Abstract: A system and method for collecting symptomatic data to screen for a targeted disease. Testing hardware incorporates a plurality of testing units with corresponding indicators that can be altered to indicate whether a symptom is present or not. The resulting data from the testing use can then be analyzed to determine the likelihood of presence of a disease.

Abstract: A method includes initiating a session at a first device having a session identifier. The session being one-to many. The method further includes joining the session with a third device and a second device using a session identifier, generating a physical condition signal at a physical condition sensor, converting the physical condition signal to a first signal, communicating the first signal to the second device and third device through a network, and generating an indicator at the second device or the third device corresponding to the first signal.

Abstract: A method, programmer for a neurostimulator, and neurostimulation kit are provided. The kit comprises a neurostimulator, and a plurality of elongated lead bodies configured for being coupled to the neurostimulator, each having a plurality of proximal contacts and a plurality of distal electrodes respectively electrically coupled to the proximal contacts, wherein an in-line connectivity between the electrodes and proximal contacts carried by the different lead bodies differs from each other. Electrical energy is conveyed between the electrodes of the selected lead body and the tissue, an electrical fingerprint is measured at the proximal contacts of the selected lead body in response to the conveyed electrical energy, and the selected lead body is identified based on the measured electrical fingerprint. These steps can be performed by the programmer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems are described for implanting a plurality of fiducial markers into a tissue. Systems include a needle, a stylet sized to slide within a lumen of the needle, and a multi-stop stylet spacer having stopping features configured to engage with the stylet to stop the distal end of the stylet at one or more predetermined distances from the distal end of the needle. Methods for implanting a plurality of fiducial markers into a tissue are described and include inserting a needle preloaded with fiducial markers into a tissue, adjusting a multi-stop stylet spacer from a safety position to a first deployment position, deploying a first fiducial marker into the tissue, adjusting the stylet spacer from the first deployment position to a second deployment position, and deploying a second fiducial marker into the tissue.

Abstract: A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a light source for generating laser light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element that has an optical waveguide that is coupled to the light source to receive laser light. A portion of a side wall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair where, at least at the cutting face, the optical waveguide has a refractive index that is equal to or lower than the refractive index of hair and higher than the refractive index of skin.

Abstract: A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include one or more electrode leads coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and a tunneler system for subcutaneously implanting a proximal portion of the lead(s). The system may also include a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A method of estimating a heart rate of a patient having an implantable blood pump including, during operation of the blood pump continuously detecting a plurality of cardiac cycles, each of the plurality of cardiac cycles including a length; sorting the plurality of cardiac cycles according to the length; filtering the plurality of cardiac cycles between one of a group consisting of including a reliable condition and at least one unreliable condition; continuously estimating a heart rate according to the length of the plurality of cardiac cycles and the reliable condition; and if the at least one unreliable condition is detected, modifying the estimated heart rate based on information associated with the detected at least one unreliable condition.

Abstract: An intraventricular pump including a fixed housing with a top part forming a propulsion chamber propelling fluid towards the top end, and a bottom part forming a stator and connected to the top part, at least one side opening between the top part and the bottom part, and forming an inlet chamber for fluid entry from the outside towards the propulsion chamber, a motor unit formed by the stator in which first magnetic elements are arranged, a bell-shaped rotor including second magnetic elements for magnetic coupling with the stator first magnetic elements, the bell having at least one opening in its top part creating a reverse fluid flow from the inlet chamber to the base of the stator via a rotor-to-stator passage, a transmission shaft including at least one connecting arm holding the bell above the stator, the transmission shaft coinciding with the bell rotational axis being coaxial.

Abstract: A system for predicting an occurrence of a foot ulcer includes a mat configured to be stood upon by a human subject, a plurality of sensor arrays disposed on or in said mat and arranged in adjacent proximity to one another. Each sensor includes an oxygenation probe, itself including a first light source and a light detector, and a secondary probe operable to utilize the light detector of the oxygenation probe and itself including a plurality of light sources exclusive of the first light source. The plurality of light sources of the secondary probe are arranged in a pattern around the oxygenation probe. The oxygenation probe is located at the approximate geometric center of the pattern. The system further includes a control module in signal communication with the light detector, and configured to independently control emission of light from the first light source of the oxygenation probe and the plurality of light sources of the secondary probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that enable one to design temporal patterns for the optimal stimulation of a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods to design improved stimulation patterns and/or genetic algorithms for the optimal stimulation of a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a model-based design to achieve a more optimal stimulation pattern for use in connection with a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue (e.g., a human nervous system). In another embodiment, the model-based design of the present invention utilizes a systematic search method to identify parameters (e.g., design variables) that minimize a cost function (e.g., optimize the fitness of a particular design).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring AF episodes, delivering ATP pulses, and/or achieving electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a patient's heart and/or preventing thrombus formation after electrical isolation. For example, devices are provided that may implanted from within the left atrium, e.g., to isolate the LAA, prevent thrombus formation within the LAA, facilitate endothelialization, and/or deliver pacing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hydration sensor or sensing element is configured to measure the hydration level of a user. The sensing element can include a water-permeable material positioned in between two water-impermeable material. The sensing element can be coupled to a bottle of fluid, or a carrier with a timer. The sensing element can be incorporated into a handheld device. The sensing element can be a disposable element, an element applicable for more than one-time use, or a re-usable element. The sensing element or sensor can be calibrated for a specific user or a group of users. One or more additional sensors that do not measure hydration level of the user can be coupled to a hydration sensing element to determine the amount of fluid consumption for the user in different conditions.

