Abstract: An implantable circulatory support system, configured to connect a ventricular chamber of a heart, including a valveless displacement blood pump, a deformable polymeric flow cannula, a pair of male and female fasteners, a coupler, a driveline assembly, and a co-pulsatile driver. Forward and backward flow communication between the blood pump and the heart chamber is accomplished using the present flow cannula invention which is anastomosed to the heart chamber in a sutureless manner. When providing circulatory support, the co-pulsatile driver ejects blood out of the blood pump during systolic ventricular contraction and fills the blood pump with blood during diastolic ventricular relaxation.

Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism in an ophthalmic laser system balances the weight of the laser beam delivery head and provides small, precise and repeatable variations in the net load exerted by the laser head on the patient's eye over a defined distance of travel. The counterbalance mechanism includes a balance beam pivotably mounted on a support block, with the laser head and a counterweight mounted on its two ends. The counterweight is movable along the balance beam via a linear motion bearing. A mechanical link links the counterweight to the support block; the link has a predefined length and is pivotable around its respective connection points on the support block and the counterweight. When the balance beam pivots, the link causes the counterweight to move along the balance beam, thereby changing the mechanical advantage of the counterweight and varies the counterbalancing force to provide variations in the net load.

Abstract: Methods and devices for managing establishment of a communications link between an external instrument (EI) and an implantable medical device (IMD) are provided. A method performed by the EI includes scanning one or more channels for an advertisement notice transmitted by the IMD in accordance with a scanning schedule, wherein the scanning schedule defines a temporal pattern of scanning windows that are separated by one or more scanning intervals. The method also includes changing the scanning schedule, in response to a duration of the scanning the one or more channels exceeding a predetermined threshold without a valid advertisement notice being received by the EI from the IMD, and scanning the one or more channels for the advertisement notice in accordance with the scanning schedule as changed, wherein the scanning schedule as changed defines a different temporal pattern of scanning windows that are separated by one or more scanning intervals.

Abstract: The disclosed pacemaker module includes a case unit, a vertical movement guide, an atrial sensor, and a pacemaker. The pacemaker module according to the present disclosure has an excellent effect in that it is capable of accurately measuring the flow of current in the entire heart and capable of being accurately and consistently operated with a simple operation, which makes it possible to accurately implant the pacemaker module.

Abstract: Methods for treating a patient using therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated devices, system, and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to neuromodulating nerve tissue in selected anatomical regions. In one embodiment, the method can include intravascularly advancing an elongate shaft of a catheter to renal vasculature of a human patient and locating a first neuromodulation element of the catheter within a distalmost portion of a main renal artery. The method includes locating a second neuromodulation element of the catheter within a branch vessel of the renal artery distal to a bifurcation at a distal end of the main renal artery. Neuromodulation of the nerve tissue surrounding the selected anatomical treatment locations can inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a portion of a renal artery and/or a renal branch artery proximate a renal parenchyma.

Abstract: This invention is a system to assist human cardiovascular functioning which integrates the operation of an implanted cardiac device and a wearable device with an arcuate array of biometric sensors. Analysis of data from the biometric sensors on the wearable device is used to automatically adjust and optimize the operation of the implanted cardiac device. This system can work as a closed loop system for assisting and improving human cardiovascular functioning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor laser module and a method for application in noninvasive medical treatment. The module comprises a direct-output type semiconductor laser light source and a beam shaping device disposed in the light-exit direction of the direct-output type semiconductor laser light source. The beam shaping device comprises a light reflection component. The light reflection component is configured to enable laser beams outputted by the direct-output type semiconductor laser light source to be uniform. Based on the semiconductor laser module and the method provided in the present invention, the objective of treatment can be achieved by means of extracorporeal irradiation in a case in which no harm is done to a human body, costs are low, and the treatment effect is good.

Abstract: A probe for resecting and coagulating tissue comprises an outer sleeve having a tissue cutting window and an inner sleeve having a tissue cutting distal end. And RF cutting region is formed at the distal end of the inner member and an RF coagulation region is formed on an exterior surface of the inner member immediately proximal to the cutting surface. A single power supply providing a single RF energy mode can be connected to both RF applicator regions to simultaneously cut and coagulate tissue.

Abstract: A flexible electrode (1) for applying an electric field to the human body, comprising: a gripping portion (3); a deformable structure (5) having a first face (5a) fixed to the gripping portion (3); a flexible polymeric film (7) arranged on a flat second face (5b) of the deformable structure (5) and provided, on a flat face (7a) thereof facing outwards the electrode (1), with flat metal structures (10,11) defining at least one first electrode and one second electrode (A,B), surfaces (10a,11a) of the flat metal structures (10,11) facing outwards the polymeric film (7) being coplanar with the flat face (7a) of the polymeric film (7).

