Abstract: The device comprises an outer tubular structure (21) having a closed terminal end, and an inner tubular structure (23) positioned in the outer tubular structure (21) and having a side wall with a terminal end and defining an inner volume. A first gap for circulation of a coolant is formed between the outer tubular structure and the inner tubular structure. A light guide (27) is housed in the inner volume of the inner tubular structure (23). The light guide comprises an optical fiber (28) and a diffuser (30) optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber. The diffuser is at least partially made of a material diffusing to the electromagnetic radiation conveyed by the light guide, and has a curved shape.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector body with an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis. The connector body defines a port at a first end configured to receive a proximal portion of a lead or lead extension. Contact assemblies are axially spaced-apart within the connector body and collectively form a lumen that extends from the port along the longitudinal axis of the connector body. Each contact assembly includes a spring contact disposed within a contact housing. The spring contact has a contact region that extends diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector body. The contact region is positioned within the contact housing so that insertion of the proximal portion of the lead or lead extension into the contact housing results in a bending deflection of the contact region of the spring contact while maintaining contact between the contact region and the lead or lead extension.

Abstract: Methods and associated light management system variously provide protection of at least UPF 50, a cooling effect, a shading effect, a warming effect and a source for a photovoltaic device. A textile material absorb incident spectrum including one or more of a UV wavelength, a visible wavelength, and a near infrared wavelength and spontaneously emits light having an emission spectrum including visible light radiation and near infrared radiation. The textile material and associated articles have a high degree of UV blocking property due to strong absorption in the UV range. In addition, the spontaneous emission releases most of the absorbed energy and, therefore, the textile material remains relatively cool under sunlight, the shading effect. Furthermore, the strong spontaneous emission allows for shielding properties even when the apparel is made from otherwise sheer knit or weave structure. Associated application methods and manufacture methods are also disclosed.

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: The embodiments described herein relate to a self-positioning, quick-deployment low profile transvenous electrode system for sequentially pacing both the atrium and ventricle of the heart in the “dual chamber” mode, and methods for deploying the same.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods are provided for applying transcutaneous and/or epidural spinal cord stimulation with and without selective pharmaceuticals to restore voluntary control of hand function in tetraplegic subjects.

Abstract: A material comprising an ionically conducting polymer (ICP) positioned between and in direct contact with two electronically conducting polymers (ECP).

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a stethoscope having a structure which enables even physicians working remotely to recognize whether the chest piece of the stethoscope is touching the surface of the body appropriately. A stethoscope provided with: a stethoscope portion (10) comprising a chest piece and a microphone provided within the chest piece or in a hollow tube connecting to the chest piece; and sensors (20a-20c) for detecting contact with a human body, wherein the sensors detect contact by abutting with the body, and are fixed to the chest piece such that, when in a state detecting contact, the abutting ends of the sensors are situated in the same position as the contact surface of the chest piece against the body or in a position that is separated slightly farther from the body than the contact surface.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured to acquire a plurality of X-ray images over time based on X-rays having passed through a subject injected with a contrast agent, to calculate a blood vessel region corresponding to an inflow path of the contrast agent leading to a predetermined position in the blood vessel region, based on a temporal transition of signal intensities of the contrast agent in the blood vessel region represented in the X-ray images, and to perform control to display the blood vessel region corresponding to the inflow path in a display mode that is different from that of a blood vessel region other than the inflow path on a display.

Abstract: Nerve cuff deployment apparatuses and methods of using them to deliver a nerve cuff electrode to a target nerve trunk.

Abstract: Methods and systems estimate cardio-respiratory parameter(s), such as from in-phase and quadrature channels. The channels may represent patient chest movement and may be generated with a sensor, such as a contactless sensor that may sense movement with radio-frequency signals. In the methods/systems, the in-phase and quadrature channels may be processed, such as in a processor(s), using relative demodulation to generate cardio-respiratory parameter estimate(s). Optionally, the processing produces a jerk signal that may be filtered for producing a heart rate estimate, such as from zero-crossings of the filtered signal. Optionally, the processing produces a chest velocity signal that may be filtered for producing a respiratory rate estimate, such as from zero-crossings of the filtered signal.

Abstract: In general, implantation of neurostimulation systems or device includes subcutaneous or percutaneous placement of at least the electrodes. Preferred are minimally invasive implantation procedures, systems and devices that can reliably operate for extended periods, and systems and devices providing a high degree of comfort for the subject. The implantation specialist may need to address adequate placement of the electrodes with respect to the nerve tissue to be stimulated, and to choose between one or more convenient locations for the elements of the system or device. Methods are provided comprising forming a first 1250 and second 1260 incision on opposite sides of a target location, and introducing a first introducer sheath 3050a under the skin with a maximum internal transverse cross-section less than the further maximum transverse cross-section 710 of an implantable stimulator. Such a method is advantageous if the maximum transverse cross-section 710 of the further portion is at least 1.