Abstract: The device comprises: —an outer tubular structure (21) having a closed terminal end; —an inner tubular structure (23), positioned in the outer tubular structure, and having a side wall with a terminal end and defining an inner volume, configured to receive a light guide (27); in which between the outer tubular structure (21) and the inner tubular structure (23) a first gap (25) for circulation of a coolant is formed; At least a portion of the external tubular structure (21) or the internal tubular structure (23) is diffusing to an electromagnetic radiation propagating in the light guide (27).

Abstract: An example of a system for programming a neurostimulator may include a storage device and a user interface. The storage device may be configured to store waveform building blocks. The user interface may include a display screen, a user input device, and an interface control circuit. The interface control circuit may include a waveform composer configured to allow for composition of one of more building blocks and composition of a pattern of neurostimulation pulses using selected one or more waveform building blocks. The waveform composer may include a library controller and waveform building block editors. The library controller may be configured to display a library management area on the screen. The displayed library management area allows a user to manage the stored waveform building blocks. The waveform building block editors may each be configured to allow the user to compose a type of the waveform building blocks.

Abstract: An assembly with a blood pump and a control unit to control the flow rate at the blood pump includes a device that is designed to deliver a parameter of the breathing cycle or a parameter associated with the breathing cycle. In this way, it is also made possible for a parameter that correlates to the breathing cycle to be used to control the blood pump, in order to proactively prevent problems associated with the drainage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a one-piece patient interface for single-stage docking of a femtosecond laser. The one-piece patient interface includes an upper circular portion, a lower conical portion integrally formed with the upper circular portion, an applanation plate in the lower conical portion, and a vacuum connection. The applanation plate may be at least partially coated with an applanation plate coating that is substantially transparent to treatment wavelengths of the femtosecond laser and substantially reflective to non-treatment wavelengths. The disclosure further provides a method for single-stage docking of a femtosecond laser and a system for cutting a flap on an eye using a femtosecond laser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a saccular cavopulmonary assist device, including a shell, an inflow tube (6) and an outflow tube (4), wherein a blood storage cavity (A) and a power cavity (B) are arranged in the shell, and the power cavity (B) is used for providing contraction and relaxation power for the blood storage cavity (A); the inflow tube (6) is arranged at a position corresponding to the power cavity (B) on the shell, an outer end is used for communicating with the vena cava, and an inner end communicates with the blood storage cavity (A) after passing through the power cavity (B); the outflow tube (4) is arranged at a position corresponding to the blood storage cavity (A) on the shell, an outer end is used for communicating with the pulmonary artery, and an inner end communicates with the blood storage cavity (A).

Abstract: A system may include an implantable structure with a plurality of electrodes attached thereto, where the implantable structure is configured to be implanted proximate to a nerve that innervates and is proximate to an organ involved with glucose control. The system may further include a controller configured for use to control which of the plurality of electrodes are modulation electrodes and which of the plurality of electrodes are sense electrodes, a modulation energy generator configured to deliver modulation energy using one or more of the modulation electrodes, and a nerve traffic sensor configured to sense nerve traffic in the nerve using one or more of the sense electrodes. The controller may be configured to determine if the delivered modulation energy captures the nerves based on the sensed neural activity.

Abstract: A method for monitoring neural activity responsive to a stimulus in a brain, the method comprising: a. applying a first stimulus to one or more of at least one electrode implanted in the brain, the first stimulus comprising a first plurality of bursts of stimulation, b. detecting high frequency oscillations (HFOs) between about 200 Hz and about 500 Hz due to neuronal activity at one or more of the at least one electrode implanted in the brain at least partially during application of the first stimulus; c. determining one or more waveform characteristics of the HFOs; and d. generating a second stimulus comprising a second plurality of bursts of stimulation, wherein one or more waveform characteristics of the second stimulus is dependent on the one of more waveform characteristics of the HFOs; and e. applying the second stimulus to one or more of the at least one electrode implanted in the brain.

Abstract: A system is configured to collect information regarding a user's sleep and to graphically convey sleep factors based on the information to a user. The system can include a control circuit and a sensor that work together configured to generate a first sleep factor. The first sleep factor is associated with the user's sleep episode. A database is communicatively coupled to the control circuit and stores a graphical representation of the user and a second sleep factor, which is defined by the user. The control circuit uses the first and second sleep factors to determine a sleep episode score. Optionally, the control circuit effects conveying the determined sleep episode score to the user via the graphical representation of the user.