to the second chamber of the heart based on timing of cardiac activity associated with the second chamber of the heart as determined based on one or more i2i messages received by the LP2 from the LP1.

Abstract: Approaches described herein can capture an audio signal using at least one microphone while a user of an electronic device is determined to be asleep. At least one audio frame can be determined from the audio signal. The at least one audio frame represents a spectrum of frequencies detected by the at least one microphone over some period of time. One or more sounds associated with the at least one audio frame can be determined. Sleep-related information can be generated. The information identifies the one or more sounds as potential sources of sleep disruption.

Abstract: An exemplary sound processor is configured to maintain data representative of a frequency allocation table that maps frequencies in an upper region of an audible frequency range of a recipient to a plurality of electrodes located within a cochlea of the first ear, direct a cochlear implant to apply standard electrical stimulation representative of frequencies in an audio signal that are within the upper region to the cochlea of the first ear by way of the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the frequency allocation table, and direct the cochlear implant to apply phantom electrical stimulation representative of frequencies in the audio signal that are within a lower region of the audible frequency range to the cochlea of the first ear by way of a most apical electrode and one or more compensating electrodes included in the plurality of electrodes in accordance with a phantom electrode stimulation configuration.

Abstract: A bio-signal measurement apparatus may include a first substrate and a second substrate, an optical sensor mounted in the first substrate, a force sensor disposed on or below the first substrate, and a separation structure interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to prevent transmission of a force between the first substrate and the second substrate. An upper surface of the first substrate and an upper surface of the second substrate may be provided at the same level.

Abstract: Apparatus for medical treatment includes a laser source, which is configured to output a beam of laser radiation. An optical device is configured to direct the laser radiation to impinge on a limbal area of an eye with optical properties chosen so as to apply a desired treatment to a tissue structure associated with a cornea of the eye within the limbal area.

Abstract: A micro-device for corneal cross-linking treatment includes a body including an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion is disposed about a periphery of the inner portion. The inner portion is shaped such that, when the body is positioned against a surface of an eye, the outer portion contacts the surface of the eye and the inner portion defines a chamber over a cornea of the eye. The micro-device includes an illumination system including a micro-optical element coupled to the body. The micro-optical element is configured to direct photoactivating light to the cornea of the eye when the body is positioned against the surface of the eye. The photoactivating light generates cross-linking activity with a cross-linking agent applied to the cornea.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a risk factor related to dehydration and thermal stress of a subject are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: generate output signals, by one or more sensors worn on a body of a subject, conveying information related to one or more of location of the subject, motion of the subject, temperature of the subject, cardiovascular parameters of the subject; store information related to the subject; obtain the output signals; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of a water loss metric that correlates with estimated percentage of bodyweight of the subject lost in water; obtain heat index information for a contextual environment surrounding the subject; determine in an ongoing manner, from the output signals, values of an exertion metric that correlates with exertion of the subject due to work; and determine in an ongoing manner values for an aggregated risk factor of the subject.