Abstract: A wearable thermometer patch for monitoring healing of a wound on a user's skin includes a circuit substrate comprising an electric circuit and a plurality of temperature probe units distributed in a two-dimensional array. Each of the plurality of temperature probe units can include a temperature sensor in electric connection with the electric circuit in the circuit substrate. The plurality of temperature probe units can measure temperature values on a user's skin at different positions defined by the two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A medical device includes at least one electrode to sense an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal of a patient, and a controller coupled to the at least one electrode. The controller is configured to generate a first ECG template based on a first ECG signal of the patient received during a first baselining operation. The controller is configured to determine that the patient has been administered a therapeutic shock, and responsive to the determination that the patient has been administered the therapeutic shock, the controller is configured to initiate a second baselining operation and generate a second ECG template based on a second ECG signal of the patient received during the second baselining operation. The controller is configured to determine whether the patient is experiencing a cardiac event based on a comparison of the second ECG template to a real time ECG signal received during real time monitoring of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described in which a tracker is attached to an object and a localizer cooperates with the tracker to generate localizer data associated with the object. A vision device generates image data associated with the object and an environment surrounding the object within a field-of-view of the vision device. A navigation computer associates a virtual object with the object; determines a position and orientation of the virtual object in a coordinate system of the localizer based on the localizer data; combines the localizer data and the image data into a common coordinate system; merges the localizer data and the image data to identify data points in the image data having coordinates located outside of the virtual object; and associates a second virtual object with the identified data points, wherein the second virtual object defines a region that is to be avoided.

Abstract: A blood pump (1) comprises a pump casing (2) having a blood flow inlet (5) and a blood flow outlet (6) connected by a passage (7), and an impeller (3) arranged in said pump casing (2) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (9). The impeller (2) is provided with blades (4) sized and shaped for conveying blood along the passage (7) from the blood flow inlet (5) to the blood flow outlet (6), the impeller (3) being rotatably supported in the pump casing (2) by at least one bearing (10, 20). A surface of the impeller (3) faces a surface of the pump casing (2) spaced from said surface of the impeller (3) by a clearance (31), the clearance (31) being in fluid connection with the passage (7) at a clearance transition point (36). In order to wash out the clearance, at least one wash out channel (30) extends through the impeller (3) and is in fluid connection with the passage (7) via a first opening (34) and with the clearance (31) via a second opening (35).

Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for an implantable medical device includes an outer ferrule of metallic material having an outer surface hermetically sealed to an implantable device housing. There is an inner feedthrough assembly which is hermetically sealed within the ferrule and which has a structure of sintered layers that include: i. an electrical insulator of ceramic insulator material, ii. one or more electrically conductive vias of metallized conductive material embedded within and extending through the electrical insulator, and iii. a transition interface region around each of the conductive vias comprising a gradient mixture of the ceramic insulator material and the metallized conductive material forming a gradual transition and a mechanical bond between the electrical insulator and the conductive via.

Abstract: A system and method for implanting devices into biological tissue (e.g., brain tissue). The system may include a biocompatible probe, an integrated circuit (IC) chip tethered to the probe, a cartridge comprising a temporary attachment surface by which the probe is removably coupled to the cartridge and a fastener for removably coupling the IC chip to the cartridge, a needle to reversibly engage with the probe, a robotic arm to hold the needle, a camera, and a microprocessor controller. The microprocessor controller may control the robotic arm and the needle using the to remove the probe from the temporary attachment surface using the needle, pierce the biological tissue with the needle and the probe, withdraw the needle while leaving the probe within the biological tissue; and detach the IC chip from the cartridge, leaving the IC chip with the biological tissue, the IC chip still tethered to the probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing ventricle filling volume are disclosed. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce ventricle filling volume or even blood pressure. When the heart is stimulated at a consistent rate to reduce blood pressure, the cardiovascular system may over time adapt to the stimulation and revert back to the higher blood pressure. In some embodiments, the stimulation pattern may be configured to be inconsistent such that the adaptation response of the heart is reduced or even prevented. In some embodiments, a stimulation circuit may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to cause at least a portion of an atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such an atrial contraction may deposit less blood into the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is opened throughout an atrial contraction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy that treats atrial arrhythmias within pain tolerance thresholds of a patient. An implantable therapy generator adapted to generate and selectively deliver a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy and at least two leads, each having at least one electrode adapted to be positioned proximate the atrium of the patient. The device is programmed for delivering a three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy via both a far-field configuration and a near-field configuration of the electrodes upon detection of an atrial arrhythmia. The three-stage atrial cardioversion therapy includes a first stage for unpinning of one or more singularities associated with an atrial arrhythmia, a second stage for anti-repinning of the one or more singularities, both of which are delivered via the far-field configuration of the electrodes, and a third stage for extinguishing of the one or more singularities delivered via the near-field configuration of the electrodes.