Abstract: A mechanical circulatory support device is provided. The device has a housing containing separate first and second pumps. Each pump having an inlet, an outlet, and an impeller. The device also having a switching mechanism located within the housing and movable from a first position to a second position to divert blood flow within the housing to an inlet of one of the pumps and/or to bypass blood flow relative to one of the pumps within the housing.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system including a delivery sheath that includes an internal lumen, and a plurality of delivery arms contained within the internal lumen of the delivery sheath and extending along a longitudinal axis of the internal lumen of the delivery sheath, wherein distal ends of the delivery arms include fasteners configured to engage with a basal structure of a medical device and a apical structure of the medical device, wherein the delivery arms are attached to delivery arm controls that are configured to advance the delivery arms and the medical device attached thereto out from a distal end of the delivery sheath, and removable release wires or release lines configured to engage with the fasteners to hold the basal structure and the apical structure in place at the fasteners.

Abstract: Medical device systems and methods for making and using medical device systems are disclosed. An example medical device system includes a control system having a processor and a pump, a first expandable member coupled to the processor and configured to be positioned in the superior vena cava. The system also includes a second expandable member coupled to the processor and configured to be positioned in the inferior vena cava. The system also includes a first sensing member designed to sense a first parameter. The system also includes a second sensing member designed to sense a second parameter. Additionally, the pump is designed to expand or contract the first expandable member, the second expandable member or both the first and the second expandable members based on a change in the first parameter, the second parameter or a change in both the first and the second parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for providing electrical stimulation to biological tissue to treat medical conditions. The system can include a lead configured to be positioned in contact with biological tissue proximate one or more occipital nerves, an implantable pulse generator configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the biological tissue via the one or more leads, and/or a power source configured to operatively connect and supply power to the implantable pulse generator. The system can further include a processor configured to communicate with the implantable pulse generator. The processor can operate the implantable pulse generator to deliver the electrical stimulation to the biological tissue via the lead. The implantable pulse generator can deliver the electrical stimulation by applying a stimulation waveform or a stimulation pattern. The stimulation waveform can include a series of stimulation pulses that can vary over time, which can reduce an effect of neural accommodation or adaptation.

Abstract: A device, such as an IMD, having a tissue conductance communication (TCC) transmitter controls a drive signal circuit and a polarity switching circuit by a controller of the TCC transmitter to generate an alternating current (AC) ramp on signal having a peak amplitude that is stepped up from a starting peak-to-peak amplitude to an ending peak-to-peak amplitude according to a step increment and step up interval. The TCC transmitter is further controlled to transmit the AC ramp on signal from the drive signal circuit and the polarity switching circuit via a coupling capacitor coupled to a transmitting electrode vector coupleable to the IMD. After the AC ramp on signal, the TCC transmitter transmits at least one TCC signal to a receiving device.

Abstract: A blood flow assist system can include an impeller assembly including an impeller shaft and an impeller on the impeller shaft, a primary flow pathway disposed along an exterior surface of the impeller. The system can include a rotor assembly at a proximal portion of the impeller shaft. A secondary flow pathway can be disposed along a lumen of the impeller shaft. During operation of the blood flow assist system, blood can be pumped proximally along the primary flow pathway and the secondary flow pathway. The system can include a sleeve bearing distal the impeller. The system can include a drive unit having a distal end disposed distal a proximal end of the second impeller. The drive unit comprising a drive magnet and a drive bearing between the drive magnet and the impeller assembly.

Abstract: Electrical therapy applied to the brain with increased efficacy and/or decreased undesirable side effects, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method includes applying a therapy signal to a patient, via at least one electrode at a subdural or epidural location at the patient's brain, to provide effective therapy that reduces or eliminates the effects of a patient disorder. The therapy signal does not induce any non-therapeutic side effects, and has a frequency in a frequency range of from 1.2 kHz to 500 kHz, an amplitude in an amplitude range from 0.1 to 20 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 1 microsecond to 400 microseconds.

Abstract: System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, an electrode, an electrical pad, and a signal line. The signal line is coupled to the substrate and covered by an insulation layer. The signal line is coupled to the electrical pad and the electrode. At least one of the electrode and the signal line includes a diamagnetic material and paramagnetic material, wherein a ratio of the diamagnetic material and the paramagnetic material is selected based on the susceptibility properties of a physiological tissue. The term paramagnetic herein refers to magnetic susceptibility greater than that of the surrounding tissue and diamagnetic refers to magnetic susceptibility lower than that of the tissue.

Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may include one or more biased tines that shift from a first position to a second position to secure the wireless electrode assembly into the inner wall of the heart chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing ventilation induced diaphragm disuse in a patient receiving ventilation support from a mechanical ventilator (MV), including: an electrode array of first and second types and comprising a plurality of electrodes configured to stimulate a phrenic nerve of the patient; and at least one controller configured to: identify a type of electrode array from at least two different types, generate a stimulus signal for stimulating a phrenic nerve of the patient based upon the identity of the electrode type.